I’ll admit that I roll my eyes a little every time someone complains about Hilton being revenue-based. Call me a bit of a fanboy if you want, there are still opportunities to get good value out of Hilton points. To be clear, most Hilton redemptions are going to be just under half a cent each in value (which is why our Reasonable Redemption RRV for Hilton points is 0.45c). However, I’m in Atlanta this weekend and I can’t believe some of the terrific redemption opportunities. They line up nicely with the current promotion to buy Hilton points for a half a cent each — which means you can get a room in the middle of the action this weekend from less than two hundred bucks per night despite cash rates of a thousand bucks or more.
I’ve been looking all week at each of the various programs and availability has come and cone repeatedly (Hyatt has been particularly annoying, with availability constantly changing and standard rooms sometimes being available on points and sometimes not). Hilton has been pretty consistent though, with room rates in the five or six hundred to thousand dollars range and points prices in the 30K-40K range.
Of course, most properties are sold out. But a number still have availability. For example, if you want to stay in Buckhead, both the Hampton Inn and Doubletree are available.
Seeing as you can currently buy Hilton points for 0.5c each, you can buy the points for the Hampton Inn for $150 per night all-in or for the Doubletree for $175 per night all-in.
If you’d like to stay Downtown, you could do so for $200 per night if you buy 40K points for $200.
If you prefer Midtown, the Hilton Garden Inn Midtown is available for Super Bowl Sunday for 40K points as shown in the screen shot at the top.
Of course, Hilton isn’t the only game in town so-to-speak. Other loyalty schemes also have award stays available. The unique feature here is the ability to just outright buy the points and pay a heck of a lot less than prevailing cash rates even when booking the day before the game.
The Super Bowl certainly isn’t for everyone, but one day in and I’m enjoying the excitement. Between the volunteers with pom poms cheering on everyone at arrivals yesterday….
….to the free cookies and drinks spread put out by my hotel the past couple of days and commemorative Super Bowl key cards at the hotel, it’s kind of a cool atmosphere so far.
Ask me how I slept on Monday morning and we’ll see if I still feel the same way. Nonetheless, this seemed like an opportunity that might appeal to those within driving distance since it’s a pretty cheap way to get near the action (and I think a lot of the people in town have no intention of actually attending the game, so you won’t be alone in watching the big game at your hotel).
[…] Want to visit ATL for the Superbowl? Buy Hilton points. […]
Hyatt is an even better redemption. I’m at the Hyatt Place Buckhead for 8000 points per night and the rooms were going for $1006 per night!
See ya at breakfast tomorrow 🙂
Email me…
Cash price of $5000 and point price of 30k?
Clearly no one wants their rooms and are they playing some tax game? Trying to write off business expense at exorbitant prices?
Are you going to the game? If not, what activities brought you here? (I live here and sadly haven’t done anything yet…)
Ha! Unless I find a pair of tickets laying on the ground somewhere, doubtful. There was a beer festival today that drew a family member who suggested Atlanta for the weekend. My wife is here for the aquarium. I like Coca-Cola. There’s something for everyone. 😀
Cool – I just walked downtown and the park was already full for the free concert. Enjoy the rest of your weekend here!