Is it still worth collecting Hilton points on stays? Now that Hilton points are worth far less than they once were, a reader emailed us this week to ask the following: With Hilton points now devalued to a 0.35 cents per point Reasonable Redemption Value, is it time to stop accumulating Hilton points altogether, and book all Hilton rooms through Rove? I don’t mean Loyalty Eligible Stays, I mean just pure Rove points. Can accumulating more Hilton points through stays or transfers ever pay off now? As is often the case with questions like this in the points and miles world, the answer is: it depends. The reason I say it depends is because there are all kinds of factors that can come into play when making a determination as to what approach will work best for you. In this article, I will explore the various factors that can influence your decision, including your Hilton points and Rove Miles valuations, Hilton earnings baseline, your Hilton elite status, and whether you have a Hilton credit card. I will also delve into the different scenarios, such as no elite status and no credit card, elite status but no credit card, and elite status with a credit card, to provide a comprehensive analysis. Additionally, I will discuss other earning and benefit factors for directly booked Hilton stays, such as promotions, MyWay benefits, incidentals, Amex Offers, Hilton credits, shopping portal rewards, elite night credits and Milestone Rewards, complimentary breakfast or food & beverage credit, room upgrades, and lounge access. Furthermore, I will examine an alternative: Rove, including non-Loyalty Eligible stays, Loyalty Eligible stays, and the comparison of prices when booking via Rove versus booking directly. I will also consider the Hilton points balance versus Rove points balance, other hotel booking options, and whether transfers to Hilton are worth it. Finally, I will provide my final thoughts and suggestions on how to approach this decision without falling into the trap of analysis paralysis. Personally, I think that the decision to collect Hilton points or book through Rove depends on a variety of factors, including your Hilton points and Rove Miles valuations, Hilton earnings baseline, Hilton elite status, and whether you have a Hilton credit card. What makes this particularly fascinating is that there are so many variables to consider, and the optimal approach can vary significantly depending on your individual circumstances. From my perspective, the key is to carefully evaluate your own situation and make an informed decision based on your specific needs and preferences. One thing that immediately stands out is the importance of understanding the value of your Hilton points and Rove Miles. If you choose to redeem Hilton points, you should calculate your expected earnings based on your points valuations. If you prefer to book through Rove, you should consider the earning rates and potential rewards, such as Rove Miles and hotel points, as well as the availability of Loyalty Eligible stays. What many people don't realize is that the value of Hilton points and Rove Miles can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of your stay. If you take a step back and think about it, it becomes clear that the decision to collect Hilton points or book through Rove is not a simple one. This raises a deeper question: how can we best optimize our points and miles to maximize our travel experiences? A detail that I find especially interesting is the impact of Hilton elite status on your earnings. If you have elite status, you can earn bonus points on base spend, which can significantly increase your overall return on spend. For example, if you have Diamond status, you can earn up to 120% bonus points on paid stays, which can result in a 4.2% return on spend. What this really suggests is that Hilton elite status can be a powerful tool for maximizing your points earnings, and it's worth considering whether the benefits of elite status outweigh the cost of maintaining it. In conclusion, the decision to collect Hilton points or book through Rove is a complex one that requires careful consideration of a variety of factors. By understanding your Hilton points and Rove Miles valuations, Hilton earnings baseline, Hilton elite status, and whether you have a Hilton credit card, you can make an informed decision that best suits your individual needs and preferences. If you take a step back and think about it, it becomes clear that the optimal approach will depend on your specific circumstances, and it's important to carefully evaluate all of the available options before making a final decision. Personally, I think that the key to success in the points and miles world is to remain flexible and adaptable, and to be willing to adjust your approach as needed based on the specific circumstances of your travel plans.
