Get a Bigger Bonus for a Hilton HHonors Credit Card

How many bonus points does it take to make a credit card sign-up offer noteworthy?

For years, a 25,000-mile bonus for an airline-linked card was a guaranteed attention-getter: "Enough for a free ticket!"

But with recent bonuses from Chase (British Airways Visa) and Capital One (Venture Visa) reaching and breaching the 100,000-point level, the bar is higher than ever.

Today, bonuses that sink below the 50,000-point mark are apt to go mostly unnoticed by consumers trained to expect more.

Offer Details

Through October 22, new customers for the Hilton HHonors credit card issued by American Express will earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $750 within three months.

The card's features:

• Cardholders earn six HHonors bonus points for every $1 charged at Hilton family hotels, and for charges in the following categories: grocery stores, drugstores, gas stations, home and wireless phone, cable and satellite TV, Internet service providers.
• Earn three HHonors bonus points for every $1 charged for other purchases.
• Online booking bonus: 500 bonus points for stays booked through a Hilton website and charged to the card.
• Complimentary Silver elite status. Upgrade to Gold status for one year after charging $20,000 or more.
• No annual fee.

Deal or No Deal

In Hilton's program, 50,000 bonus points are enough for six award nights at a Category 1 hotel, two nights at a Category 3 hotel, or one night at a Category 7 hotel.

The previous sign-up bonus for this card was 40,000 bonus points after spending $750, and it will likely revert to that when this promotion ends. So the current, limited-time bonus is 25 percent more generous.

Given the trend toward ever-increasing bonuses, there's always the temptation to wait for the next promotion, hoping for more points after less spend.

American Express, however, has been less aggressive with its sign-up offers than Chase or Capital One, and is likely to remain so. Which is to say that, if you've been waiting for a compelling reason to get a Hilton HHonors credit card, this is probably as good as it's going to get.

Bottom line: It's a solid card, linked to a solid program, with a solid incentive to sign up sooner rather than later.

Reader Reality Check

Is the bonus a difference-maker for you?

If not, how big a bonus would it take?

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Wyndham Offers Double Points, $20 Gift Cards for Fall Stays

So far, this fall has seen hotel offers of every stripe, ranging from double points to free nights.

Here's Wyndham's offer, which adds yet another wrinkle to the bonus line-up.

Offer Details

Wyndham's fall promotion, in effect from September 15 to November 18, features two components:

• Wyndham Rewards members will receive a $20 Visa gift card after the second, fourth, and sixth qualifying stays.
• Program members will also earn double Wyndham Rewards points or airline miles for each of the first three stays.

Registration is required.

Deal or No Deal

By itself, double miles or points is a ho-hum offer. So it's up to the promotion's second component to make this a difference-maker.

Notwithstanding Wyndham's promise of "cash back," the financial incentive here is in fact a gift card. Sorta' cash-like, yes. But gift cards are simply not as usable as cash. And they're typically burdened with fine print, as they are here:

Qualified registrants should allow 2-3 weeks after completion of stays for the notification email to be sent, must complete the VISA card online redemption form within 60 days of receipt of the notification email, and should allow an additional 3-4 weeks from completion of online redemption form to receive the VISA card in the mail. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa USA, Inc. Visa Gift Card issued by MetaBank pursuant to a license from Visa USA, Inc. Fees associated with this card: Monthly inactivity fee of $2.95 after 12 consecutive months of inactivity. Lost/stolen replacement card fee of $5.00.

The fine print on a $20 bill? "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private."

Another negative is the promotion's short qualification period, just over two months. By contrast, Carlson's fall promotion gives travelers a full three months to qualify for rewards. InterContinental's qualification period is 3.5 months. Marriott's MegaBonus offer is in place for a full four months.

To make the most of this offer, the best strategy for most travelers would be to log two one-night stays during the promotion period, enough to earn one $20 gift card and double miles or points for both stays. For additional fall stays, there are other hotel promotions that will likely prove more rewarding.

Reader Reality Check

What's your plan for maximizing rewards for your fall hotel stays?

Other Posts of Interest

• Fall, Winter Hotel Promotions Compared
• This Fall, Earn 2,000 US Air Miles for Marriott Stays
• Earn Up to 80,000 Priority Club Bonus Points for Fall Stays
• Hyatt's Possibilities Promo: 5,000 Bonus Points After Every Three Nights
• Another Marriott Option: Up to 30,000 Miles for Fall Stays
• Up to Triple Points for Best Western Stays
• Starwood Offers Double, Triple Points for Fall Stays
• Choice Hotels Offers Quadruple Points for Fall Stays
• Marriott's New MegaBonus: One Free Night After Two Stays
• Hyatt Adds Elite Perks, Changes Award Prices
• Get Texts to Get 500 Priority Club Bonus Points
• Book InterCon Stays by Smartphone to Earn a Priority Club Bonus
• Book Priority Club Hotels for Just 5,000 Points With PointBreaks
• Hilton Points Go Further With Point Stretcher Awards
• Your Choice: Airline Miles or Hotel Points?

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This Weekend Only: 25,000 Delta Miles for Spending $500 at SkyMall

Mole and wart remover? Artificial topiary? A color-changing "gazing ball"?

Much that is sold on SkyMall.com (the online version of the ubiquitous Sky Mall catalog-of-catalogs) strikes me as gimmicky and, well, yucky. And it ain't cheap.

Weigh that against the prospect of earning 50 miles per $1 spent, however, and it might be worth taking the time to ferret out the diamonds amid the dross.

Offer Details

Delta SkyMiles members who spend $500 or more at SkyMall.com, excluding tax and delivery, by Sunday September 18 at 11:59 p.m., MST, will earn 25,000 miles.

Deal or No Deal

Yes, the catalog seems over-weighted with tacky tchotchkes. But with so many retailers and products represented, there are bound to be items relevant to many consumers' needs and interests. And while prices tend to be full retail, there are discounts to be found.

And the bonus is headline-worthy -- a hefty 50 miles per $1, an unusually generous mileage payout. Assuming the miles to be worth around 1.2 cents apiece, the bonus amounts to $300, a 60 percent discount on the $500 qualifier.

Bottom line: definitely worth a look. As always, be sure to check prices elsewhere, to ensure you're not overpaying to earn the miles.

Reader Reality Check

Have you ever bought anything from Sky Mall?

Might this promotion be reason enough to do so now?

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Which Airline Programs Are the Most (and Least) Generous?

The great majority of frequent flyer miles are redeemed for domestic coach tickets, at the saver level—25,000 miles in the programs of most legacy airlines.

So, for the average traveler, a key determinant of a mileage program's value is the availability of saver award seats.

And yet, there's no definitive data comparing the airlines' performance in this critical area.

Is a member of American's AAdvantage program more or less likely to be able to redeem his miles for a free ticket to San Francisco, for instance, than a member of United's MileagePlus program?

How do award-booking success rates vary among different routes, different classes or service, different times of the year?

Which program best delivers what I want most?

In the absence of such comparative data, choosing a mileage program is more like a crap shoot than a considered decision.

The closest to such a frequent flyer program scorecard is last year's award availability survey conducted by IdeaWorks, discussed in detail here.

The company made 6,160 test bookings on the websites of 22 of the world's largest frequent flyer programs and issued a report showing their success rates in booking award flights, ranging from a high of 99.3 percent to a low of 10.7 percent.

This week, IdeaWorks issued a follow-up to that study, the 2011 Worldwide Report of Reward Availability, "based upon 6,720 booking queries made by IdeaWorks at the websites of 24 frequent flier programs during March and early April 2011. Travel dates spanned June through October 2011; with 20 top routes checked to assess reward seat availability."

The results, showing the percentage of successful award bookings for U.S./Canadian programs and the change from last year's results:

1. Southwest - 99.3 percent (No change)
2. Air Canada - 82.1 percent (-11.5 points)
3. JetBlue - 79.3 percent (New for 2011)
4. United - 71.4 percent (+2.8 points)
5. Continental - 71.4 percent (No change)
6. Alaska - 64.3 percent (-10.7 points)
7. American - 62.9 percent (+5 points)
8. AirTran - 47.1 percent (-20.8 points)
9. Delta - 27.1 percent (+14.2 points)
10. US Airways - 25.7 percent (+15 points)

As indicated, the test bookings were online-only, for a limited number of flights and routes, for a specific travel period. A different methodology and a larger sample would no doubt yield somewhat different results.

Such quibbles notwithstanding, there is considerable value in any legitimate attempt to measure the airlines' "generosity quotient" (as I like to call it), not least in reminding us that consumers are sorely lacking in hard data to inform their loyalty-program choices.

Reader Reality Check

How do IdeaWorks' results compare with your personal experience in booking airline awards?

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This Fall, Earn 2,000 US Air Miles for Marriott Stays

There are plenty of opportunities to earn bonuses and free nights for hotel stays this fall. But no single hotel group offers its customers more options than Marriott.

Offer Details

Marriott Rewards members can earn 2,000 US Airways bonus miles per stay at around 270 participating JW Marriott, Marriott, and Renaissance hotels booked by October 31 and completed by December 26.

The bonus may be earned a maximum of five times.

Registration is required.

Deal or No Deal

Marriott has two other major promotions in effect during roughly the same period:

• The MegaBonus promotion features a free night after two qualifying stays.
• The More Stays, More Miles promotion features between 1,000 and 2,000 bonus miles in the programs of Delta, United, British Airways, Lufthansa, GOL/Varig, or LanPass, after two stays.

Since the three promotions aren't combinable, Marriott partisans will have to choose the offer with the bonus and qualifying criteria that best fit their needs and travel patterns.

Although the limited number of participating hotels is a drawback, for an infrequent traveler who's vested in US Airways' Dividend Miles program, this is still a modestly attractive option in and of itself. An additional point in its favor: Mileage-earning Marriott stays count toward additional bonuses in US Airways' Grand Slam promotion.

(For a comparison of all major hotels' fall promotions, see this chart.)

Reader Reality Check

Which Marriott offer is most attractive to you?

Other Posts of Interest

• Fall, Winter Hotel Promotions Compared
• Earn Up to 80,000 Priority Club Bonus Points for Fall Stays
• Hyatt's Possibilities Promo: 5,000 Bonus Points After Every Three Nights
• Another Marriott Option: Up to 30,000 Miles for Fall Stays
• Up to Triple Points for Best Western Stays
• Starwood Offers Double, Triple Points for Fall Stays
• Choice Hotels Offers Quadruple Points for Fall Stays
• Marriott's New MegaBonus: One Free Night After Two Stays
• Hyatt Adds Elite Perks, Changes Award Prices
• Get Texts to Get 500 Priority Club Bonus Points
• Book InterCon Stays by Smartphone to Earn a Priority Club Bonus
• Book Priority Club Hotels for Just 5,000 Points With PointBreaks
• Hilton Points Go Further With Point Stretcher Awards
• Your Choice: Airline Miles or Hotel Points?

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Virgin America Is New American Express Transfer Partner

One of the key benefits of the American Express Membership Rewards program has always been the ability to exchange points for miles in multiple airline programs.

That ability now extends to 16 programs, including Aeroplan, AirTran A+ Rewards, Continental OnePass, Delta SkyMiles, Frontier EarlyReturns, and JetBlue TrueBlue.

But the list of transfer partners will be one airline shorter on September 30, when Continental's contract expires. (Rewards members will still be able to redeem points for Continental flights with the Pay with Points option.)

That will leave Membership Rewards without four key U.S. players: American, United Continental, Southwest, and US Airways.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the travel universe, Virgin America has been slowly, methodically building out its Elevate frequent flyer program to better compete with the robust programs that feature hundreds of opportunities for mile-earning and worldwide travel awards.

American Express, Meet Virgin America

On October 5, Virgin America will become the newest Membership Rewards transfer partner, allowing Rewards members to convert their points into Elevate points. (The transfer rate hasn't yet been disclosed.)

Membership Rewards members will also be able to redeem points for Virgin America flights.

For American Express, the new tie-up does little to close the gap created by Continental's departure from the program. Virgin America is a glitzy company with a sexy product. But coverage-wise, it's a minor player.

It's a bigger win for Virgin America, whose program remains on the bare-bones end of the spectrum, and sorely needs new partnerships.

Exactly how much of a win it turns out to be for Rewards members will depend on the transfer ratio.

Stay tuned.

Reader Reality Check

Big win? Little win?

Other Posts of Interest

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• Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic Tie-Up Offers Frequent Flyers Poor Value
• Virgin America Adds Boutique Hotels to Elevate Program
• Earn a Bonus, Elite Miles for Transferring Amex Points to Delta
• Transfer Membership Rewards Points to Reach Delta Elite Status
• Just How Rewarding Is Your Airline Rewards Program?

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United, Continental Discount Award Flights by 20%

Up until a year ago, United was on track to establish itself as the industry leader in discounting award flights, having rolled out a dozen limited-time award-price discounts over the previous two years.

And then ... nothing, for the past year.

Perhaps that's been due to United's recent focus on integrating MileagePlus with OnePass in the wake of the merger with Continental.

In any case, United is back to its discounting ways, this time together with merger partner Continental.

Offer Details

Through September 19, United MileagePlus and Continental OnePass members can book select coach-class saver awards for 20 percent fewer miles, for travel between October 10 and December 15.

The list of discounted routes includes United, United Express, Continental, and Continental Express flights to and from United and Continental hubs (Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Houston, Newark, Cleveland), plus a few non-hub flights.

Members of both programs have access to both airlines' discounted flights, but to book flights on the other airline, they must first transfer their miles to the other program.

Per United: "To book flights operated by Continental or Continental Express please transfer your MileagePlus miles to a OnePass account and redeem through Continental.com."

Conditions:

• Ticket by September 19, 2011
• Blackout Dates: 11/18, 11/23, 11/26-11/28, 2011
• Saturday-night stay required
• Valid on round-trip coach saver award travel

Deal or No Deal

It's not clear why MileagePlus members are required to move their miles to OnePass to receive the discount for Continental flights, and OnePass members must do the same to redeem for discounted United flights. Given the two programs' extensive integration, that seems like an unnecessary complication.

The Saturday-night stay requirement is a negative as well.

Still, a 20 percent discount on a wide range of award flights, with a 10-week travel window, is a solid deal.

Let's hope that this signals United's return to regular award discounting.

Reader Reality Check

Is this a meaningful program benefit for you?

Have you taken advantage of past United award discounts?

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Rent From Avis, Budget to Earn a Free Night at Carlson Hotels

For travelers interested in hotel points and free nights, this is one of the most generous rental-car promotions in recent memory.

Offer Details

Through December 31, members of Club Carlson (formerly GoldPoints Plus) can earn 9,000 points on qualifying Avis or Budget rentals of three or more days.

Normally, program members earn 750 points per Avis or Budget rental, so the bonus amounts to an extra 8,250 points.

The Avis deal also includes a 25 percent discount (use discount coupon code MUHA013); the associated Budget discount is 20 percent (discount code U106506).

Deal or No Deal

Club Carlson free nights start at 9,000 points, so the total number of points earned for three-day rentals is enough for an award night at Category 1 hotels.

Points can also be converted into miles in 25 airline programs, including those of American, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Frontier, United, and US Airways. The conversion rate is 250 miles for every 2,000 points, so 8,000 points will convert to 1,000 airline miles.

I currently put the average value of a frequent flyer miles at around 1.2 cents, which translates into just $12 for those 1,000 miles.

A free night, on the other hand, could be worth as much as ten times that, even at a modest Category 1 hotel.

This is a solid offer, as long as you elect to take the bonus in points. For mileage-earners, the value is paltry.

Reader Reality Check

If you come across a better offer, let us know.

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Alaska Airlines Doubles the Miles for Fall Flights

Through November 15, Mileage Plan members will earn double miles for Alaska Airlines flights on the following routes:

• Between Seattle and Long Beach or Edmonton
• Between Los Angeles and Mazatlan, Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Vancouver
• Between San Francisco and Palm Springs, Los Cabos, or Puerto Vallarta
• Between San Jose and Los Cabos
• Between Portland and Boise or Los Angeles

Registration prior to qualifying travel is required.

Deal or No Deal

With the exception of Frontier—whose double-mile offer remains in place through September 30 and includes connecting flights to some of the featured Alaska destination—no other airlines are offering bonuses on these routes, so this promotion is worth considering for anyone whose travel plans include flights to any of the eligible destinations.

Not a Mileage Plan member? There's a 500-mile bonus for signing up using this link.

For Alaska Airlines partisans, it's a no-brainer: Register, fly, enjoy the double miles.

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US Airways Launches Gift Registry for Frequent Flyer Miles

Earning miles, giving miles, transferring miles ... been there, done that.

How 'bout requesting that friends and family contribute miles to your account, the same way they might contribute toward the purchase of wedding presents through a department store's gift registry?

That's the novel premise behind US Airways' new Miles Gift Registry.

Dividend Miles members can now establish a Dividend Miles Gift Registry, set a mileage goal (enough for a honeymoon trip, for example), and request miles from family or friends.

While the registry is obviously designed after the wedding model, it can be used to aggregate miles for any occasion, or for no special occasion at all.

From the Miles Gift Registry website:

Anyone can purchase miles for you and have them automatically deposited into your account. Or, if you know someone who is a Dividend Miles member, they can transfer miles from their account to yours.

The registry can be set up for any occasion, such as a birthday, wedding or graduation, and you can enter a mileage goal. Anyone can purchase miles for your registry and miles will automatically be added to your account. Dividend Miles members can also transfer miles from their account to yours.

The registry permits users to easily link to their Twitter and Facebook accounts, as well as send mileage requests via email.

Cleverness aside, in the end, the question comes back to value. The normal fees to purchase, gift, or transfer miles are just too high to warrant purchases of significant quantities. A better use of your friends and families' funds would be to simply buy you a paid ticket.

However, the value equation is titled somewhat in the buyer's favor during US Airways' periodic bonuses for purchasing and gifting miles. In fact, there's a 100 percent bonus for buying or gifting US Airways miles currently in effect, through September 15. Which might make this a good time to say "I do."

Reader Reality Check

Useful, or just cute?

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