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Hilton, Starwood, and Wyndham hotels have increased the number of points needed for a free hotel night. Loyalty Lobby explains the Hilton hotels increase and the Starwood hotels increase, and Loyalty Traveler explains the Wyndham increase (though many Wyndham hotels aren’t increasing in price).
Some folks are upset that the hotels have increased the amount of points needed for a free hotel night. I don’t get upset when a great deal or something too good to be true ends or changes. Instead, I’m happy that I was able to participate and start looking for new options!
Make Award Bookings Now
Most hotel award nights can be cancelled for no penalty, but check the cancellation policy before making a booking.
1. Starwood. Book by TODAY (March 4, 2013) to avoid award price increases to cash and points & certain regular hotel categories.
2. Hilton. Book by March 28, 2013 to avoid paying more points. Loyalty Lobby shows how to make bookings up to 2015. Many of the unfavorable changes are to the top Hilton hotels which were priced quite cheaply before the increase.
3. Wyndham. Book by March 14, 2013 to avoid award price increases.
Bottom Line
It doesn’t hurt to make award reservations at the lower rate before the hotel award charts increase because you can lock in the lower price and have the option to cancel your award later on.
But be sure to check the cancellation policy before you make a booking!
Can not agree with you more!
“Some folks are upset that the hotels have increased the amount of points needed for a free hotel night. I don’t get upset when a great deal or something too good to be true ends or changes. Instead, I’m happy that I was able to participate and start looking for new options!”
@jellybean – The SPG transfer rate to airlines still remains the same.
@Kalboz – I wrote about the changes to Marriott before.
How about Marriott?
Are the transfer rates to airlines still the same? Seems like a better use now. What are the best transfer options, i.e., 25k SPG points gets you 30k airline miles, etc? Thanks Primarily interested in SPG and Hilton.
I mean cancellation policy – will they return the full points?
@Christine – If you cancel within the cancellation window (which varies based on each hotel) they will return the full points.
Do you happen to know Hilton’s return policy on points? Thank you!