Hilton Honors and Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) have just rolled out their exclusive new partnership. This is super exciting, as it gives Hilton Honors members the ability to earn and redeem points at nearly 400 additional boutique, luxury properties.
Within the past day, we’ve seen Hilton Honors open availability at a vast majority of SLH properties, and what we’re seeing so far is fantastic. I’d go so far as to say that this is a game changer when it comes to redeeming Hilton Honors points for luxury stays, in my opinion.
The basics of redeeming Hilton points at SLH hotels
With nearly 400 SLH properties now partnering with Hilton Honors, it’s possible to earn and redeem points for stays at a majority of these properties. This potentially offers incredible value, though before we get into that, let’s cover the very basics:
- While SLH properties have dynamic pricing (like all other Hilton Honors properties), it does follow Hilton’s conventional pricing system, and properties shouldn’t cost more than 150,000 Honors points per night
- Much like for redemptions at Hilton managed properties, Hilton Honors elite members can receive a fifth night free on award bookings
- In addition to being able to redeem points, Hilton Honors members can also redeem free night awards at SLH properties
- Note that unlike at properties managed by Hilton, there are capacity controls at SLH properties, so it’s possible that a hotel has rooms for sale, but doesn’t have reasonably priced award nights
Before we look at the redemption opportunities, let me emphasize that personally I value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents each. For that matter, the program often sells points directly to consumers at that cost. I’m seeing lots of SLH redemptions that get you over a cent per point, so that’s pretty exciting.
There are amazing awards bookable through SLH
Now that it’s possible to redeem Hilton Honors points at SLH properties, it’s so fun to see all the possibilities. To start, you can visit this link to see all the SLH properties that are participating in the partnership.
For example, I’ve stayed at Canaves Epitome in Santorini, Greece. In peak season, the hotel goes for over €1,200 per night. You can book it for 140,000 Hilton Honors per night, or an average of 112,000 points per night with a fifth night free. That’s an incredible value.
While I haven’t stayed there, Cap Rocat in Mallorca, Spain, the hotel goes for over €1,500 per night. You can book it for 130,000 Hilton Honors per night, or an average of 104,000 points per night with a fifth night free.
Then there’s Sailrock South Caicos in Turks & Caicos, which is a popular Caribbean resort that often goes for over $1,300 per night when including taxes and fees. You can book it for 130,000 Hilton Honors per night, or an average of 104,000 points per night with a fifth night free.
That’s just a small selection of what’s available. Nick Reyes at Frequent Miler also has a post with some great redemption opportunities, so it’s nice to see what’s available.
I’ve gotta say, I’m pleasantly surprised that in many cases the award pricing is at least as attractive as it was when World of Hyatt had a partnership with SLH, when you factor in that I value one World of Hyatt point at three Hilton Honors points (and Hilton offers a fifth night free, while Hyatt doesn’t).
Bottom line
At long last, Hilton Honors has rolled out SLH redemptions in a meaningful way. The redemption rates are largely attractive, and it opens up some great new sweet spots for Hilton points. If you value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents each (which is fair, since you can acquire them at that rate), then I’d say there are lots of opportunities to get outsized value.
What do you make of redeeming Hilton points at SLH properties? Any sweet spots you’ve noticed?
Credit: Source link