Reader Question: Should I Keep My HHonors Account Alive or Transfer to Airline Miles?

Love your blog! I have 22,000 points with HHonors, and they will expire on 2/1/12 if I don't keep my account active (by shopping at their Earnings Mall, etc.). Would it be better to transfer the 22,000 points to my United Mileage Plus account or keep the account active? Is the Hilton Honors points transfer one point for one mile with United? Just trying to decide which is more valuable - the points or the miles. Thanks! - N.

Hi & Thanks for the kind words :) 

To answer your question, it really does depend on your preference. Would the transfer help you achieve an elite level, or bring you a step closer to a free ticket that you're eyeing? Personally, I value United Airlines/Continental miles higher than HHonors points because it is my preferred airline since I live in a UA hub city (EWR), but HHonors points certainly do not transfer on a 1:1 ratio to UA/CO miles. 

The transfer ratio is 10,000 HHonors=1,000 OnePass miles.

 As far as the value of your points now, you can refer to the redemption chart below and see that your options are fairly limited to 1 or 2 nights at a lower level category.

Another option would be to keep your HHonors account active by purchasing something from their Earnings Mall as you previously noted. They have some cheap hits like a Restaurant.com gift card for only a few bucks. If you choose to keep your account active before they expire, you can even wait until the 2012 US Airways Grand Slam promotion begins in September (crosses fingers) and transfer your HHonors points into your US Airways Dividend Miles account (US Airways is also part of the Star Alliance with United). Your transfer will count as a "hit", which can help you earn more bonus miles if you choose to play in the Grand Slam, which by the way, has become one of my favorite points/miles promotions (you can also read about my experiences with the 2011 Grand Slam Promotion).

Thanks again for following my blog and reaching out, I hope I was able to help! Keep us updated with what you decide to do!

Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton
Hotel Category	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Points for One Free Night (Standard)	7,500	12,500	25,000	30,000	35,000	40,000	50,000

 

Hilton Family of Hotels - Hilton HHonors Reward Exchange Program

Brands: Hilton®, Conrad®, Coral by Hilton, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Club® and Homewood Suites by Hilton®

Web Site: www.hiltonhhonors.com
Phone Number: 800.HHONORS