The latest data from Viator, an online travel agency for travel experiences, offers a window into evolving travel habits.
02.09.2024 - 16:48 / thepointsguy.com
I've always used points and miles as a tool to enjoy travel experiences that I could typically never otherwise afford to purchase. Over time, this has often meant maximizing my rewards to book first-class flights and fancy hotel rooms. But aside from staying in Waldorf Astoria hotels and booking first-class flights on Japan Airlines' newest A350-1000 aircraft, your points can also be used to book special events and exclusive experiences.
Specifically, you can use Hilton Honors Experiences to redeem your points for activities, VIP events, concerts and so much more — plus, these experiences aren't exclusively hotel-related. While some experiences can be "purchased" outright using Hilton Honors points, others are auctioned off. For the ones that require you to bid, there is an expiration time, at which point the person who bid the highest number of points will win the experience.
In July, Hilton Honors Experiences auctioned off a VIP opportunity to attend the British Grand Prix. I was incredibly privileged to be invited by Hilton to get inside access to the McLaren F1 Team VIP Experience in Silverstone to see what winning one of these auctions is really like.
Related: Hilton Honors: Everything to know about the loyalty program
As a Hilton Honors member, you have access to an array of bookable VIP experiences on the website. In July, Hilton auctioned off a VIP weekend experience to attend the British Grand Prix 2024. This experience for two included VIP access to the race, entry to the VIP McLaren F1 Experience, access to the Pit Lane Walk, various McLaren F1 Team-hosted activities, access to Hilton's "Stay on the Grid" rooftop experience and a two-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone, which included breakfast.
The bid for this specific event started at 150,000 Hilton Honors points and eventually sold for 1,075,000 points. According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, Hilton Honors points are worth 0.6 cents per point, meaning we value 1,075,000 points at $6,450.
So, was this luxury experience worth it?
Related: How 20,000 Hilton points got me a 60-minute couples massage and a 4-course dinner for 2
Hilton has been the global hotel partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team for almost 20 years. While Hilton provides hotels for McLaren Racing around the world, this notable partnership is much more exciting for fans.
When I attended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, I got a first look at a VIP McLaren and Hilton experience. I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone, which sits right on the racetrack and is at the heart of the activities. Rooms are exactly what you would expect from this brand in the Hilton portfolio: clean, very comfortable and functional. You can expect a slightly
The latest data from Viator, an online travel agency for travel experiences, offers a window into evolving travel habits.
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