I’ve all the time used factors and miles as a device to take pleasure in journey experiences that I might usually by no means in any other case afford to buy. Over time, this has typically meant maximizing my rewards to guide first-class flights and fancy lodge rooms. However except for staying in Waldorf Astoria inns and reserving first-class flights on Japan Airways’ latest A350-1000 plane, your factors can be used to guide particular occasions and unique experiences.
Particularly, you should use Hilton Honors Experiences to redeem your factors for actions, VIP occasions, concert events and a lot extra — plus, these experiences aren’t solely hotel-related. Whereas some experiences will be “bought” outright utilizing Hilton Honors factors, others are auctioned off. For those that require you to bid, there may be an expiration time, at which level the one who bid the best variety of factors will win the expertise.
In July, Hilton Honors Experiences auctioned off a VIP alternative to attend the British Grand Prix. I used to be extremely privileged to be invited by Hilton to get inside entry to the McLaren F1 Group VIP Expertise in Silverstone to see what successful one among these auctions is basically like.
Associated: Hilton Honors: The whole lot to know in regards to the loyalty program
You’ll be able to guide Hilton Honors Experiences utilizing factors
As a Hilton Honors member, you have got entry to an array of bookable VIP experiences on the web site. In July, Hilton auctioned off a VIP weekend expertise to attend the British Grand Prix 2024. This expertise for 2 included VIP entry to the race, entry to the VIP McLaren F1 Expertise, entry to the Pit Lane Stroll, numerous McLaren F1 Group-hosted actions, entry to Hilton’s “Keep on the Grid” rooftop expertise and a two-night keep on the Hilton Backyard Inn Silverstone, which included breakfast.
The bid for this particular occasion began at 150,000 Hilton Honors factors and finally offered for 1,075,000 factors. In line with TPG’s September 2024 valuations, Hilton Honors factors are value 0.6 cents per level, which means we worth 1,075,000 factors at $6,450.
So, was this luxurious expertise value it?
Hilton Honors Experiences: My expertise on the British Grand Prix
Hilton has been the worldwide lodge accomplice of the McLaren Method 1 crew for nearly 20 years. Whereas Hilton offers inns for McLaren Racing all over the world, this notable partnership is way more thrilling for followers.
Every day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Once I attended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, I acquired a primary take a look at a VIP McLaren and Hilton expertise. I stayed on the Hilton Backyard Inn Silverstone, which sits proper on the racetrack and is on the coronary heart of the actions. Rooms are precisely what you’d count on from this model within the Hilton portfolio: clear, very snug and useful. You’ll be able to count on a barely higher-end, enterprise travel-style lodge.
My fourth-floor room included a balcony with fabulous views of the racetrack, the pits and the beginning grid.
The expertise additionally included entry to the field, which had related race views as my balcony; plus, the VIP field additionally supplied meals, snacks and premium drinks all through the day.
Associated: Nice methods to make use of 100,000 Hilton Honors factors and a free evening reward
On the evening earlier than the race, Hilton threw an enormous “Keep on the Grid” rooftop bash on the lodge, which included complimentary meals and drinks. There have been additionally musical performances from U.Ok. artist Jess Glynne and a DJ set from Wilkinson.
Different notable occasions all through the evening included interviews with the crew’s drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown. It was notably electrical as the 2 drivers had simply pushed very nicely within the qualifying classes, securing the third and fifth positions on the beginning grid.
However most significantly, a lot to my delight, the evening additionally included an interview with longtime F1 and Hilton accomplice Paris Hilton, who mingled and hung round on the rooftop get together.
Since breakfast was included on this VIP package deal, on race day, I loved a scrumptious morning meal on the roof of the lodge. Once I commented to the waiter that the omelet was probably the most effective I had ever eaten, I used to be instructed the chef getting ready it within the kitchen had acquired two Michelin stars.
Since I had VIP entry to the race, due to Hilton Honors Experiences, I acquired to look at the entire race-day pleasure unfold in a set, which included drinks and meals. I had an awesome view of the prerace leisure taking place on the Crimson Bull stage, together with a flight show by the Crimson Arrows, the British Royal Air Power Aerobatic Group, and a rendition of “God Save the King” by Hannah Waddingham of “Ted Lasso” fame.
Being within the VIP suite, I had the proper spot to not solely watch the race but additionally see celebrities crawl across the beginning grid because the vehicles lined up.
Associated: The perfect bank cards for live performance tickets and VIP entry
It was an extremely memorable race, and Lewis Hamilton’s thrilling victory on residence turf triggered the British crowd to go notably wild.
There’s nothing fairly like experiencing a Grand Prix as a VIP visitor. For a lot of, having fun with this expertise with this kind of exclusivity and perks would price a number of thousand {dollars}. Subsequently, having the ability to entry distinctive experiences akin to this one with factors provides me one more reason to proceed incomes Hilton Honors factors.
Greatest bank cards to earn Hilton Honors factors
If you wish to construct your stash of Hilton Honors factors, listed below are a number of of our favourite playing cards which are providing profitable welcome bonuses.
The knowledge for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Since American Categorical Membership Rewards factors switch to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio (1 Amex level equals 2 Hilton factors), you may earn the welcome bonuses on playing cards akin to The Platinum Card® from American Categorical and the American Categorical® Gold Card, which can earn you transferable factors that you could then switch to Hilton and guide a Hilton Honors Expertise.
Backside line
This luxurious VIP expertise was positively a once-in-a-lifetime alternative. So, when you have a stash of Hilton factors, utilizing your rewards to guide a dream expertise might be worthwhile.
Plus, maintain an in depth eye out for Hilton and McLaren’s “Be part of the Group” experiences, which can take issues to the subsequent degree, placing visitors in a crew equipment and giving them entry to the storage for a race weekend.
Associated studying:
For charges and costs of the Hilton Amex Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Hilton Surpass Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Hilton Aspire Card, click on right here.
