Update: Today is the final day to lock in the current award rates!
Originally posted on 9/30:
Effective for awards bookings made on or after Wednesday, October 12th, 21 Hilton hotels will get more expensive and 33 hotels will get less expensive.
The Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem will climb from a category 9 to a category 10, the highest category that Hilton has. That means an increase from 80K points to 95K points per night. If you have a Hilton credit card or elite status and stay 5 nights the cost will go up from 64K points to 76K points per night. If you have a Hilton AMEX and stay 4 nights the cost will go up from 65K to 75K points per night.
If you have Hilton points saved up, start making your plans now and make bookings before Yom Kippur. You can make bookings for stays up to a year in the future. Point stays are typically refundable until a couple of days prior to arrival.
You won’t be able to make date changes and keep the lower the rates once the category change goes into effect.
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26 Comments On "Hilton 2016 Category Changes; Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem Going Up To Category 10"
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Suddenly the hotel will be empty;-)
Is it true that the David Citadel dropped the Hilton flag because too many were using points?
I’ve been at the Jerusalem
Waldorf several times. The category should go down, not up. It’s not as well maintained as it was when it first opened. The paint job needs to be freshened. The shower was so stuffed up with hair, reeves shabbos, that the water ran all over the bathroom floor…. and this was in a suite!!
But, I still love staying there! My Jerusalem home away from home.
Can you remind us the cancellation policy when using points?
If I have the 2 free weekend nights does this affect me? Thanks.
@Smart move?:
Nah, people will pay the extra 10k a night and honestly even though I’m not happy about an increase, if the economics aren’t working for them as is I’d much rather them do this then drop the Hilton/WA affiliation totally.
Can i book dates to lock in rate and then change dates?
@Dan fan: Award category is probably based more off of price than how nice the hotel actually is. (And price is obviously based off of supply and demand more so than how nice the hotel is).
@Yossy H: No. The truth is it may even help you as there may be less demand for award nights as a result of this.
@Smart move?:
Perhaps slightly.
@David Citadel:
I don’t think that was the issue.
@Dan fan:
Award pricing is based off various factors like room rate, occupancy levels, amount of members using points at a property, etc.
@Enrique:
Read the post.
@Yossy H:
No.
@HHonorsUser:
Unlikely that this decision came from the hotel.
@Kyle:
Read the post.
how did you get 80K per night? im online and trying to book any night from oct 28- nov 1st and they want at least 190K per night
@moshe: It’s old news that by holiday season (Sukkos and Pesach time) the Waldorf usually has all of the standard rooms and therefore standard 80k a night award nights unavailable. Starting from the night of November 2nd, there’s 80k a night availability again.
Did they remove breakfast for award stays (even when gold/platinum)? When booking now, it says “Please note the all HHonrs Rewaes stays (inc. standard reward, money & points, premium reward and upgrade reward) are on a room only basis. Buffet breakfast is available daily in the palace restaurant at the applicable rate. “.
@Enrique:
No, Golds and Diamonds still get free breakfast.
off the 33 going down, about 25 are in Turkey….. The Turkey devaluation, similar to devaluation in Egypt a few years ago
Can I transfer SPG to Hilton credit card points?
Is breakfast included for visa luxury hotel bookings at the waldorf. Or is there a different/downgraded continental breakfast?
Just stayed using award at Hilton tel Aviv over RH as as diamond member. Bkfst is given for award stays ONLY in the executive lounge. At the Cafe Med there is a charge.
If you have children under 16, who are now not allowed into the lounge, then u can eat in Cafe Med and they will refund you the charge
@David Citadel:
I would avoid the David Citadel. Albeit a good location (literally across the street from Mamilla malls) in Jerusalem the service is a disaster. The front desk staff was UN-professional penny pinching and outright mean in a recent stay with them. They all spoke mostly Arabic which was another challenge.
Rooms are pretty small and very dark. Only plus side of this property is the location, and by the way the bathroom in the rooms are absolutely gorgeous and top notch.
Today is November 29, 2016. I just called and reserved my room at the Waldorf for 80,000 points a night. The only downside (not much of one really) is I have to pay $365 for my fifth night. They said for this point amount there are no available rooms for the fifth night. what say you, Dan?
The hotel SOLD!
No news Dan??!!
@SUSHI:
My source says #FakeNews. At least nothing has been signed as of yet.
Do you have a reliable news source that says otherwise?
Dan,
Any current deals or tips on booking the Waldorf Jerusalem? I’ve got a HHonors Signature Visa and a HHonors Amex and lots of points.
Thanks so much. Appreciate your advice!
Dan,
Dan – Just on the phone with HHONORS trying to book a stay at the waldorf Jerusalem. They had no clue about reduced points related to Gold status or HHonors amex or visa signature cards as per the above postings.
Any help??
@Mitch:
Every 5th award night is free for those members.
I’m looking at room availabilities at the Waldorf in early November ’17 and it showing me 250,000 points per night for a twin deluxe room!!
Any advice???