When we first purchased timeshare with Hilton Grand Vacations, we didn’t know we’d get two travel partners. Not only do we have the amazing Hilton Grand Vacations resorts, but we also have access to the Hilton portfolio of thousands of properties around the world. We can accumulate Hilton Honors Points for hotel bookings and other opportunities and convert HGV ClubPoints to Hilton Honors Points.

We’ve used about three million Hilton Honors Points this year. We’ve helped family and friends book hotel accommodations. We’ve used Hilton Honors Points to stay at hotels while traveling to Hilton Grand Vacations properties. We’ve even taken a vacation using just Hilton Honors Points. Here’s how we used our Hilton Honors membership on a recent 10-day road trip from Traverse City, Michigan, to Noblesville, Indiana.

 

This road trip began when Deanna read about a new Tru by Hilton Traverse City in Michigan. Since it was a new hotel, there was a discount for the booking. We decided to go around the fourth of July, which coincides with the National Cherry Festival, and use a promotion to book four nights and get a fifth night free.

What a steal.

Always plan ahead to get the best deals and availability. This specific promotion was popular due to the festival, and rooms filled up fast.

During the Cherry Festival, we watched our first Thunderbird air show — it was awesome. We visited some beautiful Traverse City wineries, Lake Michigan, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park and, of course, the Cherry Festival.

We next traveled down the coast of Lake Michigan to visit our cousin, then headed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to babysit while our son and daughter-in-law attended a wedding. We spent two nights at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown with a separate room for the kids to spread out. While in Grand Rapids, we took our grandson and a friend to see some quaint waterfront towns. We also visited the John Ball Zoo near the hotel and had a great time. Our grandson had the best time in the swimming pool.

 

The trip’s highlight was Noblesville, Indiana, where we used our Hilton Honors Points for a hotel and an event. Hilton Honors also offers experiences similar to HGV Ultimate Access*. We attended a meet-and-greet with and concert by country singer Dierks Bentley.

This event blew us away. Upon arrival at the venue, we and 28 other Hilton Honors Members enjoyed an intimate meal before a meet-and-greet with Dierks. He was so gracious and kind to our group. We were fortunate to sit near to where he sang. After he finished his private acoustic concert with us and took pictures, we all proceeded to the main concert area for the entire tour lineup, including Jordan Davis, Tyler Braden and Dierks.

This experience elevated our Hilton Honors membership. It was well-organized, and Dierks Bentley treated us to a private concert. What an amazing trip.

Our Top Tips

We use our ClubPoints and Hilton Honors Points to maximize our vacations. Here’s what we’ve learned:

 

1. Convert ClubPoints to Hilton Honors Points when it makes sense. Every year, we convert our ClubPoints to Hilton Honors Points using our ownership at La Pacifica Los Cabos, a Hilton Club in Cabo — and we have plenty of ClubPoints left over for other vacations.
2. Look for new Hilton properties. They may offer early introductory rates or other deals.
3. Always check out the promotions for Hilton Grand Vacations properties and Hilton hotels. For example, Hilton Grand Vacations occasionally has properties available at 25–75% off points’ values.
4. If it makes sense financially, look into the American Express Hilton Honors credit cards because the perks are some of the best in the industry. We maximize our American Express Hilton Honors Aspire and Surpass credit cards for more Hilton Honors Points.
5. Don’t forget about events through HGV Ultimate Access and Hilton Honors Experiences. These programs set apart Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations from other timeshare. We would never have the opportunity to be three feet from Dierks Bentley or see Lee Brice perform live.

Read "7 Hilton Grand Vacations Owners Dish On The Perks Of Hilton Honors Membership.”

*To attend HGV Ultimate Access events (valued between $500–$3,500), Guests must attend a membership review or timeshare sales presentation during their stay in the same week as the event. If you do not attend the membership review or timeshare presentation, the retail value of the event may be charged to your credit card. HGV Ultimate Access events are subject to availability, nontransferable and subject to change without notice. Experience fee applies, minimum of $99 per event, to be paid at time of booking. Offer dates may change due to event availability. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other promotion.