Leaking out in the past few hours: Hiltons new tier requiring $18,000 spend per annum and 80 nights. Somewhat similar to Marriott’s Ambassador level.
Around 2017 we posted that Hilton gave notice of their new Diamond + tier that never materialized, read more on that HERE
Judging from the status codes leaked it looks like Hilton is proceeding with this new tier shortly “tier code P” and the colour goes to Black which coincidentally Diamond had around the same time pre covid.
TL has not run a contest of this magnitude in 10 YEARS !
Tap HERE for our last comp a decade ago. Winner hailed from Thailand.
No purchase necessary.
To enter simply:
1/ follow @traveloyaltyon Instagram and tag @3 of your friends/family/besties + share the comp post on your stories. (each set of 3 tags = 1 entry. You may enter as many times as you wish.
4/ additional entry share the promo post on @facebook
Winner will be chosen on 15th September 2025 via random.org
Winner takes all Prize includes:
Hilton Honors Gold Status + Marriott Gold Status + Star Alliance Gold Status
Additional prizes may be added in the coming weeks and will be put up on Instagram stories.
Terms and conditions:
To enter this contest for a chance to win the prize(s) above you must: Be 18+ years of age. Have local or international identification.
• Winner will be randomly selected from the database of entries from one of the entry options via random.org ( or similar) at management’s discretion and announced on Instagram stories on Monday, September 15, 2025 • Winner will be notified via DM• If the person selected is unable to respond in 7 (seven) days , another winner will be selected. Prize(s) includes: • Star Alliance Gold status valid 4months pending a flight to validity of 12 months• Hilton Hhonors Gold status valid until 2030 • Marriott Bonvoy Gold status valid until 2027. Addiotional prizes may be added during the contest period and will be posted on Instagram Stories. The sponsor may require the winner and the winner agrees by entering the Competition (at no cost), to be identified, photographed, filmed and the aforegoing to be published in any media and the winner’s name and image may be published on http://www.traveloyalty.co.za/ Winners may however at any time decline the use of their name, likeness or image by the sponsor.
OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS (Terms & Conditions for Contestants): No Purchase Necessary. 1. The Contest “Promotion Period” is from 12:00 a.m (GMT), 15 August, 2025 through 11.59 p.m. (GMT) September 15, 2025. 2. Eligibility: This Promotion is open worldwide except countries where it may be prohibited / restricted. The prize(s) is transferable and cannot be substituted for cash or any other equivalent. The sponsor shall not be responsible for technical, pictorial, typographical or editorial errors or omissions in any marketing materials or these rules. Sponsor reserves the right to modify, extend, suspend, or terminate the Promotion, in whole or in part, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Promotion is technically impaired or corrupted or that fraud or technical problems, failures or malfunctions or other unintended circumstances have impaired the integrity, administration, security, proper play and/or feasibility of the Promotion as contemplated herein. If the Promotion is terminated before the designated end date, Sponsor will (if possible) select winner in a random drawing from all eligible, non-suspect entries unaffected by the problem. Inclusion in such drawing shall be each entrant’s sole and exclusive remedy in such circumstances. By participating, you release TraveLoyalty and the other companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, employees, directors, agents, advertising agencies, from any and against any and all injury, loss or damage caused or claimed to be caused by your participation in the competition and/or the acceptance, awarding, receipt, use and/or misuse of the prize. Any information you submit online is to the Sponsor alone. All rights reserved.
No1 : Join TL Concierge, guaranteed if you not on it you paying 2x as much to travel 2x as less with little to no perks nor insights for your worldwide trips.
So this might not be the lowest Umrah we ever scored over the years due to time variations and paying ‘full price fare’ where previously we have flown in for R880 ( yes 8 hundred).
This Off-Peak trip, the breakdown for what we spent can be found on this post HERE.
By far this might be one of the most blessed Umrah trips due to maximising the absent crowds that got less and less each day, the front lines especially ability to reach Hajr Aswad 14x in 8 days.
The likes of these are covered in our FREE DIY Umrah Guide from some years back and remain in effect till today.
Flying in:
We used Etihad basic, the sale for these April dates we needed came around the previous December. Approximately R7100 per adult and R6500 per child. (Business outbound on its own was R11,600)
We scored the Space seats, a somewhat premium economy as Gold Etihad Guests, these are the best economy seats in any airline. The tricks with Etihad are many and require some playing around with such as utilising the stopover for 2days, sometimes we have stopped going and coming and playing with fares on the swop country of booking for forex rates. Sometimes we have used Open Jaw options into Cai and take the cheapest 1way flight into Jed on SV or Flynas or Flyadeal. However for this trip the lowest was Jnb-Jed return with a stopover on return in Auh.
Accommodation:
We had to change and split this multiple times due to Haj visa regulations and maximise the Haramain on the quietest times of the year. The end result was Sheraton for 9days 8 nights on discounted cash rates (2500 sar for the period) this basically gave us All Inclusive, a “private executive lounge” and a upgrade to a 3 bedroom Suite worth R12000 per night As top tier members and then onwards Intercontinental for 4days 3 nights, I had to buy points to top up my balance to the tune of R2500, here again we were upgraded to a 1 bedroom suite as Diamond members, the same suite we scored in January Umrah of 2024 ( here we paid R1300 per night peak booking almost a year in advance)
Transfers:
Jed to Makkah cost R960 in a GMC, negotiated direct at arrivals.
Makkah to Madinah took the train on 50% discount with 2 taxis total came to R3400, it would have been cheaper to just take a Staria door to door for R2200 however time and days were the issue.
The transfer from Hotel in Madinah to Jed was R 2200 in a Staria for departure.
For a full dedicated storyline on this Umrah please click HERE.
Onwards:
With Etihad bookings we were given 3x rooms Free in Abu Dhabi worth R10000 for 2 nights. Highlight reel HERE
In Auh we opted to forfeit the last night and do a beach resort with wavepool, lazy river etc.
Earnings:
Due to the low cost of the Off Peak accom we only amassed a total of 20000 points with bonuses and for the airline we credited to SAS to offset a larger earn to the tune of 4900 miles per guest as Etihad gave peanuts approx 600miles for basic tickets. travel #theSMARTERway
Note:
Scoring Umrah has been our forte since pre 2013 when one could book Ramadhaan rooms for 24000 points a night (its now 150000 points per night) depending your pref.
Traveling #theTLway with maximising scoring can and has been used the world over from Hong Kong to Europe to Usa to Hawaii and every country in-between.
Email info@traveloyalty.co.za to get our concierge offers where we work 1 on 1 with each individuals needs from wanting to experience showering in the sky to theme parks to overwater villas in Maldives on repeat.
Scoring free prime accommodation or highly discounting the accommodation is nothing new here at traveloyalty.com, infact we have published all the ways each year since the website began almost a decade back.
Here is one of the older published articles when Hilton in Makkah could have been booked for just 30,000 points (or 24,000 points on 5th night free) per night even during the last 10nights.
Link: http://traveloyalty.co.za/how-to-lower-umra-costs-with-hilton-hilton-double-points-promo-extended/ Most readers flock to Hilton to book discounted or free Umrah stays however as with Hilton’s popularity over the years they have been loading the standard room availability very very late. This year was no exception, loading standard room redemption’s – from 70,000 points – only on the 23rd of February 2023. Last year 2022 Ramadhaan the same availability was only loaded end of February for end of March start.Marriott on the other hand has been loading standard room availability from the word go – from approx 40-50,000 points per free night.
So as per yearly usual here are the mathematics breakdown on staying 5x nights cash vs 5 nights points (redemption’s get every 5th night FREE):
Staying Cash for 5x nights
Conrad Makkah – sleeps 4 adults
Almost 20,000 Riyals for 5x nights = Zar 98,500
vs Staying on points for 5x nights:
A free 5x nights stay at Conrad Makkah will set you back 320,000 Hilton Honors points
Buying the points:
If you have not earned the points free from preferably using a Diamond status membership that yields plenty in bonuses you can buy the points:
Some targeted accounts ( esp those who have bought in previous years can buy 160k and get 160k free for $1600 )
So in essence buying the points costs $1600 or ZAR 29,650 vs paying cash rate of Zar 98,500 yielding a saving of R68,850 per 5x nights
Marriott Jabal Omar – Staying cash
thats 10,565 Riyals for 5 nights or ZAR 51,874
vs staying on points
A free 5x nights stay at Marriott Jabal Omar will set you back 234,000 Bonvoy points
Buying the points:
Buying the full Bonvoy points ( may need 2x acc )will cost you $2089 or ZAR 38,715 and in turn saving you ZAR 13,159
points to note:
Buy points on a sale only, Hilton regularly offers 100% bonuses and Marriott 40-50% bonuses.
Accounts are limited to buy a certain quantity of points per annum.
With elite level status 5th nights are free, and so are breakfasts and lounge access where available. This will save you many hours standing in food que’s.
When you use points you DON’T pay taxes.
Maximising Ramadhaan rarely works over night, we work with our clients 1 on 1, sometimes from July the year before to attain the goals and max all the points promos and sales that comes up.
Accounts need to open for a set duration in order to buy points.
You can buy, gift, transfer and even pool points from other accounts into yours for no fee. Do note: they can be instant, they can also take 1-2days and in some cases up to 10days.
Night by Night Rates:
1. Staying Cash
Hilton Convention:
The cash rates for MARCH 2023 at Hilton ConventionThe cash rates for APRIL 2023 at Hilton Convention
Hilton Conrad – sleeps 4 adults per room
The cash rates for MARCH 2023 at Conrad The cash rates for APRIL 2023 at Conrad
Marriott Jabal Omar
The cash rates for MARCH 2023 at Marriott
Take note all cash prices are still subject to 20% taxes and fees after.
2. Staying free on points
Hilton Convention
The points rates for MARCH 2023 at Hilton Convention The points rates for APRIL 2023 at Hilton Convention
Hilton Conrad – sleeps 4 adults per room
The points rates for MARCH 2023 at Conrad The points rates for APRIL 2023 at Conrad
I can send you info on our elitist loyalty concierge, where you book
Diy (per room not per person) at the worlds largest branded hotels, get
all the amazing upgrades, free breakfast, free extra guest,
complimentary lounge access, free nights ahead and best of all bulk of
spend back in points to travel the world free as you may have seen on
countless of our post on YouTube and Instagram (@traveloyalty),Umrah
included, not forgetting how to do 1st class and Business class for pennies through the hundreds of tickets highlighted on our social media above. If this intrigues you or in your future let me know :
January 1 – April 30, 2023, we’re giving you two ways to earn. Enjoy Double Points on every stay, plus 1,000 Bonus Points each time you stay with a different brand within the Hilton portfolio.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offers, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram+ subscribe on Youtube and NEVER miss a great deal.
All @traveloyalty
Follow
the links in yellow to make sure you never late on getting a breaking
deal notification from TraveLoyalty on Facebook and Instagram above.
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1) Hilton: 10000 Bonus Hhonors points off you next 2night stay.
Register closer to the time of intended stay for both the below Promotions or latest January 7, 2016 and then complete a two-night qualifying stay within 90 days.
2) Hilton: 25000 Bonus Hhonors points off next 4 night stay.
Tip: If you successful with both the above registrations, you could score a serious stackable chunk of points utilising the on going promotions Hilton Hhonors has in the link above such as 3x & 2x points registration and the 3 Waldorf Astoria / Conrad promo’s valid until year end. Compare this with buying points which also has a 75% bonus.
Registration is mandatory to receive bonus miles and is valid from 16 September until 28 September 2015. This offer is valid for travel between 25 Sep until 15 December 2015 only.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
How to enter using TraveLoyalty website and social media :
– Like Traveloyalty on Facebook
– Share the compo page on Facebook
– Follow and share on Twitter
– Follow on Instagram
– Subscribe to our newsletter
@traveloyalty #traveloyalty www.traveloyalty.com
Bonus:
If the winner chosen has entered in ALL the ways above, the winner shall get a complimentary 2 night stay in a branded hotel and earn elite loyalty points towards future free stays.
Enter as many times as you like, multiple shares = multiple entries.
The normal manual requirement to attain the prize is:
Star Alliance Gold : 240 domestic economy flights or 10 business class international flights
Hilton Hhonors Gold: 40 nights per year.
Club Carlson Gold: 35nights pear year.
If you have already subscribed, liked or follwing TraveLoyalty you are already in the draw, sharing the compo page via Facebook and Twitter will increase your chances per share
Terms and conditions:
The prize(s) are fully sponsored by TraveLoyalty alone.
To enter this contest for a chance to win the prize(s) above you must: Be 18+ years of age. Have local or international identification. Sign up via website: http://traveloyalty.com/wp for our newsletter or like our facebook page or share our facebook compo page or follow on us instagram or follow us on twitter – the winner randomly chosen will also win a complimentary 2night stay if found to have entered in all the ways stipulated. • Winner will be randomly selected from the database of entries from one of the entry options via random.org ( or similar) at management’s discretion and announced on Friday, September 25, 2015 • Winner will be notified via email • If the person selected is unable to respond in 7 (seven) days , another winner will be selected. Prize(s) includes: • Star Alliance Gold status valid until 2017 • Hilton Hhonors Gold status valid until 2017 • Club Carlson Gold status valid until 2017. If the winner is found to have entered through all the promotional channels they will be treated with a bonus complimentary 2 nights stay in a world class branded hotel. The sponsor may require the winner and the winner agrees by entering the Competition (at no cost), to be identified, photographed, filmed and the aforegoing to be published in any media and the winner’s name and image may be published on http://www.traveloyalty.com/ Winners may however at any time decline the use of their name, likeness or image by the sponsor.
OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS (Terms & Conditions for Contestants): No Purchase Necessary. 1. The Contest “Promotion Period” is from 12:00 a.m (GMT), 15 September, 2015 through 11.59 p.m. (GMT) September 22, 2015. 2. Eligibility: This Promotion is open worldwide except countries where it may be prohibited / restricted. The prize(s) is transferable and cannot be substituted for cash or any other equivalent. The sponsor shall not be responsible for technical, pictorial, typographical or editorial errors or omissions in any marketing materials or these rules. Sponsor reserves the right to modify, extend, suspend, or terminate the Promotion, in whole or in part, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Promotion is technically impaired or corrupted or that fraud or technical problems, failures or malfunctions or other unintended circumstances have impaired the integrity, administration, security, proper play and/or feasibility of the Promotion as contemplated herein. If the Promotion is terminated before the designated end date, Sponsor will (if possible) select winner in a random drawing from all eligible, non-suspect entries unaffected by the problem. Inclusion in such drawing shall be each entrant’s sole and exclusive remedy in such circumstances. By participating, you release TraveLoyalty and the other companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, employees, directors, agents, advertising agencies, from any and against any and all injury, loss or damage caused or claimed to be caused by your participation in the competition and/or the acceptance, awarding, receipt, use and/or misuse of the prize. Any information you submit online is to the Sponsor alone. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Star Alliance, Hilton Hhonors and Club Carlson, their information is available on their respective independent websites. All rights reserved.
Hilton categories with award amounts per night. Book 5 nights as a Hhonors elite and get the 5th night free.
At best, 28-35 complimentary nights as Hilton Category 1 hotels go for 5000 points for a night ($28).
Egypt is a hub of the most Category 1 Hilton’s. Every major city here has at least 1 or 2 category 1 hotels . Browse my Egypt tour under latest tips link and check the hilton.com website.
Using Elite status you get every 5th night free so effectively it ends up being 4000 points per night ( $23). This is where 30 + nights are achievable.
As a Hhonors Gold Elite you will also get complimentary breakfasts and room upgrades, this perks will save you heaps of money on top of your current savings and you could end up in a suite worth more than:
Hilton Category 2 goes for 10,000 Hhonors points per night or getting 5th night free = 8000 points per night. Here you can get 14-16 complimentary nights.
When rates ( and points) are high, especially during peak times or at expensive destinations look at the points + cash rates to save.
Umra.
Why pay R22,000 for 5 nights when you could pay R9,680 utilising buying points and getting the 5th night free as a elite status perk with breakfast, lounge access and excellent upgrades as per below.
It gets better!
You can get a family room for 4 adults for the same 30,000 points per night. ( note this cash rate is way higher per night per night and if you don’t have Hilton Hhonors gold you still have to extra pay per person rates and pay for breakfasts).
It gets even better again !!
As a TraveLoyalty package subscriber you can easily attain top tier Diamond status by utilising category 1 Hiltons over 3weeks. The perks are off the richter, if you have not read my last few trip reviews please check it out. Mail me for more info.
Get INSTANT GOLD today ! Mail zaheer@traveloyalty.co.za for more info.
Please copy and paste the link below for direct newsletter subscription with anyone and everyone you may know who lives, loves & breathes travel.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
The most wise way to go on holiday is to have your spend as an investment with plenty to show and use for after check-out. All other travellers get nothing on check-out. Travel wisely. Travel the TraveLoyalty way.
Please copy and paste the link below for direct newsletter subscription with anyone and everyone you may know who lives, loves & breathes travel.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
The most wise way to go on holiday is to have your spend as an investment with plenty to show and use for after check-out. All other travellers get nothing on check-out. Travel wisely. Travel the TraveLoyalty way.
Please copy and paste the link below for direct newsletter subscription with anyone and everyone you may know who lives, loves & breathes travel.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
1) Etihad 96 Hour Sale + REGISTER for 2xmiles / 3x miles. Ends 3/9/15.
Travel from 15 September until 15 June 2016.
Out on Jnb I haven’t found anything spectacular yet, although due to the miles promo I’ll be more inclined to spending a few bucks more on Etihad rather than competitor airlines due to their excellent mile redemptions.
Tip: even if you have no plans to fly register for the miles promo, I’ve shown time and again how valuable Etihad Guest miles can be. Read HERE if you missed it.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
Not everyone travels often. With this in mind TraveLoyalty has implemented limited mid-tier elite status packages for hotels.
At the time of writing we have 2 hotels on board for monthly – 6month packages at highly reduced rates.
If you looking to taste royal life and have travel plans lined up in the next 1-6months ahead contact zaheer@traveloyalty.co.za for more info.
Please note: travel is highly contagious, the travel bug will bite you hard blended with elite stause perks, a once a year traveller suddenly finds themselves becoming 3-4 times per year traveller once they find out how affordable international travel can be vs local.
So get on board and score room upgrades, free breakfast, complimentary high tea + evening snacks in executive lounges blended with a nice late check out.
Online Prize(s)
• One Free Night Award: 33 Awards available for any SPG participating category 1-5 hotel or resort. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $171.00. Award will be available in the SPG member’s account within three weeks from the Game Period end date. Award must be consumed by March 31, 2016.
• Starpoints: 561 Awards Available: 25,000 Starpoints: ARV $625.00; 10,000 Starpoints: ARV $250.00; 5000 Starpoints: ARV $125.00; 1000 Starpoints: ARV $35.00.
• Starpoints will be added to member’s account within three weeks from the Game Period end date. Use and expiration of Starpoints is pursuant to the terms and conditions of the SPG Program.
• American Express $10.00 Gift Card*: 165 total Awards. One (1) per winner.
• Amazon $25.00 Gift Card*: 330 total Awards. One (1) per winner.
• Amazon $50.00 Gift Card*: 825 total Awards. One (1) per winner.
*Gift Cards are only available to US residents. Gift Card will be sent via mail to the address member has provided on their SPG profile at www.spg.com. Allow three to four weeks for Gift Card delivery from Promotion Period end date.
Please copy and paste the link below for direct newsletter subscription with anyone and everyone you may know who lives, loves & breathes travel.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
1) Hilton Buy, Gift or Receive HHonors points with 80% bonus.
This isn’t as great as their previous 100% bonus points sale bur its still pretty good for a top up or if points ( or cash + points ) make economical sense rather than cash rates for bookings.
My trip to Salalah, Oman where Hilton costs just 5000 points per night or 20,000 points for 5 nights ( 5th night free) including breakfast for HHonors Gold.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
1) FlySafair R1.00 ($ 0.075 cents) per one way flight is now bookable.
The site is still very slow but its possible to book as of midnight. Via TraveLoyalty’s FB and BBM ( 2b188c55) Im told many people are not getting through or finalising payments.
Try using a laptop in explorer ( im using7) and pay with a Amex ( Visa and MasterCard needs sms confirmations which may fail).
Payment hangs but the email comes through with confirmation. Return tickets are bookable for R2.00 ( $0.15 cents) and I’ve confirmed booked up to 6 people per return trip for multiple tickets.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
Personalized offers to earn 50k in points or up to 2 free nights until December 31st, 2015.
This was my personalised offer below, not too bad but mattress running..
.. in theory there is a tweak here and I’m thinking to score 2-4 FREE nights at the ultra expensive over-water villas in Bora Bora, Tahiti, French Polynesia in the foreseeable future worth R13,400 per night. Islands are calling ( and mathematically only need to spend R5600 to attain…)
The most wise way to go on holiday is to have your spend as an investment with plenty to show and use for after check-out. All other travellers get nothing on check-out. Travel wisely. Travel the TraveLoyalty way.
Please copy and paste the link below for direct newsletter subscription with anyone and everyone you may know who lives, loves & breathes travel.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter + Instagram and NEVER miss a great deal.
