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
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1) Airline loyalty and Hilton Gold Instant taste offer.
A bunch of airlines have sent out targeted emails to recipients for instant Hilton Gold taste with a challenge based on 3 stays before end October to keep until 2017. You can also DoubleDip and earn up to quadriple miles.
This is a very lucrative offer especially if you have a Hilton close by with favourable rates. Check your email, this is targeted.
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.
BONUS 2 YEAR VALIDITY on the worlds biggest airline alliance.
Traveloyalty has 10 6 Star Alliance Gold statuses left on offer. This very rare offer is first come first served.
More than 1000+ lounges are at your disposal to relax, shower and complimentary eats and drinks.
The normal requirement to attain Gold status in Star Alliance is about 240 economy domestic flights or about 12 international business class flights per calendar year costing about R250,000.
Having airline status is extremely valuable for any savvy traveller. The main benefits include:
Business class check-in.
Lounge access to more than 1000+ international Star Alliance operated.
Priority Boarding.
Extra Baggage allowance.
Priority baggage handling.
Bonus miles.
Business class upgrade on overbooked flights.
Star Alliance Members.
Bag off first. A Star Alliance GOLD perk. Love speed, hate waits.
Some airports offer direct boarding from lounge to plane.
2) Seamless VISA UAE service.
Its amazing how many readers have taken advantage of SAA’s R2109 economy and R12089 Business class return airfare to Abu Dhabi in MARCH, as well as the R450 Business Class return leg on SAA in April read more HERE and HERE.
Contact zaheer@traveloyalty.co.za for more info if you would like seamless VISA application to UAE and possibly other parts of the globe.
NO bank statements needed.
NO proof of address needed.
NO Rica, Fica and all that crap.
NO 8 pages long forms to fill out ( per person ).
NO need to take out costly 2x passport pic’s to apply.
NO need to costly DHL passports cross country to n fro.
Just send through a pic of your passport and get your visa mailed to your inbox.
In the future I shall write more on visas and the way easier methods for TraveLoyalty readers ( only SA passports) who can take advantage of as I integrate them into trips ahead. Theory into proof.
3) Hyatt targeted promo? Here is a work around it…
Get this one stay in asap. 3000 Hyatt Gold Passport points normally takes R7500 in spend to attain.
What can you do with Hyatt Gold Passport Points?
Book a free night from 5000 points. Have a look at the level Hyatt is at in 2 trips HERE and HERE. Love this brand.
As mentioned this offer is targeted via email but..
HOT TIP:
Copy and paste the following URL in your browser with your Hyatt Gold Passport number eg: “123456789D” in the end by xxxxxxxxxx and you will be able to register for this offer and score:
URL to copy —– > http://hyatthotels.hyatt.com/content/partnerlandingpage/en/3KSTAY115.html?gpnumber=525554493E&prmcd=3KSTAY115&offrcd=STND&src=agn_ecm_em_gp_solo_EU_en_20150618_masthead1_3KSY115NAR7ENT_G-XXXXXXXXXXX
Registration success. Now to get the 3000 points loaded..
Thanks for reading.
Regards, Zaheer B.
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.
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1) My R23,000 per night benchmark upgrade at Waldorf Astoria.
Access the two part adventure HERE. Scroll down to the middle if you read part one previously.
The reason for the two parts is simply: Hilton HHonors has a mixed promotion at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels on hitting 3 separate stays to earn 10,000 HHonors points and subsequently staying the 1 – 2 nights per stay further earns a stackable 2000 points per night plus 5000 points for a 2 night in succession. A minimum of 23,000 HHonors points can be milked from this lucrative promo alone.
More stays = more bonus points = quicker free stays.
Traveloyalty’s dedicated Hilton page has the registration links for all 3 promos above. It ends 31/12/15.
2) Club Carlson / RadissonBlu 2000 bonus points per night promo.
This is a sweet offer worth milking for the next 3.5 months. Free nights start at only 9000 Club Carlson Gold points.
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.
2) Etihad double miles to Mumbai ( via Seychelles).
Co-incidentally my last trip to Egypt, I used Mahe island in Seychelles as a free stop over on Etihad, have a read HERE on the trip. Im going back again. Love that place.
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.
As promised during yesterdays live interview I will share the LOYALTY aspects of the 2 best airlines and well as the proof of methods of booking 1st class and business class using loyalty. Please share this.
1) Emirates vs Etihad – loyalty programme perspective.
2) Booking a First class suite on Etihad for R250 (Aed 80).
Yes there’s a shower on board, a private butler, a private chef, 2 sofas in a private enclosed suite and a socialising lounge. This is Etihad’s A380 ( and this is not even the best seat in the house…)
3) My SAA Business class R450 tickets during April/May.
If you missed this article, here it is again: read Booking it HERE and Trip report HERE.
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.
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2) Hilton 5000 Points per stay !!! Until July 6th.
This is one of the most lucrative offers ever. It should post on award and cash+points stay as well. Plus it can be stacked on the current double point promotion on offer.
You could stay at a category one Hilton for free as it requires 5000 points per night and you’d earn 5000 points bonus points for the stay + if you’re an elite you’d get a 1000 myway bonus points per stay.
In theory you should be able to earn Hilton Diamond status without spending a cent with this offer. ITS THAT GOOD!
I made Hilton Diamond touring Egypt as most of the Hiltons there require only 5000 points per night.
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.
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At maximum 120,000 points will cost $690. This saving works well in most hotels especially at countries that have exorbitant taxes on cash rates. Remember when you book on points you save on taxes. Read that.
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.
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If you want the royal treatment of suite upgrades, free breakfast, free executive lounge access for all day snacks and drinks with early check-in and late check out. We have the elite statuses to promote exclusively.
Your name here? Contact me.
2) SPG Westin Cape Town is on special.
Members of Traveloyalty’s get a extra 5% off +room upgrades and late checkout as part of our exclusive hotel package status special.
For the full list of worldwide hotels which are loaded each Wednesday please click the link below:
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.
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As mentioned last week Hyatt has a superb offer ( Not as great as the 2x offers they had last year for instant Diamond, inclusive of the 4x suite certificates).
Hyatt may be a small chain consisting of only 500+ hotels but their top tier status is the best as they the only chain to guarantee suites up to 7nights at the time of booking per suite certificate. ( You get 4x per year).
Basics of the challenge is within 60 days of enrolment:
Stay 6 nights to attain Platinum.
Stay another 6 nights to attain Diamond.
Earn 1000 bonus points for the first 6 nights.
Keep the status until 2017.
Many of Traveloyalty’s existing subscribers who took up the offers last year may still be platinum, you still will be required to stay 12 nights to attain the Diamond level.
Certain hotels offer – 20% ‘my elite rate” for platinum / diamond members.
There is a tweak to maintain elite status in Hyatt Goldpassport using Mlife rewards programme where you may extend it for a further year or two after 2017, if terms and conditions do not change.
The best part of being Hyatt Diamond is the 4 x suite certificates ( each valued at + R33,000) as this gives you up to 7 nights confirmed in a Regency suite with Regency club access for all day snacks and drinks + free breakfasts.
Here’s another twist:
Get the Diamond level soon and you will have 4x suite certificates to utilise before they expire in Feb’16. After this you will attain another 4x certificates to utilise before Feb’17. So that’s 8x certificates over 16months that has a value of R33,000 each when utilised correctly.
3) IHG Intercontinental has 2x points offer.
Valid in Africa. Middle East and Asia -Pacific areas. Ends August 31st 2015.
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.
2) Airberlin / Sixt free 1000 air miles just for registering.
Traveloyalty has promotions with both, Instant Airberlin Topbonus / Oneworld Gold available and if you subscribe to our exclusive package you will have instant Club Carlson GOLD status which in turn gives you Platinum Sixt status for unlimited mileage and vehicle upgrades ( not forgetting buy one night get one night free or buy 2 get 2 free at Radisson’s in EMEA).
3) Hyatt Goldpassport Diamond and Platinum Challenge.
Email me if you’re interested.
Read trip reports of the excellent Diamond level Hyatt HERE and HERE.
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.
