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) Lowering Umra costs and other trips using Hilton HHonors “effectively”.
You NEED a HHonors card in your wallet ( ask George Clooney in ‘ The air up there’). HERE is why:
You could pay R5200 ( SAR 1724) per night At Hilton Towers Makkah , that’s R29000 for 5 nights or you could pay R7200 for the full 5 nights by doing this:
1) Getting a Hilton HHonors elite account. From Silver tier every 5th night is free on points and partner stays free.
2) Buy Hilton HHonors points, we have a 100% bonus promo on our hands, so effectively buying 60,000 points will earn another 60,000 ontop =120,000 HHonors points ( cost $600 – R7200).
3) Therefore 120,000 HHonors points will get you 5 nights.
4) Hilton HHonors Gold elite gets room upgrades, free breakfasts + executive lounge access for snacks, eats and treats. ( Leave your wallet at home here but please take your HHonors card with you).
You just saved yourself minimum R21,800 per 5nights (excluding the food savings).
WAIT, utilising points gets better..
That’s a family room for 4 adults for the same 30,000 points per night. ( note this cash rate is about R750 more per night).
Access the earlier post of the point bonus offer HERE.
2) Hilton extends the double points or miles promo ’til 31 August 2015 !!!
At best this double points offer with booking a 2x points rate and elite status bonus yields mega HHonors points for free stays galore ahead (not forgetting upgrade and lounge access perks).
Would you like to be a part of Hilton Hhonors elite status and score upgrades like this? Where points, perks and free suites surpasses actual spend. Email me for more information on the best hotel loyalty card to have in your wallet right now.
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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Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram , you will NEVER miss a great deal.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram , you will NEVER miss a great deal.
From now until June 17, buy any amount of HHonors Points and earn 100% more. That’s double the Points to put towards your next vacation. It’s our biggest bonus offer yet — so don’t miss it!
(It’s actually on par with Daily Getaways promotion earlier this year).
Hilton Hhonors has doubled the amount to 80,000 points this time ( that excludes the 100% bonus). In previous years it has been 40,000 points max.
Sign up everyone you know to our free newsletter, tell them about our world exclusive offer, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram , you will NEVER miss a great deal.
If you see a property you like tomorrow MAKES SURE you have sufficient points in you account immediately as the best hotels tend to get booked out very quickly.
Secret Tip: On the 26th May 2015 the list will only go live on IHG website here mid afternoon South African time( 9am -11am EST) BUT you may log into the property you wish to book earlier as they tend to upload the specials individually before loading the full live list on their website.
As per recent change in IHG terms and conditions you may only make 2 reservations per hotel.
Bookings are mostly cancellable up to day of check-in, so if you cant make the journey – cancel it. Your points will come back into your account. YOU CANT LOSE.
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 and Instagram , you will NEVER miss a great deal.
Would you like to be a part of Hilton Hhonors elite status and score upgrades like this? Where points, perks and free suites surpasses actual spend. Email me for more information on the best hotel loyalty card to have in your wallet right now.
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.
2) Etihad promo earn up to quadruple Guest Miles!
Triple miles for economy is simply unheard of. The normal is double miles for business and 1st. Etihad has the best airline loyalty programme at the moment with super low taxes and miles needed for 1st class travel ( try R250 ). Read more HERE.
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.
3) Trip on SAA Business Class for R450. Auh-Jnb-Plz. 2 legs.
Back in April I discovered a way to get the return leg of a award ticket on SAA for minimum taxes. Many subscribers have taken advantage of this for trips until 2017 and also finding even cheaper amounts of R240 into Johannesburg alone on single leg tickets. This has to be the best Voyager special ever in the history of SAA.
Abu Dhabi has a private area for drop off and check in for Business Class and 1st Class.
Super spacious cabin.
The front of the plane was very empty.
Electronic seat options to go seven different ways from Sunday.
The amenity kit basically has a lip and cream balm and ear plugs that different from the smaller economy one.
Versatile stow-away compartment.
This was the only meal I saw, as the night flight helped me catch up much needed sleep after a long 7 day 6 hotel trip journey through the UAE.
The bed was made shortly after the snack was served.
The entertainment system is the same really as in economy.
My hardcase blue faithful arrived 1st as I left the immigration counter.
The Business class leg of Jnb-Plz was packed. Good thing SAA are filling up seats. maybe the bid to upgrade venture /promotion is going well.
I priced the return amount and it ended up being R34000 for cash…
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JNB/CPT/DUR/ELS/PLZ to BLR/BKK/KUL/SEL/SIN, which is valid for travel via AUH.
Code: DGV3MAE
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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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Yesterday I wrote on SAA’s JourneyBlitz sale, a 70-85% redemption on award tickets.( Read more HERE).
Here is a travel tip to scoring ( again unbelievable as most would say) a return part of the journey in business class for peanuts.
That’s R36,381 for the 2 flights on business class when paying cash.
Taking advantage of SAA’s promotion the low mileage rewards in business are as follows:
The taxes in both classes are the same AED 140.
HERE IS HOW TO GET IT DONE.
Simply switch the country and you got super low taxes and no fuel surcharges.
If you enjoy taking advantage of travelling the world cheaper than it is to stay at home take up Traveloyalty’s exclusive offers and have access to tips like this and much much more.
2) IHG changes.
Here is the final draft of IHG hotel reward changes. Hotels moving up and down in award categories. If you have bookings that are getting cheaper, cancel and re-book once its available. If you have your eye on hotels that are getting more expensive book it now. IHG normally has cancellation policies with no penalty for up to evening of check-in
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1) Amazing SAA Voyager’s ultra low award specials.
Back in November 2014 SAA Voyager gave notice of changes, a re-invention of sorts. Come February 2015 the changes came into effect ( or is it affect ? ). Seems award miles had all shot up, this included surcharges and fuel levy’s thought. What would normally cost me 9000 miles + R700 tax for a domestic one way award now the mile burn ratio is 13000 miles + R160 in tax. The last part of the re-inventions, namely Journey Blitz awards has just played out. The redemption awards are damn good, could even be better than promotions by KLM/Air France’s Flying Blue of up to 50% off and Qatar’s Qmiles special club easy deals offer. It has to be redeemed on SAA flights so there are limitations with regards to destination’s.
I’ve found R30,000 off business class to Abu Dhabi Return with 64,600 miles redemption costing only R8900. ( Normally R40,000 return).
Economy on the same route 14800 miles + R4000 taxes return.
(I priced the above route normally and it ran at 89,500 Voyager miles + only R850 taxes).
How about New York economy, 40,000 miles + R6000 taxes return
Domestic routes run at 7400 miles and R1400 tax.
Log in HERE.
Here is the award sale chart:
JourneyBlitz Booking Awards Procedure:
Log on to www.flysaa.com with your Voyager membership number and PIN;
Select your routing and dates;
Click on ‘Book and redeem an SAA JourneyBlitz Award’;
Select your flights; and
Make your credit card or debit card payment.
JourneyBlitz Awards Terms & Conditions:
JourneyBlitz Awards are only permitted on specific South African Airways flights or regions, where South African Airways is the operating carrier (flight number range SA 001 – SA 999).
Only one flight sector for the qualifying Region will be permitted per one (1) one-way Award.
JourneyBlitz Awards exclude charges, including but not limited to: fuel levy; government taxes, surcharges and levies (i.e. credit card); third-party taxes. Members are responsible for and must settle all relevant airport taxes and any additional relevant fees that are due for payment when issuing their Award ticket. Such payments must be made by credit or debit card.
JourneyBlitz Awards are self-service Awards and are exclusively available via www.flysaa.com.
JourneyBlitz Awards may only be issued for a confirmed Award flight.
The Award and ticket must be issued in a single transaction.
The booking class for JourneyBlitz Economy Class is ‘X’, and the booking class for JourneyBlitz Business Class is ‘I’.
JourneyBlitz Awards are non-reversible and non-refundable; no changes which include date, class and route changes will be permitted.
JourneyBlitz Awards will only be valid for booking and ticketing during the promotional period.
Domestic JourneyBlitz Award tickets are valid for 6 months from date of first travel (first departure date).
International JourneyBlitz Award tickets are valid for 12 months from date of first travel (first departure date).
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