American Express recently launched a campaign for staycations, which offers hotel credits of up to S$120 at selected Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Millennium Hotels across Singapore.
I’ve written about using this to score a fantastic deal for an Andaz Studio Suite at just S$245 nett, but there’s another great opportunity for Hilton too that gets you a suite with executive lounge access for just S$280 nett.
American Express’ Hilton offer
American Express cardholders can register for a Hilton statement credit offer in the “offers” section of the AMEX app, which gives you a S$120 rebate when you spend at least S$400 at the Hilton Singapore, Hilton Garden Inn, or Conrad Centennial. This offer is valid for charges incurred by 8 November 2020.
| ๐ณ Don’t have an AMEX card yet? Sign up for the AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card through The Milelion and get 15,000 bonus miles with S$1,500 spent in the first 3 months. No first year annual fee. | |
| ๐๏ธ Sign Up | ๐ Read More |
| If your card was approved recently, you may not see the Hilton offer in the AMEX Offers section. Simply call up AMEX customer care, and they’ll register you manually | |
Do note that unlike the other offers for Hyatt, Marriott, and Millennium Hotels, the Hilton offer is only valid for in-store spending, i.e charges at the front desk. This isn’t a problem though, because the rate we’ll be looking at isn’t a prepaid one.
Get a Hilton Executive Suite for S$280 nett
Hilton is currently running a promotion called Dream Away, which offers up to 30% off hotels in Asia. These rates are fully refundable when booked before 30 September 2020, and cancelled at least 24 hours before arrival.
Book Hilton Singapore Dream Away Rates Here
Hilton Singapore is now accepting staycation bookings with check-in dates from 13 September onwards, and with the Dream Away rate, a King Hilton Executive Suite prices at S$322++ on weekdays (Sun-Thurs) and S$357++ on weekends (Fri-Sat).
| Update: According to Hilton, the executive lounge is currently closed. Happy Hour will be served at Opus Bar from 5.30- 7.30 p.m, with a free flow of house pours. Breakfast (set menu) will be served via in-room dining. It doesn’t sound particularly inspiring, and you may want to book as far out as possible (maybe November). |
The weekday rate comes up to ~S$379 nett, so throw in a little F&B to make up the S$400 minimum spend, and you’ll trigger the S$120 rebate on your American Express card for an out-of-pocket cost of just S$280.
| ๐ Hilton Diamonds save even more |
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If you’re a Hilton Diamond member, you already receive guaranteed lounge access. Therefore, you could book the King Hilton Family Suite instead for S$294++ (weekday)/ S$329++ (weekends)– it’s exactly the same room as the Executive Suite, just without lounge access. Your out-of-pocket cost will still be S$280 (since you need to spend at least S$400 to trigger the AMEX credit), but this means you get to enjoy some more F&B on the house. |
Remember: there’s no need to select the “breakfast-included” Dream Away rate, because you’re booking an executive room. As such, you’ll have breakfast anyway, with no extra charge.
King Hilton Executive Suites measure in at 743 sq ft. That’s slightly smaller than some of the other suite deals we’ve seen (Andaz Studio Suites are 818 sq ft, Mandarin Oriental City Suites are 904 sq ft), but still a good amount of room.
I’ve not stayed in one of these before, but got a chance to tour the room during a friend’s wedding last year. While the rest of the Hilton could use a revamp, the Executive Suites were renovated recently and look modern enough.
Each suite has a separate living room and bedroom, two bathrooms, Herman Miller ergonomic chairs and marble bathrooms with bathtubs, rain showers, and double sinks.
Don’t pay more for double occupancy
One important thing to note: for some reason, the Hilton Singapore charges you more for double occupancy than single occupancy.
In the screenshots above, I’ve been pricing based on 1 guest. If you select 2 guests, the price for a weekday stay increases from S$379 nett to S$395 nett, for example.
It doesn’t mean you should settle for paying more, however, nor do you need to sneak your companion in. One of the benefits of being a Hilton Honors member (of any tier, even the base one) is that the second guest stays free.
Hilton explains the policy as follows:
A second guest stays free in the Member’s room on qualifying stays at hotels when there are additional charges for double occupancy. This benefit excludes stays at any hotel when the rate includes additional components (e.g., meals, activities, parking), or specialized rates (e.g. package rates, bed & breakfast rates) that are quoted as a per person or per room charge.
There is nothing in the Dream Away rate that is quoted on a per person basis, so I’d just book for one person and show up with two. In the unlikely event that they make noise, I’d point them to this term.
Stack with Hilton Double Points, Double Nights promotion
Hilton recently opened registration for its Double Points, Double Nights promotion, which as the name suggests gives members 2X the usual points and elite qualifying nights.
This applies to all stays between 8 September and 31 December 2020, which would cover the AMEX promotion period too. You’ll earn Hilton points on your stay as follows:
- Member:
1020 points per US$1 - Silver:
1222 points per US$1 - Gold:
1828 points per US$1 - Diamond:
2030 points per US$1
| Remember: it’s the base points which are doubled. A Gold member normally earns 10 base points plus 8 points for being a Gold member. With this promotion, he earns 10 base points + 10 bonus points + 8 points for being a Gold member, or 28 points in total per US$1 |
Double elite nights will count towards Milestone Bonuses and fast tracks (like the ongoing Hilton status match) in 2020, and will rollover to 2021.
Conclusion
While the Andaz Studio Suite deal is cheaper at S$245 nett, the Hilton Executive Suite includes lounge access, which means nightly boozy cocktails and canapes. It’s a great deal for those looking to stretch out more and luxuriate in the evenings.
I’ll be booking this one for October, so look out for a review then.
Why not conrad?
conrad’s suites are much more expensive, and even after taking $120 off I don’t think it’s fantastic. moreover, they’re not approved for staycations yet.
Because its not open fro staycation yet….
Have a stay here in September where I managed to book the room for $126++ for 2 nights. As a diamond with lounge access and breakfast, this is a frigging steal. Also it triggers the amex promo, so i’m getting 2 nights for 280 with a “$100 credit”. Beat this!!! #milegorilla
meaning $63++ per night?
“iโm getting 2 nights for 280 with a โ$100 creditโ
so you went to spend till from $126++ to $400 to trigger Amex $120 rebate? $100 credit can clarify, for dining or u referring to AMEX rebate?
Hilton has just increased the prices for their Dream Away rates but NOT the Dream Away Including Breakfast rates. A room with breakfast now cost less than a room without breakfast. Go figure.
Yes I saw that too, the pricing does not make sense!
Dream Away Incl Breakfast rates have now been corrected. I was waiting for today to book a room but since the increase is quite substantial, I won’t be booking anymore.
This looks great! Got a question on the second guest stays for free.
Would it be correct to say that while the second guest can stay for free (if you’re a Hilton Honors member), breakfast is not included for the second guest?
Oops just re-read -> there’s already breakfast in the executive lounge. please ignore earlier comment!
Actually breakfast will be served via room service for now (lounge is closed), but I don’t see it being an issue. Both guests would be entitled to bf anyway in the lounge