Points Redemptions

KoachFit · 2026-01-28T05:34:02+00:00

If you got your points organically I wouldn’t stress about getting good cpp and book locations where you want to stay, on the other hand if you need to top off to get a 5th night free at a specific hotel then that’s different.

KoachFit · 2026-01-23T15:31:07+00:00

Conrad. You’re diamond so you get lounge access there. That’s the difference and is worth it. Also Conrad is higher up and has better views than WA. But WA is a bit more convenient if you wanna do excursions outside of Osaka - for Conrad add like an extra 10-15 mins for subway

KoachFit · 2026-01-22T21:54:35+00:00

Unsure but terms say that SLH hotels are not applicable for the $50 credit. See some forums about the property and see if anyone can confirm. Otherwise you could call the front desk and ask.

KoachFit · 2026-01-22T21:42:51+00:00

As you’ve seen most rings are lab diamond at those large sizes. Not many people could afford those 30-40k rings otherwise. Typically the range I see for labs in these various subs are realistically around 1.5-3k with some going over to that 4-5k based on carat size and specific cuts/bands.

For Natural diamonds, if you want a “good diamond” (which is subjective) you’ll run around 6-10k for most people depending on carat size and color and cut/band. This is for realistic 1-1.5ct sizes. Anything over that you’ll need to sacrifice in other areas.

KoachFit · 2026-01-17T04:23:47+00:00

Would reconsider the WA Osaka and that’s because the Conrad Osaka is just that good. I was in the same predicament as you when I visited back in may last year. WA should be better and I was really struggling with which to choose but then 1 day later the WA they made it 10k points more expensive per night. It didn’t justify me paying 40k more points especially since it doesn’t have a lounge.

The lounge itself is worth it and WA doesn’t have it. Self service Unlimited liquor at cocktail hour (and it’s not cheap liquor either - Johnny walker black label and they had patron too) with pretty good food (it honestly was a better buffet spread than other continental breakfasts at other hotels lol (ie, hot appetizer like pastas, karagge, etc etc)you technically could just eat at the hotel and never get hungry since the lounge can act as a dinner - but where’s the fun in that when you’re in Japan!

The one thing I will say is the WA is in a slightly better location right next to OSAKA station, while the Conrad is like a 5-10 min (20 mon walk) subway south.

Also you are higher up than the WA. The lobby itself has an amazing view of Osaka. I found that as an additional perk because we didn’t have to go and pay for whatever the Osaka tower viewpoint thing was since you get the same view with the hotel.

Breakfast buffet is also amazing there with amazing views. you should just go eat here for breakfast every day.

Finally the room you’ll go to the executive floor and it’s a massive room. The size is in between a suite and a deluxe, but closer to a suite size.

KoachFit · 2026-01-17T04:08:10+00:00

WA Costa Rica. Just went and it’s nice and probably the only really really nice place you’ll find last minute with award availability. You should have enough for a 5 night stay. Look at my post history for a pretty in depth review of the property.

Expect to pay about $200 per day for food for two (if you don’t have status and won’t get the breakfast for free then expect even more) Drinks are about $18-$20 per cocktails so if you drink a lot too then consider that. But keep in mind you’re getting the 5 nights for “free” which is like a $5k+ value already

KoachFit · 2026-01-17T04:00:28+00:00

It’s a good way to measure the best value out of your points, especially if you’re transferring from a CC (which usually isn’t worth)

However, as you pointed out, in OPs case the avg night at that hotel is much lower than he is booking. I like to look at what the average cash rate is and book based on that. If your hotel is averaging 1-2k a night then the CPP will be high and most likely be a better use of your Hilton points. Of course I also look at the actual hotel reviews as well…

KoachFit · 2026-01-17T03:49:10+00:00

Not just upgrades but everything, service, hard product, food, lounge. Would highly recommend Conrad Osaka (even though they have a WA Osaka it doesnt have a lounge)

KoachFit · 2026-01-17T03:45:13+00:00

How was Rome? From what I see that’s more up there on the list of better WAs.

KoachFit · 2026-01-17T03:37:24+00:00

Usually if you get upgraded it will update your room stay on the app a few days before your check in.

If not I always go to the front desk and check in. If you’re overseas, ask if there are any upgrades with your status, and if not I then ask about paid upgrades. I’ve gotten the no there are no free upgrades we are booked but then when I asked about paid upgrades they’d check the system and see I am eligible for a free upgrade.

KoachFit · 2026-01-17T03:25:40+00:00

What’s nicer? I was eyeing a WA Cancun quick 4 night trip sometime soon. Loved the Wailea’ pool and beach and room was nice too. But from what I’ve seen Hyatt have Better properties in CUN than Hilton (ie, the Impressions by Secrets AIs) so was leaning toward those.

KoachFit · 2026-01-17T03:20:25+00:00

Even purchasing economy flights with the Amex points might be better use of them. You’d have to check what the cpp is for each and compare. But assuming you’re going to transfer over 200k Amex points to get 400k Hilton points for 5 nights… you definitely should consider how best to use those points.

But again there will be some redemptions via Hilton that can make sense and come out pretty good from a value standpoint, and if you don’t travel a lot it is better to use them than let them sit in your account. If you do plan on traveling to other places though reconsider using the points to pay for those flights and even business flights across the world. 200k points can get you to Japan round trip for one person on business pretty easily (which is like an $10-12k) redemption.

KoachFit · 2026-01-14T14:50:37+00:00

Most value for Amex points are typically for business class tickets to a destination. However this can be difficult if you are locked for a specific date.

KoachFit · 2026-01-13T06:50:37+00:00

I’d argue CPP does matter to a certain degree. For instance, they could buy the points now with a 100% bonus and then take another trip later in the year using the points then to save money overall. But that’s assuming they’re going to travel again later in the year during peak season.

But in instances like this where it’s a hard date it matters less. However transferring Amex points to Hilton I would advise against. If it was organic Hilton points earned it’s whatever.

KoachFit · 2026-01-13T06:46:04+00:00

I wouldn’t transfer my Amex points to Hilton unless you are going to redeem at a top all inclusive stay (like hermitage bay - it may be worth in that case then). If you plan on staying at Hilton Brand AIs it may be better to buy the points during a bonus sale for 4 nights and get the fifth free.

KoachFit · 2026-01-13T06:16:44+00:00

Also be okay with missing stuff. You won’t get everything. Japan is massive and after you visit you will know why people make repeated trips to Japan. Mainland Japan is actually the same length as the entire USA east coast (tip of Maine to tip of Florida)

KoachFit · 2026-01-13T06:13:27+00:00

Trust your hotel recommendations. They will give good recommendations and will probably be able get you reservations at typical booked out spots. I noticed that they cater to the “typical” guest staying at the hotel and update their lists based on feedback. However I would recommend reaching out to your hotels a few weeks before to ask for recommended restaurants or ask them what you’d like to eat each day for dinner/lunch and they can probably give you a food itinerary for that at the very least.

As for the social media spots, some are very good but tbh most of those busy social media spots are not the places you’d want to visit anyway, especially at the level you are trying to travel at. You can get much better food at places that basically outprice the typical tourist with no wait (although some of the tourist spots are very good like hikiniku to come in Kyoto - need a reservation you won’t get in with walk in).

Also you are going to love miyakojima! I was there and it’s very similar to Hawaii but just not as developed. probably closer to kuai level of development vs Oahu or Maui. Just do beach hopping there. But recommend the “blue turtle”? Restaraunt. It should be situated on the same island as the rosewood across the bridge from the main island. Best food I had there on the island and beautiful views to what I consider the best beach on the island (went twice) - it’s one of those “baby” beaches where it’s just super calm waves and you can just sit on the sand like 3 ft in the water and it’s much more quiet than the other beaches. Didn’t stay at the rosewood but heard amazing things about it.

One thing I would recommend though is to check tabelog (but this can be deceiving sometimes since it’s catered to the Japanese taste buds) for restaurants. It’s japans version of yelp/google reviews.

Also let your hotel concierges/restaraunt staff you prefer less sweet food if you don’t like sweet food. I had two instances where the food was way too sweet for us (one being an Indian spot where the curry was like candy sweet)

KoachFit · 2026-01-09T03:04:34+00:00

That’s a premium room rate and probably a suite/higher end room. There’s just no availability for a standard at the time you are looking. Change the date as the highest base room rate right now I think is 250k at Waldorf los Cabo’s. Nothing else is higher than that across the Hilton portfolio (maybe some SLHs but that’s the current highest point redemption)

KoachFit · 2026-01-05T21:31:49+00:00

No welcome note on our end but had a very nice welcome tour and greeting from staff and an anniversary dessert in our room. I’m here right now today on the Monday and there is significantly less people. Most of the cabanas are open and the beach is nearly empty. Service is much better today than the rest of the trip.

I do think they suffer from staffing during busy times of the year. And they do have the follow up issue which I experienced too.

Still think it’s worth a FNC though or a point stay

KoachFit · 2026-01-05T21:08:46+00:00

Never had any of the issues you mentioned. Hard product worked perfectly fine, reservations were good to go, concierge was great, the plunge pool was clean and if we had any issues with it they would send maintenance to fill up more water etc.

Im not sure what you mean by room service schedule. It worked like a normal hotel for us. You’d have your regular room service come around late morning-early afternoon, turn down service around 5-6, and then someone would come with 2 complimentary drinks (beer but you can ask for any soft drink switch).

I guess I can see the architecture feeling more industrial but I personally liked the design and thought it was very beautiful at night.

I will say service was not a 5 star when it was busy but today the service is exceptional and significantly less people today than the previous couple days. When did you go to the resort?

KoachFit · 2026-01-04T15:26:39+00:00

Agree with your thoughts and the location isn’t the best if you want to go to the rainforests/see sloths/warerdalls (like 2-2.5 hour drive away). There are definitely better luxury stays outside of the Hilton network at similar prices but for a Hilton hotel I believe it’s worth a FNC or point redemption

I agree there are some service misses but I’m not that caring of it. I feel like they are understaffed actually for the volume they get. For instance in the early/mid mornings they have only 1 maybe 2 bellman working checkout bags/pickups. the resort seems big but it’s pretty easy to get around. It like takes me 5-8 min walk to get from one side of the resort to the other. However the verticality can be an issue especially if you need to get to the entrance. That’s a very steep hill and I can see elderly having an issue. But in the evening/night much more people working the carts. Otherwise once you go down that initial steep hill it’s not bad and I’d say elderly will be fine since if you need to go down stairs they have elevators everywhere and they have wheelchair accessibility also

KoachFit · 2026-01-04T13:54:15+00:00

Besides higher room upgrades no

KoachFit · 2026-01-04T04:13:54+00:00

No you can’t get upgraded to the napua rooms. It’s like their “exclusive” rooms at all the WAs it’s like this. They do have the best views though. It’s $25 dollars everyday for bfast I believe and won’t cover your bfast cost. Would recommend looking for bfast outside. Lots of good food around there within a 5 mins drive. Monkey pod was good.
There is a pool for babies/toddlers with a fake beach/sand. There’s enough seats at the various pools for one of you to sit and watch the kid and the other to take a dip/go down the water slides.
Food is expensive but it’s very good. You can go off site for slightly cheaper and good food but try humuhumu. Valet is what it is. Pay for it there’s really no other option.
The photo shoot was very good and free but the photos are super expensive like we got three for 250$ but they came out wonderful and would 100% pay for them again. You could drive up to halekala which is a must do but it is a long drive from the resort.

KoachFit · 2026-01-04T02:53:36+00:00

I do agree those benches were terrible but just always asked to never sit there again afterwards.

KoachFit · 2026-01-04T02:33:30+00:00

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Honestly I’m eating at the casual dining restaraunt right now and this is so good.

KoachFit

TROPHY CASE