Sweet rewards for the traveling golfer: Hilton HHonors guest-loyalty program

Staying loyal to a hotel brand certainly has its rewards, and perhaps none is more rewarding for golfers than Hilton HHonors -- the guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide's 10 distinct hotel brands.

Golf-trip planning and the Hilton HHonors guest-loyalty program go hand in hand.

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The program is free, it's easy to accumulate points, and Hilton Worldwide has more than 3,750 hotels and 615,000 rooms in 84 countries. The portfolio of brands includes everything from the high-end Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts to Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. Many of these brands have their own golf courses and academies, while others are connected to golf courses.

"The whole program fosters an experience everybody can share, whether it's with your family, golf buddies or a reunion-type setting," said Jeff Diskin, SVP Global Customer Marketing with Hilton Worldwide. "The HHonors points can help you do that, and with all the locations and price points, we really have everything you could want in organizing a golf trip."

Joining the Hilton HHonors guest-loyalty program is easy, and if you need 10 reasons to do so, read on:

Price points for every budget: Even at the most economical level, staying at one of Hilton Worldwide's properties is always a consistent experience. Hampton Inns, for example, are comfortable, quiet and consistent and the perfect base for a buddies golf trip. And for those seeking more luxury, it doesn't get any better than Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, many of which feature some of the best golf courses in the world.

Ongoing points promotions: Hilton HHonors is constantly finding different ways to reward its loyal members with promotions like bonus points or double points depending on the time of year, making it even easier for members to accumulate points for free stays, merchandise or golf.

Hilton's golf connection: Not only are there great golf courses at the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, but there are at least 90 properties worldwide that are affiliated with golf courses. They often offer golf packages in cooperation with local golf courses in which the hotel not only provides transportation, but they can set up tee times and include the green fees on the guest folio. And you can redeem points to cover part of the package or the whole thing, including your stay.

Redeem points for luxury golf packages: If you're a frequent business traveler, over time you can accumulate enough points to stay at one of Hilton Worldwide's high-end world-class golf resorts such as the 36-hole Boulders Resort in Carefree, Ariz., the Waldorf Astoria Orlando (Fla.) or the La Quinta (Calif.) Resort and Club and PGA West. La Quinta, for example, has 90 holes designed by some of the best in the business, including Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer, while the Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers an outstanding Rees Jones design. And there are other golf properties to choose from as well.

Redeem points for green fees: Even if you're not using your points for hotel stays, you can still use them to play golf at golf courses around the world at places like the Hilton Cancun Golf Club in Mexico, Arcadian Shores in Myrtle Beach, S.C., or the challenging Payne Stewart Golf Club in Branson, Mo.

Redeem points for golf merchandise: Need a new set of golf clubs? Maybe a driver or a putter? Well, you can redeem HHonors points for golf equipment as well, from top brands such as TaylorMade Golf. And it doesn't take as long as you might think. Just a few stays at properties within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio is all it takes for an individual club.

Help with your golf game: Not only do Hilton Worldwide's properties have golf courses, but many of them offer top golf academies as well, and points can be redeemed for lessons or a clinic. With four locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Ariz., Myrtle Beach and Santa Fe, N.M., there are plenty of Hilton Golf Academies from which to choose.

Complimentary breakfast and Internet: If you're looking for an economical way to redeem points for stays, Hilton Worldwide has you covered with Hampton Inns, Homewood Suites and Home2Suites by Hilton. All offer complimentary Internet, coffee and a quick, tasty breakfast, which is exactly what golfers need before a day on the links.

Airline miles: If free stays or even green fees aren't what you're after, you can always convert your points to airline miles, which are certainly useful in getting to those dream courses you've never played. And HHonors is also the only guest-loyalty program to offer "Points & Miles" and "No Blackout Dates."

Legendary Golf Getaway sweepstakes: And last, but not least, Hilton HHonors members are eligible to be entered into the Hilton HHonors Legendary Golf Getaway Sweepstakes that will award one grand prize winner a golf package for eight at the winner's choice of La Quinta, Resort & Club, The Boulders or the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The package includes airfare, three rounds of golf, a short-game clinic, a $5,000 Hilton Worldwide Gift Card and 100,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points for the winner and 50,000 bonus points for each friend. There also will be six first prize winners, who will be awarded a new TaylorMade R11 driver as well as 50,000 bonus points.

July 21, 2011