Are you a frequent traveler who loves to indulge in comfort and luxury? If so, then the Hilton Honors Rewards Program is tailor-made for you. As a member, you’ll have access to a world of exclusive benefits and rewards that will make your journeys even more memorable. Whether you’re booking a stay at a Hilton property, dining out, or renting a car, you’ll earn points that can be redeemed for a variety of incredible experiences.
What is the Hilton Honors Rewards Program?
The Hilton Honors Rewards Program is Hilton’s way of giving back to its loyal guests. Whenever you book a qualifying service or stay at a Hilton property, you earn points that can be cashed in for a range of exciting rewards. From free stays at Hilton properties to shopping with various partners, from experience packages to shopping on Amazon, the possibilities are endless. And the best part? Joining the program is absolutely free and signing up is a breeze.
How to Earn Hilton Honors Rewards Points
Earning Hilton Honors rewards points is easier than you might think. In addition to earning points for booking stays at Hilton properties, you can also earn points through various other methods:
Hotel Stays
For every $1 spent on Hilton hotel stays, you can earn up to 10 points. Certain properties like Home2 Suites by Hilton and Try by Hilton earn 5 points for every $1 spent. With a wide range of participating properties, you have plenty of opportunities to rack up points.
Hilton Honors American Express Cards
If you’re a holder of any of the Hilton Honors American Express cards, you can earn points on everyday purchases like groceries and cell phone bill payments. Each card offers different ways to earn points, so choose the one that suits your spending habits and start earning.
Dining and Ordering Food
Dining out or ordering food online can also earn you Hilton Honors points. As a new member, you can receive a bonus of 1,000 points when you spend at least $25 within the first 30 days. Dining 11 times or more in a year will grant you VIP status, where you can earn 8 bonus points per $1 spent.
Car Rentals and Lyft Rideshare
Renting a car through Alamo, Enterprise, or National via the Hilton Honors portal allows you to earn up to 5,000 points per rental. Additionally, by linking your Hilton Honors and Lyft accounts, you can earn points when booking a Lyft ride or ride-share.
Guest Opinion Rewards
Did you know that your opinion can earn you Hilton Honors points? By participating in surveys, you can start earning points. The more surveys you complete, the more points you earn. It’s an easy way to boost your Hilton Honors account.
Buying Points
If you find yourself short on points for a specific reward, Hilton allows you to buy up to 80,000 points in a calendar year. It’s a convenient way to top up your points balance and enjoy the reward you desire.
How to Redeem Hilton Honors Points
Redeeming your hard-earned Hilton Honors points is a breeze. Here are just a few ways to make the most of your rewards:
Free Nights at Hilton Properties
With nearly 6,900 hotels and resorts worldwide, Hilton offers a plethora of options for your free stays. And the best part? There are no blackout dates, so you can use your points any time of the year. The number of points required per night varies depending on the location, room type, and travel date, but with the Points Explorer feature on Hilton’s website, you can easily find the perfect option for your desired redemption.
Points Slider
If you don’t have enough points to cover a full stay, don’t worry. Hilton’s Points Slider feature allows you to combine points and money to book your room. Simply choose “Special Rates” on Hilton.com, click on “use points,” and select the “pay with points & money” option.
Fifth Night Free
Once you achieve elite status, you’ll unlock the fifth night free benefit. When you book five or more consecutive nights on a Standard Reward Stay, the fifth night is on the house. Whether you book through the Hilton Honors app, online, or via phone, you’ll automatically enjoy this perk.
Transfer Points to Partners
Not only can you earn points by booking Lyft rideshares, but you can also redeem them for credits to use on Lyft services. Hilton also partners with over 36 airlines, allowing you to transfer your points for credits with major airlines like Qantas Airways, Delta AirLines, and United Airlines.
Events and Experiences
Why not use your Hilton Honors points to create unforgettable memories? With Hilton’s VIP events and experiences, you can indulge in chef-created spreads and offerings, attend concerts with VIP access, dine at exclusive restaurants, enjoy spa treatments at Hilton resort spas, or even secure tickets for sporting events through Ticketmaster. The possibilities are endless!
Shop on Amazon
Shopping on Amazon has never been more rewarding. By linking your Hilton Honors and Amazon accounts, you can use your points to pay for part or all of your purchases. Plus, you can set your payment options to automatically apply Hilton points to future Amazon purchases.
Donate Points
If you have accumulated an abundance of Hilton Honors points and wish to give back, you can donate them to an accredited nonprofit. Hilton has partnered with PointWorthy, allowing you to donate a minimum of 4,000 points, equivalent to $10 in cash value, across various categories, including arts and culture, education, and the environment.
Pool Points
Planning a trip with family or friends? You can maximize your redemption by pooling your Hilton Honors points together. By combining points with up to 10 other members, you can create unforgettable experiences, whether it’s booking stays, airplane tickets, or other exciting adventures.
How Much are Hilton Honors Points Worth?
The value of Hilton Honors points can vary depending on the redemption method. Hilton uses a dynamic pricing system, meaning the value of each point can fluctuate based on factors such as demand, location, and travel date. On average, Hilton Honors points are worth around $0.6 per point, but your redemption choices may bring you even more value.
Current Hilton Honors Elite Status
The Hilton Honors program offers not only basic membership but also three elite status tiers, each with its own set of benefits:
Member
As a basic member, you can enjoy benefits such as a reward stay resort fee waiver, free Wi-Fi, the ability to choose your room before your stay (subject to availability), and digital check-in and check-out.
Silver
After booking three hotel stays, seven nights, or earning 17,500 points, you’ll achieve Silver status. This tier offers additional benefits including a 20% bonus on points, a fifth night free on reward stays, and elite rollover nights, allowing you to accelerate your progress towards higher status levels.
Gold
To earn Gold status, simply book 14 stays, 28 nights, or earn 52,500 points. Gold status brings you even more benefits, such as an 80% bonus on points, room upgrades when available, complimentary food and beverage credits, and complimentary breakfast when staying outside the U.S.
Diamond
For the most elite status, aim for Diamond. Achieve this by booking 21 stays, 42 nights, or attaining 84,000 points. Diamond members enjoy all the benefits of Gold status, plus even more exclusive perks, such as executive lounge access and even a guaranteed room upgrade.
Hilton Honors vs. Competitors
While Hilton Honors is an excellent rewards program for loyal Hilton guests, it’s always good to compare options. Competitors such as Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt each have their own unique offerings. Marriott Bonvoy, with over 5,500 hotel properties worldwide, offers a wide range of choices, while World of Hyatt focuses on providing exceptional value, with an average redemption rate of 2.21 cents per point. Consider your preferences and loyalty when deciding which rewards program best suits your needs.
Best Hilton Honors Credit Cards
To enhance your Hilton Honors experience, consider one of the four Hilton Honors credit cards available. Our top three picks are:
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Hilton Honors Card from American Express: This no-annual-fee card offers automatic Silver elite status, bonus points on eligible purchases, and the opportunity to earn Gold status by spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card: With a $95 annual fee, this card offers automatic Gold status, a generous welcome bonus, and accelerated points earning on eligible purchases. Perfect for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to enjoy enhanced benefits.
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The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Business owners can benefit from automatic Gold status, accelerated points earning, and additional rewards when reaching specific spending thresholds. This card is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to maximize their business expenses.
For more details about these cards, please visit the Personal Finances Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How many Hilton Honors points are needed for a free night?
- Do Hilton points ever expire?
- How to get Hilton Diamond status?
- Can I use my Hilton Honors account to book a room for someone else?
We hope this guide has provided you with all the information you need to make the most of the Hilton Honors Rewards Program. Happy travels and enjoy the luxurious rewards that await you!