Hilton Honors
The loyalty program for Hilton Hotels & Resorts, with over 7,000 properties across 123 countries and 18 distinct brands.
Program Basics
Earning Structure
10 base points per dollar at most Hilton properties, with additional points for elite status members.
Points Expiration
Points expire after 12 months of inactivity, but any earning or redemption activity resets the clock.
Fifth Night Free
Silver, Gold, and Diamond members get every 5th night free on award stays of 5+ nights (up to 4 free nights per stay).
Credit Card Transfer Partners
You can transfer points to Hilton Honors from these programs:
Current Transfer Bonuses
Valid until June 30, 2025. Transfer 1,000 MR points, get 2,500 Hilton points (instead of 2,000).
Elite Status Tiers
Status Level | Requirement | Key Benefits |
---|---|---|
Member | None | Free Wi-Fi, digital check-in, choose your room |
Silver | 4 stays or 10 nights/year | 20% bonus points, 5th night free, 2 bottles of water |
Gold | 20 stays or 40 nights/year | 80% bonus points, room upgrades, free breakfast |
Diamond | 30 stays or 60 nights/year | 100% bonus points, guaranteed room, executive lounge access |
Maximizing Hilton Honors Points
Best Ways to Earn Points
- 1
Hilton Honors Credit Cards
Earn up to 14x points on Hilton stays and 3-7x points on everyday purchases.
- 2
Stay at Hilton Properties
Base earn rate is 10x points per dollar, plus elite bonuses up to 100% more.
- 3
Hilton Honors Dining
Earn up to 8 points per dollar when dining at participating restaurants.
- 4
Lyft Rides
Earn 3x Hilton Honors points for every dollar spent on Lyft rides.
High-Value Redemption Options
- 1
5th Night Free
Silver, Gold, and Diamond members get every 5th night free on award stays (up to 4 free nights per stay).
- 2
Points & Money
Combine points and cash for stays, with the flexibility to choose how many points to use.
- 3
Free Night Rewards
Earned with credit cards or by reaching milestone nights, these can be used at any property with standard room availability.
- 4
Room Upgrades
Use points to upgrade to premium rooms or suites during booking or check-in.
Sweet Spots and Strategy Tips
Award Sweet Spots
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
95,000 points/night (standard)
Overwater villa rooms often cost $1,000+/night.
DoubleTree London - Tower of London
40,000-60,000 points/night
Great value in an expensive city with stunning rooftop bar.
Conrad Tokyo
80,000-95,000 points/night
Luxury hotel with rates often exceeding $500/night.
Strategic Tips
- ✓
Use Free Weekend Night Certificates Strategically
These certificates can be used at virtually any Hilton property, so aim for high-value luxury properties.
- ✓
Book Premium Room Rewards During Peak Times
When standard rooms are unavailable, premium room rewards can still provide good value during high-demand periods.
- ✓
Stack Promotions
Hilton frequently runs promotions that can be stacked with elite status and credit card bonuses for maximum points.
Pro Tip: Status Match
Hilton offers one of the most generous status match programs in the industry. If you have status with another hotel chain, you can request a match to Gold or Diamond status, typically valid for 90 days with an opportunity to extend by completing a certain number of stays.
Best Credit Cards for Hilton Points
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- •Welcome Bonus: 150,000 points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months
- •Earning: 14x at Hilton hotels, 7x on flights and car rentals, 3x on everything else
- •Free Weekend Night Award annually
- •Automatic Diamond Elite status
Annual fee: $450
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
- •Welcome Bonus: 130,000 points after spending $2,000 in first 3 months
- •Earning: 12x at Hilton hotels, 6x at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, 3x on everything else
- •Free Weekend Night Award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year
- •Automatic Gold Elite status (Diamond after $40,000 spend)
Annual fee: $95
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Hilton Honors points expire?
Yes, Hilton Honors points expire after 12 months of inactivity. Any earning or redemption activity will reset the clock.
Can I pool my points with family or friends?
Yes, Hilton allows point pooling, where you can combine points with up to 10 friends or family members (up to 500,000 points per year).
How does Hilton's 5th Night Free benefit work?
Silver, Gold, and Diamond members get every 5th night free on award stays of 5+ consecutive nights, up to 4 free nights per stay (maximum 20-night stay). The benefit is automatically applied at checkout.
Is there a best time to book Hilton award stays?
Hilton uses dynamic pricing, so award rates fluctuate with demand and cash rates. Generally, booking during promotions or at off-peak times will yield better value. Book as early as possible for high-demand properties and seasons.