Award System
Hilton Honors
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes
You load your points. We’ll show you valuation and transfer options.
Add My Points
Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System Hilton Honors
The Highlights
Quality hotels but points go fast with high per night point cost.
- Amex’s one-card-per-lifetime rule makes it difficult to accrue Hilton points using Hilton cards exclusively.
- Hilton is part of the Amex partner reward system and at 1:2 is a decent transfer value.
- Hilton has high quality hotels and excellent coverage both in the US and internationally.
- We recommend this system as more of a filler. Either as a specific destination or an upscale IHG when no Hyatt stays are available.
What to Know About This Point System
Hilton is a key component of the points strategy for hotel stays for 3 big reasons:
1. Points are easy to accumulate
2. They have locations in nearly every city globally
3. The perks are great for cardholders
Hilton currently has 4 different cards to choose from -- and they don’t have the strict limitations on carrying different cards as Marriott and Hyatt do. That could easily add up to 500,000 points per person over a few years, which equates to 20-25 hotel nights. The cards also have high multipliers... as high as 30x on Hilton spends, which can be coupled with membership bonuses and 5-7x on select categories and 3x on everyday spending.
Most Hilton cards also come with Gold status. That gives you room upgrades (really nice ones usually) and complimentary breakfast, along with all of the standard hotel membership bonuses.
The downfall of Hilton points is they’re not a good value for transfer. So unless you’re just topping off your points to have enough for booking, it isn’t a good value to transfer Amex Points to Hilton points.
Booking can be a little tricky, so utilize the Points Explorer Tool on their site.
How to Redeem
Redeeming your Hilton points for stays at a Hilton property is the best use of your points. Hilton’s redemption rates are on the high side, so you may experience sticker shock if you’re used to a program like Hyatt. It’s more effective to earn points from paid Hilton stays or co-branded Hilton credit cards and redeem those for award nights. Using American Express Membership Rewards or Bilt points for full stays is rarely a good value and is best reserved for small top ups.
Visit Hilton Honors
Status Levels Explained
Starting January 1, 2026, Hilton Honors will have five membership tiers, beginning with Member, which is free to join. Hilton is debuting a new elite tier - Diamond Reserve, for 2026 and beyond. All of the elite tier content on this page reflects those changes for 2026.
Once you qualify for a tier, you keep that status for the rest of the year and the entire following calendar year. After Member, you can earn status through nights, stays, base points earned, or by opening a co-branded Hilton credit card.
When you join Hilton Honors, you receive Member status. Benefits include:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Points for every dollar spent on stays
- Best price guarantee
- Ability to choose your own room
- Access to a digital key
- Waived resort fees when you pay with points or a promotional free night award
What to Know Before Canceling
Any Hilton Honors points you earn with a credit card will be automatically added to your Hilton Honors account. If you choose to cancel a credit card, your points will be safe (for at least 24 months). Keep in mind that all Hilton co-branded cards are issued through American Express, and their 1/7 Rule means you won’t be able to open or earn a signup bonus on that same card within a 7-year period. Since every card offers automatic status, you will also lose that unless you meet the other criteria for that elite status level.
Breaking Points
February 13, 2023
Mini Points - January 2023
- Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card, limited time offer of 150,000 points after spending $3000 in 6 months, $95 annual fee.
- Hilton Honors Amex Business card, limited time offer of 165,000 points after spending $5000 in 3 months, $95 annual fee.
- Hilton Honors Amex, limited time offer of 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 6 months, no annual fee.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, limited time offer of 100,000 bonus points after spending $3000 in 6 months, $95 annual fee.
-Marriott Bonvoy Bold card, limited time offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $2000 in 6 months, no annual fee.
Related:
Amex Hilton Honors Hilton Surpass Hilton Honors Biz Bonvoy Boundless Bonvoy Bold Bonvoy Hilton
August 30, 2022
Hilton American Express cards - Limited Time Offer
- Hilton Honors is now offering 100,000 bonus points after spending $1000 in 3 months.
- Hilton Honors Surpass card is now offering 130,000 bonus points after spending $2000 in 3 months.
Both are limited time offers ending on 10/26/22 & don't forget, American Express cards are once in a lifetime benefits so if you already cashed in on either of these credit cards within the last 10 years you will not qualify for these offers.
Related:
Hilton Honors Hilton Surpass Amex
May 24, 2022
Hilton Honors 100,000 Sign Up Bonus
Limited Time sign up offer - earn 100,000 Hilton Points on the American Express Hilton Honors Card. Offer Expires 7/6/22.
Related:
Hilton
September 16, 2021
Mini Points - October 2021
- Discover It 5% Cash Back starting October 1st for Amazon.com, Walmart.com & Target.com, activate offer now.
- Hilton Honors is extending Elite Perks for another year.
Related:
Hilton
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