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Note: This post was originally published in March 2020 and has been updated with the latest information as of January 5, 2022.
In a time of great uncertainty—both in travel and in general—Hilton continues to do right by its customers. Hilton recently extended the expiration date of free weekend night certificates for cardholders. Now, Hilton has announced even greater flexibility for Hilton Honors members in three categories: status, points, and reservations.
Key Terms
Status
Points
- Points Extension: Hilton is pausing the expiration of Hilton Honors points through December 31, 2022.
Reservations
- Most reservations can be changed or canceled up to 24 hours before arrival without penalty. As long as you booked directly with Hilton, this should apply, but check the policy before confirming your reservation. It also should be listed in your confirmation email. For bookings made directly with Hilton, you can change them online or in the app without needing to call.
Elite Status Extension
Hilton's announcement essentially gives anyone with status—whether that was during 2019 or during 2020—that same status through March 31, 2023. For travelers who earn Hilton Honors elite status through hotel stays, this is fantastic news. During a travel hiatus of unknown length and ever-changing travel rules, qualifying for hotel status through stays/nights is quite difficult for many members around the globe.
For those who qualify for Hilton Honors status by holding a credit card, this policy change presumably means you could downgrade or cancel your card and still maintain the status that comes with it. With global travel continually in flux, now is a great time to assess your credit card portfolio.
Points Expiration Pause
Good news if you have Hilton Honors points scheduled to expire soon. Hilton is pausing the expiration of points through December 31, 2022. That takes the pressure off travelers that were at risk of losing their Hilton points and couldn't travel to extend the expiration date. While there are many ways to extend Hilton Honors points, this is a nice gesture.
Reservation Flexibility
Increased flexibility for booking hotel reservations gives Hilton Honors the biggest boost out of all announcements so far. Not only does this allow existing reservations to be canceled without charge, but also stir-crazy would-be travelers can take advantage of lower hotel rates for future stays without sacrificing any flexibility, should such a trip not come to fruition.
For those forced to cancel trips due to COVID-19, this is a great opportunity to plan and book replacement trips. Should future plans be impacted, you will be able to change or cancel at no extra charge.
Our Take
Coupled with the extension of free weekend night certificates into 2022, Hilton has cemented itself as a hotel chain doing the right thing for its members. This increased flexibility in multiple aspects of the Hilton Honors program builds trust and loyalty among its members. Once business and leisure travel returns to what it used to be, Hilton surely wants to maintain its mainstay of customers. Doing right by them in the meantime will go a long way in making sure that happens.
For information on how other hotel chains are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, check out:
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