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Hilton is one of the largest global hotel brands, featuring more than 7,000 properties spanning roughly 120 countries and 19 brands. With such a large global footprint, the Hilton Honors loyalty program is one of the biggest in the industry. When you stay at one of Hilton's many brands and properties, you'll want to earn as many points as possible in return. But just how many points can you earn on Hilton stays? Well, it depends.
Related: Comprehensive Guide to Hilton Honors
Page Contents
First Things First: A Hilton Honors Account
You can join Hilton Honors online through the Hilton website or using the Hilton mobile app. Once you've entered your information, you'll then receive a membership number. Be sure to track your Hilton account with AwardWallet , along with all your other loyalty programs, to get updates on your account activity and make sure your points don't expire.
To give you a sense of how much points are worth, AwardWallet members typically redeem Hilton points at 0.59¢ each. However, you certainly can extract more value in the right circumstances.
Earning Rates for Qualifying Stays
As always, make sure that your Hilton Honors number is attached to the reservation. Members earn 10 base points per dollar spent on room rates and eligible incidental charges at most Hilton properties. However, you'll earn 5 base points at Tru by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton brands (excluding Home2 China). Qualifying stays are those booked directly through Hilton.
When you book award stays or points and cash stays, you will generally earn points on eligible incidental charges or the cash portion of your booking. Determining all other incidental charges that count towards earning Hilton Honors points varies by brand and type of charge.
Elite tier bonuses
In addition to the base rate earnings, elite members enjoy additional earning bonuses. Depending on status level, the earning rates are as follows for full-service brands:
- Member: 10 points per dollar spent
- Silver: 20% bonus for a total of 12 points per dollar spent
- Gold: 80% bonus for a total of 18 points per dollar spent
- Diamond: 100% bonus for a total of 20 points per dollar spent
Gold and Diamond members earn additional points at check-in if selected as part of the Hilton “My Way” benefit. However, remember that the earning rates above will be cut in half at Tru by Hilton and Home2 Suites properties.
Many Hilton brands earn 1,000 bonus points per stay, including Canopy by Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Motto by Hilton, Signia by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.
Other brands earn the following:
- Hilton Grand Vacations: 2,000 bonus points
- Hilton Garden Inn: 750 bonus points
- Tempo by Hilton: 500 bonus points
- Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Spark by Hilton, Tru by Hilton: 250 bonus points
- Home2 Suites by Hilton: 100 bonus points
Can You Earn Hilton Points on Multiple Rooms?
Yes, you can, for up to four rooms. According to Hilton's terms and conditions:
“You can earn base points for up to four rooms per stay. All eligible charges for both rooms must be paid together on one folio (i.e., one hotel bill) which must be requested at time of check-in. Base Point credit will be earned for all eligible folio charges incurred on both rooms. Hilton Honors Bonus Point credit or total folio charges, including elite tier bonuses and quarterly promotions, will apply to the total Base Point credit earned or folio charges incurred for both rooms. Hilton Honors Bonus Point credit, including Points earned with partners and other promotional bonuses, will be awarded on one room only (except for the elite tier bonuses and quarterly promotions mentioned above). You will earn only one stay credit (including credit toward Hilton Honors elite tier qualification) and only one mileage credit.”
More Ways To Earn Hilton Points on Your Stays
There are a few additional ways to earn even more points while you are enjoying your stay. Here are some examples to boost your point earnings.
Meetings and events with Hilton
Meeting and event planners can earn 1 Hilton point per $1 spent on meetings and events, up to $100,000 per event. You'll need to add Event Planner Points to your contract with Hilton. However, not all properties participate. Here is the list of participating hotels in the event planner program.
Promotions can boost earnings even more
Hilton runs multiple promotions per year to provide even more points on your hotel stays. Typical offerings include bonus points per stay or per night, as well as bonus elite night credits.
AwardWallet also maintains a list of the best promotions across all loyalty programs.
Earning Rates Using Hilton Credit Cards
American Express offers multiple cards that earn Hilton Honors points. All Hilton credit cards offer some level of complimentary elite status:
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Complimentary Silver elite status, with the ability to earn Gold status by spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Complimentary Gold elite status.
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Complimentary Gold elite status, with the ability to earn Diamond status by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Complimentary Diamond elite status.
In addition to Hilton's co-branded credit cards, cardmembers with The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express can enroll for complimentary Hilton Gold status. Having elite status boosts your overall point earnings on your stays.
In addition to the base and bonus earnings, Hilton cards earn the following rates for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio:
- Hilton Amex: 7 points per dollar
- Hilton Surpass: 12 points per dollar
- Hilton Business Card: 12 points per dollar
- Hilton Aspire: 14 points per dollar
Paying for your stay with any of these cards will add a significant points return to your stay. For example, paying with a Hilton Aspire card (which provides automatic Diamond status) would earn a whopping 34 points per dollar, due to cardmember and elite status bonuses.
Each Hilton card has different bonus categories, any of which could be useful for you. To figure out what would work best for you, check out our guide to choosing the best Hilton Honors card for you.
Final Thoughts
Hilton Honors is an one of the best hotel loyalty programs available, and can provide great value. You can easily accrue significant points from your stays, especially when you use any combination of co-branded credit cards, promotions, and elite status. Feel free to share some of your best point returns with us!
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