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Hilton recently launched Pay with Points, which lets
We dug into the specifics — or lack thereof — and have more questions than answers. Here's what we know so far.
What Is Pay With Points?
As the name implies, Hilton's Pay with Points feature lets a member use Hilton Honors points toward “eligible hotel charges” when checking out digitally in the Hilton Honors app. You must hold Hilton Honors elite status to use the feature, which is currently only available at 150 Hilton properties across the U.S.
A Hilton spokesperson tells AwardWallet:
“Eligible Hilton Honors members will be notified via pre-arrival email if the hotel is participating in the Pay with Points test. The benefit is expected to expand to more than 800 hotels by the end of 2026, followed by a full rollout to more than 6,000 participating properties in the U.S. and Canada in early 2027.”
Hilton notes that the feature was borne out of member feedback. From Hilton:
“According to recent Hilton research, 70% of Hilton Honors members surveyed are interested in using Points toward on-property purchases, and approximately half said the capability could make them more likely to stay or book with Hilton.”
How Does It Work?
According to Hilton's FAQ, a trip to the front desk isn't even needed to use Pay with Points:
“During Digital Check Out in the Hilton Honors App, eligible members can review their folio, choose from available redemption options, and apply Points toward the invoice. The experience is completed digitally with no front desk assistance required.”
Our main question, which Hilton declined to elaborate on, is the specific points-to-dollar conversion rate. We were only told that members “will be able to select their payment options through a Points slider directly in the Hilton Honors App before choosing whether and how many Points to redeem.”
If a member wants to use Points & Money — a separate feature — before booking a stay, Hilton also uses a points slider, but rates are often less than ideal. For example, if we applied 15,000 Hilton Honors points to a one-night stay in a room with one king bed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Colleyville DFW Airport West, we'd still owe the property $89.18.
However, the cash rate, without adding any points, is $156.07, making our 15,000 Hilton Honors points worth less than half a cent per point. Given that AwardWallet users tend to redeem Hilton points at 0.62¢ apiece, this is a poor redemption.
Now, we don't know for sure what the Pay with Points redemption rate will look like, but if it's anything like this, count us out. Hilton points out in the Pay with Points FAQ that availability and eligible redemption options can vary by property, so redemption rates may differ by location.
Bottom Line
We are hesitant to recommend using Hilton's new Pay with Points feature. Beyond the fact that it's still in test mode, we don't yet know the points-to-dollar conversion rate. Moreover, you won't even know if the Hilton property you're visiting offers Pay with Points until after you book.
For now, avoid this feature.
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