A guide to Hilton’s loyalty program and credit cards
Hilton Hotels, a popular hotel group, has changed credit card offerings. Today, I am going to go through the common differences and options for credit cards.
Sign-up bonuses
To start, Hilton’s partner, American Express, has increased the sign-up bonuses on Hilton credit cards. You now can earn up to 175,000 points just for opening a Hilton credit card (spending minimums may apply), enough to pay for hotel rooms costing upwards of $2000 a night. Through opening any credit card with Hilton, you earn Hilton status, which can give you point bonuses, discounts, room upgrades, lounge access, premium Wi-Fi, and guaranteed access to rooms depending on your status level. Let's now dig into the specifics.
Credit cards
The Hilton Honors Card by American Express, Hilton’s lowest-level credit card consisting of no annual fee, is a popular choice for many, especially those that are younger. It has some pretty strong benefits for no annual fee, including Hilton Honors Silver status, 100,000 Hilton Honors points and a $100 statement after $2,000 in purchases within your first six months, no foreign transaction fees, and with $20,000 card spending in a calendar year, Hilton Honors Gold status. In terms of points accruals, you earn seven points per dollar spent on Hilton’s hotels booked directly through Hilton, five points per dollar spent on U.S. restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets, and three points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The Hilton Honors Surpass Card, another popular Hilton card, has some even better benefits. Coming with a $150 annual fee, it has a big signing bonus. It offers 130,000 points plus no annual fee for your intro year after $3,000 card spend in your first 6 months. Built-in benefits are extensive, with Hilton Honors Gold status, with that being upgraded to Diamond after $40,000 in card purchases during a calendar year; a free night award after $15,000 card spend in a calendar year, no foreign transaction fees, up to $50 statement credit per quarter on purchases made directly with Hilton on this card (up to $200 annually), complimentary National Car Rental Executive status, and better point accrual rates. Those include 12 points earned per dollar spent on hotel purchases booked directly with Hilton, six points per dollar spent on U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations, four points per dollar spent on online retail purchases, and three points per dollar on everything else.
Hilton’s most enhanced card, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, has some very impressive benefits and a gigantic signup bonus. The signup bonus offer is 175,000 points after $6,000 is spent within your first six months of owning the card. The card's extensive benefits include Hilton Honors Diamond status, no foreign transaction fees, one free night award each year complimentary, with additional ones after spending $30,000 a calendar year and $60,000 a calendar year, up to $200 statement credit for Hilton purchases on the Aspire card earned semiannually, up to $50 statement credit each quarter on airline purchases booked through Amex Travel or directly with the airline when paid for on the Aspire card, statement credit on Clear if paid on the Aspire card, National Rental Car Executive status, up to $100 credit for Waldorf and Conrad stays if booked on special rates, and impeccable point acquisition rates. Acquisition rates include 14 points earned per dollar spent on Hilton Hotels booked directly with Hilton, seven points earned per dollar spent on travel booked through airlines directly, Amex Travel, car rentals booked directly at select companies, and U.S. restaurants, and three points per dollar spent on everything else.
Hilton status benefits
Silver(earned by ten nights or 4 stays or 25,000 base points)
20% point bonus
Free bottled water
Fifth night free on points stays
Elite rollover nights
Spa discounts
Gold(earned by forty nights or twenty stays or 75,000 base points)
All silver benefits
80% points bonus
Room upgrades if available
Food/beverage credit or continental breakfast
Milestone bonuses
Diamond(earned by sixty nights or thirty stays or 120,000 base points)
All Gold and Silver benefits
Priority on room upgrades if space is available
100% point bonus
Lounge access
Diamond status extension
Premium Wifi complimentary
Guaranteed room availability if booked at least 48 hours prior to check in
Gift of elite status