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Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o.
Updated: July 13, 2024, 10:08am CDTEditor & Content Contributor
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A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little ca.
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Hilton hotels have a reputation for quality, whether you’re staying at locations in North America or around the globe. In all, there are ~7,000 Hilton hotels in over 120 countries across 6 continents.
The Hilton Honors hotel loyalty program makes it easy for members to earn points for free stays and other rewards by offering 19 distinct Hilton Worldwide portfolio brands.
Read along as we cover the many strategies designed to earn and maximize Hilton Honors points so that you will be positioned to build up your balance quickly to redeem those points for hotel stays!
Perhaps the easiest way to earn lots of Hilton points is with Hilton-branded credit cards. First, sign up for the loyalty program, then find out which card is the best for you.
When you enroll as a member of the Hilton Honors loyalty program, you’ll have loads of opportunities to earn points — plus, it’s free to join.
Points can be redeemed for hotel stays, travel benefits, and shopping rewards.
All Hilton Honors credit cards come with an introductory bonus and you can see some of those that we prefer below:
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!
Learn More (at Amex's secure site)
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!
Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 20.99%-29.99% Variable Credit RecommendedUpgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This CardYou can’t beat a comfy king-sized bed and room service. For many travelers, it’s the hotel that really makes or breaks an experience. If you’re one of those people, you’ve probably stayed at a Hilton hotel.
Whether your visits are for work or pleasure, the Hilton brand has you covered with more than 6,200 locations in 100 counties and territories.
To enjoy a host of great benefits, you may want to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Pros & ConsThe rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.
Learn More (at Amex's secure site)
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.
Welcome OfferEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
130,000 points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 20.99%-29.99% Variable Credit RecommendedUpgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This CardIf you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.
Pros & Cons
Terms Apply / Rates & Fees
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.
All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.
Welcome OfferEarn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
150,000 Points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 20.99% - 29.99% Variable Credit RecommendedUpgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This CardThe information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.
The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.
So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.
Pros & ConsThe rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.
Learn More (at Amex's secure site)
An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.
Welcome OfferWelcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
130,000 points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 20.99% - 29.99% Variable Credit RecommendedUpgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This CardFor frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.
Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.
Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.
Pros & ConsHot Tip: Check out our comparison of the benefits and perks of each Hilton Honors credit card for more details.
Each of the Hilton Honors credit cards helps you earn bonus points for categories such as Hilton spending and restaurants.
Check the table below to see the bonus categories available to you with each card. You’ll see how quickly you can earn miles for your monthly spending!
SCROLL FOR MORECard Name
Points Earned
14x points on Hilton purchases
7x points at U.S. restaurants and on flights (book with airline or amextravel.com) and rental cars
3x points on all other eligible purchases on your Card
12x points on Hilton purchases
6x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
4x points at U.S. online retail purchases.
3x points on all other eligible purchases on your Card
7x points on Hilton purchases
5x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
3x points on all other eligible purchases on your Card
12x points at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
6x points on select business and travel purchases
3x points on all other eligible purchases
Hilton Honors members earn 10x points for stays at most hotels in the Hilton portfolio. In some cases, you may only be able to earn based on the room rate. Stays at Home2 Suites by Hilton and Tru by Hilton earn 5x points. Hampton by Hilton in China is excluded from earning.
There is no limit on how many points you can earn per stay and you can earn points on multiple hotel rooms (with a 4-room maximum). You can charge multiple rooms to your account if you’re booking for friends and family.
These points are on top of the points you can earn by using Hilton credit cards that earn points.
So, if you pay for your stay with a Hilton Honors card, you can really make out like a bandit with as many as 19x to 34x points depending on the card!
Believe it or not, the bonus points we’ve covered so far aren’t all that you can earn. You also have the opportunity to earn bonus points as a Silver, Gold, or Diamond status member.
The table below shows how to qualify for each status. You only need to qualify in 1 of the 3 categories to achieve elite status and earn the 20% to 100% bonus for purchases.
SCROLL FOR MOREElite Tier
Number of Stays
Number of Nights
Honors Base Points
Status Bonus
Let’s review all the points you can accumulate as a Hilton Honors member:
And our list of ways to earn Hilton Honors points is just getting started!
Hot Tip: You have the potential to earn a lot of points. Don’t let them expire! To keep your account active, earn points, stay at a Hilton hotel once every 24 months, or make another type of redemption.
If you’re familiar with most hotel groups, you know that they regularly run promotions to give members a chance to earn extra points. The Hilton Honors program is no exception, and can oftentimes be more generous than most in terms of the promotions it runs.
Hilton regularly adds new promotions, so keep an eye out for promotion emails, and check the offers tab in your account for new deals.
You don’t have to use a Hilton credit card to earn Hilton points — Membership Rewards has Hilton as a transfer partner!
If you have an American Express Membership Rewards account, you’ll want to pay close attention: you can transfer Amex points to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio.
Take a look at a number of popular Amex credit cards that earn Membership Rewards points below, and you’ll notice there are plenty of options:
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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Learn More (at Amex's secure site)
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee See Pay Over Time APR Credit RecommendedUpgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This CardWhen it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Pros & ConsHot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Learn More (at Amex's secure site)
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
60,000 points + up to $100 back UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee See Pay Over Time APR Credit RecommendedUpgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This CardWith this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros & ConsHot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points + up to $100 back. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Amex business credit cards.
Hilton and Lyft have a partnership where you can link accounts to earn 3x Hilton Honors points on Lyft in the U.S. and Canada for economy, luxury, and extra seats. Earn 2x Hilton points on Lyft Shared. Taxes, highway tolls, fees, tips, and Lyft Credits are excluded.
Book a car rental from Alamo, Enterprise, or National and earn 500 points per day, up to 5,000 points per rental.
There are other ways to convert other loyalty program points to Hilton Honors points as well.
Hilton has 2 partners that allow you to convert their points to Hilton Honors points:
A great way to earn points without much effort is to do so for your dining — join the Hilton Honors Dining program!
Sign up for Hilton Honors Dining and earn Hilton Honors points for dining out!
Earn up to 8 Honors bonus points per $1 at more than 10,000 locations. With so many participating restaurants, bars, and clubs, points can add up fast.
Hot Tip: Register with a Hilton Honors credit card and earn additional points, depending on the card. The 3 personal cards all earn a minimum of 5x points for U.S. restaurant purchases!
On top of everything you have already learned, there are other special offers and ways to earn Hilton points.
Sign up for Guest Opinion Rewards and you’ll earn 1,250 Hilton Honors bonus points with your first survey.
Hot Tip: Did you know you can earn Hilton points by planning a meeting or event? For more information, check out our guide to earning points by booking business events.
If you’re really in need of some extra Hilton Honors points, you can always buy points. Buying these without a specific strategy would not be recommended and we only suggest doing so if you need points for an immediate redemption. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and there will be a bonus promotion running around the time that you need extra Hilton points, so keep your eyes peeled for those!
Between bonuses, partners, and transfer opportunities, Hilton Honors lets you earn more points than most hotel loyalty programs. Book a room at a hotel in the Hilton portfolio and you’ll be on your way to redemptions such as free stays, upgrades, and other terrific options!
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click here.
Hilton Honors has 3 tiers, and each earns a different status bonus: Silver (20% bonus — 12x per $1), Gold (80% bonus — 18x per $1), and Diamond (100% bonus — 20x per $1).
Hilton discontinued the Shop-to-Earn Mall on September 1, 2018. We’ll update if a replacement is launched.
You only directly earn Hilton Honors points for stays. However, there are a number of airline partners with which you can exchange your Hilton points for miles.
Members earn 10 points per $1 for stays at most hotels in the Hilton portfolio. Stays at Home2 Suites by Hilton and Tru by Hilton earn 5 points per $1.
Additional points can be earned when using a Hilton credit card (7x to 14x points), as well as the Elite Status Bonus (20% to 100%).
You can reach Hilton Honors customer service at 800-445-8667.
Yes. Hilton Honors points can be transferred from American Express Membership Rewards, Amtrak Guest Rewards, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Use the Hilton Honors card, Hilton Surpass card, Hilton Aspire card, or Hilton Business Amex card to earn Hilton Honors points.
You can also transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards-earning cards.
If there is no activity on your account, points will expire in 24 months. You can earn or redeem points or stay at a Hilton portfolio hotel to keep your account active.
Hilton no longer publishes an award chart. The number of points needed for a free night can vary based on the quality of the hotel, location, season, and other factors. Generally, point costs per night range between 5,000 and 95,000.
At Upgraded Points, we value Hilton points at 0.5 cents per point. Keep in mind that point valuations are subjective, so you may receive more or less value than this number. To learn more about our valuations, check out our dedicated points valuations page.
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Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.
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