How to Earn Hilton Points
Hilton points are very easy to earn. With a powerful transfer partner and an excellent lineup of co-branded credit cards from American Express, you can build your balance quickly.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Credit Card Transfers | American Express Membership Rewards is the primary transfer partner. Occasional transfer bonuses can increase value. |
| Hilton Co-branded Cards | A full suite of co-branded American Express cards (Honors, Surpass, Aspire) offer large welcome bonuses and elite status. |
| Hotel Stays | Earn points on hotel stays, with multipliers for elite status members. |
| Partners | Earn points with partners like Lyft and through the Hilton Honors dining and shopping portals. |
How to Use Your Points
Hilton uses a dynamic pricing model, so the number of points you need will change based on demand. However, there's always a maximum price a hotel can charge for a standard room, which prevents prices from getting completely out of hand.
- Points Explorer Tool: Before you book, use Hilton's website to see the minimum and maximum points a property will charge for a standard room. This helps you know if you're getting a good deal.
- Standard vs. Premium Rooms: You can use points for standard rooms or upgraded rooms like suites. Premium rooms are also dynamically priced and often cost a lot more points.
- No Blackout Dates: If a standard room is available to book with cash, you can book it with points.
Elite Status is Key!
The Best Deals (Sweet Spots)
Here's how to get the most value from your Hilton Honors points:
This is the best perk of the program. If you have any Hilton elite status (even the free Silver level), you'll get your 5th night free when you book a standard room award stay of 5 nights or longer.
Use your points for an incredible trip to world-class resorts like the Waldorf Astoria Maldives or the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, where cash prices can be astronomical.
You can find some hotels, especially in international locations, for as few as 5,000 to 10,000 points per night. This is a great way to stretch your points.
If you don't have enough points for a full award stay, you can use a slider to flexibly combine points and cash to book your room.