Hilton Honors is one of the largest and most accessible hotel loyalty programs, with over 7,500 properties across 22 brands in 126 countries. Whether you’re a casual traveler or a points-maximizing pro, Hilton Honors offers solid value—especially if you take advantage of elite status, transfer partners, and fifth-night-free perks.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about earning, redeeming, and making the most of your Hilton points and status.
What is Hilton Honors?
Hilton Honors is the free-to-join loyalty program of Hilton Hotels & Resorts. You’ll earn Hilton points by staying at Hilton properties, using Hilton co-branded credit cards, or transferring points from partners like Amex Membership Rewards.
Hilton’s portfolio includes 22 brands, ranging from ultra-luxury resorts to budget-conscious options:
- Luxury: Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR
- Premium: Canopy, Graduate, Curio, Tapestry, Double Tree
- Midscale: Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton, Tru
- Extended Stay: Home2, Homewood Suites, Hilton Grand Vacations (timeshare)
In 2024, Hilton partnered with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), adding over 400 properties that can be booked with Hilton Honors points or free night certificates.
Redeeming Hilton Honors Points
Hilton doesn’t use an award chart—redemption rates are dynamic, and prices vary by demand and season. Instead, Hilton offers a Hilton Points Explorer tool, which isn't usually the most helpful, as points prices often vary from what is shown by the tool before clicking through to view dates.
Rates typically range from 10,000 to 120,000 points per night, and max out at 150,000 points per night.
The best value is often found at mid-tier properties or aspirational resorts when cash rates are high. Hilton's new partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is a great example of where value can be found. While cash rates can run over $1,000/night, free nights with points still max out at 150,000 points per night. This is still a lot of points, but the value can be great.
Hilton Honors "5th Night Free" Awards
Hilton offers the 5th night free on standard room award stays for those with Silver status and above. This extends to stays up to 20 nights. That is, you can get the 5th night, 10th night, 15th night, and 20th night free on an extended award stay.
Hilton free night certificates can be earned through different credit cards (either through welcome bonuses or earned through spend, depending on the card and current offer).
Hilton free night certificates can be used at almost any Hilton property, however they can only be used for a standard room award. Standard rates can be difficult to find at high-end and popular properties such as the Waldorf Astoria Maldives and the Conrad Bora Bora. But great value is out there if you are able to find standard availability on high end properties such as at SLH properties.
How to Earn Hilton Honors Points
There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, from hotel stays to credit card bonuses and dining partnerships. Here’s how to maximize your earnings:
1. Hilton Honors Credit Cards
Hilton offers co-branded credit cards through American Express Chase, allowing members to earn points through welcome bonuses and on everyday spending, with some cards providing access to exclusive benefits. Hilton cards typically provide a welcome bonus of Points, Free Night Awards, and/or statement credits. Here are the currently available Hilton cards and their offers:
2. Staying at Hilton Hotels
Hilton Honors members earn 10 points per $ spent on stays at most Marriott properties, with only 5 points earned per $ spent at Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton. Members with elite status earn a bonus on spend according to the following:
- Silver: 20% bonus
- Gold: 80% bonus
- Diamond: 100% bonus
3. Transfer Credit Card Points
Marriott is a transfer partner for American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:2 ratio and Bilt Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, which means these points can be transferred to Hilton points. Generally, this isn't the best use of these valuable transferable currencies, even during their frequent transfer bonuses, but if you have a specific high-value redemption opportunity and need to top off some points, it could be worth it.
4. Other Ways to Earn Points
Hilton frequently runs bonus point promotions where you can earn extra points on things like Hilton's Power Up promotions and spend on dining, rideshare, and shopping portals.
How to Earn Hilton Free Nights
Hilton Honors Credit Cards
Marriott often offers Free Night Awards as part of the welcome bonus for some credit cards that are in their suite of cards. These new cardholder offers frequently change, and current offers can be found above.
As a credit card benefit, you can earn Free Night Awards with the following cards:
Hilton Elite Status & Benefits
Hilton elite status tiers come with real perks, especially at the Gold and Diamond levels. You can qualify through stays—or more easily via credit cards.
Here’s a breakdown of Hilton's elite status levels and benefits:
Lifetime status is also available for Diamond statues with 10 years of Diamond status plus either 1,000 lifetime nights or 2 million base points earned. The 1,000 lifetime nights required can be paid and/or award stays.
Hilton occasionally has status match offers where you can match your elite status from other programs.
Hilton Honors Milestone Rewards
Milestone Rewards are additional points earned by Gold and Diamond members upon reaching certain night thresholds. Gold and Diamond members will receive 10,000 bonus points when reaching 40 elite nights, then an additional 10,000 bonus points with each 10 nights thereafter (and a one-time additional bonus of 30,000 points upon reaching 60 nights).
Hilton Points Expiration Policy
Hilton points expire after 24 months of inactivity. You can keep your account active with any earning, redeeming, or purchasing activity.
Final Thoughts
Hilton Honors can be a valuable and accessible program, especially with elite status and paired with the right credit cards. While variable award pricing means it's hard to predict how many points you'll need for any property, there is value to be found. Standard room availability at high-end properties, which is now easier to find with the SLH integration, provides strong value for points and free night certificates. Paired with perks like elite status, fifth-night-free, and free night certificates make it easy to get more value than you'd expect for stays around the world.
