Hilton's Changing Its Policy for Best Rate Guarantee Compensation
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Several hotel programs incentivize travelers to book on their websites rather than on OTAs by offering Best Rate Guarantee promises. Generally, they'll match the lower rate and then bump up the offer a little by giving you a bonus. Currently, Hilton matches the lower rate and then gives you a $50 Amex gift card. However, as of next week, Hilton will no longer offer you a gift card — instead, you'll be eligible for a 25% discount off the lower price.
The general guidelines for how it'll work are fairly straightforward. Make a confirmed reservation through an official Hilton channel and if you find a lower rate on a non-Hilton channel within 24 hours of making your reservation, submit a Best Price Guarantee claim to Hilton. If your claim is approved, Hilton will honor the lower rate, offer you a bonus 25% discount and you'll get confirmation of your new rate.
Of course, this only applies to cash bookings and not award stays. However, if you're interested in booking award stays in the future, consider signing up for the Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express. The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 75,000 Honors points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. You'll get complimentary Gold status with Hilton, as well as 12 points per dollar on Hilton purchases, 6 points per dollar at US restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.