Purchase Hilton Points for 0.5 Cents Apiece
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available – Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card, Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express
If you missed last month's promotion for buying Hilton points with up to a 100% bonus, you currently have another chance to stock up on Honors rewards. The hotel chain's running a "50% Off for the Holidays" sale on points purchases, which brings the cost down to the same 0.5 cents-per-point rate available through the October promo. You have until 11:59pm EST on December 5 to take advantage of this offer.
Hilton Honors points typically cost 1 cent apiece, so this sale provides a good opportunity to stock up at a discount. TPG pegs this rewards currency at 0.5 cents per point, so you won't be paying more than the points are worth based on our conservative valuations. Note that you must purchase at least 10,000 points to get the 50% discount, and you can buy up to 160,000 points if you haven't purchased any yet this year.
If you're short on Honors points and need to boost your account balance ahead of an award redemption, now could be a good time to do so since you'll be paying less. While you can stretch your rewards quite far at lower-level Hilton properties that go for as few as 5,000 points per night, redeeming points for a stay at higher-tier hotels can also yield solid value. For example, a stay at the Category 8 Conrad Miami in early February costs about $429 or 70,000 Honors points per night — equal to about 0.6 cents per point. It's not an earth-shattering value, but it'll cost you $700 to buy the 140,000 points required for two nights, vs. the $858 you'd pay out of pocket for the same reservation.
Keep in mind that you can also stock up on Honors points by signing up for a co-branded credit card. Now through November 30, you'll earn 100,000 points with the Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express ($75 annual fee) after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. Plus, the no-fee Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 75,000 points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months — it's unclear when this offer will end, so act sooner than later if you're interested.
Bottom Line
If you have a Hilton redemption in mind — especially one with high cash rates — this current buy-points offer could help you save on your stay. You'll be paying half the usual rate for these rewards, which is definitely a nice discount, but it's probably not worth jumping on this sale if the points will just be gathering dust in your Honors account.
Will you be buying Hilton points with this current promo?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.