No strings attached: Hilton is surprising some members with 10,000 bonus points
The major hotel programs have done a lot to keep customers engaged and loyal during the pandemic. They've made it easier to qualify for elite status, offered best-ever promotions and more. But they're not done yet.
Today, Hilton Honors surprised (and probably delighted) some lucky members with a special gift. Targeted Hilton Honors members should find 10,000 bonus points credited to their accounts as a "thank you," with no stay requirements in order to claim them. Here's everything we know so far.
Hilton Honors 10,000-point "thank you" gift
Hilton Honors is gifting certain members with 10,000-point thank you bonuses. If targeted, you'll be able to claim the points instantly without having to meet any stay requirements. You'll just need to "accept" the gift by Dec. 31, 2021.
Members who were targeted for this promotion should have received an email. However, you can also check to see if you're targeted by logging in to your Hilton Honors account via this page.
The promotion landing page reads:
We have been delighted to welcome you and so many other guests back to our hotels in recent months. It's been wonderful to serve you once again, and on behalf of all of us at Hilton, I want to say a huge thank you for your continued trust – and for choosing to stay with us time and again.
As a token of our appreciation for your loyalty and patience – particularly as we have all adjusted to a unique summer travel season – please accept 10,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points on us. Just click the button below to log in and claim your Points.
Related: Promotions that will make your next hotel stay more rewarding
While it sounds like you must have stayed at a Hilton property recently in order to qualify, it's not completely clear how members are being singled out. TPG reader Brandon Haley, a Diamond member "with stays every week for the last three years," was targeted. Meanwhile, no Hilton Diamond members on the TPG team were targeted. The terms and conditions just state, "Offer valid for eligible members who registered during the offer period."
We've reached out to Hilton Honors to try to get more specifics and were provided with the following statement:
"Hilton Honors is grateful for its millions of loyal members around the world. To show our appreciation, we are pleased to surprise various members who stayed with us in recent months with 10,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points. We look forward to continuing to reward and celebrate our Hilton Honors members for their loyalty."
One thing is for sure though, you must be opted into receiving marketing emails from Hilton Honors.
10,000 Hilton Honors points are worth $60 according to TPG valuations. While that might not sound like much, it's certainly not bad considering they're essentially free points. This gift may even be enough to cover a free night at some properties. The terms say to allow six to eight weeks from registration for the points to appear in your account, though reports suggest they post instantly.
Related: Visit these international Hilton properties for 10,000 points or less
Bottom line
Loyalty programs send so many marketing emails that it can be easy to tune them all out and automatically hit delete. However, a small number of them are worth reading as they may contain targeted offers. In this case, Hilton Honors is sending some lucky members the offers of 10,000 bonus points with no strings attached, which is definitely worth taking advantage of.
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.