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Hilton’s 15 hotel brands offer a wide variety of travel experiences but if you don’t know the differences, you may be overlooking ways to use your Hilton points.
Hilton points are easy to earn from a number of the best hotel credit cards, including the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express.
The information for the Hilton Aspire card and Hilton Surpass card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
With more than 5,500 hotels worldwide where you can use your points, make sure you know all your options and the differences in the Hilton brands before you make your next reservation.
American Express Hilton credit cards
The quickest way to earn Hilton points is with the welcome offers on Amex Hilton cards:
| Card name | Welcome bonus | Our review |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | 150,000 Hilton bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Terms apply. | Amex Hilton Aspire review |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership. | Amex Hilton Surpass review |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership. | Amex Hilton Honors Card review |
| The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, you can earn up to $130 in statement credits on eligible purchases made on the card at any of the Hilton family hotels in the first 12 months of Membership. Offer expires 7/6/2022. | Amex Hilton Business credit card review |
And be sure to check here for a more in-depth look at Hilton Honors rewards.
Hilton hotel brands
Hilton, like other hotels, categorizes its hotels according to brand, each with distinct characteristics to market to a certain kinds of travelers.
There are currently 15 operational Hilton hotel brands (with a couple more coming soon):
- Conrad Hotels & Resorts
- Canopy by Hilton
- Curio – A Collection by Hilton
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Embassy Suites by Hilton
- Hampton Inn by Hilton
- Hilton Hotels
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Hilton Grand Vacations
- Home2 Suites by Hilton
- Homewood Suites by Hilton
- LXR
- Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- Tru by Hilton
- Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Here’s what they’re all about:
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Conrad is one of Hilton’s luxury brands but it’s not as stiff as you would expect a five-star brand to be. It’s modern and fun with great service and facilities. Until the Waldorf-Astoria brand came along, Conrad was considered Hilton’s flagship luxury brand.
Canopy by Hilton
There are a handful of Canopy hotels, with 19 more scheduled to open by 2021. They focus on healthy lifestyle and rejuvenation and aim to provide a boutique hotel experience with a local vibe.
Curio – A Collection by Hilton
Curio is a collection of independent hotels. Although they are branded together, each hotel is one of a kind, with Hilton choosing the independent hotels and resorts that make up the collection.
DoubleTree by Hilton
DoubleTree focuses less on flashy and more on comfort and friendliness. The hotels aren’t outstanding, but they do give you a warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in.
Embassy Suites by Hilton
Embassy Suites is an all-suite hotel brand, ideal for both business travelers and families.
Every suite has separate living and sleeping areas. Breakfast is free and there is a two-hour reception each night with complimentary snacks and drinks (including alcohol).
Hampton Inn by Hilton
Hampton Inn is a huge hotel brand with 2,000+ hotels around the world. It is one of Hilton’s budget options, so they aren’t always great quality, but they do come with free hot breakfast.
Note: You can’t reserve Hampton Inn hotels in China with Hilton points.
Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn is a pretty ordinary hotel brand. The hotels do not have a fun or unique atmosphere, and they don’t usually have interesting locations.
Hilton Garden Inn is more about convenience, with 650+ locations. It’s a slightly upscale version of Hampton Inn.
Hilton Grand Vacations
Hilton Grand Vacations is a timeshare program that accepts points. You can find them around the U.S. in popular destinations like California, Florida and New York. You can also find them at international destinations like Italy, New Zealand and Thailand.
These hotels are good for families or groups because the suites usually have full kitchens, separate living areas and laundry facilities.
Million Mile Secrets team member Jasmin stayed with her family and friends at the Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld in Orlando. The kids loved the multiple swimming pools, and the group saved money by cooking their own meals.
Hilton Hotels
Hilton hotels are the company’s flagship properties. There are more than 550 of these well-known upscale hotels worldwide.
At Hilton-brand hotels, Hilton Diamond elite status provides access to an Executive Lounge with free breakfast, snacks and appetizers.
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Home2 Suites is an all-suite, extended-stay hotel brand. It’s a lesser version of Hilton’s Homewood Suites brand. It has all the essentials for a longer stay — laundry facilities, mini-kitchens and usually a small gym.
At most Hilton hotels, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar on your room rate, but at Home2 Suites you’ll only earn 5 points per dollar.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Homewood Suites is the all-suite hotel brand between the upscale Embassy Suites and mid-scale Home2 Suites. You’ll get a proper kitchen with a full-size refrigerator and separate living and sleeping areas.
LXR Hotels & Resorts
There are only two LXR properties at the moment, with more planned for the future. According to Hilton, LXR locations are for “luxury travelers with a taste of adventure.”
Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Tapestry Collection hotels are few in number as it’s one of Hilton’s newer brands. It’s a collection of unique upscale hotels, just below the Curio brand.
Tru by Hilton
The Tru brand is minimalist and modern, with a young, social vibe. And it’s cheap.
Similar to Home2 Suites, you’ll only earn 5 Hilton points per dollar spent on your room rate at Tru hotels.
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria is Hilton’s highest-class hotel brand. All of its hotels are five-star properties, and you can find them at top destinations around the world.
Team member Jasmin recently spent a week with her family in Hawaii at the Grand Wailea Resort for free — thanks to Hilton points and the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express.
Bottom line
Hilton has 15 hotel brands, all a bit different from each other.
If you’re traveling for romance, consider five-star hotels like Conrad or Waldorf Astoria. Or if you will be staying for a couple of weeks, check out extended-stay hotels like Home2 Suites or Homewood Suites.
Running short on Hilton points? You can earn more points from cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire, please click here
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Surpass, please click here
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Business card, please click here
Let us know your favorite Hilton hotel brand. And subscribe to our newsletter for more travel tidbits to help you book the perfect vacation.