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Hilton Hotel Category Changes: What They Mean for You

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    Via The Gate, Hilton is making changes to its award chart, and 11 hotels will increase in award category as of January 11, 2017.

    Because there are so few hotels affected by these changes, it probably will NOT affect most folks.  But it could be bad news, depending on your travel plans.

    Hilton switches hotels between categories every once in a while, based on economic factors, room rates, amenities, and the hotel’s popularity.

    So if you have Hilton award stays coming up, check out the list to see if your hotel is affected.  The list hasn’t been updated yet, but should be soon.

    The Hampton Inn Bar Harbor Will Go From a Category 7 to Category 9 Hilton Hotel. And Cost 20,000 MORE Hilton Points per Night After January 11, 2017!

    Let’s take a look at what’s changing.

    Hilton Category Changes

    Link:   Hilton Category Changes

    Link:   Hilton Award Chart

    Link:   All the Ways to Earn Hilton Points

    Hilton has ~4,600 locations around the world, and because only 11 hotels are changing category, this won’t be a big deal for most folks.

    Hilton hotels include Conrad, Canopy, Curio, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Home2Suites, Homewood Suites, Tru, and Waldorf Astoria brand hotels. All 11 hotels are moving to a higher category, including hotels like:

    So if you have plans to stay at any of these hotels, book your award stays before January 11, 2017, to lock-in the lower rate.

    Want More Hilton Points?

    Folks love Hilton points because they’re very easy to earn.  Especially with cards like the Hilton Honors Card from American Express and Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express.  And Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card and Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature cards.

    You can also transfer flexible points to Hilton from:

    Check out my posts on all the ways to earn Hilton points, and which card earns the most for paid Hilton stays.

    Bottom Line

    Hilton is changing its award chart effective January 11, 2017.  There are only 11 hotels moving categories, so this likely won’t impact most folks.  But check the full list to see if your hotel award stays will be affected.

    And if you want more Hilton points, don’t forget, there are plenty of ways to earn them!

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)