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More (Mostly Positive!) Changes Coming to Hilton’s Loyalty Program

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    We’ve seen several positive changes from Hilton in the past few months.  They’re introducing 2 new co-branded credit cards and are officially giving folks the ability to reinstate expired points.

    Now, via View From the Wing, there are 3 more changes coming to Hilton.  For example, you’ll be able to earn elite status more easily, and even gift elite status to a friend!

    Hilton Has Been Working Hard to Make Themselves More Appealing to Frequent Travelers

    Elite Status Changes Coming to Hilton

    Link:   What’s New With Hilton Honors

    Hilton elite status already comes with things like the 5th night free perk on award stays, room upgrades, free breakfast, and bonus points.

    Here are the loyalty program changes you can expect in April 2018!

    1.   Faster Points Earning for Elite Members (and Slower Earning for Non-Elites)

    Hilton gives folks 10 base Hilton points per $1 they spend on their room, as well as bonus points for having elite status.  And currently, you have the option to choose whether you want to earn 5 extra Hilton points (Points & Points) or 1 airline mile per $1 spent (Points & Miles).

    Beginning April 2018, Hilton is removing the Points & Miles option.  And you’ll only be able to earn Hilton points for your stay.

    Folks with Gold or Diamond elite status will earn more bonus points than before.  But everyone else will earn less.

    Beginning April 2018, the Number of Bonus Points You Earn Will Depend on Your Elite Status

    Here’s what the earning rates will be:

    2.   “Milestone” Bonuses

    After you stay 40 nights in a calendar year, you’ll earn a bonus 10,000 Hilton points for every 10th night.

    And if you have Diamond status, you’ll get an extra 30,000 Hilton points after staying 60 nights in a calendar year!

    Diamond Elite Status Already Comes With Great Benefits!

    3.   Gift Elite Status to a Friend

    Folks who stay 60+ nights in a calendar year will be able to gift Gold status to a friend.  And if you stay 100+ nights, you can gift a friend Diamond status!

    4.   Elite Rollover Nights

    If you earn elite status through qualifying stays (NOT through a credit card), you’ll be able to carry any extra nights you’ve stayed over to the following year.  That means you’ll be able re-qualify for elite status more easily.

    For example, you must stay at least 10 nights with Hilton to qualify for Silver elite status.  If you stay 18 nights this year, you’ll earn Silver status, and you’ll bring 8 qualifying nights into 2019 (18 nights – 10 nights).  So you’ll only need to stay 2 nights to re-qualify for Silver elite status!

    Want More Hilton Points?

    Link:   Hilton Honors Card from American Express

     

    There are plenty of ways to earn Hilton points.  The fastest way is to apply for the AMEX co-branded credit cards, like the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Card from American Express.

    Or, you can transfer other miles & points to Hilton.  Both Virgin Atlantic miles, and Hawaiian Airlines miles transfer to Hilton at a 2:3 ratio.  And you can transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio.

    Bottom Line

    Hilton is making 3 more changes to its loyalty program.  And they all revolve around elite status.

    They’re increasing the percentage of bonus points you earn for stays if you have elite status.  Though only folks with top-tier status will benefit from this, when compared to the old bonus structure.

    You’ll also be able to rollover any additional nights you earn after qualifying for elite status.  And if you stay at least 60 nights in a calendar year, you can gift elite status to a friend!

    What do you think of these changes from Hilton?

    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! :)