Exceptional point bonus
For frequent Hilton hotel guests, the HHonors card’s sizable point bonus is a special perk. It offers seven points for every dollar spent at a Hilton brand hotel, five points for every dollar spent at restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations and three points for every dollar spent on everything else. That’s substantially more generous than Citibank’s version of the Hilton HHonors card. It’s also much more generous than the average rewards credit card, which typically offers just one point per dollar spent on everyday purchases.
Inflated rewards rate
The downside is that HHonors points aren’t worth nearly as much as most credit card rewards points, so the exceptionally high rewards rate isn’t all it seems at first blush. In general, HHonors points are valued at less than half a penny each, while the average credit card rewards point is worth a penny or more.
Good sign-up bonus
The Hilton HHonors card also offers a 50,000-point sign-up bonus — roughly worth around $220 — if you spend $750 in the card’s first three months. While this sign-up bonus isn’t as generous as with some hotel cards, it’s pretty good for a card with no annual fee. It’s also significantly more generous than the 40,000 bonus points offered by the Citibank HHonors card.
Huge hotel network
The card’s best feature is its exceptional flexibility. Unlike some hotel cards, you can choose to redeem your points for airfare, car rentals, cruises, restaurant visits or merchandise or donate your points to charity. You also have a wide variety of hotels to choose from — Hilton has more than 4,600 properties in 100 countries, from luxury resorts to budget inns.
Excellent perks
When you sign up for a Hilton HHonors card, you’re also automatically upgraded to silver status in the Hilton HHonors rewards program and awarded hotel perks, including late checkout and access to free in-room internet and complimentary fitness center. You’ll also be eligible for a free fifth night each time you book four nights in a row and get an automatic 15 percent bonus on your rewards earnings. If you stay at a Hilton property for at least four nights in the card’s first 90 days, or if you spend $20,000 a year, you’ll be bumped up to gold status and will receive a 25 percent bonus on your earnings.
Reasons to get it:
- You enjoy staying at Hilton properties and want more complimentary hotel stays.
- You want more flexibility with your rewards points.
- You want to be able to redeem your rewards at a wide variety of hotels.
- You plan to stay at Hilton for more than four nights and would benefit from a fifth night free.
How to use it:
- Spend at least $750 in the card’s first three months to receive the 50,000-point sign-up bonus.
- To maximize your earnings, choose a Hilton property each time you need to stay at a hotel.
- Use your card to book your earnings.
- Unless you have a higher earning rewards card, use this as your everyday card and for all your gas, grocery and restaurant purchases.
- Use your card at least once a year so your earnings don’t expire.
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