You might be looking to redeem Hilton Honors points for an unforgettable stay at one of the best Hilton hotels in the world or one of the best Hilton hotels on the beach.
No matter your ideal getaway, a new Hilton Honors promotion could help you earn enough points for your dream redemption. With some planning, it could even save you money over the cash rates.
Current Hilton promotion for buying points
The current Hilton Honors promotion for buying points will end March 12.
During this promotion, you can receive up to a 100% bonus when you purchase at least 7,000 points. Note that this promotion may be targeted, and your point threshold to receive the bonus may be lower or higher. You can buy a maximum of 160,000 points during this promotion — but bonus points are on top of this maximum. This means you can buy up to 320,000 points when you factor in the 100% bonus; you can buy points in increments of 1,000.
As such, if you hit the 100% bonus, you can effectively purchase Hilton points for 0.5 cents each.
Head to Hilton's website to buy Hilton Honors points during this promotion. If you are not a Hilton member, you can sign up but you must wait between 30 and 90 days before you are able to purchase points.
According to Hilton's terms and conditions, "A new Hilton Honors Member may purchase points 30 days after enrollment if the account reflects activity including a stay (as defined herein) or earning Hilton Honors Points through a Hilton Hilton Honors Marketing Partner. After 90 days of enrollment, a new Member is eligible to purchase Points regardless of their account activity."
Related: The best Hilton hotels in the US, from luxury to budget stays
Should you buy Hilton points during this promotion?
Typically, when Hilton sells points, they go for 1 cent each. However, this bonus allows you to snag points for just 0.5 cents apiece — below TPG's valuation of Hilton points at 0.6 cents each. Half a cent per point is usually the lowest rate at which Hilton will sell its points.
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We don't often advise buying points without a specific redemption in mind. However, buying points can be helpful when you're one or two nights short of booking a dream vacation. For example, if you already have 100,000 Hilton Honors points but need 250,000 points for a specific booking, utilizing this promotion to buy at least 150,000 points would let you book your vacation now.
It can also make sense to buy and redeem points at high-cost Hilton hotels like the Conrad Bora Bora Nui and the . For example, cash rates at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui can easily range from $1,000 to $2,000 (or more) per night. However, if you can find rooms available for 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night, you'll effectively pay $600 per night if you buy the points at half a cent each.
Promotions for buying points can also be helpful at less expensive Hilton hotels. Sometimes, hotels will have inflated cash prices, but they can be affordable when redeeming points.
Best of all, Hilton elite members can get a fifth night free on award stays. This free fifth night can increase the value of your points if you stay for at least five nights.
Related: 8 ways to maximize Hilton Honors redemptions
Other ways to earn Hilton points
If you need to earn Hilton Honors points for an upcoming redemption, you might want to start spending more on your Hilton Honors credit card. Or, you could add a new Hilton card to your wallet. Current Hilton Honors American Express offers include:
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 130,000 bonus points plus a free night reward after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus points plus a free night reward after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 6/5
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership.
The information for the Hilton Amex Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio. Unless you only need to top off your account, know that there are usually higher-value uses for your Amex Membership Rewards points.
Related: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?
Bottom line
When buying Hilton points, Points.com processes the transaction. So, a travel rewards card won't earn bonus points on the purchase. You'll want to use an everyday spending card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express to maximize earnings on your points purchase.
Remember, this is a limited-time offer, so if you're hoping to top off your Hilton Honors points balance, buy Hilton points with a 100% bonus now before this offer ends March 12.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
