Most Rewarding Loyalty Program Series: Hilton HHonors – Earning Points

This is the second hotel program that we are having a look at the Most Rewarding Loyalty Program-series. You can read my tale on earning (read here) and burning Club Carlson points (read here).

What we first need to do, is to establish the number of points that you earn on average per dollar spend taking into account elite amenity points, elite bonuses, and possible credit card tie-up.

In order to be able to compare programs, I am using the following variables, when calculating the number of points that you earn:

– ADR (Average Daily Rate) – $175 – Assuming major metropolitan cities.

– Full service properties.

– Top-tier with 60 nights (10 stays each 3/2/1 nights) & mid-tier with 30 nights (5 stays each 3/2/1 nights)

Hilton HHonors Elite Bonus & Double Dipping

Hilton HHonors offers 25% Gold and 50% Diamond elite bonuses calculated from the number of base points earned. Also, Gold and Diamond members are eligible for 1000 bonus My Way elite bonus points.

Hilton HHonors members can choose to earn Points & Points or Points & Miles. If you choose Points & Points, you will earn 50% bonus on base points.

Amex Hilton HHonors Surpass Card

I have made a separate line for paying using Amex Surpass card that earns 12 points per dollar spend at Hilton family of hotels. You will also earn 500 bonus points for making reservation online if you have this card. I have included this online booking bonus component as well.

Hilton HHonors Diamond Member

The number of points earned by dollar is 23, when you take into account the base points, elite bonus, Points & Points and My Way.

The number of points earned jumps to 36 points per dollar, if you have the Amex Surpass card for 12 additional points per dollar and 500 online booking bonus per reservation.

Hilton HHonors Gold Member

The number of points earned per dollar drops to 20 for Gold member. The only difference is the elite bonus that is 25% for Gold members compared to 50% for Diamond. The points earned per dollar is 34 for those that have Amex Surpass card.

Conclusion

The number of points that you can earn from Hilton stays is vastly different depending if you have the Hilton HHonors Amex Surpass card or not.