Save 50% on Hilton properties over Christmas and New Year

I have written quite a bit about Hilton recently, and for good reason:

• They launched a decent sale which lets you book now for any weekend in 2013
• They are running an average (although better than a poke in the eye) promotion offering 1,000 bonus points per night for stays on certain nights of the week
• They are running promotions with over 20 airlines, some of which (BA, Virgin, Emirates) are pretty generous – and can be combined with the promotion above.  The BA one offers up to 3,500 Avios for one stay if you are BA Gold, plus your Hilton points as well.  However, it is now too late to register for this.

Hilton has now launched ‘Hilton Friends and Family’ – see here for the home page.

This is a very tight promotion, covering just 14th December to 7th January.  Despite the ‘Friends and Family’ name, anyone can use it.

The savings are excellent – 50% off Best Available Rate at Waldorf-Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites properties.  The 3-star chains (only Hampton Inn exists in Europe) are 30% off.

There are two things about this promo which are worth noting:

1.  The prices are better, in many cases, than the existing sale promotion I linked above

2.  Rates appear to be fully flexible in most cases

So, if you think you might fancy a few days away after Christmas – but you’re not sure – you have nothing to lose.  You can make a booking, and if you need to cancel the day before then you can.

Rooms will also qualify for points so you can take advantage of the bonus points and airline miles promotion I mentioned above.  The only restriction is that you cannot book New Years Eve.

I am tempted to pencil something in at the Waldorf-Astoria Syon Park outside London to keep the kids busy between Christmas and New Year.

PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.

You can apply for either card here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 30th April 2025, the annual fee on the basic Hilton Honors debit card is halved from £60 to £30. The sign-up bonus is also easier to earn – you need to spend £1,000 either in the UK or abroad within three months. The usual bonus rule requires you to spend the full £1,000 outside the UK.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit

10,000 bonus points, Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit

2,500 bonus points, Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton Honors points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points.