Hilton changes the rules of its ‘three stays for Gold’ hotel promotion

In late July I wrote about an ‘open to all’ promotion that Hilton HHonors was running with airberlin.

My original article is here – I won’t repeat all of the details again.

You receive Hilton HHonors Gold status if you complete just three stays at any Hilton Group hotel.  Even reward stays count.   The Gold status will last until March 2017.

Hilton HHonors Gold status has the best mid-tier benefits of any hotel loyalty scheme.   The full list is here but the key ones are an upgrade (which you usually get) and free breakfast, except at Waldorf-Astoria properties.

Hilton has now changed the promotion rules.

How has Hilton changed the rules?

The promotion says that you must complete your three stays within 90 days of registration via this website.

Originally, the final day for registration was December 31st.  This meant that it was possible to complete your 3rd stay in 2016 – and this would have meant your Gold status would run until March 2018.  The rule is that you get status for the remainder of the year you earn it, all of the following year and until March of the year after that.

Hilton has changed the closing date for registration to September 30th.

This means that it is now impossible to finish this promotion in 2016 and thus get status until March 2018.  Whenever you sign up, your Gold status will ‘only’ last until March 2017.

This is still an excellent promotion, and one which is worth moving three stays to Hilton Group hotels this Autumn, but it is a little less exciting than it was.

You can register for the promotion here.  The 90 days starts ticking from the date you register.

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (June 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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th August 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Hilton Honors Plus debit card is TRIPLED to 30,000 Hilton Honors points. You will also receive Gold Elite status in Hilton Honors for as long as you hold the card. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

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.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit

30,000 bonus points (to 14th August), Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit

2,500 bonus points, 50% fee discount, 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 The Platinum Card from American Express in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 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 Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• The American Express Business Gold Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Business Platinum Card (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.