News: IHG 5x points rumour, Hilton loses hotels in Glasgow, Maidstone and Arundel

News in brief:

Rumour of massive IHG bonus next week

If you are an IHG Rewards member, you will have had a cryptic email about a big Cyber Monday promotion.

The landing page is here but doesn’t say much. It does talk about a ‘biggest member event’ (cue laughter from our teenage male readers).

A couple of online forum comments are suggesting that IHG Rewards will be offering 5x bonus points for bookings on Monday and Tuesday. There is no link to the source of this, although it may be from a private IHG online community.

Based on our 0.4p valuation per IHG point and the earning rate of 10 points per $1 at most brands (13.4 per £1), 5x base points would mean that you’d be earning 27p of points per £1 of pre-tax spending. Status bonuses and promo bonuses would increase that further.

For clarity, this is purely a rumour at this point but you may want to hold off making any IHG bookings until Monday just in case.

Keep checking this page for more information.

Hilton to lose three UK hotels at the end of the year

Three Hilton-branded properties in the UK have announced that they are leaving the brand at the end of 2021.

The most significant is Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor, which is an iconic property in the city.

The second is one which I’d never actually heard of, although it looks like it could be attractive with some investment. Hilton Avisford Park in Arundel (89 acres of land including a golf course) is leaving the group on the same day, 31st December.

Finally, Hilton Maidstone in Kent will depart.

There is no word yet as to whether these hotels will operate independently or will be joining another group.

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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.