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 (September 2024)

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

Do you know that 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.

Did you know that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards are a great way of earning Hilton Honors points? Two Virgin Points can be converted into three Hilton Honors points. The Virgin Atlantic cards are the only Visa or Mastercard products in the UK which can indirectly earn Hilton Honors points and they come with generous sign-up bonuses. You can apply here.

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)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (40,000 bonus Amex points)

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased to up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 80,000 Avios. You will receive 8 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased to up to 40,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 40,000 Avios. You will receive 4 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. The card is FREE for your first year. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton 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. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)