Hilton expands Emirates Old Trafford, plans new Portrush hotel

Regular HfP readers will know that there is a Hilton Garden Inn hotel inside the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester. It allows Hilton to run various promotions for Hilton Honors members alongside major events in the stadium.

The hotel is currently completing a 100 room extension, due to open later this year. The old Red Rose Suite has been demolished, to be replaced by a new six story building.

The first two floors will be for the use of the cricket club, including a new museum, whilst floors 3 to 6 will become hotel rooms. Those overlooking the pitch will have balconies.

It will be connected to the existing building via a first floor walkway, although it seems a bit of a trot looking at the CGI image I saw. The extension takes the hotel up to 250 rooms.

The hotel website is here.

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, Hilton has announced a hotel in the seaside town of Portrush.

The Marcus Hotel Portrush, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, will see a Victorian building undergo an £11 million refurbishment. The hotel is due to open in 2025 in time for the British Open golf tournament in the town.

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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.