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 (October 2024)

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.

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.

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.)