NEW: Hilton partners with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Hyatt dumped

Here’s some surprising news. Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of the World have announced a partnership.

This implies that the existing deal between Hyatt and SLH has been cancelled.

We don’t know much at the moment, but we can assume a few things.

Here is the official announcement.

Hard facts are thin on the ground. What we do know is that some of the 560 Small Luxury Hotels properties will soon be featured on the Hilton website.

These properties will be bookable for cash or Hilton Honors points.

This is literally the extent of what is announced so far. We don’t know:

• how many SLH hotels will take part (the release says ‘hundreds’)

• when the partnership will start

• what benefits will be given to Hilton Honors members, and especially elite members, when staying at an SLH hotel

• what reward pricing will look like

We have not been told officially that SLH and Hyatt are breaking up, although it is inconceivable that SLH could work with Hilton and Hyatt at the same time.

Hyatt, of course, is beginning to integrate Mr & Mrs Smith into its platform after acquiring the booking agency last year. Owning Mr & Mrs Smith won’t necessarily solve the biggest issue with the SLH partnership though – that the participating hotels are fully independent of Hyatt (and now Hilton) and are not hugely bothered about supporting members.

I never booked an SLH hotel via Hyatt

It’s worth noting that I never booked a Small Luxury Hotels property via Hyatt.

It is usually very easy to find cheaper rates by booking direct on the hotel’s own website, or even on the Small Luxury Hotels site. You could also join the SLH ‘Invited’ loyalty programme for even better rates.

SLH also has its own ‘preferred partner’ programme which our luxury hotel partner Emyr Thomas can access for you.

Redemptions using Hyatt points at Small Luxury Hotels were not terrible value, I admit. The biggest issue was that only standard rooms were available, and the nature of the boutique hotels in SLH meant that the rooms in the lowest category were often very small indeed.

Be wary of booking an SLH hotel via Hyatt

As of today, Small Luxury Hotels properties are still on the Hyatt website. It is likely that they will disappear at some point soon.

If you only booked an SLH hotel via Hyatt to earn World of Hyatt elite night credits or because you were getting free breakfast, I would be wary. If SLH and Hyatt split before the date of your stay you are very unlikely to receive these benefits.

More information to follow ….

The press release states that “More details of this new relationship will be announced soon.”

In the meantime, I leave you with a quote from the SLH chairman:

“We’re thrilled to begin this win-win relationship with Hilton as it brings exciting possibilities for both brands. Hilton customers, including Hilton Honors members, gain access to our unrivalled collection of exceptional boutique hotels, while our properties enjoy amplified reach to a loyal and discerning audience. It’s a game changer for independently owned hotels on a global scale.”

PS. Whilst we didn’t cover it, Hilton is reported to be on the verge of acquiring Graduate Hotels. This is a 33-hotel chain (31 hotels in the US, two in the UK – we reviewed The Randolph hotel in Oxford here) with upscale hotels in ‘university towns’. Ironically the Cambridge hotel is the old DoubleTree by Hilton. I can imagine Hilton using it to create its own version of IHG’s Hotel Indigo.

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

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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 30th April 2025, the annual fee on the basic Hilton Honors debit card is halved from £60 to £30. The sign-up bonus is also easier to earn – you need to spend £1,000 either in the UK or abroad within three months. The usual bonus rule requires you to spend the full £1,000 outside the UK.

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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

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)

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

and for small business owners:

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