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Shaleena Quinlan
Shaleena has traveled to twenty countries with her husband, all while building and using points. She has been able to experience some incredible adventures because of the strategic use of points, like a three-week trip through Iceland, Berlin, Turkey, and Greece. Using points effectively can be overwhelming and Shaleena wants to ease this stress for those new to the points world.
Latest posts by Shaleena Quinlan (see all)
- Do Hilton Points Expire? - September 23, 2022
- Best Hyatt Hotels - September 22, 2022
- How To Become a Hilton Honors Member and Why I Think It’s Worth It to Sign Up - September 22, 2022
It’s how things work – points are earned, redeemed, and expire. I’ve had too many close calls with soon-to-expire reward points to count, and I can tell you that losing them without using them is nauseating. So, knowing that Hilton points expire is very important. But, I think understanding how to keep them from expiring is far more so.
When I tell friends and family about how to earn and redeem reward points with hotels or airlines, I always take the time to explain the boundaries of those points. The fact is, there are limits to how long points last, and I want every person dipping their toes into a rewards program to understand this upfront.
This is why I am writing an article about the expiration date on Hilton points. I intend to show you why Hilton points are an excellent traveling companion. But, alongside the beautiful features they possess, I want to explain how to understand their frequently fluctuating properties, so you don’t miss out on using them.
Do Hilton Points Expire? Bottom Line Upfront
Learning about points and miles can cause anyone to get a little dizzy with information overload. Don’t let that be you! In short, Hilton points do expire, but there are ways around this. If you have a lot on your plate this week, just read this little summary and come back for the rest of this article when your mind is clear and ready for more facts and figures. Here are the basics of what you’ll need to know:
- You’ll need to value your Hilton reward points, so they aren’t forgotten.
- You’ll need to learn how to keep your Hilton account active. It is simple to maintain an active account, and many methods for keeping an active account don’t cost much time or money.
- You’ll need to know your options when your account has not been active, and your points expire.
The Properties of Points
If there is one thing I want you to take away from this article, reward points are valuable. Don’t treat these points like board game money; treat them as if they were real currency. They have value because you put value into them and had to exchange your time and money to earn them, making them worth something.
I hope that you will not incur any losses by highlighting the value of reward points. For me, the thought that my points have real value keeps me aware of them, and I don’t want to let them languish in myonline accountfor so long that they expire, and all my efforts to acquire them are wasted.
The Expiration Date of Points
Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Hilton points expire after 15 months of inactivity. Inactivity means you are not earning, redeeming, trading, or doing anything else with your points. After 15 months of inactivity, the points held in your online account will no longer be there: they will have expired.
COVID brought about a situation that caused Hilton to give its members some grace. They worked with their members, and expiration dates were extended to the end of 2022. However, they cannot stretch expiration dates forever. Therefore, they will begin to put a limit on the lifetime of reward points again soon.
How to Save Your Points
There are multiple ways to keep your points from expiring, but the primary thought is to keep an active account. You may be wondering what an active account is, but fear not, I will explain this in great detail, and it’s all straightforward. Let’s get into it now.
Earn Points
The first way to keep your Hilton account active is to put more points into your account. This is super easy and quite fun to do. Here are some great ways to earn more Hilton reward points:
- Book a night at aHilton hotel. This is the most practical way to earn and spend your points.
- UseHilton credit cardswhen you make purchases. These credit cards were designed to earn points, so take advantage of that. If you make a purchase anyway, you might as well earn a few points too. Be sure to check the Hilton website to find out how many points are earned per dollar spent since this can change anytime.
- Book a ride withLyftafter linking it to your Hilton account. Since these companies currently have a partnership where you can earn Hilton points by using Lyft to get around town, I say, take advantage of it. Why not earn some points on the side if you need a ride?
- Book arental carthrough Hilton. This is another excellent way to earn points while using a service you may need.
- Dine withHilton Dining Rewards. When you join this program, you can earn points when you eat at select restaurants and use a linked credit or debit card. You’re going to eat anyway, so you might as well get some more points.
- Take aHilton Guest Opinion Survey. If you don’t mind telling Hilton about your stay with them, this is a simple way to earn a few points and keep your account active for a while longer.
Redeem Points
The second way to keep your account active is to spend your points. Yes, be frugal and consider your points a valuable travel commodity, but why earn points if you never plan to use them? Here are some of the best ways to do this:
- Book a night at aHilton hotel. Again, this is a convenient option that could save you money in the end.
- Book arental carthrough Hilton. Use their Online Redemption Portal to pay for a rental car with Hilton reward points.
- Purchase something fromAmazon.
- Attend aHilton-sponsored event or experience.
Purchase Points
A third way to keep an active account is to purchase extra points. Yes, there are times whenbuying pointsis more worthwhile than earning them through other methods. Hilton points can go on sale, so keep looking for a good deal and get in on it if you have the chance.
Transfer Points
The fourth way to keep an active account is totransferAmEx credit card points to your Hilton account. This, however, should probably be a last-ditch effort to keep your account active. Here’s a little math to explain why:
- Currently, each AmEx point is worth 2 cents.
- Each Hilton point is worth 0.5 cents or half of a cent.
- Currently, these points can be transferred so that each AmEx point turns into two Hilton points.
- The minimum amount of points that you must transfer from AmEx to Hilton is 1000.
- Consequently, if you transfer just the minimum amount of points required (1000), your points will lose value by 50%. This is because two Hilton points are only worth 1 cent, whereas two AmEx points are worth 4 cents. So, even if you get two Hilton points for every AmEx point transferred, the transfer lessens the value for each point.
My recommendation is only to use this if you have no other alternative.
Donate Points
A fifth option and one that I think is an excellent option if you don’t have time for shopping or traveling is to donate points. There are actually two ways you can work this. The first is togift pointsto a family member or friend, and the second is to donate to a charity listed onPointWorthy. Either way, you will be helping someone else while maintaining the value of your reward points.
Pool Points
A sixth and final option is to gather your points and the points of a friend or family member andpool them togetherfor a shared travel experience. This is great if you don’t have quite the right amount of points on your own and you really enjoy company on your vacations.
I think there is a lot of benefit to going this route because it saves money and points and brings people together for a fun time.
Restore Points
There are situations where you just can’t get to your account to keep it active. Hilton understands that life happens and points expire even under a watchful eye. This is why they offerpoint restorationin certain situations. If you cannot keep an active account, you should at least check with Hilton customer service to find out if they can restore your expired points.
Of course, this is not a guarantee that they will restore your points, but simply an option to try.
FAQs
Question: What Are Hilton Reward Points Worth on Amazon?
Answer: Each Hilton point is worth 0.2 cents on Amazon, meaning it will take 500 Hilton points to equal $1 on Amazon. It’s a little pricey for me, but it may be completely worth it to you.
Question: How Many Hilton Reward Points Are Required for a Free Night?
Answer: This depends on the hotel and room you plan to stay in. Ultimately, the minimum number of points required is 5,000 for a standard room. However, most rooms will cost more, and there are options to stay in luxury rooms that cost up to 120,000 points. The choice is yours.
Question: Can Hilton Reward Points be Used on Flights?
Answer: Yes, they can. To exchange Hilton points for airline miles, hop over toFlying Blue Milesand set yourself up for a lovely trip.
Question: Will Earning Points Help Me to Earn Diamond Status with Hilton?
Answer: Yes, this is one of the best ways to reach the next status tier. Here’s the breakdown of earning status by earning points with Hilton works:
• Step #1:Sign upfor a Hilton membership. You’ll need to join the club before you can begin earning points or status.
• Step #2: Either earn Silver Status through the natural process of earning points or get approved for aHilton Honors Card. Earning Silver Status via points will require that you accrue 17,500 points.
• Step #3: Either earn Gold Status through the natural process of earning points or get approved for aHilton Honors American Express Surplus Card. Earning Gold Status via points will require that you accrue 52,500 points.
• Step #4: Either earn Diamond Status through the natural process of earning points or get approved for aHilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Earning Diamond Status via points will require that you accrue 84,000 points.
Question: How Many Hilton Hotels Are There?
Answer: The Hilton company is split up into 18 brands. These 18 brands include over 7,000 properties in 122 countries and territories. You should run into a Hilton brand property almost anywhere you travel.
Question: Are Hilton Reward Points Refundable?
Answer: There is no conclusive answer to this question. This is because it is entirely up to the hotel whether or not you will be refunded your points. Suppose you are nervous about losing reward points because of a possible cancelation of your trip. In that case, you should check with the specific hotel you are planning to stay at before booking a room. Ask them what their cancelation policy is so you will know how to proceed.
As a side note, I have found that canceling bookings made with reward points is often easier than canceling bookings made with revenue. But I still recommend that you check the hotel’s policy before booking just to be on the safe side.
Conclusion
Hilton reward points are extremely valuable to me. When I travel, I intend to get the most out of my stay, and these points help me to do just that. With my Hilton points, I can pay for a night at a luxurious hotel, order a delicious meal, or get a ride to a local site without stress.
My Hilton hotel points have brought me such travel joy that I can’t help but share this with you. I hope this article has enlightened you on the value of Hilton reward points and inspired you to use them more. I hope you can travel with more confidence and motivation now than before you read this article. May you see many beautiful sites and have many lovely stays with Hilton soon.
Read More:
• 5th Night Free Hilton Explained
FAQs
What causes Hilton points to expire? ›
Like many reward programs, Hilton points expire after a period of inactivity. This means that if you don't have any sort of qualifying activity, such as a hotel stay or credit card spending, your Hilton points will expire.
Does your Hilton Honors status reset every year? ›Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. For elite status earned through hotel stays, you'll maintain your status for the remainder of the year in which you reach it, as well as the entire following year. So if you earn Gold status in July 2023, you'll keep it through December 2024.
Do you lose Hilton status if you use points? ›As before, Members will still achieve Hilton Honors status through stays, nights, or Hilton Honors Base Points. All Points & Money Rewards™ stays and nights will continue to count towards the achievement of Hilton Honors status.
How do I keep my hotel points from expiring? ›In most cases, you can prevent your points from expiring by earning points through other means — such as using hotel-branded credit cards — or spending them on other non-hotel bookings. Redeem points for Choice gift cards.
How much is 100 000 Hilton points worth? ›100,000 Hilton Honors points are worth an average of $580, according to WalletHub data. You will get the best value for your Hilton Honors points when you redeem them for Travel, but there are multiple redemption options.
How many nights does 100000 Hilton points get you? ›That means that five nights would cost you 40,000 points, or an average of 8,000 points per night. That means that 100,000 points would get you 12 free nights at that hotel.
How to get Hilton Diamond status for free? ›- Silver Tier Benefits. Earn Silver with. 10 nights, 4 stays or 25,000 Base Points. In addition to your Member perks, you'll get: ...
- Gold Tier Benefits. Earn Gold with. 40 nights, 20 stays or 75,000 Base Points. ...
- Diamond Tier Benefits. Earn Diamond with. 60 nights, 30 stays or 120,000 Base Points.
Hilton Honors allows members to lock in top-tier Diamond elite status for life by meeting the following requirements: Earn Hilton Diamond status for 10 (non-consecutive) years and complete one of the following: Complete stays totaling 1,000 paid and reward nights OR.
How many nights do you need for Diamond status at Hilton? ›The Hilton Honors program's top tier is Diamond status, typically earned after 30 stays or 60 nights or by earning 120,000 base points in a calendar year (which equates to $12,000 in spending).
Can I lose my Hilton Diamond status? ›Here's what the Hilton Diamond Status gives you:
You will maintain this status as long as your credit card account remains open. While this is a great perk, keep in mind that the Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card comes with a $450 annual fee.
How long does Hilton Diamond status last? ›
You'll keep Diamond status for the year you spent at least $40,000 on your card and the subsequent year.
How much is 50000 hilton points worth? ›, 50,000 Hilton points are worth about $300. How much are 80,000 Hilton points worth? , 80,000 Hilton points are worth about $480.
Do people sell their hotel points? ›Yes, you can sell hotel points for cash with online mileage brokers. MilesBuyer is one of the most renowned mileage brokers that provides competitive rates, high-level of security, and good quality of service. We also have connections with all major institutions like Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Amex, etc.
Can someone else use my hotel points? ›The major hotel loyalty programs generally allow you to use your points to book a hotel room for someone else. In some instances, they even allow you to use a free night certificate, such as the ones earned on an annual basis with a cobranded credit card, to book a room for a family member or friend.
Can you cash out hotel points? ›Hotel points are a form of currency. That's to say, you can cash them in for a variety of different rewards, not just stays. But doing so is usually a big no-no because you get far less value than you would when using them for travel.
How can I get 2 million Hilton points? ›- Complete stays totaling 1,000 paid and reward nights.
- Earn 2 million base Points.
Hotel points can be enjoyable to collect, but they typically aren't worth much. Hilton Honors points are generally valued at 0.5 cents per point.
How much does 160000 Hilton points cost to buy? ›For example, if you maxed out the current promotion, you'd end up acquiring 160,000 Hilton Honors points for a price of $800 (USD).
How much is 150k Hilton points worth? ›Per TPG's latest valuations, the 150,000 Hilton points are worth $900 in value toward award stays.
How much does it cost to buy 80000 Hilton points? ›You can buy up to 80,000 Hilton Honors points and earn 80,000 bonus points in a single transaction through this promotion. The cost will be $800 ( 0.05 US cents per point).
How many points is a Hilton free night worth? ›
Free nights can be redeemed for as few as 5,000 Points per night and no more than 95,000 Points per night for a standard room. Select properties with specialty accommodations may require up to 120,000 Points per night for a standard room.
Does Hilton pay Diamond resort fees? ›Thank you for reaching out to us! All guests of full-service resorts in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, including Diamond members, are charged resort fees.
Will Marriott match my Hilton status? ›While Marriott Bonvoy doesn't offer a status match to other hotel loyalty program elite status, it does have a RewardsPlus partnership program with United Airlines and matches United Premier Gold members (and higher) to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
What is the highest Hilton status? ›Diamond is the highest tier in the Hilton Honors program. With benefits like free breakfast or a food and beverage credit, access to executive lounges, suite upgrades, a 100% points bonus, and premium Wi-Fi, there's a lot to love about Hilton Diamond.
Do Hilton Diamond members get access to Executive Lounge? ›If you are an Hilton Honors guest with Diamond status, you and up to one additional registered guest in the same room will always enjoy complimentary access to the Executive Floor Lounge, even if your stay is not booked on or upgraded to the Executive Floor.
Are Hilton Diamond upgrades free? ›Hilton Honors Diamond members are entitled to room upgrades, though individual hotels have a lot of discretion. As the terms explain, Hilton Honors Diamond members may receive upgrades to preferred rooms, and that may include upgrades to junior, standard, or one-bedroom suites.
Do Hilton Diamond members get upgrades? ›Diamond Members get all the benefits that our Gold Members enjoy, plus: 100% Bonus Points on Stays. Space-available room upgrades. Premium Wi-Fi.
Does Hilton Diamond status roll over? ›All elite tiers (Silver, Gold, and Diamond Members) are eligible to roll over elite qualifying nights. Lifetime Diamond members will not rollover nights as elite status is secured for life.
Can Hilton Diamond members check-in early? ›Early check-in is subject to hotel availability and cannot be guaranteed. We recommend contacting the hotel and they will do their best to accommodate your request.
What is the Hilton Diamond 48 hour guarantee? ›48-Hour Room Guarantee
A room reservation is guaranteed, subject to the stated restrictions , Opens new tab, at hotels within the Hilton Portfolio when paid reservations are made before midnight hotel local time, two or more days (48 hours) prior to intended arrival.
Is there a tier above Diamond for Hilton? ›
Hilton's loyalty program, Hilton Honors, has four tiers — Member, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. The highest tier, Hilton Diamond status, comes with the most benefits, including space-available room upgrades, a daily food and beverage credit, and elite gifting status.
How many stays for Hilton Silver? ›Silver status is the lowest elite tier in the Hilton Honors program. One way a member can earn this status is by completing 4 stays or 10 nights (or 2 stays or 5 nights in 2022). Another way to earn this status is to hold the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Is Hilton extending status in 2023? ›Hilton Honors extended elite status several times during the pandemic. In September 2021, Hilton extended all elite status through March 2023 (including for members who didn't requalify in 2020 or 2021).
How many stays for Hilton Gold? ›Earn Gold with 28 nights, 14 stays, or 52,500 Base Points.
Is it worth paying for double points with Hilton? ›You would pay $53 for 2,659 points that you could directly buy from Hilton during any 100% bonus sales for half of a cent each, which is $13.30. These double point packages make absolutely no sense for anyone else than for business travelers who can expense their stays.
How much is 70000 Hilton Honors points worth? ›| Minimum points required | Average point value (cents) |
|---|---|
| 60,000 | 0.30 |
| 70,000 | 0.35 |
| 80,000 | 0.36 |
| 95,000 | 0.44 |
You can redeem Hilton Honors Points for free nights at Hilton Hotels and resorts, rent a car for free, or even Sell Hilton Honors Points to Sell My Miles and earn cash in return. Sell your Hilton Hotel Points for cash through a simple process at Sell My Miles.
Is it better to use points for hotel or flights? ›Even for a one-night stay, a $150 room rate and a $70 overnight parking fee add up to more than your $120 round-trip flight and the $60 it'll cost to check your bag. Redeeming points for hotel stays will save you the most money and can be a good way to avoid fees and other budget constraints.
Do you get a better room if you book direct with hotel? ›Advantages of Booking a Hotel Directly
You can often find better rates by booking directly, too — a concern for budget-conscious travelers. By calling a hotel directly, you find out about any specials perks or packages they have available. In some cases, you can get a better room for the same amount of money.
Points Pooling will allow Hilton Honors Members to combine their Points with family and friends to book a stay. With this perk, a Member (and up to 10 others) will now be able to combine their Points.
Do hotels know if you have extra person? ›
Hotels don't allow extra guests in most cases, but it's often difficult for them to know you've added guests unless you cause trouble. Some hotels charge additional fees for adding people to your party, but oftentimes, they need to have an accurate headcount for fire and safety reasons.
Can I use Hilton points for a friend? ›Yes, Hilton Honors Members can gift Points directly from their account online.
Can I sell my Hilton Honors points? ›You can earn cash by selling your Hilton Honors club points to a points' broker. If you don't find anything you are interested in using your Hilton Honors points for, you can actually make money from the points instead. This is a great option for those who have memberships but find nothing to use their points for.
Can I get my Hilton Honors points back? ›Hilton Honors members can reinstate up to 1,000,000 expired Hilton Honors Points. Only Points balances that have expired in the previous 18 months are eligible for reinstatement. Only one reinstatement transaction is permitted per Hilton Honors account.
How often do Hilton points update? ›Points should post to Member's accounts within 24 hours after their stay. How can we help?
How many points is the average Hilton stay? ›Free nights can be redeemed for as few as 5,000 Points per night and no more than 95,000 Points per night for a standard room. Select properties with specialty accommodations may require up to 120,000 Points per night for a standard room.