Hilton Honors

Stays at Hilton Hotels

You earn points on every US dollar charged to your room: the room rate, but also the hotel’s restaurant, spa or golf course. Charge your spending to your room rather than paying for it separately.

Your status then adds a bonus to your base points:

For example, a Diamond member who spends $200 USD at a Hilton Hotels & Resorts property earns 2,000 base points and 2,000 bonus points, for 4,000 points in total. At our value of 0.5¢ CAD, those points are worth about $20 CAD.

Membership Rewards Transfer

Holders of American Express cards with Membership Rewards can transfer their points to Hilton Honors at a 1:1 ratio (1,000 Membership Rewards = 1,000 Hilton Honors points), from a minimum of 1,000 points. According to American Express, transfers take about 5 business days.

We keep this transfer for cases where you are a few thousand points short of a specific night. Your Membership Rewards points are often worth more when transferred to an airline program such as Aeroplan.

Before moving your points, read our guide to transferring Amex points to Hilton Honors to compare the Canadian ratio, processing time, and value.

Buying Hilton Honors Points

Hilton lets you buy up to 160,000 points per calendar year, at a base rate of 1¢ USD per point. Hilton regularly runs promotions that add bonus points to your purchase: during the 120% bonus promotion, each point cost about 0.45¢ USD. Buy only during these promotions, and only for a specific booking. Our article on buying Hilton Honors points tracks the current offer.

Hilton bills these purchases in US dollars. Pay with a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid the 2.5% fee most cards charge.

Promotions on Your Stays

Hilton also runs promotions that give you bonus points on your stays, usually after you register for the offer. We track the current one in our article on the Hilton Honors promotion.

Other Ways to Earn Points

Using Your Hilton Honors Points

You get the best value by booking free nights at the group’s hotels. Hilton has no blackout dates, and you can combine points and cash on almost every booking.

Booking a Free Night

Hilton prices reward nights dynamically: the cost varies by hotel, date and demand. The points required for a standard room therefore depend on your chosen stay.

To book, select “Use Points” on hilton.com or in the app. If your balance falls short, move the Points & Money slider to pay part of the night in cash.

How Much Your Hilton Points Are Worth

We value Hilton Honors points at 0.5¢ CAD on average. Their real value ranges from 0.3¢ to 0.9¢ depending on the hotel: at a Canadian city hotel, it rarely tops 0.5¢, while a luxury all-inclusive can push it close to 0.9¢.

Here is what the most common balances are worth at our reference value:

Aim for hotels where the cash rate is high compared with the points required: that is where each of your points is worth the most.

Other Ways to Use Your Points

The Hilton Honors free night certificate

The certificate is a reward separate from your points balance. It can be used for one night in standard accommodation, based on double occupancy, at an eligible Hilton portfolio hotel, subject to availability and the applicable terms. Some properties are excluded.

The potential is particularly appealing when cash rates are high, including at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties. The value depends on the hotel, dates and available standard accommodation. Our Hilton free night certificate guide presents 18 hotels to consider, including Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and Conrad Bora Bora Nui.

Booking with a certificate

Call Hilton Honors at 1-800-446-6677 with your reward code and complete your stay before expiry. See Hilton’s terms for the full rules.

This welcome certificate is separate from the fifth night free on eligible points stays. For the spending requirements and timing of the Canadian offer, see our Hilton Honors American Express Card offer article.

Hilton Honors Elite Status

Hilton Honors has five levels: Member, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Diamond Reserve. Since January 1, 2026, you reach Gold and Diamond with fewer nights, and your spending in US dollars has replaced base points as a way to qualify.

Your status is valid for the rest of the calendar year in which you earn it, then for the whole following year. We cover every level and all its benefits in our guide to Hilton Honors status levels. Our article on the Hilton Honors status changes explains the pre-2026 thresholds and the launch of Diamond Reserve.

Getting Status Without Stays

The Hilton Honors American Express Card includes Hilton Honors Gold status without requiring any hotel stays. The Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card from American Express also offer Gold once you enrol in the benefit. Two other routes are open to you:

Hilton Group Brands

You use your points across Hilton’s 28 brands, from budget hotels to luxury resorts. Hilton groups them as follows:

To compare the brands, collections, and benefits to check before booking, read our Hilton hotel brands guide.

Hilton Honors in Canada

Planning a stay in Canada with your points? Our reviews help you choose the hotel:

Find destination ideas and our reviews in our Hilton hotels in Canada guide, then compare the options for your stay and available points.

Recommended Credit Cards

The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns Hilton Honors points directly and includes Gold status. Our welcome offer overview explains the terms for the free night certificate and bonus points. Membership Rewards cards remain another way to add Hilton points through transfers.

Among the cards that earn Membership Rewards, we recommend these depending on your profile:

Click a card name to see its full terms.

Hilton Honors vs. Other Programs

Here is how Hilton Honors compares with the three other major hotel chains, at our reference values:

Hilton Honors stands out for its flexibility: Points & Money bookings, a fifth night free on eligible points stays and Gold status through the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Platinum cards. Its points are worth less each than World of Hyatt points, but you earn them faster thanks to status bonuses.

To go further, read our Marriott Bonvoy vs. Hilton Honors comparison and our hotel loyalty program comparison.

Tips for Canadians

These five habits help you get more value from Hilton Honors in Canada:

Our Take on Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is a solid hotel loyalty program for Canadians, with a local card that earns points directly and includes Gold status. The certificate in the welcome offer can open the door to a night at a luxury hotel, subject to availability and the terms. For longer stays, the fifth night free on eligible points bookings is a separate benefit.

If you stay in hotels a few times a year, Hilton Honors deserves a place in your points strategy. Next, compare the best Hilton Honors credit cards, and create your free Milesopedia member account to get our members-only offers.

Hilton Honors Frequently Asked Questions