HotelChatter || HotelChatter's Guide to Loyalty Programs:: Hilton HHonors

Until recently we thought hotel loyalty programs were for Account Executives rolling their business travel points into a family vacation at a bland resort every year or two. However, funny thing happened when we started investigating these programs -- we found some of them are downright useful if you know how to cut through the red tape. This series is meant as a jumping off point to full fledged discussions on each loyalty program we feature. So comment, contribute, question, and cajole here.

HotelChatter's Barbara Benham continues to look at hotel loyalty programs today with the break down of Hilton Hotels. Called Hilton HHonors, this program is good at any Hilton which includes all of their brands like Garden Inn, DoubleTree, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, Conrad Hotels, and Homewood Suites. We still don't know what the extra "H" is for but we do have the full program details for you after the jump.

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HILTON HONORS

WEBSITE: Hilton Honors.

MEMBER BENEFITS: The "privileges" of membership.

BOOKING BASICS: Online at Hilton Rewards Hotels, hotels' official website, or over the phone in order to earn and use points.

PHONE: 800-548-8690.

PARTNERS
Retail:
Retail Partners are plenty including Bloomingdales, Bose, Calloway Golf, Nike, Pottery Barn and Tiffany.
Airlines:
Airline Partners include over 50 participating arilines.

MILES: Yes

CREDIT CARD: Visa (Citi HHonors Visa Signature Card).

REWARDS:There are three options to earn points and miles: points and variable miles, points and fixed miles, points and bonus points. Points start at 10 per dollar. Members can change them at any time. There are four levels of memberships, Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum. Free overnights start at 7,500 points, up to 40,000 points; they depend on a hotel’s location and popularity.

WHAT WE LIKED: Hilton lets you “double dip” and earn points and miles at the same time. The variety of retail partners – Bloomingdale’s, Amtrak and mortage lenders (!) – is impressive. (Yes, you too can earn points when you take out a mortgage.)

FINE PRINT: As noted, the DoubleDip involves three options. Another program, Senior Honors, appears to be on its way out; it’s no longer accepting renewals or new members at this time. The variety of retail partners is daunting and blackout dates do apply.

Have a Hilton Honors question? Have advice for fellow Hilton Honors groupies? Do tell.

Research compiled by HotelChatter's Barbara Benham.

2 Comments - Add Yours by juliana

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Comments on HotelChatter's Guide to Loyalty Programs:: Hilton HHonors

Kellyfamoh
HotelChatter Member

Re:Loyalty Programs: Hilton HHonors (none / 0)

I have been an elite member of Hilton HHonors for several years. Although I have always chosen to be rewarded with more points rather than room upgrades or other perks, I nearly always get upgraded anyway (and sometime get the perks, too). Hiltons do a better job than many other chains of recognizing elite members and providing as many amenities as possible. That's why I nearly always look for Hiltons when I travel.

by Kellyfamoh on 10/18/2007 at 11:02 AM