If you're a member of the Hilton Honors rewards program, you can snooze your way to member-exclusive room rates, perks, and free night stays. And although there isn't a credit card available in Canada that specifically earns you Hilton Honors points, you can rack up the points by double-dipping with our favourite travel credit cards.
Key Takeaways
- Hilton Honors is the official loyalty program of Hilton, a global hospitality company managing 27 popular hotel chains.
- Hilton Honors points are worth about 0.35 cents CAD each when you redeem them on overnight stays at Hilton Hotels.
- You can earn Hilton Honors points by staying at Hilton hotels, renting cars from partner agencies, and taking rides with Lyft.
- You can earn tons of rewards and convert them to Hilton Honors points with the American Express Cobalt Card.
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What is the Hilton Honors program?
Hilton Honors is the official loyalty program of Hilton, a global hospitality company encompassing 27 brands and 9,100 properties in 142 countries and territories. Over 243 million HH members collect points by staying at Hilton hotels, which they can redeem for hotel stays, car rentals, and more.
If you're the age of majority in your province or territory, you can create an account by visiting the Hilton website and clicking "Join Hilton Honors" in the upper-right corner. Members can access a dedicated customer service line by calling 1-800-4HONORS (1-800-446-6677) or by using the online chat feature.
Just by signing up, you're already eligible for:
- 25% off your room if you can find a lower rate
- 2% minimum room rate discount
- 1 free guest during eligible stays with double occupancy charges
- Complimentary room selection and digital check-ins, check-outs, and keys
- Complimentary standard in-room and lobby Wi-Fi
- Exclusive Hilton experiences and offers
- Express and/or late check-outs (upon request, subject to availability)
- No resort fees on Reward Stays
You can even earn points on qualifying stays made up to 30 days before your enrollment date.
Hilton Honors overview
Currency: Hilton Honors points
Reward categories: Honors Experiences, Lyft Rides, PointWorthy, Rental Cars, Reward Stays, Shop with Points
Pros:
- 9,100 properties and 27 brands where you can earn and redeem points
- 26 partner airlines
- 6 redemption options
- 40+ point conversion options
- 5 membership tiers
- 3 partner car rental agencies
- Points worth up to 0.65 cents CAD each
- Book and redeem on the Hilton Honors app
- Free membership
- Member-exclusive offers, room rates, perks, and price-matching
- No blackout dates on reward stays
- Points can be bought, gifted, pooled, and transferred
Cons:
- Points worth as little as 0.2 cents CAD each
- No Hilton Honors credit cards in Canada
- Limited earning and redemption options
- Points expire after 2 years of inactivity
What is Hilton Honors Elite Status?
Free Hilton Honors membership has its perks, but they aren't as glamorous as those offered to Elite Status members. The more nights you stay, the sooner you'll hit these advanced membership milestones:
- Silver: 10 nights, 4 stays, or $2,500 USD in spending
- Gold: 25 nights, 15 stays, or $6,000 USD in spending
- Diamond: 50 nights, 25 stays, or $11,500 USD in spending
- Diamond Reserve: 80 nights or 40 stays AND $18,000 USD in spending
Meet the requirements for Elite Status membership within a single calendar year and you can enjoy your perks for the rest of the current year and the entirety of the next. Here's what these benefits include:
| Benefit | Silver | Gold | Diamond | Diamond Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus points on stays | 20% | 80% | 100% | 120% |
| 15% off 1 resort spa treatment per stay | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| 5th night free when you pay for 100% of a Reward Stay in points (max. 20 per year) | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| 2 free bottles of water at select hotels | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| 10,000 bonus points after 40 nights + 10,000 bonus points for every 10 nights after + 30,000 bonus points after 60 nights | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | |
| Daily food and beverage credit (U.S. hotels only) | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | |
| Complimentary breakfast (non-U.S. hotels only) | ☑️ | ☑️ | ||
| Complimentary breakfast, amenities, and other benefits at select properties in the Maldives | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | |
| Complimentary room upgrades on arrival (subject to availability) | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | |
| 48-hour room booking guarantee on non-reward stays | ☑️ | ☑️ | ||
| Complimentary access and 1 guest to the Executive Lounge in select hotels and resorts | ☑️ | ☑️ | ||
| Free premium Wi-Fi at select properties | ☑️ | ☑️ | ||
| Gift Gold Elite Status for 1 year to another member after 60 paid nights within a calendar year or Diamond Elite Status after 100 paid nights | ☑️ | ☑️ | ||
| 1-year, one-time extension of Diamond Elite Status (requires 3 non-consecutive years at Diamond Elite status plus 250+ paid or reward nights or 500,000+ points earned since joining) | ☑️ | |||
| Confirmable room upgrade | ☑️ | |||
| Exclusive customer service | ☑️ | |||
| Premium Club access | ☑️ | |||
| 4 PM guaranteed late check-out | ☑️ |
If you reach Diamond Elite Status for at least 10 (non-consecutive) years and stay 1,000+ paid or reward nights (or accumulate $200,000 in USD spending since enrolling), you'll qualify for Lifetime Diamond Status. No more counting points or nights – just lie back and enjoy the benefits on all your future stays!
What are Hilton Honors points worth?
Hilton Honors points are only as valuable as the rewards you spend them on. The higher the value of a reward (and the lower its price in points), the higher its value in cents per point.
Cost of reward in $CAD / cost of reward in points x 100 = value in cents per point (CPP)
Hilton Honors offers several redemption options, many of which depend on the Canadian-American exchange rate. A hotel stay can be worth as much as 0.65 CPP, though they tend closer to 0.35 CPP. This isn't extravagantly high but is often a handy option. If you're looking for that niche way to get your money's worth, certain Honors Experiences can be worth up to 0.6 CPP.
| Type of reward | Redemption options | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Reward Stays | Overnight stays at 27+ hotels and resorts, including: * Canopy * DoubleTree * Embassy Suites * Hampton * Homewood Suites * Waldorf Astoria | 0.35 CPP* |
| Honors Experiences | * Concerts * Vacation excursions | 0.58 CPP* |
| PointWorthy | Thousands of non-profit organizations, including: * Make-A-Wish * Red Cross * Salvation Army * UNICEF * United Way * World Wildlife Fund | 0.3 CPP* |
| Hilton Honors event credits | * $50 – $500 USD event credits | 0.2 CPP* |
| Car rentals | * Alamo * Enterprise * National | 0.26 CPP |
| Lyft credits | * $10 – $100 Lyft Credits | 0.22 CPP |
| Convert points | Points for 40+ airline loyalty programs, including: * Aeroplan * British Airways * Cathay Pacific * Delta SkyMiles | 0.1 CPP |
* Value calculated using the CAD-USD exchange rate at the time of writing.
How to earn Hilton Honors points
There are 7 ways to earn Hilton Honors points, some more obvious than others:
- Buy points online
- Plan events at Hilton properties
- Receive point gifts, pools, or transfers
- Rent cars from Hilton partners
- Ride with Lyft
- Stay at Hilton hotels and resorts
- Use American Express credit cards
To check your balance and review monthly activity statements, visit the Hilton Honors website, log into the Hilton Honors mobile app, or call 1-800-548-8690 (within Canada and the US) or 1-800-449-4155.
If you're missing points, submit a Missing Stay Request Form or a written request for credit to Hilton Reservations and Customer Care within 6 months.
Buy points online
If you're short a few points for a reward, you can buy up to 160,000 points per year on the Buy Points page. Every 1,000 points will cost you $10 USD and subtract about 1.4 CPP from the value of your reward, so it's best not to buy too many.
Purchased points don't count toward Elite Status membership.
Plan events at Hilton properties
Using the Hilton Event Planner Program to book rooms or event spaces for celebrations, conferences, meetings, reunions, weddings, and more could net you points on up to $100,000 USD of eligible spending. As long as your name is on the contract, you don't even need to attend; just wait 6 – 8 weeks after payment for your points to arrive.
Just remember – you won't get points for no-shows or cancelled events!
Receive point gifts, pools, or transfers
We'll show you how to transfer Hilton Honors points later but for now, you should know that members can't receive more than 2 million points per year.
Rent cars from Hilton partners
Hilton Honors members pay discounted rates and earn 500 points per day when they book car rentals with Alamo, Enterprise, and National. You must be listed as the primary driver to qualify.
Book fast and you can add a bonus offer to the base rate:
- Rent by December 31, 2026 to get 500 bonus points per day, to a maximum of 4,500 points
Sadly, like purchased points, any bonus points you earn from car rentals don't count toward Elite Status membership.
Ride with Lyft
Earn 3 points per $1 USD spent (or other currency equivalent) on rideshares when you link your Hilton Honors and Lyft accounts online. The offer excludes taxes, fees, tolls, and tips, but includes all rides in the Lyft, Lyft XL, Lyft Black XL, Lux, and Lux Black categories.
Once you've linked your accounts, you can book Lyft rides as usual and earn points on up to $10,000 USD of eligible spending per year. Check your Hilton Honors account the day after you ride – your new points will be waiting for you.
Stay at Hilton hotels and resorts
Staying at a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio is the fastest way to earn points. You'll earn 10 points for every $1 USD (or other currency equivalent) whenever you charge the following to a single hotel bill:
- Hotel or resort stays for up to 4 rooms
- Incidentals such as food, drinks, laundry, and movies
- Leftover charges for Reward Stays (i.e., you don't have enough points to pay your entire hotel bill and must pay the difference in cash)
The only exceptions are Home2 Suites and Tru properties, where you'll earn 5 points per $1 USD. Okay, there are a few more exceptions than that – Hilton won't grant points for any money you spend on:
- Hotel or resort stays billed directly to your business
- Hotel or resort stays sold on third-party websites or included in tour packages
- "No shows" where you don't check in, even if you pay for the room
- Purchases from unaffiliated, non-Hilton stores such as gift shops, drugstores, and restaurants, even if they're in the same building
- Taxes, tips, and certain fees
Don't forget: Elite Status members earn 20% – 100% additional bonus points on top of the base rate!
You can earn 10 points per $1 USD spent on stays at Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare properties, but they don't count toward Elite Status membership.
Use American Express credit cards
While there aren't any Hilton Honors credit cards available in Canada, American Express credit cardholders can transfer their Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio.
You'll lose some value (Amex Membership Rewards points are worth about 2 CPP), but you'll earn plenty with these American Express cards:
| Credit card | Current offer | Annual fee | Rewards | Apply now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt Card | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | $191.88 | * 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants (up to $2,500 spent per month) * 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services * 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Apply now |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) | $250 | * 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel * 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases | Apply now |
| The Platinum Card |  $150 GeniusCash + Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms) | $799 | * 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and travel * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Apply now |
| American Express Green Card | 10,000 bonus points (terms) | $0 | * 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases | Apply now |
The American Express Cobalt Card is the best travel and overall credit card in Canada for one reason: spectacular earn rates.
But the American Express Gold Rewards Card and The Platinum Card offer amazing perks and benefits. The Amex Gold provides a $100 annual travel credit, 11 types of insurance, and limited airport lounge access. The exclusive Platinum dials it up to a $400 credit and unlimited complimentary access to some of the finest airport lounges in the world.
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2x Award winner If you'd prefer a no-fee credit card, the American Express Green Card is a solid option.
How to gift, pool, and transfer Hilton Honors points
If you have points (or cash) to spare and a loved one who could use a good night's rest, you can gift or transfer up to 500,000 points per year. Visit the Buy, Give, & Transfer Points page to gift 1,000 points per $10 USD or transfer points up to 6 times per year for free.
You and up to 10 other members can also enter a pool to save or spend points together. The page above provides a form so you can send invitations by email. You can join up to 6 point pools per year.
Hilton Honors members can send no more than 500,000 points and receive no more than 2 million points per calendar year.
How to redeem Hilton Honors points
The Hilton Honors program gives you several ways to redeem your points – although in reality, there's just one way to get your money's worth (hint: it's Reward Stays).
To see if you have enough points for a reward, log in to the Hilton Honors mobile app or website. You can also opt into a monthly activity statement via email under the "My Profile" section.
Reward stays
Redemption options: 27+ hotel and resort chains in the Hilton Portfolio
Most valuable option: 1 night in a King Deluxe Room, 2-Queen Deluxe Room, or King Accessible Room at the Waldorf Astoria Osaka for 0.65 CPP
How to redeem:
Redeeming your points on a Reward Stay at a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio can yield up to 0.65 CPP – but you have to be willing to do the math. Lots and lots and lots of math.
We recommend searching for accommodations on the official Hilton website to make comparison easier; remember, you can't pay with points on third-party websites. To find the value of a Reward Stay, divide the room's price in dollars by its price in points and multiply it by 100.
We did the same for a 2-night stay for 2 adults at 44 properties and discovered the following:
- At the time of writing, the average Reward Stay yielded 0.35 CPP per night in Toronto and New York.
- The worst deal was a 2 Queen Premium at Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale (0.23 CPP).
- The best deal was 1 night in a King Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Deluxe Room, or King Accessible Room at the Waldorf Astoria Osaka (0.65 CPP).
- There was little correlation between reward value and brand, location, room type, or extra amenities.
The inconsistent value of Hilton Honors points makes bargain-hunting an exercise in frustration and bewilderment. One hotel in New York requested a whopping 211,000 points to cover a $20 price gap between two rooms – but only 4,000 points to cover the next $14 upgrade!
As long as you have 5,000 points, you can pay for your hotels in points, cash, or a mix of both. Whatever you do, don't forget your calculator and see how close you can get to 0.4 CPP.
Reward Stays don't count toward Elite Status membership.
Honors Experiences
Redemption options: Auctions and Redemptions
Most valuable option: Redemptions for at least 0.5 CPP
How to redeem:
Hilton Honors Experiences are shows, activities, and other special events, some of which are quite rare and exclusive. You could take a cooking class with world-class talent or enjoy a VIP tour with the McLaren F1 racing team as they compete in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!
You can search for Culture, Culinary, Music, and Sports packages on the HHExperiences website, but the most important filter is "Auction Type." Auctions are Experiences you have to bid on to win; redemptions have fixed prices.
In theory, Auctions could yield a fantastic deal – but only if you're willing to do some research and keep an eye on the bids. The few Redemptions we could price yielded a value of 0.37 – 0.55 CPP. We suggest you settle for nothing less than 0.5 CPP.
You must have enough points in your account to pay for an Auction or Redemption by the time it closes.
Car rentals
Redemption options: Alamo, Enterprise, or National
Most valuable option: Any option for at least 0.2 CPP
How to redeem:
Redeeming Hilton Honors points for car rentals from Alamo, Enterprise, or National returns an average value of 0.26 CPP. Like hotels, prices change with demand so consider the season, location, and time of day when searching and booking.
PointWorthy
Redemption options: 100,000+ U.S. non-profit organizations
Most valuable option: Any option for 0.29 CPP
How to redeem:
PointWorthy turns Hilton Honors points into charitable donations for 100,000+ local, national, and international charities. From arts and culture to religious and international affairs, you can support your favourite causes with a minimum donation of $10, yielding an average value of 0.29 CPP.
Donations can be gifted or made anonymously but they can't be refunded. You'll also need to read the fine print to find out if you're eligible for a tax receipt.
Hilton Honors event credits
Redemption options: $50 – $500 USD event credits
Most valuable option: Any option for at least 0.2 CPP
How to redeem:
Event planners can redeem Hilton Honors points for a $50 – $500 USD event credit through the Hilton Reservations and Customer Care office. While the value of your points depends on the US-Canadian exchange rate at the time of redemption, count on getting at least 0.2 CPP per transaction. You can redeem points for and use multiple vouchers at once.
Hilton event credit vouchers expire 1 year after the date of issue.
Lyft credits
Redemption options: $10 – $100 Lyft credits
Most valuable option: Any option for 0.22 CPP
How to redeem:
American and Canadian Hilton Honors members can redeem points, with a minimum of 4,500, giving you $10 in Lyft credits online. If you redeem points for credits in CAD, you can only use them in Canada; similarly, you can only use USD credits in the US.
Lyft credits can be applied to taxes, tips, or fees.
Convert points
Redemption options: 40+ partner airlines
Most valuable option: Convert points to AAdvantage for 0.22 CPP or Aeroplan for 0.2 CPP
How to redeem:
Last and least is the option to transfer your Hilton Honors points to an airline. The top 3 choices are Alaska Airlines and American Airlines for at least 0.2 CPP (depending on the US-Canadian exchange rate) and Air Canada for a reliable 0.22 CPP.
What the HH exchange program lacks in value, it makes up for in variety with 40+ airline partners.
| Airline(s) | Exchange ratio (Hilton Honors points to miles) |
|---|---|
| Aeromexico, LATAM Pass | 50:13 |
| AirAsia BIG, Finnair | 5:1 |
| Air Canada, Air France/KLM, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air Infinity, Garuda Indonesia, Icelandair, InterMiles, Japan Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Saudia (formerly Saudi Arabian Airlines), United Airlines | 10:1 |
| Air New Zealand | 500:1 |
| American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas Airways, South African Air, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Australia | 20:3 |
| Hainan Airlines | 5:2 |
| Lufthansa, Scandinavian Air, Singapore KrisFlyer | 8:1 |
| Malaysia Airlines | 25:3 |
Allow up to 60 days for a Hilton Honors points transfer to process.
Hilton Honors vs. Marriott Bonvoy
Hilton Honors' biggest rival in Canada is Marriott Bonvoy. If you prefer more flexible travel rewards and the ability to earn points with a partner credit card, you just might want to switch.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy | Hilton Honors Program |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Points | Points |
| Membership requirements | Free account OR credit card | Free account OR U.S. credit card |
| Participating properties | 7,000+ | 9,100 |
| Hotel brands | 30+ | 27 |
| Co-branded cards available in Canada | 2 | 0 |
| Rewards | * Car rentals * Charity * Cruises * Experiences * Flights * Gift cards and merchandise * Hotel stays * Point conversions | * Event credits * Car rentals * Charity * Experiences * Hotel stays * Point conversions * Rideshare credits |
| Best redemption option | Hotel stays for 1.24 CPP | Hotel stays for 0.5 CPP |
| Free membership benefits | * Digital keys, check-ins, and check-outs * Exclusive rates * Free Wi-Fi | * Digital keys, check-ins, and check-outs * Exclusive rates * Free Wi-Fi * No resort fees on reward hotel stays |
Marriott Bonvoy leads the way in point values, earning opportunities, and flexibility. The only area in which Hilton Honors excels is Elite Status perks. However, many of its redemption options are US-centric.
For Canadians – especially the average spender who doesn't often visit luxury properties – Marriott Bonvoy is probably the better choice.
Is the Hilton Honors program worth it?
The Hilton Honors program rewards frequent visitors and event planners with points to spend on hotel stays, event credits, car rentals, and more. Its best earning rates (and redemption offers) favour frequent luxury travellers with U.S. credit cards, making it hard for the average Canadian to get their money's worth.
FAQ
How do you get the most out of Hilton Honors?
When travelling, book with partnering Hilton properties and pay with an American Express credit card, like the American Express Cobalt Card, so you earn points that can be transferred back to the Hilton Honors reward program. You can also take advantage of promotional bonuses when booking trips or experiences.
Can I get Hilton Gold status for free?
Some American Express credit cards, like The Platinum Card, automatically give you Hilton Gold status just for opening the credit card. As Canada's best perks credit card, this card also grants complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
How do I get Hilton Diamond status quickly?
If you're trying to reach Diamond status fast, be sure to prioritize stays at Hilton properties and make purchases at those locations or resorts. Remember, you either need 50 nights, 25 stays, or $11,500 USD in spending.
Do Hilton Honors points expire?
Hilton Honors points expire after 2 years of inactivity. Using or redeeming your points is considered active, so just use some of your points or book a qualifying stay at some point every year to keep your account in good standing.
Do Hilton Gold members get free upgrades?
Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status members can expect a complimentary room upgrade upon arrival plus 80% bonus points on each night's stay, free breakfast at non-US hotels, and up to $25 USD in daily food and drink credits.
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