Today, Hilton announced various Honors policies to help its members with the Covid-19 related travel slump still ongoing in many markets in which the hotel giant operates.
Hilton will roll over all consumed nights from 2021 to 2022, lower status qualification requirements in 2022, Milestone bonuses start at 30 nights, points expiry is waived, easier Gold & Diamond status gifting, Amex free night certificates can be used any day of the week & based points earned from Amex spending will count towards Diamond and lifetime status.
You can access Hilton’s page for 2022 policies here.
READ MORE: Hilton Honors Rate & Bonus Points Offers
Status Extended Through March 31, 2023
All elite members will retain their tier through March 31, 2023, regardless of the number of nights consumed in 2021.
Points Expiry Waiver Until December 31, 2022
Points won’t expire until December 31, 2022.
Lowered Qualification Requirements & Rollover Nights
Qualification
- Silver = 7 nights, 3 stays or 17,500 Base Points
- Gold = 28 nights, 14 stays or 52,500 Base Points.
- Diamond = 42 nights, 21 stays or 84,000 Base Points.
Rollover Nights
All nights consumed in 2021 will roll over to 2022. However, nights rolled over from 2020 to 2021 won’t roll over for the second time.
Milestone Bonuses
Milestone bonuses start from 30 nights instead of 40.
Gold & Diamond Status Gifting
Members can gift Gold status at 40 nights that will be upgraded to Diamond when the member reaches 70.
American Express
Free Weekend Night Certificates
Certificates issued in 2022 and earlier can be used on any day of the week and not just on weekends.
Status Qualifying Points
Spend on the cobranded American Express card continues to count towards elite qualifying and lifetime points in 2022.
Here’s the announcement:
As people continue to navigate the changing dynamics of travel and getting back on the road, Hilton remains optimistic and committed to providing flexibility to its more than 118 million Hilton Honors members worldwide. Again leading the hospitality industry, Hilton Honors announced that its members can expect to retain their Points and elite status for an extended period of time and earn status more easily in 2022.
Hilton Honors, the guest loyalty program of Hilton’s world-class portfolio of 18 brands, has implemented the following global benefit changes to help members maintain or achieve elite status, even as travel remains limited in some parts of the world. The changes announced today include:
- Extending status through March 31, 2023, so members can maintain their status perks and benefits longer.
- Pausing Points expiration until Dec. 31, 2022, so members have more time to use their Points towards free nights at more than 6,600 Hilton hotels, exclusive Hilton Honors Experiences, live events, charitable donations and more.
- Relaxing 2022 qualifications around earning Status, Milestone Bonuses, and Status Gifting from 2019 requirements to make these benefits easier to achieve. In 2022, Hilton Honors members will earn the following:
- Status Tier Requirements
- Silver status at seven nights, three stays or 17,500 Base Points.
- Gold status at 28 nights, 14 stays or 52,500 Base Points.
- Diamond status at 42 nights, 21 stays or 84,000 Base Points.
- Milestone Bonuses
- 10,000 Bonus Points at 30 nights.
- 10,000 Bonus Points for every 10 additional nights (after 30 nights).
- One-time 30,000 Bonus Points at 60 nights.
- Elite Status Gifting
- One-time gift of Gold status for a friend or family member at 40 nights, which can be upgraded to Diamond status at 70 nights.
- Extending Rollover Nights for members of every status level, so all completed 2021 nights automatically roll over and count toward 2022 tier qualifications.
- Continuing flexibility of certain benefits for U.S. Hilton Honors American Express Card Members through Dec. 31, 2022.
- Free Weekend Night Certificates, including those issued in 2022 can continue to be used any night of the week (not just on weekends).
- Hilton Honors Bonus Points earned from eligible purchases on any Hilton Honors American Express Card will continue to count as Base Points toward Elite tier qualification and Lifetime Diamond status through Dec. 31, 2022.
“As we get back to a new season of travel together, we want our loyal guests to know that we made these program changes with them top-of-mind,” said Jenn Chick, vice president and global head, Hilton Honors & Customer Engagement, Hilton. “We are proud to lead the hospitality industry in providing flexibility, once again, to our valued Hilton Honors members to help them make new memories when they’re ready to travel again.”
Email That Members Receive:
Hilton’s 2020 policy for 2021:
Hilton Honors Program Changes For 2021
Conclusion
I have already said it a few times previously, but loyalty programs don’t have any other choice than to extend member tiers by an additional year if they wish to retain the majority of them.
Travel is still restricted in many markets where Hilton operates. They would have been forced to develop regional policies rather than a global one, but it is easier and fairer just to extend everyone by a year.
Let’s see how long it will take for Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott to match Hilton’s move.
I already have 97 paid Hilton nights for 2021 and will reach 100 on Thursday next week.