Hilton increases status qualification levels for 2013

UPDATE – JUNE 2025:  This is an old article, and the credit card information given is likely to be out of date.

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Hilton HHonors has quietly updated its terms and conditions.  These show that the qualification requirements for status will be changing (ie getting worse) for 2013.

• Silver status remains at 4 stays or 10 nights.
• Gold status (and Hilton has the best mid-tier of any hotel scheme, as I will explain in a week or so) goes up from 16 stays, 36 nights, or 60,000 base points to 20 stays, 40 nights, or 75,000 base points
• Diamond status (which isn’t worth much more than Gold) goes from 28 stays, 60 nights, or 100,000 base point to 30 stays, 60 nights, or 120,000 base points

Gary’s theory, over at View from the Wing, is that there are too many Gold members.  This is, of course, Hilton’s fault because it has started giving Gold status away as a free benefit with its US credit card!

Truly, the tail is wagging the dog when people who actually stay in the hotels get shafted in favour of people who take out a co-branded credit card!

The UK Hilton card does not come with automatic Hilton Gold – you need to spend £10,000 per year first.  You do get free Silver status just for getting the card, though.  American Express Platinum cardholders in the UK are given a one-off 1 year of Hilton Gold.

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (June 2025)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th August 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Hilton Honors Plus debit card is TRIPLED to 30,000 Hilton Honors points. You will also receive Gold Elite status in Hilton Honors for as long as you hold the card. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.

You can apply for either card here.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit

30,000 bonus points (to 14th August), Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit

2,500 bonus points, 50% fee discount, Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed The Platinum Card from American Express in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• The American Express Business Gold Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Business Platinum Card (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton Honors points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points.