Hilton offering free Gold status after three stays – open to everyone
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Hilton HHonors has launched a new ‘fast track to Gold’ promotion in association with airberlin.
Unlike many similar promotions run by Hilton, this one is open to everyone. It is even being openly promoted on airberlin.com – click on ‘topbonus’ and ‘news and special offers’..
You are directed to this special Hilton HHonors registration page to register.
Here are the rules – read them carefully:
You need to complete THREE Hilton stays, across any brand, within 90 days of registering – so think carefully about what date you should register
You must register by 31st December 2015 (EDIT: the rules changed after I published this article and you must now register by September 30th)
Reward stays or ‘cash and points’ stays WILL count
Your Hilton HHonors Gold status will run until March 2017
If you credit your stays to airberlin topbonus, you will also receive bonus miles – double on your second stay, triple on your third stay and quadruple on your fourth stay. The rules do NOT say that you must credit the three qualifying stays to airberlin – it appears OK to take ‘100% points’ instead of some points and some miles. You could also choose to take some points and take some miles in Iberia Plus or British Airways Executive Club (Iberia is more generous).
What is good about Hilton HHonors Gold?
Hilton Gold is probably the best mid-tier status of any hotel chain.
The key benefit is free breakfast, except at Waldorf-Astoria properties. You should also receive some sort of upgrade (Hilton is very good at upgrading, unlike some other chains) and a late check-out on request.
On my two Hilton stays last week, I was upgraded on one and got a 2pm late check-out on both, as well as free breakfast. At Syon Park I also received 2 x £10 free drink vouchers per room.
You will also receive bonus base points on every stay. If your employer pays for your breakfast, you can – at some brands – choose to receive 1,000 bonus points instead.
Full details of Hilton HHonors Gold benefits can be found here.
If you think you can squeeze in three Hilton Group stays within 90 days – and remember that includes Hampton, Conrad, Waldorf-Astoria etc – then this is definitely worth a look.
Remember that you MUST register via this page – and that the 90 days starts counting from the day you register.
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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (April 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.
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.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 30th April 2025, the annual fee on the basic Hilton Honors debit card is halved from £60 to £30. The sign-up bonus is also easier to earn – you need to spend £1,000 either in the UK or abroad within three months. The usual bonus rule requires you to spend the full £1,000 outside the UK.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit
10,000 bonus points, Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit
2,500 bonus points, 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 American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express
80,000 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 Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
and for small business owners:
- American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)
The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton Honors points is 1:2.
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