Hampton by Hilton Corby no longer 5,000 points per night – a loophole closed

Last week, Hilton HHonors published a list of hotel reward category changes on its website.  The list is here.  A few of these impact the UK so they are worth mentioning.

The most annoying one is that Hampton by Hilton Corby, photo below, has moved from Category 1 (5,000 points per night) to Category 2 (10,000 points per night).

Of course, even at 10,000 points per night this hotel is very good value for a redemption.  The reason it was a great deal as a Category 1 is that Hilton reward nights count towards status.

If you lived near Corby and registered for the recent ‘Gold after three stays’ promotion run with airberlin, you could have completed the task with three bookings costing just 15,000 points.

For people trying to earn Hilton HHonors Diamond status, it was also a good way to complete a ‘Diamond Challenge’.  If you send Hilton details of your top tier status with another chain, they may offer you a challenge such as ’21 nights within 90 days’ to achieve top tier Diamond status.  You could then book 21 nights in Corby for 105,000 Hilton HHonors points, turn up on the first day to check in and then not show your face for the next three weeks.

Here is a story of how a Head for Points reader did just that.

At 10,000 points per night, it doesn’t make as much sense.

There is still one 5,000 point per night hotel left in the UK – Hampton by Hilton Newport East.  The full list of 5,000 point per night hotels globally is here.

Other category changes in the UK

Here are the other UK changes on the list.

Hampton by Hilton Birmingham North – drops from Category 4 to Category 3

Doubletree by Hilton London Chelsea – drops from Category 7 to Category 6 (this hotel uses a very loose definition of the world Chelsea, even Mo Farah would not fancy the jog down to Sloane Square tube station from here!)

Hilton London Islington (the old Jurys Inn Stakis) – increases from Category 6 to Category 7

Of newly opened hotels, Doubletree Woking opened as a Category 5 and the refurbished and rebranded Doubletree London Docklands Riverside is a Category 6.

Details of changes in other countries can be found here.

These changes do not take effect until October 14th so you can still book for 2016 at the old rates for the next few days.

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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.

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