Dubai – the place where your Hilton HHonors hotel points do have some value
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Since the 2013 devaluation, the value of a Hilton HHonors points – when used for a premium property – has fallen to around 0.3p.
It is, to put it mildly, not great. You can do better than this if you can find a hotel offering ‘cash and points’ (where you often get nearer 0.5p per point) or for a low-scale property (where you can get nearer 0.75p at times) but neither of these are common scenarios.
Out in Dubai last week, however, I was reminded that this is one part of the world where you can still get a deal.
Whilst Dubai has many world-class beach hotels, the best ones are not part of the major reward schemes. The Starwood options are a little dated, as is the main Hilton Jumeirah resort. IHG does not have any beachfront hotels.
The stand-out option from one of the major chains is the Waldorf-Astoria on the Palm, which opened a couple of years ago. This is a luxury beach resort.
Dubai beach hotels can be eye-wateringly expensive at peak times, which are usually over UK school holidays. Let’s take a look at the Waldorf-Astoria Dubai in the week before Easter next year:
Daily rate (fully prepaid, no refunds, including tax): Dh 2,184 = £388
Daily rate (cancellable, as a redemption would be, including tax): Dh 3,000 = £533
Hilton HHonors ‘cash and points’: 32,000 points per night + Dh 600 (£106) inc tax
Hilton HHonors ‘all points’: 80,000 points per night
Using the refundable rate as the basis of the calculation, you would be getting:
1.33p per Hilton point based on ‘cash and points’
0.66p per Hilton point based on ‘all points’
Even 0.66p is, in my book, an excellent deal for a Hilton HHonors redemption. Getting 1.33p is exceptional. Remember, for example, that American Express Membership Rewards points convert at 1:2 into Hilton HHonors – this would mean you were getting 2.66p per Amex point!
Even a conversion from Virgin Flying Club into Hilton looks good value at 2:3 when you are getting this sort of return.
It is worth noting that the smallest room at the Waldorf-Astoria in Dubai is a chunky 55 square metres, as you can see in the image above, although maximum occupancy is 3 people.
The only downside of redeeming for Waldorf-Astoria hotels is that you do not get free breakfast if you have Hilton HHonors Gold status. As this is a resort, with no walkable alternatives, you will probably have to pay up. If you are Hilton Diamond, recent reports suggest that they have recently started giving lounge access which would include the lounge breakfast plus all-day snacks.
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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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