Bits: 20% bonus converting Marriott to American, 25% United bonus, Hilton / Flying Blue bonus

News in brief:

Marriott launches a conversion bonus to American Airlines

Marriott Rewards is currently offering a 20% bonus if you convert your points into American Airlines miles.

Full details are on the American Airlines site here.  The offer runs until 14th November.

This includes miles transferred through redeeming for a Marriott travel package.  This is probably the most valuable Marriott Rewards redemption as I explained here.

Remember that you can now convert your Starwood points into Marriott Rewards at the rate of 1:3 although – depending on the quantity – it is not necessarily a better deal than going directly from Starwood to American.

United Airlines runs a bonus from all major hotel chains

Not be outdone, United Airlines has launched its own hotel conversion bonus.  Until 30th November, you will receive:

50% bonus on Choice Privileges

40% bonus on Club Carlson

25% bonus on Marriott Rewards, Hilton HHonors, IHG Rewards Club, Hyatt Gold Passport, Starwood Preferred Guest, Wyndham Rewards, Shangri-La Golden Circle

Note that:

The maximum cumulative bonus you can receive is 20,000 United MileagePlus miles

You must register via this link

The bonus miles will not arrive until 30th January 2017

In general, hotel points are generally best used for hotel stays.  Starwood is usually the best value when converting to airlines, but United is an exception as it has a particularly poor SPG conversion rate in the first place.  That said, this offer will work for some people who use United for their Star Alliance flights and who have a few orphan hotel points.

Hilton offers 4x Flying Blue miles

In a sister offer to the current triple Avios bonus, Hilton HHonors is offering quadruple Flying Blue (Air France / KLM) miles for stays until 31st December.

The standard earning rate is 1 mile per $1 spent which will quadruple to 4 miles per $1 spent.

This only kicks in from your SECOND stay after registration.

If you register for ‘double points’ as well (outlined in this article) you will probably receive double points and quadruple miles from your stays.  You need to change your earning preference to ‘points and miles’ with Flying Blue as your chosen miles partner.

You need to register via this page of the Hilton website.

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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.