Hilton Honors offers Formula 1 auction packages, with a difference
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Pre covid, Hilton Honors offered a lot of Formula 1 experiences for points redemptions via its Hilton Experiences platform. Unsurprisingly, it has been very quiet of late.
Hilton has now launched a VIRTUAL package for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 12th and 13th December.
To quote:
Calling all McLaren fans – you may not be able to attend the race in person, but you can still be a part of the action! Bid your Points to win an exclusive McLaren F1 experience and become a virtual member of the McLaren team during the Abu Dhabi race weekend. Your virtual experience will include everything from a Garage Tour, Q&A with a McLaren driver, insights from the team and more! The package includes:
-Welcome chat & intros, including message from McLaren management
-Official McLaren Team Kit
-Engineering & Strategy insight
-Practice session debrief
-Tour of the McLaren Technology Centre
-Behind-the-scenes of a McLaren Pitstop
-McLaren Driver Q&A
-Tour of the McLaren Garage & Paddock Unit
-Viewing of the Sunday Race
-and more!”
The top bid last night was 145,000 Hilton Honors points (it started at 50,000 points) which seems chunky given our valuation of 0.33p per point. Of course, there are a lot of people sitting on piles of points and with few ways of using them at the moment ….
You can find out more on the Hilton Experiences website here.
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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.
