Last day to secure a spot to visit the McLaren Technology Centre with Hilton Honors

A couple of weeks ago, we flagged the tour of the McLaren F1 factory at the Norman Foster-designed McLaren Technology Centre in Woking being arranged by Hilton Honors.

The date is Thursday 14th November.

It sold out exceptionally quickly, as these tours always do, at 110,000 Hilton Honors points for two people.

However, there is a loophole that can still get you in.

A further five packages for the day are being auctioned. These come with a stay at the brand new Hilton Woking hotel on Thursday 14th November.

The minimum bid is 150,000 Hilton Honors and bids close tonight.

Here’s the thing ….

As of last night, virtually no-one has bid.

Just one person has placed a bid at the minimum level of 150,000 points – and remember that there are five packages to be had.

It makes little sense that the ‘no hotel’ packages at 110,000 points sell out in minutes but the auctioned ‘with hotel’ packages at 150,000 points attract zero interest, but that’s people for you.

If you are still interested in attending, a bid at 150,000 points will probably be enough.

There is, obviously, no requirement to take up the hotel stay. It will be there if you want it, but if you don’t show up nothing bad will happen! The stay is AFTER the event anyway so there is zero risk of your place being cancelled.

And, hey, a night out in Woking can’t be THAT bad, can it?!

The factory is not normally open to the public so this is a rare opportunity to take a look inside. The tour includes a three course lunch.

The main ticket holder must be 18+ and the guest must be 16+.

Above is a picture from a 2017 tour, taken specificially for us, when virtually everyone there was a HfP reader.

You can bid via the Hilton Experiences website here – search for UK events. The auction closes tonight.

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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.