Latest news with #Hilton-branded
CNN
15-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Our expert guide to maximizing rewards with the Hilton Honors program
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. This may impact how links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. Hilton Honors is the loyalty program behind one of the world's largest and most recognizable hotel brands. With thousands of properties across the globe — and more opening each year — it offers plenty of opportunities to earn and redeem points as one of the most popular travel rewards programs. One of Hilton Honors' standout features is how easy it is to achieve elite status. Whether through frequent stays or simply by holding a Hilton-branded credit card, unlocking elite perks is within reach for many travelers, and those benefits can significantly enhance your hotel experience. Here's a complete guide to earning and using Hilton Honors points, plus how to make the most of elite status within the program. Whether you're staying at Hilton properties, using Hilton-branded credit cards or taking advantage of the program's many partnerships, there are plenty of ways to grow your balance fast. Earn points by staying at Hilton properties The most direct way to earn Hilton Honors points is by booking paid stays at Hilton hotels. The number of points you'll earn depends on the brand, how much you spend per night and whether you hold elite status. At most properties, general members earn 10 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent on eligible charges (Some lower-tier brands like Tru by Hilton and Home2 Suites offer 5 points per dollar instead.). If you have elite status, you'll earn even more: Silver: 12 points per dollar Gold: 18 points per dollar Diamond: 20 points per dollar These bonuses can significantly increase your earnings, especially on longer or higher-end stays. Earn points with Hilton promotions Hilton regularly runs limited-time promotions by offering double or even triple points on stays. These can supercharge your earning potential. Just be sure to register in advance on Hilton's website to qualify for each promotion. Earn points with Hilton credit cards There are four Hilton Honors cards to choose from: three for personal use and one for small-business owners. Each card offers a combination of rewards on everyday spending, welcome bonuses and valuable travel benefits like elite status and free night certificates. Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 7x points at Hilton hotels; 5x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets; 3x points on all other purchases. Earn 12x points at Hilton hotels; 6x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets; 4x points on U.S. online purchases; 3x points on all other purchases. Earn 14x points at Hilton hotels; 7x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies and at U.S. restaurants; 3x points on all other purchases. Earn 12x points at Hilton hotels; 5x points on all other purchases made on the first $100,000 per calendar year, then 3x points thereafter. Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status (upgrade to Gold status after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year). Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (upgrade to Diamond status if you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year); Free Night Reward after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year; Up to $200 in Hilton credits yearly; National Car Rental Executive status (enrollment required). Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status; Annual Free Night Reward plus earn up to two additional free night after you spend $30,000 and $60,000 on purchases in a calendar year; up to $400 Hilton resort statement credit each year; up to $200 flight credit; up to $199 CLEAR Plus statement credit; National Car Rental Executive status. Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (upgrade to Diamond status after spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year); Earn up to $240 back year year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton (up to $60 in statement credits per quarter); Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Status (enrollment required).All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is not currently available through CNN Underscored. Keep in mind, too, that several of these cards carry an annual fee: Hilton Honors American Express Card — $0 (see rates & fees) Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — $150 (see rates & fees) Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — $550 (see rates & fees) The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card — $95 (see rates & fees) Each of these cards offers automatic Hilton elite status. That helps you earn more points per stay and enjoy perks like late checkout, room upgrades and bonus points on eligible stays. Transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards If you hold a card that earns American Express Membership Rewards — like The Platinum Card® from American Express — you can transfer points to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio (1 Amex point = 2 Hilton points). While this transfer option can be helpful for topping off your balance for a specific redemption, it typically isn't the best value. Membership Rewards points are generally worth more when used with other transfer partners. Still, if you're booking a high-value Hilton redemption and just need a few thousand more points, it can be a worthwhile move. Earn points dining out The Hilton Honors Dining program lets you earn points simply by eating out at participating restaurants. Once you enroll and link a credit card, you'll earn: 2–8 points per dollar at eligible restaurants, An extra 2,000 bonus points if you spend $50 and leave a review within 30 days of signing up. To maximize earnings, use a Hilton card like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which earns 7x points at restaurants. When combined with up to 8x points from the Dining Rewards program, you could earn up to 15x points per dollar on your meal. Earn points through rideshare and car rentals You can also earn Hilton Honors points through travel partnerships: Lyft: Earn 3 points per dollar on standard Lyft rides and 2 points per dollar on shared rides after linking your Hilton Honors account. Car rentals: Hilton partners with Alamo, Enterprise and National to offer up to 5,000 points per eligible booking. These earning opportunities can help you passively boost your balance on everyday travel. With roughly 7,000 properties worldwide — from luxurious beachfront resorts to budget-friendly city hotels — Hilton Honors offers plenty of ways to redeem your points. While the program doesn't use a fixed award chart, it does provide helpful tools and unique benefits to stretch your points even further. Use points for free stays Redeeming Hilton Honors points for hotel nights is the most popular and often the most valuable use of your rewards. While Hilton no longer publishes a standard award chart, typical redemption rates range from 5,000 to 150,000 points per night, depending on the property and demand. The Points Explorer tool lets you search for hotels by location and estimate how many points you'll need for an upcoming trip. And thanks to Hilton's no blackout dates policy, if a standard room is available with cash, it should be available with points, too. Pro tip: Hilton Honors elite members (Silver status or higher) get every fifth night free when booking standard rooms with points. That's a huge value boost, especially on longer award stays. You can earn Silver status instantly with the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates & fees). To get the best return, aim to use points at properties where nightly cash rates are high. That's where your Hilton points stretch the furthest. Use Points & Money to book stays Don't have enough points for a full award stay? No problem. With Hilton's Points & Money option, you can pay for your room with a mix of cash and points. This flexible redemption style makes Hilton stays more accessible, even at high-end properties. Just keep in mind: pricing is dynamic, so the value you get from Points & Money can vary. Always compare the cost of booking with a combination of points and cash versus booking a night purely with points or money. Sometimes it's smarter to use points for one night and pay cash for another. Redeem points for Hilton Honors Experiences Hilton Honors lets you trade points for unforgettable experiences through the Hilton Honors Experiences platform. Whether you're bidding on VIP concert access, exclusive sports packages or fine dining events, this is where points go beyond the hotel room. Past examples have included: 25,000 points for a six-course dinner at the Conrad Centennial Singapore VIP NHL packages with the Dallas Stars Luxury spa treatments, like a signature oil massage at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa If you're looking to splurge or make your next trip extra special, this is a fantastic way to use your points creatively. Shop on Amazon with Hilton points Hilton also allows you to redeem points for purchases on Amazon. However, this option offers poor value — just $1 per 500 points, or 0.2 cents per point. Unless you're absolutely swimming in points or need to make a purchase urgently, this isn't the best use of your rewards. Transfer Hilton points to airline miles Hilton partners with more than 40 airline programs, so you can convert Hilton points into airline miles. While the exact transfer rates vary (and are generally not favorable), it's a useful option if you're just a few miles short of a flight award. That said, transferring Hilton points to airlines should be reserved for specific scenarios, like topping off an airline account, rather than a go-to redemption strategy. Hilton Honors offers three elite status tiers — Silver, Gold and Diamond — each unlocking valuable perks that make for better stays. Earning elite status with Hilton is surprisingly easy, especially if you hold a Hilton-branded credit card. Here's a closer look at each tier, what it takes to qualify and the benefits: Hilton Honors Silver status (10 nights, 4 stays or 25,000 base points) You can earn Hilton Silver status pretty quickly — either completing 10 nights, four stays or 25,000 base points. Alternatively, you can take a shortcut and get instant Silver status for holding the Hilton Honors American Express Card. The card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees (see rates & fees), so you can use it anywhere in the world without a penalty. Once you've achieved Silver status, you can look forward to the following benefits: 20% bonus points Free bottled water Fifth night free on award stays Elite rollover nights Hilton Honors Gold status (40 nights, 20 stays or 75,000 base points) Hilton Gold status is arguably the most generous mid-tier hotel status out there. Members qualify for free breakfast at Hilton hotels, room upgrades and more. It takes 40 nights, 20 stays or 75,000 base points to earn Hilton Gold. Or, you can fast-track your way to Hilton Gold with a co-branded credit card. The Hilton Honors Amex Surpass and Hilton Honors Business Card both offer instant Gold status, and you can spend your way to top-tier Diamond status after spending $40,000 on the respective card in a calendar year. Additionally, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers complimentary Gold status to card holders (enrollment required). Hilton Gold status offers the following benefits: 80% bonus points Daily food and beverage credit at US hotels or breakfast outside of the US Space-available room upgrades Milestone bonuses: Earn 10,000 bonus points for every ten nights after you've completed 30 nights per calendar year Hilton Honors Diamond status (60 nights, 30 stays or 120,000 base points) Hilton Honors offers top-tier status not only to those who complete the required stay amount but also to certain credit card holders with no additional spending required. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with automatic Diamond status for as long as you have the card. Here are the benefits you can expect with Diamond status: 100% bonus points Executive lounge access Space-available room upgrades, up to a one-bedroom suite 48-hour room guarantee One-time Diamond status extension Gift Gold status after you reach 60 nights; Gift Diamond status after hitting 100 nights Hilton Honors are worth about 0.6 cents each, according to frequent flyer website The Points Guy. Of course, the real value you'll get from Honors points depends on how you use them. While the 0.6-cent rate is a baseline you should aim for when redeeming your Hilton points, they are ultimately there to save you money. If redeeming your points for less than 0.6 cents means you get to book a hotel and save some much-needed cash, then go for it. Ultimately, the Hilton Honors program is a great hotel loyalty scheme for frequent travelers and novices alike. It offers travelers many easy ways to earn Honors points quickly and redemption options around the world. Plus, with easy ways to earn elite status and a number of benefits you can get from it, the Honors program is worth looking into. The following FAQs have been answered by credit card expert and CNN Underscored travel editor Kyle Olsen. How many points do you need with Hilton Honors for a free night? How many points do you need with Hilton Honors for a free night? Hilton Honors uses dynamic pricing, so the number of points needed for a free night varies by hotel, room type and travel dates. Standard room redemptions range from 5,000 to 150,000 points per night. Premium rooms cost more and have no fixed maximum. You can check exact pricing using the Hilton Points Explorer or by searching on Hilton's website. If you have at least Silver status, you'll get every fifth night free on standard room award stays. How do you get the most out of Hilton Honors points? How do you get the most out of Hilton Honors points? For the best value, use Hilton Honors points on standard room redemptions — especially during peak travel — and take advantage of the fifth-night-free perk for Silver members and above. Aim for at least 0.6 cents per point and avoid lower-value redemptions like premium rooms or shopping. Hilton credit cards and promotions can help you earn more points and elite status faster. How do you get Hilton Diamond status for free? How do you get Hilton Diamond status for free? The easiest way to get Hilton Diamond status is by holding the Hilton Honors Amex Aspire Card, which grants it automatically. Alternatively, you might be able to complete 14 paid nights in 90 days through Hilton's status match challenge. Both options skip the usual 60-night or 120,000-point requirement. At CNN Underscored, we're all about getting you the most value from your credit cards. As a Hilton cardholder and Diamond member since 2020, Kyle Olsen is a seasoned travel editor with deep knowledge of loyalty programs and credit card rewards, and he's dedicated to helping readers find the best value. Click here for rates & fees of the Hilton Honors American Express here for rates & fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass here for rates & fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire here for rates & fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklahoma's oldest hotels can be found across the state. See our list of historic lodging
While there aren't many structures in Oklahoma dating back to statehood, visitors to the state can get a taste of architectural history by staying at one of Oklahoma's historic hotels. Many of the hotels on this list were opened in formerly vacant office buildings built during Oklahoma's oil boom heyday, while others faced struggles for decades to remain in the hospitality business before finding their niche with new owners. While not an exhaustive list, here are some of Oklahoma's oldest and most historic hotels. The Skirvin is considered Oklahoma City's oldest hotel, opened in 1911 by oilman W.B. Skirvin. The hotel closed in 1988 as the oil bust devastated the state. Former Mayor Kirk Humphreys led an effort a decade later to have the city buy the landmark and team up with Milwaukee-based Marcus Hotels and Resorts to do a top-to-bottom renovation while also preserving its historic architecture. The hotel then reopened in February 2007 with Marcus Hotels and Resorts managing it until its most recent sale in 2022. Now, the Hilton-branded hotel is owned by an investment group that includes Sovereign Properties Holdco LLC., a business entity of the Chickasaw Nation, and other local investors. Originally opened in 1963, the Classen Inn was remodeled and reopened in 2020 as an homage to mid-century "futuristic" architecture. The Oklahoma City motel also has a Superette combined with the front desk that offers an extensive array of beers, wines and snacks, as well as a visiting lounge. The Mayo Hotel first opened in 1925 and catered to Tulsa's burgeoning oil industry. Just one year after earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, it closed its doors and fell into disrepair. The Mayo sat vacant for the next three decades until a local family purchased it for $250,000 in 2001. A $42 million restoration was completed in 2009, and The Mayo Hotel reopened with 102 guest rooms, 76 private residences and an event space. Talihina's Commercial Hotel opened in 1906. Fires and ownership changes led to several reopenings over the years, and the two-story brick structure was eventually remodeled in 2004. It's now open as the Hootie Creek Guest House with 10 rooms, an outdoor pavilion and second-story deck. The Bradford House was completed in 2012 as a private residence with guest accommodations for affluent Oklahoma City visitors. Over the next few decades, it was host to celebrity guests who passed through the city. It was restored in 2015 and reopened as a boutique hotel. In 2024, it became the first in Oklahoma to be honored and featured in the prestigious Michelin Guide. Built in 1927, the Campbell Building in Tulsa once housed the Casa Loma Hotel. Each room represents an eclectic mix of 1960s Americana and oddities. It's been described as kitschy, colorful and fun. It was renovated and reopened in 2011. The Campbell Hotel is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and allows guests to stay in themed rooms honoring Patti Page, Leon Russell, Historic Route 66 and Tulsa's oil industry. The building that's home to the Ambassador Tulsa Hotel first opened as a combined apartment building and hotel that catered to oil barons and affluent families. Coury Hospitality renovated and reopened it the company's first Ambassador concept in 1999. Construction began on the Osler Building in 1928, and the top floor was finished in 1946. Originally housing medical offices, the building reopened as The Ambassador Hotel after Coury Hospitality purchased it in 2012. Oklahoma City's historic First National Center building was constructed in 1931. After decades as an office building and commercial space, it was converted to include a 146-room hotel in 2022. The opening of the hotel marked the first time the building was fully occupied in more than 30 years after its anchor, First National Bank, closed during the 1980s oil bust. The Tulsa Club Building opened in 1927 as one of the city's premier social gathering spots. It eventually closed in 1994 and sat vacant for the next two decades. However, the 11-story building reopened in 2019 as a boutique hotel affiliated with Hilton. The Colcord building was constructed 1910. It was reopened as a hotel in 2006 and went through several owners before being purchased the renovated in 2021. The Downtown Motel in Woodward is reminiscent of roadside stops that popped up across the United States during the mid-century interstate tourism boom. Built in 1968, the building has been a resting spot for travelers and workers who have passed through or stayed to visit the area. Located in Guthrie, Dominion Gardens and Hotel sits in what was once the Masonic Children's Home – one of the largest children's facilities in Oklahoma at the time. It was built in 1923 but has been renovated into an event space and small boutique hotel. Contributing: Steve Lackmeyer, The Oklahoman This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's oldest hotels, motels and inns where you can stay overnight
African Manager
12-02-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia gains momentum with major tourism projects
Mohamed Mehdi Haloui, Director of Investments at the National Tourism Office, highlighted the revitalization of Tunisia as a tourist destination, particularly emphasizing the growing interest from foreign investors. He noted that several international brands have expressed interest in expanding their presence in the country, either by opening new hotel units or enhancing existing operations through expansion projects. In an interview with African Manager on Tuesday, February 11, Haloui confirmed that the current period is marked by the completion of numerous tourism projects, with a total value of nearly 120 million dinars. He also revealed that the Ministry of Tourism is reviewing several legislative texts and laws to further stimulate investment in the tourism sector. Haloui stated that the sector has seen an improvement in investment activity over the past year, both in terms of investment intentions and actual investments. He detailed that total investment intentions reached 936.038 million dinars, while the value of realized investments was estimated at around 172 million dinars, with approximately 156 million dinars allocated to completing tourism accommodation projects. 'Investment intentions in 2024 showed growth compared to 2023, when they stood at around 870 million dinars,' he added. Major tourism projects soon to launch in Tunisia Haloui announced that the tourism sector will be bolstered by the launch of several significant projects, including a new Hilton-branded hotel in Tunis. 'In the South, work is nearing completion on two new units. We also hope that the Tamerza Palace Hotel will reopen this year, following the completion of all procedures by the project review committee. Additionally, work on the Forest Hotel in Jendouba has reached advanced stages, and it will reopen to the public in the coming weeks,' he said. He also assured that numerous tourism establishments in Sousse and Hammamet are set to open soon. Haloui announced that a Libyan investor has decided the fate of the iconic inverted pyramid hotel (Hôtel du Lac) in Tunis after holding a series of meetings with the Tunis Municipality and the National Heritage Institute. He confirmed that it has been decided to preserve the hotel's architectural structure, effectively abandoning the previously proposed demolition plans. Tourism revenues rise by 6.3% Cumulative tourism revenues increased by 6.3%, reaching 6.6 billion dinars as of November 20, 2024, according to monetary and financial indicators published by the Central Bank of Tunisia. Remittance revenues also saw a positive increase of 2.7%, reaching 7 billion dinars compared to 6.8 billion dinars the previous year. External debt servicing rose by nearly 24%, exceeding 13 billion dinars as of November 20, 2024. Net foreign exchange reserves remained stable at 24.8 billion dinars, equivalent to 112 days of imports. Factors behind the growth The observed growth is attributed to several factors. The return of political stability, combined with an aggressive international tourism promotion campaign, has clearly paid off. Tourists, drawn by Tunisia's cultural and natural riches, have responded in increasing numbers. While sector professionals welcome these encouraging results, they remain cautious about the future. Challenges persist, including heightened competition from rival tourist destinations and global economic uncertainty. Nevertheless, medium-term prospects appear favorable.
African Manager
12-02-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Halaoui: MAMA Shelter to build major tourist complex and Libyan investor has decided fate of Hôtel du Lac
Mohamed Mehdi Haloui, Director of Investments at the National Tourist Office, stated that Tunisia's tourism sector has experienced a strong recovery, particularly in terms of foreign investor interest. He noted that numerous international brands have shown interest in the country, either by opening new hotel units or expanding their presence through development projects. Interview Excerpts: What were the investment indicators in the tourism sector in 2024? The tourism sector in Tunisia saw an improvement in investments over the past year, both in terms of overall investment intentions and realized investments. Total investment intentions reached 936.038 million dinars, while the value of realized investments is estimated at around 172 million dinars, with approximately 156 million dinars allocated to completing tourism accommodation projects. I would also like to emphasize that the current period is characterized by the ongoing completion of numerous tourism projects, with a total value of nearly 120 million dinars. Which key hotel units will strengthen the tourism network in 2025? Investment intentions in 2024 showed growth, compared to 2023 when intentions stood at around 870 million dinars. The tourism sector will be bolstered by the creation of several projects, the most significant of which is a new Hilton-branded hotel in Tunis. In the South, work is nearing completion on two new units. We also hope that the Tamerza Palace Hotel will reopen this year, following the completion of all procedures by the project review committee. Additionally, work on the Forest Hotel in Jendouba has reached an advanced stage and will reopen to the public in the coming weeks. Several tourism establishments in Sousse and Hammamet are also set to open soon. Moreover, the global brand MAMA Shelter has expressed interest in Tunisia and included it in its plans for major tourism projects. The brand is expected to complete a tourist complex on the Berges du Lac. Many other prestigious international tourism brands have shown interest in Tunisia and expanded their operations in the country. Given the growth of alternative tourism and increasing demand, where does the revision of laws stand to accelerate investment? The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with sector professionals, is currently revising several laws and legislative texts to facilitate and advance the investment process at various levels. The department is developing a set of conditions aimed at simplifying the creation of rural and family residences, as well as tourist camps. Committees have also been tasked with reviewing texts related to the construction and management of tourism establishments. Furthermore, the law on travel agencies is under revision. There is a broad scope for legislative revision as part of government measures to streamline investment procedures. What has been decided regarding the fate of the Inverted Pyramid Hotel (Hôtel du Lac)? A Libyan investor has decided the fate of the Inverted Pyramid Hotel in Tunis after holding a series of meetings with the Tunis Municipality and the National Heritage Institute. It has been decided to preserve the hotel's architectural structure, and the previously proposed idea of demolition has been abandoned.
