By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-05 20:03:26 | Updated at 2025-01-07 10:16:24
1 day ago
Hilton Hotel's rewards program has come under fire.
Gary Leff, of View From The Wing, criticized Hilton Honors as 'a low-value program,' explaining that points are typically worth just 0.4 cents each.
He also noted that while Hilton hands out large numbers of points to guests, the cost to redeem them - even for mid-tier properties - can be 'stratospheric'.
Hilton's competitors often provide better returns on points earned per stay, he said.
Leff argues that Hilton gets away with this weak offering by having promotions that 'keep you on the treadmill.'
Hilton Honors customers have vented their frustrations on Reddit too, with one saying: 'I feel like its a joke. What am I really getting, a couple of extra points when I stay that are almost worthless.'
Even elite members face frustrations.
According to Leff, Hilton Honors' top-tier Diamond status doesn't guarantee suite upgrades, even when they're available - a key perk offered by many rival loyalty programs.
A travel experts has warned consumers about the downsides of the Hilton Honors program
They are also not guaranteed late check-out or even breakfast, just a food and beverage credit that may not be enough to fully cover cost.
The one upside to Hilton Honors, Leff argues, is that the points can be redeemed against stays at Small Luxury Hotels, a grouping of individual and boutique luxury hotels all over the world.
Most SLH member hotels will accept Hilton's membership points under a partnership between the two groups.
Hilton free night certificates can be redeemed at these hotels and all Hilton elite members get their 5th night free on redemptions, according to View From The Wing.
Additionally, gold and diamond members receive complimentary breakfast at SLH properties.
Points programs are increasingly popular among consumers, whether its airline miles or credit card rewards.
Americans can now earn rewards points when they buy a home, as we reported last month.
However, the constant drive to achieve more points its actually pushing more individuals into debt.
Experts have warned those with credit card balances to prioritize clearing debts - since the cost of high interest fees on card balances far outweigh the value of any rewards.
Hilton Hotel's points program has been deemed 'low-value' by one travel expert
Trying to earn cash back and airline miles while also paying high interest on credit card debt is like 'running on a backward-moving treadmill,' according to Bankrate, which carried out the survey.
Rewards programs, and credit cards linked to them, are wildly popular among Americans.
Any changes that take away perks or offer worse value or make it harder to claim status face backlash from customers.
Last June, American Airlines backtracked on a controversial decision which would have made it much harder to collect air miles.
The airline had planned to limit which tickets purchased through a third parties - such as travel agents or online booking sites - were eligible to earn AAdvantage miles and loyalty points.
Such a move would have blocked flyers from earning points when booked with many third-party travel sites, which can be cheaper.
In September 2023, Delta Air Lines was also forced to make a U-turn on a controversial decision to clamp down on its reward program and access to airport lounges last year.
The carrier sparked a major backlash earlier that when it announced plans to cap the number of entries to its lounges and tighten the qualifying criteria for customers to earn frequent flyer status.
CEO Ed Bastian admitted the airline 'went too far' with the proposed changes.
But even the watered down changes - which are due to come into effect on February 1 this year - upset frequent fyers.
