Buy Hilton points with up to a 100% bonus — and how this can make your stay cheaper – The Points Guy

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Perhaps you’re looking to redeem Hilton Honors points for an unforgettable stay at one of the best Hilton hotels in the world or one of the best Hilton hotels on the beach.

No matter your dream getaway, a new Hilton Honors promotion could help you earn enough points for your dream redemption and even sometimes save you money over the cash rates.

Current Hilton promotion for buying points

The current Hilton Honors promotion for buying points will end July 18.

During this promotion, you’ll receive a 100% bonus when you purchase at least 5,000 points. As such, you can effectively purchase Hilton points for 0.5 cents each.

You can buy a maximum of 160,000 points during this promotion — but bonus points are on top of this maximum. This means you can buy up to 320,000 points when you factor in the 100% bonus.

Head to Hilton’s website to buy Hilton Honors points during this promotion.

Related: The best Hilton hotels in the US, from luxury to budget stays

Should you buy Hilton points during this promotion?

Typically, when Hilton sells points, they go for 1 cent each. However, this bonus allows you to snag points for just 0.5 cents apiece — below TPG’s valuation of Hilton points at 0.6 cents each. Half a cent per point is usually the lowest rate at which Hilton will sell its points.

We don’t often advise buying points without a specific redemption in mind. However, buying points can be helpful when you’re one or two nights short of booking a dream vacation. For example, if you already have 100,000 Hilton Honors points but need 250,000 points for a specific booking, utilizing this promotion to buy at least 150,000 points would let you book your vacation now.

It can also make sense to buy points and redeem them at high-cost Hilton hotels like the Conrad Bora Bora Nui and the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa. For example, cash rates at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui can easily range from $1,000 to $2,000 (or more) per night. However, if you can find rooms available for 120,000 Hilton points per night, you’ll effectively pay $600 per night if you buy the points at half a cent each.

Promotions for buying points can also be helpful at less expensive Hilton hotels. These hotels often have inflated cash prices but can be affordable when redeeming points. For example, you can stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Agra — which offers views of the Taj Mahal from its rooftop infinity pool — for 15,000 Hilton points or 13,720 Indian rupees (about $166) on this example date.

Best of all, Hilton elite members can get a fifth night free on award stays. This free fifth night can increase the value of your points if you stay for at least five nights.

Related: 8 ways to maximize Hilton Honors redemptions

Other ways to earn Hilton points

If you need to earn Hilton Honors points for an upcoming redemption, you might want to start spending more on your Hilton Honors credit card. Or, you could add a new Hilton card to your wallet. Current Hilton Honors American Express offers include:

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a free night reward after you spend $2,000 on purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card in the first three months of card membership (offer ends July 19).
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: 70,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a free night reward after you spend $1,000 on purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first three months of card membership (offer ends July 19).
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a free night reward after spending $4,000 on purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first three months of card membership (offer ends July 19).
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership.

The information for the Hilton Amex Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio. However, unless you only need to top off your account, there are usually higher-value uses for your Amex Membership Rewards points.

Related: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?

Bottom line

When buying Hilton points, Points.com processes the transaction. So, a travel rewards card won’t earn bonus points on the purchase. You’ll want to use an everyday spending card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express to maximize earnings on your points purchase.

Click here to buy Hilton points. Remember, this is a limited-time offer scheduled to end July 18.

Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen, Summer Hull, JT Genter, Darren Murph, Joseph Hostetler and Andrew Kunesh.