Citi Hilton Honors Reserve card review

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The Hilton Hotels and Resorts brand is affiliated with several credit cards that allow you to earn extra points that you can use for free stays at the company’s hotels or resorts.  Among those, the Citi Hilton Honors Reserve card is unusual in its approach – rather than offer a fixed amount of points as a sign-up bonus, it awards you with two free nights at almost any Hilton property in the world, with a few exceptions. The superb flexibility that Hilton gives you in redeeming this certificate makes it far more valuable than your typical sign-up bonus.

Among other valuable perks are an upgrade to the mid-tier elite status with some fantastic benefits, and a chance to earn another free night annually. There is also the possibility of obtaining the top diamond elite status through credit card spending alone – a  rare benefit for a co-branded travel credit card.

Massive sign-up bonus

You get two free nights at any Hilton worldwide after spending $2,500 in the first four months. Since the most expensive Hilton property costs 95,000 points per night, that’s the equivalent of up to 190,000 points, which is three to five times more than the sign-up bonus normally offered by other Hilton co-branded credit cards. One caveat: You can use your bonus only on weekend nights, so you can stay on Friday and Saturday, or Saturday and Sunday.

The Citi Hilton Honors card also offers a very generous yearly bonus for loyal cardholders. You get one free weekend night each anniversary year after you spend $10,000. Again, the certificate is applicable to any Hilton property, worth up to 95,000 points.

Excellent earning scheme

The Citi Hilton Honors Reserve card has quite a good earning scheme. You get 10 points per dollar spent at Hilton properties, five points on airfare and car rentals, and three points on everything else.  Most travel credit cards, including hotel cards, offer a rate of one point per dollar of spending. The Citi Hilton Honors card offers triple this amount on general spending, meaning you can easily accumulate points in a short amount of time.

The high fee is worth it

The Citi Hilton Honors Reserve card includes a $95 annual fee with no waiver in the first year. This is quite high for a hotel card, but the value of the perks and rewards make it well worth it, especially for loyal guests of Hilton hotels. By our estimate, the sign-up bonus on its own is worth more than $800.  Also, the card’s benefits easily surpass the fee after just one or two stays if you value upgrades and a free breakfast.

Flexible rewards redemption

Hilton Honors boasts one of the most flexible redemption policies among hotel rewards programs. Hilton guarantees in its terms and conditions that it does not impose blackout dates or capacity controls on rewards rooms. If a standard room is available, you can book it with rewards points. Also, Hilton offers the ability to use points plus cash to book rewards rooms at some properties. This option may be subject to blackout dates and capacity controls, however.

Huge footprint of hotels

With 4,600 properties in 100 countries, Hilton offers one of the largest networks of hotels in the world. And since Hilton is flexible with rewards bookings, you should be able to find availability at most properties if you book far enough in advance. Basically, your rewards points should be able to take you most places you want to go.

Immediate access to elite benefits

Your card membership automatically grants you gold status in the Hilton Honors program. Hilton gold is the mid-tier status, and it’s one of the best mid-tier elite statuses among hotel loyalty programs. You get a free breakfast – which can be quite expensive and sumptuous at some properties – and a good shot at a free upgrade. In addition, you get a fifth night free on rewards stays, a 25 percent bonus on all Hilton Honors earnings and many other valuable benefits.

The card also lets you earn your way to Hilton’s top tier status simply by using the card. You can qualify for diamond elite status if you spend $40,000 a year on the card. Although this may be too high a level of spending for some cardholders, it should be within the means of many cardholders. It’s rare for a travel credit card to allow members to earn all their status points through credit card spending, especially with such a low threshold.

Why get the Citi Hilton Honors Reserve card?

• You’re looking for a card with a generous sign-up bonus.
• You’re a Hilton fan.
• You’re looking for a hotel rewards card with a large array of hotel options.
• You want to boost your points collection with an excellent earning scheme.
• You stay in hotels often enough to take advantage of the perks that come with Honors gold status.
• You spend a large enough amount on a credit card to qualify for Honors diamond elite status.

How to use the Citi Hilton Honors Reserve card:

• Meet the $2,500 spending requirement in three months to get two free nights.
• Consider redeeming the two-night bonus in conjunction with a longer stay. As an elite member, you can book a five-day stay for the price of four and add the two-day bonus at the end or the beginning of your vacation.
• Book your stay at some of the best Hilton hotels or resorts to maximize the value.
• Try to spend $10,000 a year on the card to get the annual free night certificate.
• Take advantage of the third free night benefit for your paid stay, which is part of your premier elite status.