New Hilton-American Express Membership Rewards Promo!

     One of the least useful Amex Platinum benefits is a subscription to Departures, a glossy travel magazine that offers lots of Swiss watch ads, fashion ads, and articles on expensive vacation destinations, but little else of value.  Imagine my surprise when I came across some useful information while flipping through the latest issue!

     Amex is partnering with Hilton Honors for a membership rewards promotion and offering bonus MR points for Hilton stays.

1. STEP ONE:  "Register any eligible Membership Rewards Program enrolled American Express card at amexnetwork.com/hhonors by 1/31/2014."
2. STEP TWO:  "Use the same Card that you registered to make a purchase of $175 or more in a single transaction at participating hotels and resorts within the U.S. Hilton Honors portfolio between 11/1/2013 and 1/31/2014."
3. STEP THREE: "Get 4 extra points per dollar for all charges, including your room rate, up to a maximum of 10,000 points per Membership Rewards program account."

 

Offer Terms and Conditions

     I value Membership Rewards points at around 1.4cpp, so while this offer isn't incredible, it's certainly worthwhile to register if you have any upcoming holiday travel that includes a Hilton stay.  Of course, because this program is running through Amex, the bonus wouldn't affect your normal points earning with Hilton.  Too bad Hilton devalued their award chart so badly last Spring!

     The T&Cs aren't entirely clear as to whether this is a one-shot-per-card-deal or if you'll earn the bonus points for more than one stay.  The terms provide that "you may register more than one Card for this offer, but only those cards you register will be eligible for the offer."  The terms also indicate that "you must make a single purchase of $175 or more at any participating U.S. location...."  In the second paragraph the terms state that "Maximum 10,000 extra points per Program account, regardless of the total amount of purchases made in connection with the offer across all Cards that are linked to the same Program account and regardless of the number of stays."  So, at the very least, one stay per MR-linked card is eligible for the bonus.  I'd assume that includes authorized user cards.

EDIT:  Just had a thought.  This offer might combine nicely with the Tripadvisor $50 off $250 Amex Travel Sync offer.  Maybe I need to stay a US Hilton soon!

EDIT:  The list of participating properties is limited to properties in  Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Hawaii, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.