Hilton revamps bonuses for loyalty program

Hilton is making changes to its loyalty program on April 1, increasing elite-tier perks but taking away the ability to earn airline miles on hotel stays.

Members without status will continue to earn 10 points per dollar spent (5 at Home2 Suites by Hilton and Tru by Hilton). The elite-tier bonus will increase to 20% for Silver, 80% for Gold and 100% for Diamond members.

With those bonus increases comes the elimination of other bonus programs, including Points & Miles, which goes away on April 1.

Hilton Honors members can continue to achieve status through hotel stays or hotel nights in a calendar year, continuing to hit Diamond status with 30 stays or 60 nights.

If guests achieve Gold or Diamond status through nights, they will earn lucrative bonuses, getting 10,000 bonus points on every 10th night, starting with the 40th night. On their 60th night in a calendar year, guests get an additional 30,000 bonus points.

Another bonus for hitting 60 nights: The member may gift Gold status to a travel partner. If a guest hits 100 nights, the travel partner gets Diamond status.

Also, Silver, Gold and Diamond members will be able to roll over nights earned beyond their current tier requirements to count toward their elite status the following year.

Hilton has already implemented a perk for Gold and Diamond guests, offering complimentary continental breakfast or a food and beverage credit at Waldorf Astoria hotels.