I generally don’t talk a lot about the various Hilton credit cards because after devaluing their loyalty program the sign-up bonuses are just half as valuable. One card that continues to stand out is the Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card because it provides two weekend nights after spending $2,500 in the first four months. Used well, that can be worth 190,000 points at some Category 10 properties during the high season.
The Reserve Card was also, for a while, one of the few cards to offer complimentary Hilton HHonors Gold elite status as long as you were a cardholder. It still does, and now other cards do, too. This status provides a chance at an upgrade, free breakfast, and free Internet. The benefits can be pretty good even at nicer hotels like the Conrad Hong Kong. This status alone is one reason some people continue to carry the card after the first year and pay the $95 annual fee.
Million Mile Secrets‘ reader matthewD shared a link to an improved Reserve Card offer that includes a $100 statement credit if you complete one night at a Hilton property in the first three months. The other terms remain the same, including the two free nights after spending $2,500 in the first four months.
Even those who don’t frequent Hilton properties should consider this card. Hilton Gold status is one of the easiest ways to get trial Diamond status with Hyatt Gold Passport (either that or Priority Club Platinum). All Hyatt requires is that, in addition to the elite status you also need to show evidence of at least one night on a recent account statement. It could be an award night, or it could be a night that earns you a $100 statement credit on your new Hilton Reserve Card. 😉
Other benefits of the Reserve Card include an additional free weekend night each year when you spend $10,000, 10X points at Hilton properties, 5X points on airfare and car rentals, and 3X points everywhere else. However, I generally don’t recommend the Reserve Card to those who are already frequent guests at Hilton and don’t need the free status. The Hilton Surpass credit card from American Express offers a superior 12X points at Hilton properties, and in my opinion there are already many better credit cards for earning bonus points on travel and general purchases.
