American Express quietly ended its 20% transfer bonus to Hilton Honors on July 14, 2026. For a limited time, Membership Rewards points transferred to Hilton received a 20% boost, offering a rare chance to stretch your Amex points further for Hilton stays.
Our Take
Mixed. While any transfer bonus is a win for flexibility, this Hilton promo was only a modest value play for most. With Amex points worth 2¢ each (by our valuation) and Hilton points at just 0.4¢, even a 20% bonus rarely made this a top-tier redemption—unless you had a specific high-value Hilton stay in mind.
What Changed
- Transfer bonus: 20% bonus when moving Amex Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors
- Standard transfer ratio: 1 Amex MR = 2 Hilton points (bonus made it 1:2.4)
- Promo period: Expired July 14, 2026 (Frequent Miler)
Who Benefited Most
- Hilton loyalists with big redemptions: Transferring 50,000 Amex MR during the promo netted 120,000 Hilton points (normally 100,000), worth ~$480 toward Hilton stays at our 0.4¢/pt valuation—an extra $80 value.
- Travelers booking luxury Hilton properties: Those eyeing high-end resorts where Hilton points can exceed 0.5¢/pt got even more value, potentially pushing the bonus to $100+ on a large transfer.
- Amex cardholders with expiring MR points: If you needed to use points quickly and had a Hilton stay planned, the bonus softened the usual value gap.
Who Should Be Cautious
- Points maximizers: Even with the bonus, transferring Amex MR to Hilton rarely beats using MR for airline partners, where you get 1.4–2¢/pt or more in value.
- Casual Hilton guests: If you only stay at Hilton occasionally, it’s better to save MR for more flexible or valuable redemptions.
- Anyone considering cash rates: Hilton’s dynamic pricing means cash rates can sometimes beat points value, even with a transfer bonus.
What To Do Right Now
- Check your transfer history: If you transferred during the promo, confirm your Hilton account reflects the correct bonus amount.
- Plan future redemptions: If you missed this round, watch for similar promos—Amex runs Hilton transfer bonuses a few times per year.
- Compare transfer options: Before future promos, always compare the cents-per-point value for Hilton vs. airline partners.
- Set alerts: Sign up for our newsletter to get notified instantly when the next Amex transfer bonus drops.
