Looking for more travel hacks and credit card perks? For our entire collection of reviews and guides, click here. Your next free hotel breakfast might just be a swipe away. Welcome to the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card review:
Love Hilton hotels? Hate foreign exchange fees? The Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card might just be your new best mate. Unlike a credit card, it’s linked directly to your bank account for real-time payments. No interest, no worries – but is it worth that £150 annual fee? Let’s dig in.
The link to apply for the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card is here:
In This Post
The Need-to-Know
Annual Fee: £150 (non-refundable). Interest Rate: None (it’s a debit card, not a credit card). Foreign Exchange Fees: 0% worldwide. Sign-Up Bonus: 10,000 Hilton Honors points (worth about £33 in hotel stays). Status Perk: Hilton Honors Gold status is valid for as long as you hold the card. No credit check is required, so it’s perfect if you don’t meet Amex or Barclaycard income requirements.
Hilton Card Showdown: Which Is Best?
Hilton Honors Standard Debit (£60 per year): Silver status, 0.5% FX fees, lower points earning rates. Hilton Honors Plus Debit (£150 per year): Gold status (worth it for the free breakfast alone), 0% FX fees worldwide, higher points earning rates. Verdict: Go for the Plus version if you want elite perks like complimentary breakfasts.
Verdict: The Plus version is the way to go if you want elite benefits.
Hilton Honors Gold Status: The Ultimate Freebie
This card gives you automatic Hilton Honors Gold status. Normally, you’d need 20 stays, 40 nights, or $7,500 in Hilton spending per year to qualify. Gold perks include free breakfast for two, an 80% bonus on base points, and room upgrades (if available). If you and a travel buddy stay at Hilton hotels for 5+ nights a year, the free breakfast alone will cover the £150 annual fee.
How It Works: Real-Time, Real Simple
This card links to your UK bank account (except for Metro Bank, Co-op Bank, and Chase). Transactions are instantly deducted, and there’s no hard credit check – just a quick identity check. The best part? Everyone who signs up gets the bonus, even if you have a Barclaycard Hilton Honors credit card or another card.
Points Earning: Maximized for Travel.
| Spend Type | Points Per £1 |
|---|---|
| UK General Spending | 1.5 Hilton Honors Points |
| Hilton Hotels in the UK | 3 Hilton Honors Points |
| Foreign Currency Spend | 3 Hilton Honors Points |
| Hilton Hotels Abroad | 4.5 Hilton Honors Points |
What’s a Hilton Honors Point Worth?
Each point is worth about 0.33p, so 10,000 points is roughly £33 in hotel stays. Transfers to Avios are terrible, and the conversion rate is 10:1, so it’s best to avoid them.
Free ATM Withdrawals Abroad
This card offers free ATM withdrawals abroad up to £500 per month. After that, there’s a 2.5% FX fee. UK ATM withdrawals aren’t supported, so stick with your regular bank card for those.
Is This a Good Card for Travel?
Yes! This is the only UK travel rewards card with 0% FX fees worldwide. Most travel cards still charge 3% FX fees on foreign transactions. Even the Virgin Atlantic cards, which offer 0% FX fees in the Eurozone, still charge 3% elsewhere. This card is perfect for frequent international travellers who want to avoid getting rinsed on fees.
Sign-Up Bonus: Not Huge, But Still a Boost
You’ll get 10,000 Hilton Honors points after spending £2,500 in foreign currency within six months. It’s worth about £33 in Hilton stays. Unlike credit cards, everyone who accepts gets a bonus, no matter what other cards you hold.
Who Should Consider This Card?
✅ Frequent Hilton guests who want complimentary breakfast and perks.
✅ People who spend a lot abroad – this is one of the few rewards cards with 0% FX fees.
✅ Those who can’t qualify for Amex or Barclaycard travel credit cards.
✅ Travellers who want a debit card instead of a credit card for travel spending.
Who Should Skip This Card?
❌ People who don’t stay at Hilton hotels – Gold status won’t mean much.
❌ If you want a massive sign-up bonus – this one’s quite modest.
❌ UK-centric spenders – you’ll likely earn more Hilton points with the Amex Gold or Platinum cards.
Is There a Faster Way to Earn Hilton Points?
| Card | Sign-Up Bonus | Points per £1 |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors Plus Debit | 10,000 Points | 1.5 – 4.5 Points |
| Amex Preferred Rewards Gold | 20,000 MR Points (40,000 Hilton) | 2 – 3 Points |
| Amex Platinum | 50,000 MR Points (100,000 Hilton) | 2 – 3 Points |
Verdict: You’ll earn Hilton points faster if you can get Amex Gold (free Year 1) or Amex Platinum. But this debit card is your best option if you can’t get a credit card.
The Final Verdict: A No-Brainer for Hilton Fans
For Hilton regulars, the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card is worth it for the Gold status alone. If you stay at Hilton properties for 5+ nights a year, the complimentary breakfast will cover the £150 fee. The 0% FX fees make it a standout travel card, especially if you don’t qualify for Amex or credit cards. Looking for a solid travel debit card with real perks? This one’s a winner.
Ready to start earning Hilton perks? Apply for the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here.
