Looking for more travel hacks and credit card perks? For our entire collection of reviews and guides, click here. Your next hotel stay could earn you free nights—so let’s ensure you’re doing it right. Welcome to the Hilton Honors Debit Card review:
In This Post
Is the Hilton Honors Debit Card Worth It? Let’s Find Out.
Do you love the idea of earning hotel perks without worrying about a credit check? The Hilton Honors Debit Card might seem like an easy win. But are Silver status and modest points earning worth that £60 annual fee? Let’s dive in.
The link to apply for the Hilton Honors Debit Card is here:
Quick Lowdown
Annual Fee: £60 (non-refundable). Interest Rate: None (it’s a debit card, not a credit card). Foreign Exchange Fees: 0.5% (better than the standard 3%). Sign-Up Bonus: 2,500 Hilton Honors points (~£8 value). Status Perk: Hilton Honors Silver as long as you hold the card. No credit check is needed, so it’s ideal if you don’t meet Amex or Barclaycard requirements.
Debit Duel: Standard vs Plus
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 complimentary breakfast alone), 0% FX fees worldwide, higher points earning rates. Verdict: The Plus version is a clear winner if you’re after elite benefits.
Hilton Honors Silver: Meh, But Better Than Nothing
With this card, you get automatic Hilton Honors Silver status, which usually requires 4 stays or 10 nights per year. Silver perks include a 20% bonus on base points, free bottled water, and a 5th night free on rewards stays. Let’s be honest: Silver status is barely worth mentioning. If you stay at Hilton hotels even a few times a year, you’re better off paying for Gold status with the Plus card.
Points Earning: Not the Best, Not the Worst.
| Spend Type | Points Per £1 |
|---|---|
| UK General Spending | 1 Hilton Honors Point |
| Hilton Hotels in the UK | 2 Hilton Honors Points |
| Foreign Currency Spend | 2 Hilton Honors Points |
| Hilton Hotels Abroad | 3 Hilton Honors Points |
Sign-Up Bonus: Modest at Best
You get 2,500 Hilton Honors points after spending £1,000 in foreign currency within six months. That’s worth around £8 in Hilton stays. It’s not going to blow your socks off, but unlike credit cards, everyone accepted gets the bonus, no matter what other cards you hold.
Is This Card Good for Travel?
Yes, if you’re still using a UK bank card with 3% FX fees—this one drops it to 0.5%. But if you want 0% FX fees, go for the Hilton Honors Plus Debit (£150) or a 0% FX fee credit card instead. And remember, UK ATM withdrawals aren’t supported, so stick to your regular bank card for those.
Foreign Spending & ATM Withdrawals
This card charges 0.5% on foreign spending, much better than most UK cards’ standard 3% fee. You also get £250 in free ATM withdrawals per month, after which it’s a 2.5% fee. It’s not a bad travel companion if you’re not racking up huge expenses abroad.
Who Should Get This Card?
✅ People who still pay 3% FX fees on their debit card.
✅ Anyone not qualifying for a travel credit card (students, retirees, etc.). ✅ Hilton guests who want some perks without committing to a higher-tier card.
Who Should Give This Card a Pass?
❌ If you stay at Hilton hotels frequently, go for Gold status instead.
❌ If you want a big sign-up bonus, this one’s a bit sad.
❌ If you’re all about maximising points earnings, an Amex or Hilton Honors Plus Debit is a better bet.
What’s a Hilton Honors Point Worth?
- ~0.33p per point.
- That’s a 0.33% return on UK spending and a 0.66% return on foreign spending.
- Transfers to Avios? Not great—10:1 conversion rate. Just don’t.
Is There a Better Way to Earn Hilton Points?
| Card | Sign-Up Bonus | Points per £1 |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors Debit (£60) | 2,500 Points | 1 – 3 Points |
| Hilton Honors Plus Debit (£150) | 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 if you can’t get a credit card, this debit card is a better-than-nothing option.
Final Thoughts: It’s Okay, But You Can Do Better
The Hilton Honors Debit Card (£60) is a basic travel debit card with modest perks. If you’re looking to cut FX fees, can’t get a credit card, and occasionally stay at Hilton hotels, it’s not a terrible choice. But if you want Gold status perks like free breakfast, spending a lot abroad, or want to earn serious Hilton points, there are better options.
Ready to earn a few Hilton perks? Apply for the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.
