Hilton Launches App-Based Pay with Points at Checkout

Hilton said Tuesday it has become the first major hotel brand to offer a fully digital way for loyalty members to pay part of their bill with Points, rolling out the new Pay with Points feature inside the Hilton Honors App. The tool lets elite members apply Points toward eligible hotel charges during Digital Check Out, skipping the front desk altogether, according to the company.

The feature is live now at participating U.S. hotels for members holding Silver, Gold, Diamond or Diamond Reserve status, Hilton said. During Digital Check Out, those members can pull up their folio on their phone, see which Point redemption options are available, and apply Points toward the bill either while still at the property or after they've left.

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Member research drove the rollout

Hilton said the feature grew directly out of member feedback. Company research found that 70% of surveyed Hilton Honors members expressed interest in using Points for on-property purchases, and roughly half said having that option could make them more likely to book or stay with Hilton. The company frames Pay with Points as a response to demand for more flexible, self-service redemption, distinguishing it from rival programs that still require a guest to coordinate with hotel staff to redeem Points toward a bill.

"Loyalty is personal, and every Point a member earns represents a choice they made to stay with us," said Brad Anderson, vice president of the Hilton Honors Program, in the company's announcement. He said members had asked for more flexibility beyond the existing options of redeeming Points for free nights or experiences, and that Pay with Points is meant to cut down on friction during a trip by giving members direct control over how they use their balance.

Another piece of Hilton's digital stay push

Hilton positioned Pay with Points as an extension of tools it has already built into the Honors App, including Digital Check In, Digital Key and Choose Your Room. The company said the new feature runs on its own customized technology platform, which it credits with letting it roll out digital perks to members more quickly and at larger scale than before.

With Points redemption now folded into Digital Check Out, Hilton said members can manage more of their stay — from arrival to settling the bill — without stepping up to a counter. Hilton did not specify a timeline for expanding Pay with Points beyond its current U.S. hotels, so members traveling internationally or staying at non-participating properties should check the app before assuming the option will be available at checkout.