Hilton HHonors and American Express Create Fast Path to Free Vacations with Double Points and Double Miles Promotion

Business Wire, Dec 23, 1998

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 23, 1998--Hilton HHonors(R) is giving business travelers a head start toward free travel in the new year with a double Double Dip(R) promotion that offers members double points and double miles for the same stay.

Between Jan. 4 and March 31, 1999, HHonors members who charge business rate stays at U.S. Hilton hotels with the American Express(R) Card -- or Hilton Optima(R) Card -- and request both points and miles with a participating airline will receive twice the usual earnings. The same double earnings are available at Hilton and Conrad International hotels abroad with any valid form of payment.

"While most other hotel companies insist on making frequent travelers choose between earning points and miles, Hilton continues to offer both -- a Double Dip -- for the same business stay," said Jeffrey Diskin, president and chief operating officer of Hilton HHonors Worldwide.

"Frequent travelers want free vacations -- fast. By doubling our already generous Double Dip benefit, Hilton HHonors members can earn rewards in half the time."

During the promotion period, HHonors members can earn 1,000 miles instead of the usual 500 miles with eight participating airline partners, including: Alaska Airlines, America West Airlines(R), Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Northwest Airlines, TWA(R) and United Airlines.

To double Double Dip during the promotion, members simply charge a business rate stay with their American Express Card or Hilton Optima Card and request HHonors points and airline miles with the participating airline of their choice at check-in.

Hilton guests who are not yet HHonors members also can take advantage of the promotion by enrolling in Hilton HHonors at check-in, online at www.hilton.com or by calling 800/HILTONS in the United States or Canada. To apply for the American Express Card, call 800/THE-CARD or visit www.americanexpress.com.

HHonors points are redeemable for valuable rewards ranging from merchandise to free hotel nights and dream travel packages, such as a European Castle Tour or a Red Sea diving excursion.

About the HHonors Program

Hilton HHonors is a guest reward program that gives frequent travelers a faster way to earn the travel rewards they want most. Enrolled members can earn HHonors points in addition to airline miles for every qualifying stay at more than 400 participating Hilton and Conrad International hotels around the world.

HHonors is one of the only hotel programs that allows all of its members to simultaneously accumulate both airline miles and hotel points with each qualifying stay -- a benefit called Double Dip earnings.

In addition, Hilton HHonors is the only hotel program that allows its members to exchange airline miles for hotel points and points for miles with selected airlines, through a unique benefit called the HHonors Reward Exchange.

Membership in Hilton HHonors is free. Visitors to Hilton's Internet site at www.hilton.com can complete an online enrollment form by clicking HHonors on the home page. To enroll instantly in the program or to make reservations, consumers in the United States and Canada also may call 800/HILTONS.

Outside the United States and Canada, travelers may call Hilton Reservations Worldwide in their area. Travelers also may pick up an enrollment form with a temporary membership card at any participating Hilton or Conrad International hotel worldwide.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For copies of this and other Hilton news online, visit www.hilton.com and select "Press Room" from the pulldown menu.