Hilton Honors Points Pool: Guide to Sharing and Combining Points

In 2017, Hilton Hotels & Resorts introduced a significant update to its Hilton Honors loyalty program, including a new feature called Points Pool. This guide will provide a detailed overview of the Points Pool, its uses, requirements, and frequently asked questions.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Points Pool?
2. Uses of the Points Pool
3. Requirements for Using the Points Pool
4. How to Use the Points Pool
5. Risks of Using the Points Pool
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
7. Points Pool Terms and Conditions

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1. What is the Points Pool?

The Points Pool, also known as Points Sharing, is a benefit for Hilton Honors members. It allows members to combine their points with up to 10 other members to book stays. For example, if a group of friends is traveling together but each person doesn’t have enough points to cover the entire stay, they can now pool their points into one account for more redemption options.

Before the Points Pool, transferring points between different Hilton Honors members incurred a fee. Now, it’s free, and up to 11 members (the initiator and 10 others) can transfer points.

The traditional one-to-one point transfer feature is still available, but it is limited to individual transfers.

2. Uses of the Points Pool

• Gift Points to Friends and Family: You can gift your points to friends and family, allowing them to redeem free stays.
• Purchase and Combine Points for High-Value Redemptions: Sometimes, you may need to purchase points to redeem expensive hotels, like the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. However, the annual limit for purchasing points through the official website is 160,000 points per account. In such cases, you can register multiple accounts with your friends’ or family’s information, purchase points separately, and then combine them using the Points Pool.

3. Requirements for Using the Points Pool

• Minimum and Maximum Transfer Limits: Members can transfer a minimum of 1,000 points and a maximum of 500,000 points in a calendar year. The maximum number of points a member can receive in a calendar year is 2,000,000.
• Account Balance Requirement: The account must have at least 1,000 points.
• Transfer Time: Points transferred via the Points Pool will be credited within 24 hours.
• Annual Limit on Transfers: Each account can use the Points Pool feature up to 6 times per year.
• Membership Duration: Both the initiator and the invited members must be Hilton Honors members for at least 90 days or 30 days with one stay record to use the Points Pool.

4. How to Use the Points Pool

Using the Points Pool is straightforward:

1. Log in to your Hilton Honors account on the Hilton website.
2. Go to “MY POINTS” → “More Ways to Use Points” → “Pool Points”.
3. Create your Points Pool and invite friends and family by entering their account names and email addresses.
4. Once the invitation is sent, both the initiator and the invited members will receive email notifications. The invited members can join the pool by clicking the “pool your points” button in the email.

5. Risks of Using the Points Pool

While the Points Pool itself is risk-free, there are risks associated with buying points from unofficial sources. Hilton strictly prohibits the private sale of points. Some members have been banned for purchasing points from unauthorized sources, which could include stolen or fraudulently obtained points. If Hilton detects such activity, they may cancel the transaction and suspend the accounts involved.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Points Pool? 

• The Points Pool allows Hilton Honors members to combine their points with up to 10 other members to book stays. For example, a group of friends can pool their points to pay for a single stay.
• Is there a fee to join the Points Pool?
  • No, joining the Points Pool is free.
• How many people can combine points in a Points Pool?
  • Up to 11 members (the initiator and 10 others) can combine points.
• Do I need to create a new “Points Pool” account?
  • No, you do not need to create a new account. You can use your existing Hilton Honors account.
• How many Points Pools can I participate in?
  • There is no specific limit, but you can only initiate or join up to 6 Points Pools per year.
• Can combined points be used for non-room rewards, such as shopping or experiences?
  • Yes, combined points can be used for any Hilton Honors redemption, including room bookings, shopping, and experiences.
• Can combined points be used with cash?
  • Yes, combined points can be used with cash for partial payments.
• What are the minimum and maximum points that can be combined?
  • The minimum is 1,000 points, and the maximum is 500,000 points per transfer.
• Are there any specific eligibility requirements to combine points?
  • Both the sender and receiver must have been Hilton Honors members for at least 90 days or 30 days with one stay record.
• When can I use the Points Pool?
  • You can use the Points Pool at any time, provided you meet the membership duration and balance requirements.
• When will the points be available in the recipient’s account?
  • Points transferred via the Points Pool will be credited within 24 hours.
• If a group of members wants to combine points, where and how should I set up the Points Pool?
  • Log in to your Hilton Honors account, go to “MY POINTS” → “More Ways to Use Points” → “Pool Points”, and follow the instructions to create and invite members.
• Where do I transfer my points to the Points Pool initiator?
  • After receiving the invitation, log in to your Hilton Honors account and follow the instructions in the email to transfer your points.
• What is the difference between the Points Pool and point transfers?
  • The Points Pool allows up to 11 members to combine points, while point transfers are one-to-one and incur a fee.
• What if my friend cancels the trip after combining points? How can I get my points back?
  • If the trip is canceled, the points will remain in the combined account. You can discuss with your friend to return the points or use them for another purpose.

7. Points Pool Terms and Conditions

• Transfer Limits: Members can transfer a minimum of 1,000 points and a maximum of 500,000 points in a calendar year. The maximum number of points a member can receive in a calendar year is 2,000,000.
• Annual Transfer Limit: Each member can use the Points Pool feature up to 6 times per year.
• Membership Duration: New members can share, transfer, or accept points 30 days after registration if there is account activity. After 90 days, new members can do so regardless of account activity.
• Prohibited Activities: Selling or trading Hilton Honors points outside of official channels is strictly prohibited. Hilton Honors reserves the right to cancel and confiscate points and membership for any misuse.