Hilton HHonors - UK HHonors VISA Barclaycard: why so stingy?!

Looking for a Hilton credit card here in the UK, and the only option is a VISA card from Barclays. 10k sign up, but only 2pts per £!!!

Given the US cards give much more, why is the UK one so stingy? :(:confused:

Might get it just for the 10k, but not sure its worth diverting spend away from other loyalty cards.

why is the UK one so stingy? :(:confused:


Well, haven't you noticed that pretty much everything in the United States seems to be better value, cheaper and more customer focused?

The UK Government has just launched a major consultation on the credit card industry (http://www.bis.gov.uk/comments-on-credit-consultation) focusing on the many anti-consumer sharp practices. Only 2pts/ £1 is nothing compared with some of the other things credit card companies do.

It's from Barclays, who are uncompetitive when it comes to points accrual.

They also manage the IHG Priority Club Visa card, which is equally miserly but has joining bonuses of up to 25,000 points. AmEx MR offers 2x the IHG benefits. :p

Barclays had the Thomas Cook Visa card, which initially offered points worth 1% of general turnover and 2% on Thomas Cook purchases as well as 0% foreign currency loading. Too good to last. The card was 'enhanced' to half the earnings and a punitive currency loading. I cut up my card. Sad, really, as it was one card I was happy to use.

Assuming your credit record allows, best to get the HH and/or IHG cards, use them once and cut them up.

the Thomas Cook Visa card, which initially offered points worth 1% of general turnover and 2% on Thomas Cook purchases as well as 0% foreign currency loading. Too good to last. The card was 'enhanced' to half the earnings and a punitive currency loading. I cut up my card. Sad, really, as it was one card I was happy to use.

Yes, we did exactly the same.

But even better was the UA MP Beneficial card which for a long time allowed miles on (fee-free) balance transfers. Oh happy days. Gone for good, though. Now you don't even get a sign up bonus for UA MBNA Amex. How crap is that.

Looking for a Hilton credit card here in the UK, and the only option is a VISA card from Barclays. 10k sign up, but only 2pts per £!!!

Given the US cards give much more, why is the UK one so stingy? :(:confused:

Might get it just for the 10k, but not sure its worth diverting spend away from other loyalty cards.

At least you can use your card! They sent mine, I called to activate, they changed their mind about giving me one (go figure), I cut it up. Six months later, it's showing as open on my credit file because they lied to me, probably wanting to show me as a successful applicant for their conversion metrics but then not wanting my business. It's been a hassle ever since with these Barclaycard monkeys. Get the points and stay away! Oh and if you cancel the card, make sure it shows as cancelled on your credit file!

Because deep down Hilton don't give a monkey's about UK HH members, it's the US that makes the money.

Because deep down Hilton don't give a monkey's about UK HH members, it's the US that makes the money.

First, Hilton has pretty much nothing to do with it - credit card companies buy points from HH, and each credit card company decides how much they want/need to offer. Second, credit card companies are not going to give away more than they have to to attract and retain customers. US customers are more finicky and have more choices than those in UK, so credit card companies have to sweeten the pot in the US.

First, Hilton has pretty much nothing to do with it - credit card companies buy points from HH, and each credit card company decides how much they want/need to offer. Second, credit card companies are not going to give away more than they have to to attract and retain customers. US customers are more finicky and have more choices than those in UK, so credit card companies have to sweeten the pot in the US.

Very true.

I cannot answer the question for the UK, however the German HH Visa offers a similar poor earning. I believe the reason for this is easy. Germans use CC more like debit cards. We pay back each and every month. When we need credit, we get a credit with currently 5 to 8 percent anual rate from our banks. No need to feed the CC companies. I believe this is different in the US and the APR for CC is obzene. However, the CC companies do encourage the consumers to spend and spend and spend. The more the consumer spends the more money they can make on the APR. Compared what you the John Doe pays for CC debts, the few points they give is nothing. Obviously this business modell does not work in Germany and other European countries.