Originally Posted by
Raffles
Except .... when a 100% bonus is running, you can buy Hilton points for just under 0.4p.
Avios, in the worse case scenario, can be cashed out via Nectar for 0.8p.
You could use the Avios for supermarket shopping via Nectar, use the money you save to buy the same number of Hilton points you'd have got from the Hilton card, and you get the BA upgrade voucher on top.
But someone using their HH card for the Gold status could be getting huge value out of it - not just the points.
No-one with this card should be applying for the premium Avios card as no sign up bonus means you're paying £240 for 5k Avios and the opportunity to earn the voucher at £10k spend instead of £20k. So using your 0.4p and 0.8p values above you're getting 1 Avios per £ on the BC (0.8p) and 2 HH on the HH BC (2 x 0.4p = 0.8p). Factor in the additional points on Hilton bookings, any benefits earned from the gold status, and the fact Avios are easily earned over at Amex, to me it makes more sense to stick with the Hilton seeing as you can change your mind anytime and apply for this new Avios one, but you will NEVER be able to get that Hilton card back.