Bits: InterContinental at the O2, Marriott Rewards at Protea Hotels, Madonna with Hilton

News in brief:

Bookings open for the new InterContinental London The O2

The new InterContinental London The O2 is now taking bookings from 19th December.

This is a slightly risky hotel project but the owners have had the sense to include what they are calling ‘one of the largest column-free ballrooms in Europe’.  This should guarantee them the conference and exhibition business that will keep the 453 bedrooms full.

With five food and beverage outlets, including a panoramic ‘sky bar’, and what looks like an impressive – albeit small – swimming pool (does any other IHG hotel in London have a pool except for Holiday Inn Wembley?), it certainly has a lot to offer without the guest needing to leave the building.

Surprisingly, it is not offering any opening deals for redemptions as you often see with new IHG hotels.  From Day 1, it will cost 50,000 points per night.  This is a pretty bad deal given that the cash cost is under £150 from what I can see.

I am hoping to check the hotel out with a Head for Points review early in the New Year.  You can find out more at the dedicated website here.

Marriott Rewards now available across Protea Hotels in Africa

Two years after buying the chain, Marriott Rewards has fully integrated the 100 Protea Hotels and African Pride Hotels in South Africa that it acquired.  You can now earn and redeem Marriott points, and receive your Marriott Rewards status benefits, across the Protea chain.

See Madonna with Hilton HHonors points

Finally, Hilton @Play still has some tickets left to see Madonna in Birmingham on 16th December and in Glasgow on 20th December.

The cost is 75,000 Hilton HHonors points for two ‘premium’ tickets.  It is not a giveaway at that price but, if you have Hilton points you are struggling to use, it would make a pleasant change.  The Hilton @Play site is here.

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (December 2021)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Did you know that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards are a great way of earning Hilton Honors points? Two Virgin Points can be converted into three Hilton Honors points. The Virgin Atlantic cards are the only Visa or Mastercard products in the UK which can indirectly earn Hilton Honors points. You can apply here.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with American Express Gold (20,000 bonus points), the American Express Rewards Credit Card (5,000 bonus points) and – for small business owners – American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus points) and Business Platinum (40,000 bonus points).

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)