(EXPIRED) TopCashback offering 9% cashback on Hilton bookings (no exclusion for Diamond members)

Hilton has been missing from most shopping portals for several months, but it’s now back on TopCashback. Not only can you now earn 9% cashback at many of their brands, but there’s no terms excluding Diamond members from earning cashback.

The Deal

• Earn up to 9% cashback on Hilton stays booked after clicking through from TopCashback.
• Direct link to offer.

Key Terms

• Cashback is not eligible on taxes or any other charges other than the room rate of the purchase value.
• Cash back is not eligible on any special rates such as corporate rates, group rates, government rates, Hilton staff, friends and family rates, travel agents special rates, HHonors redemption bookings (Hiltons worldwide loyalty program) and promotional rates in conjunction with Hilton partners or certain corporate marketing offers.
• App purchases aren’t eligible for cash back.
• Stays over $10k will not be eligible for cash back

Quick Thoughts

Hilton used to be available through most shopping portals, although the potential earnings were always very limited. That was partly due to the low cashback rates on offer and partly because having any kind of status with Hilton usually reduced the cashback rate you could earn. In addition to that, Hilton Honors members with Diamond status were usually excluded from earning cashback entirely.

At some point many weeks or months ago, Hilton disappeared from most shopping portals. It’s now back on TopCashback, with them offering 9% cashback at the following Hilton brands:

• Hampton by Hilton
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Spark
• Tru
• Hilton Hotels & Resorts
• Doubletree
• Embassy Suites
• Home2 Suites
• Homewood Suites
• LivSmart Studios
• Hilton Grand Vacations

I imagine that list will encompass 75%+ of Hilton’s properties worldwide, with the remaining brands earning 4% cashback which, historically, is still a good cashback rate for Hilton.

What makes this deal most notable is that there are no terms excluding Diamond members from earning cashback. While I could understand why Hilton would’ve deemed Diamond members as not needing an incentive to book with them in the past, it equally always seemed like a strange decision that they’d penalize their most loyal members (well, other than those who have Diamond status courtesy of an Aspire card) by not letting them earn cashback on bookings.

There is the potential that this Diamond-members-are-excluded policy is still enforced, but that the terms simply don’t reflect that. If you have any level of status with Hilton – even if it’s “only” Silver or Gold status – I’d recommend taking a screenshot of all of the terms and conditions listed on TopCashback’s website when clicking through. That way, if they try claiming that you’re not eligible for cashback due to your status level you’ll have screenshots showing that wasn’t listed as an exclusion.

Speaking of exclusions, there is a list of ~100 properties that aren’t eligible for earning cashback. It’d still be worth clicking through from the portal nonetheless just in case your booking at one of those properties tracks and pays out.

An email from the shopping portal states that this is “Currently exclusive with TopCashback.” That makes it sound like Hilton might also return to other portals soon, so hopefully high rates such as these are available elsewhere.

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