A few months ago, Hilton and YOTEL announced plans to join forces, which I’m happy to see, as I’m kind of a sucker for the YOTELAIR concept. There’s now an update, as the integration of YOTEL into the Hilton Honors portfolio has started, with most properties expected to transition by early September 2026.
We now have a full sense of what Hilton Honors members can expect when staying at YOTEL properties in terms of elite perks, points earning and redemption, etc., so let’s cover the details.
In this post:
YOTEL & Hilton enter exclusive franchise agreement
Hilton and YOTEL have launched a new, exclusive partnership. With this franchise agreement, all YOTEL properties are joining the Hilton Honors portfolio, meaning members will be able to book through Hilton channels, and to earn and redeem points.
All 23 YOTEL properties across 10 countries are expected to join Hilton Honors. With this partnership, the goal is to more than triple the portfolio in the coming years. The company is known for its highly efficient rooms in urban markets (YOTEL), but also has some in-terminal hotels (YOTELAIR), as well as extended stay properties (YOTELPAD).
In terms of the timing of YOTEL properties participating in Hilton Honors:
- As of July 15, 2026, the YOTEL Club program is winding down, and members should’ve been invited to join Hilton Honors through tailored offers based on previous stay history with YOTEL, including offers for instant and/or accelerated paths toward Hilton Honors elite status
- Also as of July 15, 2026, we’re starting to see the ability to earn and redeem Hilton Honors points at YOTEL properties
- The expectation is that most YOTEL properties will complete the transition to Hilton Honors by early September 2026
With YOTEL properties now joining the Hilton Honors portfolio, what can Hilton Honors members expect?
- Members earn 5x Hilton Honors points per dollar spent on room rate only, so incidentals don’t earn points (this is the same earnings rate as some of Hilton’s limited service brands, but it’s half of the 10x points you get at most brands); on top of that, the typical elite bonuses apply
- Hilton Honors elite members receive space available room upgrades at YOTEL properties, much like at other Hilton brands
- Hilton Honors Gold & Diamond members receive a food & beverage credit, and while the exact amount varies by property, it’s generally around $10
YOTEL rates through Hilton channels seem to be competitive with direct rates, so that’s good, as there’s not much opportunity cost to booking through Hilton. However, generally I’m finding points redemptions to not be a great deal, and to rarely even get close to my valuation of 0.5 cents per point. That’s probably not surprising, given the nature of this partnership.
YOTEL is the first brand in Hilton’s newly established Select by Hilton concept, which the company describes as follows:
Select by Hilton is designed to grow into a brand that creates new ways to stay for guests, with the trust, confidence, and perks they expect from Hilton. High-quality, established hotel brands that join Select by Hilton will retain their own identity and brand management while they connect to the award-winning Hilton Honors loyalty program and enjoy the benefits of Hilton’s superior distribution and technology platforms.
Here’s how Hilton’s Chief Development Officer, Christian Charnaux, described this:
“The addition of YOTEL to Hilton’s network is the latest example of our commitment to capital efficient growth through a relationship that is both complementary to our existing brand portfolio and offers guests thoughtfully designed, sleek new ways to stay with Hilton in key urban locations around the world. This agreement further strengthens our network effect by connecting a beloved independent brand like YOTEL into the powerful Hilton Honors network and commercial distribution system, while preserving what makes the brand unique.”
Meanwhile here’s what YOTEL’s CEO, Phil Andreopoulos, had to say:
“Hilton brings unmatched global distribution and loyalty scale to our brand and business. YOTEL’s relationship with Hilton allows us to expand our reach while staying true to who we are. What changes for YOTEL is access – not identity – in a capital-light, and scalable way.”
This seems like a logical partnership for both brands
The major hotel groups have been growing at an incredibly fast pace in recent years, with an asset-light strategy. So essentially the play is to see how giants like Hilton and Marriott can get a cut on as many “heads in beds” as possible.
We’re increasingly seeing the major hotel groups expand beyond just traditional hotel concepts, and this is the perfect example of that. We recently saw Marriott acquire the citizenM brand, and I’d say YOTEL is a competitor (at least the city locations). So while Hilton isn’t acquiring YOTEL, a long term agreement seems like a win-win, and I think this is a smart strategy on Hilton’s part.
While I’ve never stayed at a YOTEL city property, I have stayed at multiple airport properties, and I’ve consistently found them to be very good. I find these compact rooms to be so cozy, and YOTEL does a good job with functional design and comfort. So if I can earn and redeem Hilton Honors points for my next YOTEL stay, that’s something I’m happy about!
Bottom line
YOTEL is partnering with Hilton, and with that, we’ll see the roughly two dozen existing properties join the Hilton Honors program in the coming weeks. With this added exposure, YOTEL is hoping to grow massively, and more than triple its property count in the coming years.
With Marriott having recently acquired citizenM, it makes sense that Hilton would also look to partner with such a brand. Hilton Honors members can expect to earn 5x points per dollar spent at these properties (in addition to the ability to redeem points), and elite members can receive a food & beverage credit, plus space available upgrades.
What do you make of Hilton and YOTEL partnering?
So we now have the first Hilton brand with the F&B credit outside of the USA.
Let's hope Hilton will not change it at other brands, but I don't have high hopes for the future.
So how do you justify the 0.5c valuation for hilton? it seems to be 0.4 or worse at most properties.
I said it before and I'll say it again. This was yet another smart acquisition for Hilton. First, Curio. Now, Yotel. It has sure added a lot of options for Hiltons, especially in markets that you might not otherwise find a Hilton option. Big loss for Hyatt, which seems completely lost.
So we're getting the F&B credit instead of breakfast like they do in the US? Ridiculous. Also, the reduced point earning rate is not really appropriate considering how high the rates are.
Well, my decision to leave Hilton following their last program changes has apparently been right.
To me, this just illustrates Hyatt's bad strategy or lack of strategy. Hilton has acquired or partnered with Yotel and Graduate. Both brands, particularly Graduate, fill voids. Hyatt could have really benefited from Graduate. Same from when Radisson was split up. Radisson's Radisson and Radisson Blu brands could have helped Hyatt. Sure, some of those properties needed investment but they would have filled gaps in the Hyatt portfolio.
Well, we do need more airport hotels, in-terminal, and landside, especially for long-layovers, or early morning flights. Have been using DayUse a few times for various airports. More competition and options in this space are welcome. Not sure what Hilton benefits would matter, but, again, the more the merrier.
In-terminal hotels, especially full-service hotels, are only viable at hubs or very large airport with decent, non-hub routes. Yotel's concept makes it more viable at airports that couldn't support an in-terminal Hyatt Regency or in-terminal Westin.
You need a combination of late-arriving flights (after 10 pm), early flights (before 7 am), and an airport in a destination with a certain amount of canceled or interrupted flights in the winter to probably achieve the occupancy...
In-terminal hotels, especially full-service hotels, are only viable at hubs or very large airport with decent, non-hub routes. Yotel's concept makes it more viable at airports that couldn't support an in-terminal Hyatt Regency or in-terminal Westin.
You need a combination of late-arriving flights (after 10 pm), early flights (before 7 am), and an airport in a destination with a certain amount of canceled or interrupted flights in the winter to probably achieve the occupancy that you need to be profitable.
Based on my experience, Yotel could work in airports like Indianapolis, Austin, San Antonio, Spokane, Nashville, etc. The Aeromexico terminal at Mexico City would be great too. There's an in-terminal Courtyard but it's in the wrong terminal.
I guess the answer is no, but I'll try my luck. There is a Yotel in CDG I have access with, with Priority Pass. If I get in (for free with Priority Pass), can I earn HH points/elite nights?
iirc, Priority Pass only gets you access to the “lounge” part of the hotel, not actual rooms?
Never tried - but good to know!
Excellent news, thanks Lucky.
YotelAir IST is a lifesaver with the long TK layovers.
Expensive without a doubt, but always clean and quiet and super convenient.
Curious about how redemptions for the Yotels at IST will be like. Whenever I've looked at rates, they were in the 200-300€ range at the landside hotel, with the airside one charging a 70-100€ premium (in both cases closer to the upper end). Interestingly enough the only other "convenient" option at IST is the Hilton right outside the terminal (not sure if they are open yet, but they are taking reservations for October).
I too love the concept. Just stayed at the Changi location inside the Jewel. Fantastic location and they even had a “lounge” with a partial view of the fountain which was a nice area to grab some takeout and eat from there especially when every other restaurant was super crowded.
I’d love to see this concept expand especially at airport terminals. Sometimes your layovers are too short to make the time and effort to take...
I too love the concept. Just stayed at the Changi location inside the Jewel. Fantastic location and they even had a “lounge” with a partial view of the fountain which was a nice area to grab some takeout and eat from there especially when every other restaurant was super crowded.
I’d love to see this concept expand especially at airport terminals. Sometimes your layovers are too short to make the time and effort to take a shuttle to an airport hotel but long enough that you still need a shower and a proper bed for a nap.
PS: I am a sucker for the room design. If you squint hard enough laying down, it almost feels like you’re flying LePremiere lol
I stayed at the Yotel on Orchard Road in Singapore on four occasions and liked everything about the experience. Although the room was small, I had a room with a very nice view.
I also stayed at the Yotelair on my way to Bangkok and my way back when I had an overnight connection. It worked well for me because I had a later arrival on each occasion and a morning flight out. The...
I stayed at the Yotel on Orchard Road in Singapore on four occasions and liked everything about the experience. Although the room was small, I had a room with a very nice view.
I also stayed at the Yotelair on my way to Bangkok and my way back when I had an overnight connection. It worked well for me because I had a later arrival on each occasion and a morning flight out. The presence of the hotel in The Jewel made for a nice experience with the minimal amount of time.
Yotel also has a hotel in Tokyo I thought about trying, but I opted for a tried and true option that worked for me.
I have a Hilton Honors number but use Marriott and Hyatt mostly. Might try a Yotel sometime soon.
Stayed landside at IST airport for an early departure. Overpriced, to be sure, but functional and clean. I can't imagine that being part of the Hilton program will make the price more reasonable. But sometimes you just need a bed where you can walk out of the hotel and check your bags.
My one experience with YotelAir was a visit to the CDG location a year or two ago for a long layover. It was disgustingly run down with peeling fixtures and a gross vibe - we left within 10 minutes and filed a chargeback after the promised refund from the front desk never materialized.
Hope the rest are better.
I'm curious what points and night-earning will look like since (I think) the Yotel airport hotels allow you to rent a room for less than 24 hours. If I rent for 6 hours or whatever, will I get one night credit?
Possibly. Day rates at traditional chain hotels do earn credit - just search OMAAT for one of the recently published articles in that topic. I am looking to trying out Yotel in Istanbul airport - there is a dearth of close by chain hotels and Yotel (both landslide and airside) is soooo expensive without the benefit of earning or redeeming points.
Capsule hotels built directly inside airport terminals are a badly needed resource. A cozy little place where a person can rest and get a shower on a long layover, without the need for a shuttle bus or a $300 bill, would be quite popular.
And no, Minute Suites doesn't count.
I stayed at the one in Boston Harbor. The resort fee is a bit much (free coffee and a water dispenser) and the bed was weird. But it's in a great location. Right next to the Express Bus to BOS so you can make it to/from the airport in 15 minutes for a couple of bucks.
LOL. Psh, "resort" ...yeah, that's a scam.
The thing I'm most excited about for this is a basic/standard hotel in a decent part of Tokyo. Hilton Tokyo plays games with space, as I rarely see standard award space, and the location is decent, and sometimes you just know a Conrad stay at 130k a night isn't needed for a Tokyo stay when you plan to be out all the time. The other Hilton properties are in a bad location for standard Tokyo activities. hoping for 50-60k redemption.