Hilton Free Night Certificate: Your Ultimate Guide

Explore how to earn and redeem your Hilton Free Night Certificate for memorable stays at Hilton properties worldwide.

The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on Business Insider for current information.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• You can earn Hilton free night certificates with select Amex Hilton credit cards.
• You can redeem these reward night certificates for any night of the week depending on availability.
• Hilton free night reward certificates are valid at almost any Hilton hotel.

Introduction to Hilton Free Night Certificate

What Is a Hilton Free Night Certificate?

Hilton Honors and American Express offer some of the best credit cards for every type of traveler. These cards offer a suite of benefits, but perhaps the best perk is the ability to acquire a free reward night certificate each year with certain cards. Three of Hilton's credit cards — the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card— can get you these Hilton free night certificates either on your card anniversary, or by meeting a spending threshold each calendar year.

How the Free Night Certificate Works

The certificates are the same in all cases, valid at nearly every Hilton property (with a handful of exclusions). If there's a standard room available, you can book it with a Hilton free night certificate.

Hilton Co-Branded Credit Cards

Hilton Aspire Card

The easiest way to earn a Hilton free night certificate is with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire. It currently offers a bonus of 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024), and has a $550 annual fee.

You'll receive a free reward night after you open the card, and another each year on your card anniversary. The certificate is deposited automatically into your Hilton Honors account, and you can also earn a second certificate after spending $60,000 in a calendar year.

Hilton Surpass Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass doesn't come with an automatic annual certificate, but you can earn one by spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.

If the annual fee of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is too high for you, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass is a good option. It has a $150 annual fee, and it's currently offering a welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024). 

Hilton Credit Card

The Hilton Honors Amex is offering 70,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024).

That's a terrific deal for a no-annual-fee travel credit card. Unfortunately, there's no option to earn a free night award for meeting spending thresholds on this card.

Redeeming Your Hilton Free Night Certificate

When you've earned a Hilton free night certificate, you'll receive an email from Hilton Honors letting you know your award is in your Hilton account. You should also be able to see it in your Hilton Honors account dashboard, indicating its expiration date and the last four digits of the certificate number.

How to Redeem

You can't redeem the certificate online. Instead, once you've found a standard award room at the hotel you want to book, call Hilton Honors at 800-446-6677 and give them your Hilton Honors number, the last four digits of your certificate number, hotel details, and travel dates. The agent will complete your reservation over the phone, and you'll receive an email confirmation shortly thereafter.

Booking Restrictions and Tips

Be aware that Hilton free night certificates expire one year from the date of issue — that is, you must complete your stay before the expiration date. If you don't, the certificate doesn't roll over to the next year, so it's use it or lose it.

On the upside, a Hilton free night certificate covers all resort fees and taxes on your stay, so you're only responsible for incidentals.

Maximizing the Value of Your Free Night

Selecting High-Value Properties

You'll usually get the most value from your Hilton free night certificate by redeeming it at expensive properties or luxury beach resorts. Keep in mind the certificate is valid for a complimentary night in a standard room; if that's not available, you won't be able to use your certificate for pricier premium room awards.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Undoubtedly one of the best properties Hilton has to offer, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi opened to huge fanfare — and for good reason. Rooms here start at 2,500 square feet and every villa includes a pool.

The cash cost for these rooms can hover in the thousands of dollars per night, and standard rooms cost 150,000 points, so snagging a free night can represent amazing value for your free night certificate. Just don't forget to bring sunscreen. 

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

For an option a little closer to home, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is a swanky beachfront hotel that opened in late 2019.

It has the distinction of being one of only a handful of hotels in Hilton's portfolio that cost 120,000 points per night or more — nearly all other properties top out at 95,000 points for a standard room reward. 

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

A longtime favorite of reward travelers, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island features the world's first underwater restaurant. While others have since opened, Ithaa remains a bucket-list item for anyone.

Excitingly, you can redeem your certificate here for a Water Villa (normally 120,000 points per night), which features a plunge pool and steps leading into the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean.

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

The sprawling Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea is located in Maui, so you won't have to dig out your passport for this one.

With nine different pools and the beach just a few steps away, you'll never want to leave, which is good because you can use your $250 Hilton Aspire resort credit here on food, spas, activities, and even room rates. This resort normally costs 110,000 points per night for a standard room.

The Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts

There are several high-end Hilton properties in London, but the Biltmore Mayfair is the best option for its elegant luxury and unparalleled location.

A standard award redemption here is otherwise 95,000 points and cash rates can run upwards of $700 per night. 

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Laid-back California vibes mix with luxury to offer a stunning hotel located in the middle of Beverly Hills. This hotel routinely charges over $1,200 per night, but you can reserve it for 120,000 Hilton points.

After a long day of star-gazing (the cement kind, you won't find much twinkling in Los Angeles' night sky), you can settle into the rooftop pool at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills for drinks and unparalleled city views.

Combining Certificates for Longer Stays

It is possible to combine a free night certificate with points for a longer stay. However, the night booked with the certificate will not count toward Hilton's fifth-night-free benefit; you'd still need to book five nights with points for this to take effect (but you can tack on your certificate to a night before or after your points stay).

FAQs

How do I earn a Hilton Free Night Certificate?

Earn certificates through select Hilton Honors co-branded credit cards, either as an annual benefit or by meeting specific spending thresholds, and through targeted promotions.

Can the Hilton Free Night Certificate be used at any Hilton property?

Generally, yes, but there may be restrictions based on hotel category, availability, and blackout dates. Some high-demand properties may have limited availability.

How do I redeem my Hilton Free Night Certificate?

Redeem by calling Hilton Honors customer service or, in some cases, directly through your Hilton Honors account online, depending on the certificate's terms.

What happens if I don't use my certificate before it expires?

Certificates have an expiration date and typically cannot be extended. Plan ahead to ensure you take advantage of this benefit.

Can I combine my Hilton Free Night Certificate with other promotions or rewards stays?

While specific terms can vary, in many cases, you can combine your free night certificate with other paid or reward nights for a longer stay.