Hilton Honors doles out Free Night Rewards as a perk on its suite of US-issued co-branded credit cards.
What makes Hilton’s Free Night Rewards unique when compared to those offered by other hotel credit cards is that they can offer exceptional value if used strategically.
In this guide, we’ll look at 12 great redemptions with Hilton Free Night Rewards at some of the brand’s finest properties.
What Are Hilton Free Night Rewards?
Before diving in, here’s a quick recap of what Hilton Free Night Rewards are, and how to come across them in the first place.
Hilton Free Night Rewards are a perk associated with US-issued Hilton Honors co-branded cards, including the following:
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
- Hilton Honors Business Card
- Hilton Honors Card
How you earn Free Night Rewards depends on the card you have. It could be a default feature of the card (Aspire), a perk received after meeting a minimum spending requirement each year (Surpass, Aspire, Business), part of a welcome bonus (varies), or a promotional benefit (varies).
Once you’ve earned a Free Night Reward, it may be redeemed for a “Standard Room Reward” at almost all Hilton properties worldwide, except ones belonging to a list of exclusions mainly made up of Hilton Vacation Club properties.
A Standard Room Reward is usually the lowest-category room or suite available at a property. If a Standard Room Reward isn’t available, you aren’t able to use a Free Night Reward, since “Premium Room Rewards” aren’t eligible.
What’s unique about Hilton Free Night Rewards is that there aren’t restrictions as to the number of points a reward can cost. This means that you could redeem one for a Standard Room Reward that costs 5,000 points, but you could also redeem if for one that costs 150,000 points.
The best-value redemptions for Free Night Rewards tend to fall in the upper price range, since these hotels typically come at a higher cost in cash.
Of the many great hotels and resorts you can choose from around the world, we’ve listed some of the best ones we’ve found, including some we’ve experienced ourselves.
We value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents per point (USD). All of the below redemptions represent a higher value than this figure, although the exact value will depend on the cash rate at the time of booking.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Standard Room Reward cost: 150,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $2,400 (USD) per night
One of the most popular, and therefore one of the most difficult, properties to redeem Hilton Free Night Rewards is the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.
Set in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the resort offers guests spectacular overwater villas, and the opportunity to swim in perfect waters.
A trip to this part of the world certainly doesn’t come cheap, nor does a resort of this calibre. Expect cash prices to start at $2,300 (USD) per night, and usually more.
Even with redemptions, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi carries the highest points cost in the program, as a Standard Room Reward comes in at 150,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Thankfully, you can redeem a Hilton Free Night Reward at this property; however, the tricky part is finding one or more Standard Room Rewards.
If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, you’ll be rewarded for your efforts, and you can always use tools, such as Awayz, to set up availability alerts.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Standard Room Reward cost: 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $1,300 (USD) per night
A little closer to home, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal can be found on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.
Carved into the cliffside on a pristine private beach, this luxury property makes for a great use of a Free Night Reward. By all indications, the service at the hotel is amongst the best out there, and it could make for a great escape from the winter months.
Similar to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Standard Room Reward availability can be hard to come by; however, there seems to be a fair amount of last-minute availability.
Therefore, if you’re flexible with your dates and don’t mind a bit of uncertainty, you could score a great deal. Just make sure you have a backup booking elsewhere in case your plans don’t work out.
Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
Standard Room Reward cost: 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $1,050 (USD) per night
With its property spanning over 40 acres, Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort is a favourite among families venturing to Maui for a holiday.
The kid-friendly resort features a massive oasis with nine pools, all connected by a lazy river, currents, and waterslides. There are lava tubes, a Tarzan rope swing, and plenty of poolside loungers and umbrellas, too.
Of the four Hilton properties located in Maui, the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is the only one eligible for a Free Night Reward redemption.
This iconic resort is a great choice for redeeming a Free Night Reward, since cash prices can range between $850—1,900 (USD) per night. Standard Room Reward availability is plentiful, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to use up multiple Free Night Rewards on your next trip to Hawaii.
Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Standard Room Reward cost: 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $700 (USD) per night
Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts, is located in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa.
Inaugurated in July 2021, this property is surrounded by a beautiful, lush landscape of palm trees and jungle, and has three swimming pools. This includes the iconic infinity pool, but doesn’t include the private plunge pools that come with some of the suites.
Nightly cash rates start at $550 (USD), and may climb to well over $1,000 (USD) during the peak season.
The property tends to display a fair number of Standard Night Rewards, likely because it’s harder to get to Seychelles compared to other island destinations.
Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Room Reward cost: 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $850 (USD) per night
Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts, is located in Anguilla in the Eastern Caribbean.
The small British territory where the property is located boasts some of the world’s best beaches, with stunning white sand and crystal-clear waters.
The Zemi Beach House itself is situated on Shoal Bay, with plenty of beach access for guests.
When waters are calm, you can take out complimentary kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and snorkeling gear to explore the area by sea.
At Zemi Beach House, cash rates range between $700–1,200 (USD) on most nights, making it a great choice for a Hilton Free Night Reward redemption.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Standard Room Reward cost: 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $1,100 (USD) per night
The island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia provides some of the world’s most luxurious accommodations with the most scenic backdrops.
The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is no exception. Located on the hillside of the tranquil Motu To’opua, the resort provides a scenic retreat at the southernmost point of Bora Bora.
If you’re looking for some adventure, you can venture out of the resort and easily explore the neighbouring town of Vaitape. However, you may also be inclined to soak up your surroundings and bask in the resort’s splendour.
Due to its popularity as an aspirational travel destination, Free Night Reward availability can be hard to come by. However, if you find some, you won’t be disappointed in your choice.
Cash rates hover between $750–1,500 (USD) per night, which should result in great value from a Free Night Reward booking.
Susona Bodrum, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Standard Room Reward cost: 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $600 (USD) per night
Susona Bodrum, LXR Hotels & Resorts is unlike many of the other Hilton Resorts we’ve covered so far.
To start, its location in Turkey makes it a great destination for exploring ruins, including the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
You can also take a short boat ride to explore the surrounding Greek Islands, and soak in the Aegean Sea.
How much value you’ll get out of a Free Night Reward redemption at the Susona Bodrum will largely depend on the time of year you book.
It’s possible to find cash rates around $350 (USD) per night during the low season, but rates can get as high as $900 (USD) per night during the summer months.
With a Standard Room Reward usually going for 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night, you might not get the same outsized value when compared to some of the more expensive properties on this list, but you certainly wouldn’t be making a mistake either.
Conrad Tokyo
Standard Room Reward cost: 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $500 (USD) per night
Taking a break now from our list of luxury beachside resorts, the Conrad Tokyo is one of the Japanese capital’s most luxurious city hotels, with a convenient central location.
The Conrad Tokyo is within walking distance of train stations, as well as dining, shopping, and entertainment options in the neighbouring Shimbashi and Ginza districts.
What’s more, if you’re a Hilton Diamond member, you’ll have access to the newly renovated Executive Lounge, which serves breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening hors d’oeuvres, alongside complimentary drinks.
Cash prices can range from $320 (USD) to well over $1,000 (USD) per night, with Standard Room Rewards usually costing 95,000 points per night.
Opting to redeem a Free Night Reward instead of spending 95,000 Hilton Honors points can be a great deal, but if you’re able to find a cheaper cash rate, you may want to save your certificate for another stay.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Standard Room Reward cost: 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $1,100 (USD) per night
The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the second Hilton property in the Maldives on this list. It doesn’t quite have the same reputation as the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, but it’s a luxurious option nonetheless.
One of the resort’s iconic features is the famous underwater restaurant, Ithaca. The restaurant is surrounded by glass, allowing you to dine with marine life.
With a Standard Room Reward cost of 120,000 points and more award availability than the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a great choice for a Free Night Reward redemption on your next trip to paradise.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Standard Room Reward cost: 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $1,000 (USD) per night
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is the only American property we’ve included on this list, and it happens to be one of the most prestigious luxury hotels in an already prestigious and luxurious neighbourhood.
The hotel’s location serves as a perfect launch pad to explore Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and the rest of Los Angeles.
However, if you’re looking to simply relax at the hotel, this Waldorf Astoria features an impressive rooftop bar and pool, with sweeping views of the surrounding area.
With a redemption price of 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night and a cash rate ranging from $930–1,500 (USD), the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills makes for a nice Hilton Free Night Reward redemption.
Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa
Standard Room Reward cost: 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $500 (USD) per night
The Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa sits on Silhouette Island, just north of where the Mango House, LXR Hotels & Resorts is located.
Situated on a much smaller island, the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa is certainly more remote, with a lush tropical backdrop and stunning clear waters. Plus, there’s a dive centre on-site for scuba diving and snorkeling.
At 90,000 Hilton Honors points, this hotel is one of the cheapest redemptions on this list when it comes to points. Cash rates aren’t too pricey either, ranging from $350–700 (USD) per night.
However, there are certainly situations in which it makes sense to redeem your Free Night Reward on a property in the range of 90,000 points.
For example, if you only have one or two Free Night Rewards available, but you wish to enjoy a longer stay, supplementing the remaining nights with points or cash will be a more affordable option than at more expensive properties.
With a more modestly priced stay, it’s a little easier to add an extra night or two, if not more.
Conrad London St. James
Standard Room Reward cost: 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Average cash rate: $330–700 (USD) per night
The Conrad London St. James is a highly sought-after property with relatively little Standard Room Reward availability.
After all, the hotel’s location can’t be beat – it’s a short walk from Westminister Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace.
At this historic hotel, Hilton Diamond members receive access to the Executive Lounge, a relaxing space that serves breakfast, afternoon tea and treats, and evening canapés and drinks.
The Conrad London St. James could also be a great choice if you only have one Free Night Reward at your disposal, and wish to pay for the rest of the stay with cash or points, which are reasonable.
Spending time in London tends to add up quickly, so if you’re looking to stretch your budget a bit further, using a Free Night Reward will free up some space to live it up elsewhere in the city.
Conclusion
Hilton Honors treats its co-branded cardholders with Free Night Rewards, either as a default feature, upon meeting spending requirements, as a promotion, or as part of a welcome bonus.
With these certificates, you can book a free night at most of Hilton’s properties around the world without any limits, long as there’s Standard Room Reward availability.
Given their flexibility, you’d want to use your Free Night Rewards to stay at properties that’d otherwise cost a lot when booked with cash or points.
We’ve listed 12 of our favourites above; however, there are certainly many more great uses of Free Night Rewards, no matter where your travels take you.