6 Best Luxury Hotels for Your Hilton Free Night Certificate
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Hilton is one of the world’s largest hotel chains, with more than 7,000 properties stretching across 123 countries. Along with its massive portfolio, Hilton offers a handful of different co-branded credit cards from American Express, all of which have different benefits.
Among these perks is the ability to acquire a free night certificate, which can be used at nearly any Hilton property worldwide.
Let’s look at how to earn this perk and the best places to use it.
How to get a Hilton free night certificate
Hilton free night certificates are awarded as a benefit on certain Hilton credit cards. Though even if you're lucky enough to have one, these free night certificates have a fair number of restrictions. For example, some properties are excluded (mainly Hilton's all-inclusive resorts).
Additionally, free night certificates can not be combined with Hilton’s fifth night free policy when booking award rooms.
If you want to maximize your stay, consider booking five nights on points and a single night using your free night certificate.
Best Hilton free night redemptions
1. Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort
A favorite amongst award travelers, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui is truly a bucket list experience. Although the base level room is a suite rather than a villa, it still boasts a room size of 1,000 square feet. The hotel is on its own private island, meaning you’ll need to board a boat to arrive.
If you have elite status, getting upgraded to an overwater villa is possible.
Standard room rewards for the Conrad Bora Bora can be found at 120,000 points per night, but you can redeem your free night certificate here and stay the night for free.
2. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
The Waldorf Astoria Maldives made waves when it first opened — not just because it’s the ultimate in luxury, but because it debuted a brand new reward category for Hilton hotels.
It’s the most expensive in Hilton’s portfolio and runs 150,000 points per night, but your certificate can also be used here.
In return, you’ll stay in a 3,000-square-foot overwater villa with its own infinity pool, where you can enjoy spectacular sunsets (or sunrises) each morning.
Award availability for these hotels can be hard to find. Use a free website like MaxMyPoint to easily search for an entire year’s worth of availability at once.
» Learn more: 10 Stunning Maldives Resorts to Stay on Points
3. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
The original Hilton Maldives experience is still one of the best. Although not as new as the Waldorf Astoria, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island boasts the distinction of having two room types for standard room rewards. This greatly increases availability and allows you to stay in either a beach villa or an overwater villa.
Points-wise, this would cost you 120,000 Hilton points per night. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is bookable using your free night certificate.
4. Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
If you’re looking to stay a little closer to home, the Grand Wailea Maui is a fantastic option. Its base rooms are just over 600 square feet, but sleep four adults and include a balcony.
Hawaii is also much easier to access than the Maldives or Bora Bora, especially if you fly from the West Coast. There are many flights every day that’ll get you to the Grand Wailea at a much lower cost than heading to a more remote destination.
Standard rooms here go for 110,000 points per night, but you can use your free night certificate if you’re so inclined.
» Learn more: The best Hilton hotels in Hawaii to book with points
5. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Looking for your own pool, butler and fireplace? Opened at the end of 2019, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is a statement in overabundance. Its base-level rooms book into an 850-square-foot room with ocean views, a plunge pool and a separate seating area.
This is one of the more expensive properties on this list; you’ll often find room rates exceeding $1,500 per night. You can pay 120,000 points for a night or redeem your certificate here during the weekend.
» Learn more: 6 best Hilton beach resorts
6. Waldorf Astoria Park City
The Waldorf Astoria Park City is a little less fancy than some of our other recommendations, but it’s still one of the best places to redeem your certificate — especially in the winter. For 110,000 points or a free night certificate, you’ll find yourself in a king room with a gas fireplace.
What’s most exciting about this hotel is that it’s located steps away from skiing. Although you’ll need to walk a short distance to reach the gondola to take you up the slope, it's easy to ski back down to the property.
Room rates here vary depending on when you visit. In the peak of winter, Hilton charges more than $1,000 per night to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Park City. However, during summer months, prices can drop to $400 per night.
» Learn more: 10 best ski hotels to book with points
(Top photo courtesy of Hilton)
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card