How to earn and redeem a Hilton Free Night Reward

Looking for a way to stay at luxury Hilton hotels for less? One of the most valuable perks for Hilton Honors members is the ability to earn and redeem Hilton Free Night Rewards. Whether you’re eyeing a stay at the Waldorf Astoria, a tropical resort, or a family-friendly Hilton property, these rewards can unlock luxury without using a single point.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to earn and redeem Hilton Free Night Rewards, including which cards offer them, how the certificates work, what exclusions to watch for, and how to use them for maximum value, whether you’re planning a family getaway or a luxury escape.

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What is a Hilton Free Night Reward?

The Hilton Free Night Reward is a certificate that allows you to book one free night at almost any Hilton hotel, regardless of how many points that night would normally cost. That includes top-tier properties like the Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and resort hotels in popular destinations like Hawaii, New York City, or Europe.

Hilton Free Night Reward exclusions

Hilton free night certificate exclusions are minimal. You can redeem your certificate at nearly all Hilton properties across these brands:

• Waldorf Astoria
• Conrad
• LXR Hotels & Resorts
• Curio Collection by Hilton
• Hilton Hotels & Resorts
• DoubleTree
• Embassy Suites
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Tapestry Collection

However, your Hilton Free Night Reward cannot be used at properties that do not offer standard room award availability or do not have qualifying room types.

Here is the Hilton Free Night Exclusions list:

How to Earn Hilton Free Night Rewards

To earn a Hilton Free Night Certificate, you’ll need to apply for an eligible American Express Hilton credit card and either meet the required annual spending threshold or qualify through a welcome bonus offer. Once earned, certificates are automatically deposited into your Hilton Honors account and can typically be found under the “My Offers” or “My Promotions” section online.

Several Hilton co-branded credit cards from American Express offer Hilton Free Night Rewards, either as part of the card’s annual perks or as a reward for hitting specific spend milestones. Here’s a breakdown of which cards offer this benefit and how to maximize each one.

How to earn a Hilton Free Night Reward with the American Express Aspire Card

• With the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you receive 1 Free Night Reward automatically after account opening and every year after renewal
• Earn an additional Free Night after spending $30,000 in a calendar year
• This premium card also lets you earn another Free Night after spending $60,000 in a calendar year

This is Hilton’s premium card, and while it has a higher annual fee ($550), the value easily offsets it, especially if you travel often or prefer luxury stays. It also comes with automatic Hilton Diamond status and resort credits.

How to earn Hilton Free Night Rewards with the American Express Surpass® Card

• With the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year

This card is more affordable and still a great pick for families who use one main card for groceries, gas, and daily spending.

How to earn Hilton Free Night Rewards with the American Express Business Card

• With the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, you get a Free Night Reward after $15,000 in annual spending

Perfect if you or your partner have a side hustle or small business.

Limited-time welcome offers from American Express

Sometimes, Hilton credit cards include a Hilton Free Night Reward as part of the welcome bonus. For example: “Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors points and a Free Night Reward after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.” These offers come and go, so watch for them when considering a new card.

Hilton Free Night Reward Rules and Expiration

• Hilton Free Night Certificates expire 12 months from the date of issuance
• You must complete your stay before the expiration date
• Hilton Free Night Rewards include all applicable resort fees and taxes
• Certificates can be redeemed at almost any Hilton property worldwide

How to Redeem Hilton Free Night Rewards

1. Find a Hilton hotel with standard room award availability
2. Call Hilton Honors customer service at 1-800-446-6677 to book
3. Provide your Hilton Honors number and request to use your Free Night Reward

Currently, Hilton does not allow you to redeem these certificates online. You must call.

Where to find Hilton Free Night Certificate

Log into your Hilton Honors account and navigate to “My Offers” or “My Promotions.” Your Free Night Certificate should appear there with its expiration date.

Hilton Free Night Certificate best use

The best use of your Free Night Certificate is for luxury properties where award nights normally cost 95,000+ points or $800–$1,200 per night. For example, beachfront resorts, iconic city hotels, or holiday periods can offer exceptional value.

Hilton Rewards Free Night vs. 5th night free benefit

Hilton offers two separate ways to get free nights:

Hilton Free Night Reward (certificate-based)

This comes from Hilton credit cards like the Aspire or Surpass. It can be used for a single night and includes taxes and fees.

Hilton Rewards 5th Night Free

If you have Hilton Honors Silver status or higher, you can get the fifth night free on any standard room reward booking of five nights or more.

Meaning, if you book five nights at 80,000 points per night at a Hilton property, you’ll only pay 320,000 points instead of 400,000. This is a valuable benefit when you want to stretch your Hilton Honors points across a longer family trip.

Both benefits can be stacked if you’re strategic. For example, you could book five nights using points (and get the 5th free), then use a Free Night Reward to cover an additional night before or after.

Can you combine Hilton Free Night Rewards with points or paid nights?

Yes, Hilton allows you to combine a Free Night Reward with:

• Points redemptions
• Paid nights
• Another Free Night Reward (if you or your partner have one)

This makes it easy to extend your trip. For example, we once used a Free Night Reward for one night at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii, then booked 5 more nights with points for a longer stay.

Good to know: You cannot combine a Hilton Free Night Reward with the 5th Night Free on reward stays in a single five-night points booking. That means if you’re using a Free Night Certificate, it has to be booked as a separate reservation.

But you can still strategically stack both benefits to maximize value. For example, you could book five nights on Hilton points (and get the 5th night free), then add a sixth night using your Free Night Reward. This way, you’d only pay points for four nights, and stay for six.

Hilton Free Night Certificate value

The value of a Hilton Free Night Certificate depends on how you use it. If you redeem it at a standard Hampton Inn, it might save you $150. But if you book a peak summer weekend at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach or Conrad Bora Bora, you could save over $1,000.

We typically aim for redemptions over $600 per night to maximize value.

Where is the best place to use a Hilton Free Night?

Here are some of our top picks for family-friendly redemptions that offer exceptional value:

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach (California)

Looking for a luxury beach escape in California? You can redeem your Hilton Free Night Reward at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, one of the top Hilton properties in the U.S. for families. This resort includes exclusive beach club access, a zero-edge family pool, and family-friendly programming.

Standard room rates often exceed $800 per night in summer, while award stays typically start at 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night, if you can find availability. Using your Hilton Free Night Certificate here is one of the best ways to stretch its value, especially during peak seasons.

Hilton Waikoloa Village (Big Island, Hawaii)

A top pick for families visiting the Big Island, Hilton Waikoloa Village is massive, with a saltwater lagoon, waterslides, dolphin encounters, and even a monorail-style tram to explore the property. It’s a fun, kid-focused resort that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.

Nightly rates can easily exceed $600+ during holidays, and award nights usually start around 70,000 to 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night, depending on season and room type. Redeeming your Hilton Free Night Reward here during a school break or peak travel week can save your family hundreds.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui (French Polynesia)

One of the most aspirational ways to use a Hilton Free Night Certificate. This stunning overwater resort is known for its crystal-clear lagoon, luxurious villas, and postcard-perfect views. We have an upcoming stay here with our kids later this year, and it’s one of the best uses of a Hilton Free Night Reward Certificate, especially since cash rates often exceed $1,000 per night.

Award nights typically start at 130,000 Hilton Honors points per night, making the Free Night Certificate a valuable alternative when you don’t want to burn through a large number of points.

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal (Mexico)

Want a luxury beach vacation with your family in Mexico? The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal offers an upscale yet family-friendly experience. While it’s a splurge at over $2,000 per night during peak winter weeks, it accepts Hilton Free Night Rewards, making it a fantastic redemption.

All rooms come with private plunge pools, and the resort offers thoughtful family touches like beach toys, kid-friendly menus, and early dining options. Point redemptions typically start at 190,000 Hilton Honors points per night, so using a Hilton Free Night Certificate here can save you big.

Tips for maximizing Hilton Free Night Rewards

• Book as early as possible, especially for popular holidays and destinations
• Be flexible with dates to improve your chances of finding standard room availability
• Consider calling to check availability before transferring points or planning a trip
• Track expiration dates and set calendar reminders

Bottom Line

Using Hilton Free Night Rewards is one of the best ways to unlock high-value hotel stays at brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and Hilton’s top resorts, without redeeming Hilton Honors points. Whether you hold the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card or the Surpass® Card, these certificates can offer outsized value when used strategically.

We’ve personally earned and redeemed Hilton Free Night Rewards for luxury family stays in Hawaii, NYC, and soon Bora Bora, saving hundreds on each trip. To maximize your redemption, consider stacking your Free Night Reward with Hilton’s 5th night free on reward stays or using it at peak-priced properties where standard room rates skyrocket.

If you’re ready to take full advantage of Hilton’s most valuable perks, start by earning your first certificate, and let it take you somewhere unforgettable.