How I Redeemed Hilton Free Night Certificates for Stays in the Maldives, Bora Bora, and Beyond

Hilton Honors has long been my go-to hotel loyalty program, and for good reason. With generous status match promotions, an extensive selection of properties, and co-branded credit cards that make earning free nights a breeze, it’s hard to beat the value Hilton offers.

If you’re dreaming of staying in overwater bungalows or luxurious hotel rooms in high-priced destinations, 1 Hilton perk stands out: free night certificates. These are available on select co-branded credit cards, which we’ll talk about more below.

While I know that some folks will balk at the expensive annual fees you end up paying, I absolutely don’t mind. Why? The value I’ve gained from the free night certificates is unbeatable. Let’s dive into a few examples of my favorite redemptions over the years.

How To Earn Hilton Free Night Certificates

Hilton Honors has a handful of co-branded credit cards, including:

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Both the Hilton Aspire and Hilton Surpass cards offer opportunities to earn valuable free night certificates, which can be redeemed at nearly any hotel worldwide. These certificates typically cover the room rate, taxes, and fees categorized by Hilton as “Standard Room Awards” when searching for award rates with points.

The Hilton Aspire card includes 1 free night award annually and offers the chance to earn 2 additional certificates by spending $30,000 and $60,000 within a calendar year. You’ll pay a $550 annual fee, but the free night certificate and other valuable benefits make it worthwhile.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome Offer

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership

175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Cons

• High annual fee of $550

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Card Highlights

• Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership
• Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible travel purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Earn 3x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for other eligible purchases on your card
• Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio
• Enjoy complimentary Diamond status
• $550 annual fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Hilton Surpass card doesn’t come with a certificate just by having the card. Rather, you can earn a free night certificate after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. The Hilton Surpass card charges an $150 annual fee (rates & fees).

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Welcome Offer

Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

165,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$825

Annual Fee

$150

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
• 6x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
• 4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases

Cons

• Annual fee of $150 (rates & fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
• Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
• Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors

Best Places I’ve Redeemed a Free Night Certificate

Since I have both the Hilton Aspire card and the Hilton Surpass card in my wallet, I’m able to earn at least 1 free night certificate every year. I’m a big believer in maximizing these certificates, which means I strive to redeem them for the most expensive Hilton properties possible.

1. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

My very first visit to the Maldives was during my student days, so my budget for hotels was extremely limited. Luckily, I managed to scrape together enough Hilton Honors points and a free night certificate to stay 4 nights at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

Nowadays, a 1-night stay at the Conrad Maldives will cost $2,800 or 120,000 points per night. This makes sense since you’re staying in an overwater villa, but even now, that’s not something I can afford.

Would I go back? Most likely, yes, if I can’t find award space at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives, which brings me to my next point…

2. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

I visited the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi earlier this year and instantly became obsessed. Although the hotel costs 150,000 Hilton points per night, this hotel will otherwise cost you $2,900 in cash each night.

I used a free night certificate here to extend my stay from 5 nights (using Hilton’s fifth night free perk) to 6. Worth it? You bet, though, my wallet is still hurting from the cost of food and drink.

3. Conrad Bora Bora

The Conrad Bora Bora is the Hilton property I’ve visited the most, with 3 stays under my belt and another planned for next March. It’s my favorite spot for redeeming free night certificates for several reasons.

For one, I’m based in California, so it’s pretty accessible compared to far-flung destinations like the Maldives.

Rooms cost 120,000 points or $1,500 per night, and award availability is generous. In other words, it’s easy to book multiple rooms at the standard award rate, which makes it great for a family vacation.

4. The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton

Given some of the options above, it might seem like I only stay in beach hotels, but I do love the winter weather, too. That’s why I’ve also redeemed my free night certificate at The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton. (Although this property was once a Waldorf Astoria, it has since been rebranded.)

That doesn’t make it any more affordable, however, especially during the incredibly expensive New Year’s time period. You can expect to pay 95,000 points or around $600 for a night here. That’s well above my price range, so redeeming free night certificates for stays here has been quite useful.

Final Thoughts

I love Hilton as a brand and especially appreciate how they make luxury travel more accessible. One of my favorite perks as a cardholder is the free night certificate I get each year, which I’ve used for high-end Hilton properties worldwide.