The 5 Best Hilton Luxury Hotels To Book With Points for Maximum Value

Key Takeaways

• Hilton Honors points are best redeemed at luxury properties like the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Waldorf Astoria Park City, where nightly rates often exceed $1,000.
• American Express offers a variety of co-branded credit cards that earn points for those who stay at Hilton hotels.

As one of the big 3 hotel programs, Hilton Honors is impossible to ignore if you’re an award traveler.

And if you’re a Hilton loyalist who’s saved up hundreds of thousands of Hilton Honors points, you may aspire to book extraordinary resorts worthy of your months and years of careful saving and strategizing.

Fortunately, Hilton delivers. Like its fellow big 3 hotel programs, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors has luxe resorts worldwide that you can stay at for a relative steal — if you play your points right.

But wait! You want the deals, but maybe don’t know where to start because you’re new to the points world? Or maybe you’re a little daunted by the idea of sifting through Hilton Worldwide’s thousands of properties spanning the globe?

That’s why we’re here. We’ll go over how the Hilton Honors redemption system works. Then we’ll give you the skinny on the sweet spots of the Hilton Honors program in the most sought-after destinations in the world.

How We Chose the Luxury Hotels on This List

Our valuation estimates that Hilton Honors points are worth about 0.5 cents apiece. We’ll try to show you redemptions that are at least that amount in value.

The cash cost of these luxury hotels fluctuates throughout the year, so you won’t necessarily always find the same rates and redemptions we do. Since Hilton uses a variable pricing model, it pays to search around and play with different days of the week, off-peak and peak seasons, and other factors that can affect your booking — depending on your flexibility, of course.

Now, before we dive into the best Hilton hotels you can book with points, let’s take a look at Hilton’s portfolio of co-branded credit cards and some more about the program itself.

Hilton Credit Cards

Hilton, like Marriott, continues to make changes to both its credit card portfolio and its Hilton Honors loyalty program.

American Express offers a variety of Hilton co-branded credit cards that would be ideal for those who stay at Hilton. Each card is geared to a different type of traveler by focusing on earning rates and benefits to give cardmembers value.

The upside with Hilton credit cards is that several cards offer free night certificates for a standard room. This card perk alone can make up for the credit card’s annual fee, especially when you’re booking a hotel stay at any of the properties on this list.

With that said, below are the Hilton American Express credit cards we recommend:

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express 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.

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

Apply Now(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 Card

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$400

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.99%-28.99% 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

You can’t beat a comfy king-sized bed and room service. For many travelers, it’s the hotel that really makes or breaks an experience. If you’re one of those people, you’ve probably stayed at a Hilton hotel.

Whether your visits are for work or pleasure, the Hilton brand has you covered with more than 6,200 locations in 100 counties and territories.

To enjoy a host of great benefits, you may want to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 7x points per $1 on Hilton stays
• 5x points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
• 3x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Not great for those who want multiple redemption options
• Offers the least benefits of all Hilton cards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors Loyalty Program

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.

Apply Now(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 130,000 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

130,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$650

Annual Fee

$150

APR

19.99%-28.99% 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

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 130,000 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.
• Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card. That's up to $200 in statement credits annually.
• 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.
• As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you're enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• $150 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors

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 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$750

Annual Fee

$550

APR

19.99% - 28.99% 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.

---

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

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 150,000 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: 19.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business 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 option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Welcome Offer

Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.

130,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$650

Annual Fee

$195

APR

19.99% - 28.99% 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

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
• Earn 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3x points thereafter.
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status

Cons

• $195 annual fee (rates and fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
• Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
• Get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
• As a Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
• Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors loyalty program

For travelers looking to book these luxury properties, we recommend holding Hilton’s elite status. The easiest way to earn top-tier Diamond status is to hold the Hilton Aspire Card, which also comes with a free night certificate.

You can earn a free night certificate by spending $15,000 in a calendar year on the Hilton Surpass card.

For those of you looking for a deeper dive into these cards, check our Amex Hilton Honors credit card comparison article. We cover everything you need to know about each card to help you determine which Hilton credit card is right for you.

Bottom Line:

Each of these Hilton credit cards counts toward your American Express 5 credit card limit. American Express allows you to have a maximum of 5 of its credit cards at any time. Charge cards do not count towards this 5 credit card total.

Redeeming Points With Hilton Honors

Unlike the World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy award programs, the Hilton Honors program does not have an award chart. Instead, the number of points required to book a free award night is based on variable pricing. This means that you need to search for your specific dates to see the number of points required.

Another way to estimate the number of Hilton points required is to use the Points Explorer tool. Simply enter your destination in the Where do you want to go? search bar and the number of points that you have in the How many Points per night are you working with? scroll bar to see how many points you need for a hotel in that area.

Best Luxury Hilton Hotels

Without further ado, let’s look at the list of the best Hilton hotels to book with points for maximum value.

1. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

A Hilton property in the Maldives to check out is the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

Spread across 2 islands, the Conrad Maldives offers suites, villas, and the Muraka, a 2-level residence with the master bedroom located 16 feet below sea level. The property also has a spa, fitness center, yoga, pools, and activities on the water.

Travelers will need at least 120,000 points per night to book the Conrad Maldives. Peak travel rates hover around $1,000 per night, giving you around 0.83 cents per point in value.

Hot Tip: The speedboat transfer from Malé International Airport to the property costs $589 per adult and $295 per child under 12. The cash rates shown below do not include the resort transfer cost. 

Points Required: From 120,000 points per night

December to April Rate: From $1,000 per night

Points Value: 0.83 cents per point

Bottom Line:

The Conrad Maldives is a much better deal than the Waldorf Astoria Maldives. Not only does the Conrad require fewer points (the Waldorf can require redemptions in the millions of points), the airport transfer cost to the Conrad is more than $200 cheaper than the Waldorf.

2. Waldorf Astoria Park City (Park City, Utah)

For travelers who like to ski in the winter or experience the mountains in the summer, the Waldorf Astoria Park City, 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), is a points hotel to consider. During ski season, this hotel offers easy access to both Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain.

Guests at the Waldorf Astoria Park City can book standard rooms or suites. Once on the property, guests have access to golf, a pool, skiing, a restaurant, and a spa.

Park City, Utah, has summer and winter peak seasons, and the summertime cash rate is around $550 per night for a base room. For travelers with Hilton points, the Waldorf Astoria Park City can be booked from 110,000 points per night. This means the return on points will be around 0.5 cents per point in value.

Hot Tip: As part of the hotel’s commitment to sustainability, guests have access to a private shuttle that takes you to the Park City Base area, Deer Valley Resort and Historic Main Street. 

Points Required: From 110,000 points per night

June to September Rate: Around $550 per night

Points Value: 0.5 cents per night

3. Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Hawaii)

For U.S. travelers, and in particular, those travelers based on the West Coast, Hawaii is a vacation paradise. Diving, golf, hiking, snorkeling, and surfing are just a few of the many things to do when visiting any of the Hawaiian Islands.

On the island of Maui, points and miles travelers will find the Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Standard and club rooms, as well as suites, are options to book for your stay. Several restaurants, a spa, and a luau are also located on the property.

Peak travel cash rates for the Grand Wailea Maui start at $1,100 per night. You need a minimum of 110,000 points per night to book a redemption. This means that the value of your Hilton points would be a solid 1 cent per point.

Hot Tip: The Grand Wailea Maui is not an all-inclusive resort. All on-property amenities and dining are charged in addition to the room rate. 

Points Required: At least 110,000 points per night

January to April Rate: About $1,100 per night and up

Points Value: 1 cent per point

4. London Hilton on Park Lane (United Kingdom)

Visiting London in late spring is hard to beat. There are quality restaurants, sights to see, and the weather is good for casually walking around the city.

In the Mayfair neighborhood, you’ll find the London Hilton on Park Lane. As one of the first Hilton hotels to open up in the city, this property overlooks Hyde Park. It also has on-property dining and all the facilities you need to have a relaxing stay.

You need at least 80,000 points per night to book a stay at this hotel. Cash rates during July can easily hover around $760 per night, giving you 0.95 cents per point in value.

Hot Tip: Many luxury Hilton properties in big markets like London require 95,000 points per night. With the London Hilton Park Lane, you essentially get a 15,000-point-per-night discount. 

Points Required: At least 80,000 points per night

July Rates: $600 to $760 per night

Points Value: Up to 0.95 cents per point

5. Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (California)

Los Angeles has incredible weather year-round. For those stuck in cities with a cold winter and chilly spring, LA can be your ticket to warm weather.

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is one of Hilton’s most sought-after properties. Not only is the property in a great location, but it also offers some of the best amenities out there, including a rooftop pool with VIP cabanas, a spa, a salon, a fitness center, and a florist.

You need a minimum of 120,000 points per night to book this hotel in Beverly Hills. At slightly less than $1,000 per night during peak season, you’re looking at 0.83 cents per point in value.

Hot Tip: Many travelers report this hotel as a great property for using the free night reward certificate that comes with the Hilton Aspire card. 

Points Required: From 120,000 points per night

January to April Rate: At least $936 per night

Points Value: 0.83 cents per point

Bottom Line:

If you have an upcoming LA trip planned and are looking for a luxurious experience, consider booking the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. 

Other Ways To Earn Hilton Points

Outside of applying for Hilton credit cards, using your Hilton credit cards for your everyday spending is the most efficient way to earn Hilton points. You can earn between 3x and 14x in spending categories including airfare, grocery stores, Hilton purchases, and restaurants.

Staying at Hilton as an elite member is another way to earn Hilton Honors points. Silver members earn 20% bonus points, Gold members earn 80% bonus points, and Diamond members earn 100% bonus points.

Members can also accumulate Hilton points by transferring Amex points to Hilton or by taking Lyft rides. We do not recommend transferring Amex points to Hilton, but we do recommend using Lyft to earn 3x points per $1 spent on rides.

In short, not only can you earn a boatload of Hilton points from its co-branded credit cards, hotel stays as an elite member and Lyft rides will help to pad your balance. When you combine all of these point-earning methods, you will have more than enough Hilton points to book a stay at any of the properties on this list.

Final Thoughts

With respect to luxury Hilton hotels, we put its value in third place, with IHG luxury options coming in last place. The World of Hyatt program offers the highest cents-per-point value for Hyatt luxury hotels. Marriott comes in second for the sheer number of properties in its portfolio.

It’s not all doom and gloom when booking luxury Hilton hotels, though. Receiving top-tier Diamond status with a Hilton credit card alone is fantastic! Compare this to having to stay 100 nights at Marriott and 60 nights at Hyatt, and can you see how much easier it is to attain Hilton Diamond status.