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You can redeem a free night certificate at just about any Hilton hotel, including the stunning Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea Resort in Maui.
Hilton Hotels
You can earn Hilton free weekend night certificates with select Amex Hilton credit cards.
Through the end of 2022, Hilton is allowing members to redeem certificates on any night of the week.
They’re valid at almost any Hilton hotel, including luxury Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties.
Read Insider’s guide to the best hotel credit cards.
Hilton Honors and American Express offer several different co-branded credit cards for every type of traveler. These cards offer a suite of benefits, but perhaps the best perk is the ability to acquire a free weekend night certificate each year with certain cards.
Three of Hilton’s credit cards can get you these rewards: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card all offer varying ways to earn certificates.
Find out more about how to earn, redeem, and maximize Hilton Honors points — and read our guide to the best credit cards for Hilton travelers to help decide which is best for you.
The certificate is the same in all cases, valid at nearly every Hilton property, and — usually — only valid on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights. However, because of the pandemic, unexpired certificates, including those issued in 2022, can be used on any night of the week.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn Amex Hilton free weekend night certificates
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The easiest way to earn a Hilton free night certificate is with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. It currently offers a bonus of Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, and has a Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card annual fee.
You’ll receive a free weekend night after you open the card, and another each year on your card anniversary. The certificate is deposited automatically into your Hilton Honors account, and you can also earn a second certificate after spending $60,000 in a calendar year.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card doesn’t come with an automatic annual certificate, but you can earn one by spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
If the annual fee of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is too high for you, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a good option. Its has a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, and it’s currently offering an introductory bonus offer of Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes with an annual fee of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, and you can earn a weekend night certificate by spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Additionally (like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card), you can earn a second free weekend night by spending a total of $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, making this card a great pick for small-business owners with high yearly spending. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is currently offering an introductory bonus of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
Hilton Honors points are worth an average of 0.5 cents each, according to Insider’s latest points and miles valuations.
The best hotels for redeeming a Hilton free night certificate
You’ll usually get the most value from your Hilton free night certificate by redeeming it at expensive properties or luxury beach resorts. Keep in mind the certificate is valid for a complimentary night in a standard room; if that’s not available, you won’t be able to use your certificate for pricier premium room awards.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Standard rooms at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives cost 150,000 points, or you can redeem a free night certificate instead.
Hilton Hotels
Undoubtedly one of the best properties Hilton has to offer, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi opened to huge fanfare — and for good reason. Rooms here start at 2,500 square feet and every villa includes a pool.
The cash cost for these rooms can hover in the thousands of dollars per night, and standard rooms cost 150,000 points, so snagging a free night can represent amazing value for your free night certificate. Just don’t forget to bring sunscreen.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is one of Hilton’s newest luxury resorts.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
For an option a little closer to home, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is a swanky beachfront hotel that opened in late 2019.
It has the distinction of being one of only a handful of hotels in Hilton’s portfolio that cost 120,000 points per night or more — nearly all other properties top out at 95,000 points for a standard room reward.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
You can redeem a Hilton free night certificate for a Water Villa at the Conrad Maldives, as it’s considered a standard room.
Hilton Hotels
A longtime favorite of reward travelers, the Conrad Maldives features the world’s first underwater restaurant. While others have since opened, Ithaa remains a bucket-list item for anyone.
Excitingly, you can redeem your certificate here for a Water Villa (normally 120,000 points per night), which features a plunge pool and steps leading into the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean.
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
A standard room at the Grand Wailea doesn’t come with an ocean view, but having elite status from a Hilton credit card can help you score an upgrade.
Hilton Hotels
The sprawling Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea is located in Maui, so you won’t have to dig out your passport for this one.
With nine different pools and the beach just a few steps away, you’ll never want to leave, which is good because you can use your $250 Hilton Aspire resort credit here on food, spas, activities, and even room rates.
The Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts
The Biltmore Mayfair in London normally costs 95,000 Hilton points per night.
Hilton Hotels
There are several high-end Hilton properties in London, but the Biltmore Mayfair is the best option for its elegant luxury and unparalleled location.
A standard award redemption here is otherwise 95,000 points and cash rates can run upwards of $700 per night.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
The iconic Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is a great spot for soaking up the California sun.
Hilton Hotels
Laid-back California vibes mix with luxury to offer a stunning hotel located in the middle of Beverly Hills.
After a long day of star-gazing (the cement kind, you won’t find much twinkling in Los Angeles’ night sky), you can settle into the rooftop pool at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills for drinks and unparalleled city views.
Bottom line
The free weekend night certificate you can earn with several Amex Hilton cards is the most generous out there — with a few exclusions, you can redeem your night at any Hilton property and enjoy ultra-luxurious relaxation without paying a dime.