Several Hilton credit cards offer ways to earn uncapped free weekend night certificates. During the pandemic and for certs issued through the end of this year, Hilton had already changed those certificates to be good any day of the week. Now, we’ve learned through our credit card statements that Hilton is making this change permanent! This makes a huge difference to the value of these certificates. And when we get a chance, this will increase our estimated Reasonable Redemption Value for these certificates and will affect the first year estimated value of Hilton credit cards that come with a first year free night (either as part of the welcome bonus or standard, as with the Aspire card). For the $95 Hilton cards that offer a free night after $15K spend, I think it makes that spend suddenly much more of a no-brainer than ever before.
Hilton’s hidden announcement
Amex and Hilton have to-date buried the news in our Hilton credit card statements where you can find the following:
Found in credit card statements: “We are updating the Hilton Honors Weekend Night Reward to be redeemable any night of the week. To reflect this change, the benefit is being renamed the Hilton Honors Free Night Reward. We are in the process of updating marketing language for the Hilton Honors Free Night Reward benefit. You may continue to see marketing materials that reference Hilton Honors Weekend Night Reward in the interim.”
150K Points + free night certificate 150K after $4K spend in 3 months. Free night certificate every year - first certificate is awarded 8-12 weeks after approval. Terms apply.
FM Mini Review: This card is loaded with valuable perks that are more than worth the card's annual fee if you stay in Hilton resorts at least once per year, and other Hilton properties a few times a year..
Earning rate: ⚬ 14X Hilton spend ⚬ 7X US restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, select car rental companies ⚬ 3X on all other eligible purchases ⚬ Terms & Limitations Apply.
Big spend bonus: Second free night award after $60K spend in calendar year
Noteworthy perks: ⚬Annual Weekend Night Reward upon approval and every year upon renewal ⚬ Free Diamond Status ⚬ Priority Pass membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests ⚬ $250 Hilton Resort Credit per membership year ⚬ $250 Airline Incidental Fee Credit per calendar year ⚬ $100 on-property credit w/ Aspire Card package ⚬ Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees
FM Mini Review: Easy way to secure Hilton Gold status (which offers free breakfast among other perks). Those who want Diamond status may be better off with the Aspire card.
FM Mini Review: Easy way to secure Hilton Gold status (which offers free breakfast among other perks). Amex business cards do not count towards 5/24 status so will not hurt chances of applying for Chase cards.
Earning rate: ⚬ 12X Hilton spend ⚬ 6X on Select Business & Travel Purchases (flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel; car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies; US restaurants; US gas stations; wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service provider; US shipping purchases) ⚬ 3X on all other eligible purchases
Big spend bonus:
Free night award after $15K spend in calendar year and another after $60K spend
Diamond elite status with $40K calendar year spend
Noteworthy perks: ⚬ Free Gold status. Diamond status w/ $40K spend. ⚬ 10 free Priority Pass lounge visits per calendar year ⚬ Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees)
Marriott recently made higher-value free night certificates more accessible, but usually with high annual fees, but even the highest value 85K certificates can’t be used at Marriott properties priced over 100K per night. With these changes, Hilton leapfrogged Marriott in one fell swoop. Hilton certificates were never capped by the category or point price of a hotel and now they’re no longer restricted to weekends! Personally, I still find that there are many more aspirational Marriott properties where I’d like to stay, but you can bet that going forward I’m going to be looking much harder for Hilton alternatives. And, don’t forget that Hilton (and Hyatt and Wyndham) has a big advantage over Marriott: when booking a free night with points or certs, you won’t be charged a resort fee!
[…] Hilton Honores has not even promoted this broadly, however relatively relatively Frequent Miler He observed that this was prepared on the backside of statements on Hilton Amex playing cards. Amex […]
Stevenson
7 months ago
What are some examples of top tier aspirational properties with availability?
[…] its certificate flexibility to encompass weekday availability — but, as first reported by Frequent Miler, this change is now permanent. So whether you’re traveling for business or fun, you can cash […]
[…] its certificate flexibility to encompass weekday availability — but, as first reported by Frequent Miler, this change is now permanent. So whether you’re traveling for business or fun, you can cash […]
[…] its certificate flexibility to encompass weekday availability — but, as first reported by Frequent Miler, this change is now permanent. So whether you're traveling for business or fun, you can cash […]
[…] its certificate flexibility to encompass weekday availability — but, as first reported by Frequent Miler, this change is now permanent. So whether you’re traveling for business or fun, you can cash […]
Al X
7 months ago
Just a word of caution —- Some high tier hotels are a nightmare to find availability still . Can only book a “standard room.”
Was looking for Waldorf rooms and over 6 different weekends no “standard room” was available
VIS
7 months ago
Just like Hyatt and Marriott, Hilton needs to allow free night booking online instead of calling.
[…] These Rewards are a great benefit as they let you redeem for one standard accommodation, double occupancy, subject to availability, at all properties in the Hilton portfolio, excluding about 40+ listed at HiltonHonors.com/freenightreward. But as the name suggests, they could only be used for Weekend Nights. Then, during the pandemic, more flexibility was added, and they could be used any day of the week. Now Hilton is making this change permanent, and removing the “weekend” part from the reward, as first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
tom
7 months ago
Is the Surpass card still giving out 2 free nights for SUB? I can’t find that deal anywhere.
just a little gun shy after getting the IHG premier with the annual FNC that can be topped off, but the SUB free night could not be topped off.
The_Most_Hay
7 months ago
Appears one negative, semi-related change is in the 5th night free category, where there are now several tiers and some great properties now require longer stays to trigger the free night.
Language in the T’s&C’s a little confusing as well in terms of “minimum stay”.. and example being if it says “minimum 6 consecutive nights” is that 6+1, or 5+1 in terms of the free night?
Hmmm – interesting.. I found it because 5th night free was not working on property it had worked in past and went digging.. In that case, not sure what the link I posted refers to at all.
Edit: Just retraced my steps.. when you search 5th night free on Hilton website, you get a page that says “click here for details” on 5th night free and directs you to the page where I pulled the link from. That link is the only one mentioning anything about free nights? Confusing.
[…] These Rewards are a great benefit as they let you redeem for one standard accommodation, double occupancy, subject to availability, at all properties in the Hilton portfolio, excluding about 40+ listed at HiltonHonors.com/freenightreward. But as the name suggests, they could only be used for Weekend Nights. Then, during the pandemic, more flexibility was added, and they could be used any day of the week. Now Hilton is making this change permanent, and removing the “weekend” part from the reward, as first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
BML
7 months ago
I am new to Hilton as I focus on Marriott and Hyatt. Are these certs good at any category and any room in Hilton’s portfolio? Even the most expensive ones? In reality are they bookable? Like for Hyatt, some highly sorted properties are very difficult to find points stay.
There are no category or points restrictions. While there are a few special Hilton properties that are exempt, the vast majority are fair game including those that cost thousands of dollars per night. The gotcha is that there has to be a standard room available. That can be very hard to find at the most popular properties especial during peak travel times.
I agree that this change will modestly increase the value of the free night certs; but I wouldn’t say it is “huge”, and I certainly wouldn’t say that this makes spending $15k on a Surpass card a “no brainer”.
$15k spend could be used to meet MSR on three or more new cards with SUBs that would exceed the value of a Hilton free night many times over. Even if you don’t consider SUBs, the earn rate on the various general spend categories for the Surpass is sub-par in comparison to what you could earn on other cards (and tying up spend on the Hilton card could also preclude you from taking advantage of periodic spend bonuses on other cards, e.g., Amex Offers, etc.) In addition to these quantifiable opportunity costs, there is the more subjective cost of shifting stays from “more aspirational” properties just to meet the spend requirement.
Valid points. For me, in the past, I’ve had a hard time using my free nights because of the weekend restriction and so that’s huge. Plus, many people don’t like to keep signing up for new cards endlessly so this is a great way to earn uncapped free nights.
Lee
7 months ago
What category of room? Realistic likelihood of an upgrade? Even if a paid upgrade?
The free nights aren’t capped. Upgrade likelihood varies tremendously by property and seasonality
Grant
7 months ago
I’m hoping this change and the Marriott 85k change will force Hyatt to improve their free night awards, or make them top-up-able. Come on Hyatt, now it’s your turn!
[…] Hilton Honors hasn’t even promoted this widely, but rather Frequent Miler noticed that this was listed at the bottom of statements on Hilton Amex cards. Amex seems to have […]
Brant Stookey
7 months ago
Competition is a cruel task master. That’s why I prefer to call Marriott’s resort surcharges “Fun Fees” because really, don’t they make your stay more “Fun”? Kinda levels the playing field when you think of it like that.
Beth B
7 months ago
I have been waiting for this announcement. I was told about this months ago when I called the diamond desk to use one of my free certs. They told me that the use of certs any day of the week was going to become permanent. Great news and wonderful improvement.
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[…] Hilton Honores has not even promoted this broadly, however relatively relatively Frequent Miler He observed that this was prepared on the backside of statements on Hilton Amex playing cards. Amex […]
What are some examples of top tier aspirational properties with availability?
[…] its certificate flexibility to encompass weekday availability — but, as first reported by Frequent Miler, this change is now permanent. So whether you’re traveling for business or fun, you can cash […]
[…] its certificate flexibility to encompass weekday availability — but, as first reported by Frequent Miler, this change is now permanent. So whether you’re traveling for business or fun, you can cash […]
[…] its certificate flexibility to encompass weekday availability — but, as first reported by Frequent Miler, this change is now permanent. So whether you're traveling for business or fun, you can cash […]
[…] its certificate flexibility to encompass weekday availability — but, as first reported by Frequent Miler, this change is now permanent. So whether you’re traveling for business or fun, you can cash […]
Just a word of caution —- Some high tier hotels are a nightmare to find availability still . Can only book a “standard room.”
Was looking for Waldorf rooms and over 6 different weekends no “standard room” was available
Just like Hyatt and Marriott, Hilton needs to allow free night booking online instead of calling.
[…] These Rewards are a great benefit as they let you redeem for one standard accommodation, double occupancy, subject to availability, at all properties in the Hilton portfolio, excluding about 40+ listed at HiltonHonors.com/freenightreward. But as the name suggests, they could only be used for Weekend Nights. Then, during the pandemic, more flexibility was added, and they could be used any day of the week. Now Hilton is making this change permanent, and removing the “weekend” part from the reward, as first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Frequent Miler 发现，Hilton 把这个政策变成永久性的了，以后Hilton […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
[…] Now, that customer-friendly change is here to stay: Effective immediately, Hilton free night certificates can now be used on any night of the week. This news was first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
Is the Surpass card still giving out 2 free nights for SUB? I can’t find that deal anywhere.
should show up on the FM best CC offers page link.. I used it like 3 days ago
Yes simply click through the Surpass link In this article.
The landing page still says Weekend free nights as the sign up bonus. Any reason to think there might be two versions of the free night award?
No, I’m confident that it’s just old language they haven’t cleaned up yet.
just a little gun shy after getting the IHG premier with the annual FNC that can be topped off, but the SUB free night could not be topped off.
Appears one negative, semi-related change is in the 5th night free category, where there are now several tiers and some great properties now require longer stays to trigger the free night.
Language in the T’s&C’s a little confusing as well in terms of “minimum stay”.. and example being if it says “minimum 6 consecutive nights” is that 6+1, or 5+1 in terms of the free night?
Where did you find that info?
Expand the terms and conditions here:
https://www.hilton.com/en/offers/another-night-on-us-2000000055/
I see. That’s a completely different promotion that is unrelated to 5th night free bookings
Hmmm – interesting.. I found it because 5th night free was not working on property it had worked in past and went digging.. In that case, not sure what the link I posted refers to at all.
Edit: Just retraced my steps.. when you search 5th night free on Hilton website, you get a page that says “click here for details” on 5th night free and directs you to the page where I pulled the link from. That link is the only one mentioning anything about free nights? Confusing.
Greg – did you see link I posted? Appears comment was removed
Comments with URLs are automatically held in moderation until one of us can manually approve it.
[…] These Rewards are a great benefit as they let you redeem for one standard accommodation, double occupancy, subject to availability, at all properties in the Hilton portfolio, excluding about 40+ listed at HiltonHonors.com/freenightreward. But as the name suggests, they could only be used for Weekend Nights. Then, during the pandemic, more flexibility was added, and they could be used any day of the week. Now Hilton is making this change permanent, and removing the “weekend” part from the reward, as first reported by Frequent Miler. […]
I am new to Hilton as I focus on Marriott and Hyatt. Are these certs good at any category and any room in Hilton’s portfolio? Even the most expensive ones? In reality are they bookable? Like for Hyatt, some highly sorted properties are very difficult to find points stay.
There are no category or points restrictions. While there are a few special Hilton properties that are exempt, the vast majority are fair game including those that cost thousands of dollars per night. The gotcha is that there has to be a standard room available. That can be very hard to find at the most popular properties especial during peak travel times.
Very helpful, thank you!
I agree that this change will modestly increase the value of the free night certs; but I wouldn’t say it is “huge”, and I certainly wouldn’t say that this makes spending $15k on a Surpass card a “no brainer”.
$15k spend could be used to meet MSR on three or more new cards with SUBs that would exceed the value of a Hilton free night many times over. Even if you don’t consider SUBs, the earn rate on the various general spend categories for the Surpass is sub-par in comparison to what you could earn on other cards (and tying up spend on the Hilton card could also preclude you from taking advantage of periodic spend bonuses on other cards, e.g., Amex Offers, etc.) In addition to these quantifiable opportunity costs, there is the more subjective cost of shifting stays from “more aspirational” properties just to meet the spend requirement.
Valid points. For me, in the past, I’ve had a hard time using my free nights because of the weekend restriction and so that’s huge. Plus, many people don’t like to keep signing up for new cards endlessly so this is a great way to earn uncapped free nights.
What category of room? Realistic likelihood of an upgrade? Even if a paid upgrade?
The free nights aren’t capped. Upgrade likelihood varies tremendously by property and seasonality
I’m hoping this change and the Marriott 85k change will force Hyatt to improve their free night awards, or make them top-up-able. Come on Hyatt, now it’s your turn!
Yes!
[…] Hilton Honors hasn’t even promoted this widely, but rather Frequent Miler noticed that this was listed at the bottom of statements on Hilton Amex cards. Amex seems to have […]
Competition is a cruel task master. That’s why I prefer to call Marriott’s resort surcharges “Fun Fees” because really, don’t they make your stay more “Fun”? Kinda levels the playing field when you think of it like that.
I have been waiting for this announcement. I was told about this months ago when I called the diamond desk to use one of my free certs. They told me that the use of certs any day of the week was going to become permanent. Great news and wonderful improvement.