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:
Cards that offer free nights
Hilton Aspire
Free weekend night every year – first certificate is awarded 8-12 weeks after approval. Second free weekend night after $60K spend in calendar year.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
180K Points + free night certificate ⓘ Friend-Referral 180K after $6K spend in first 6 months. Free night certificate every year - first certificate is awarded 8-12 weeks after approval. Terms apply. $550 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. 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 twice per 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. Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: Additional free night awards after $30K and $60K spend in calendar year Noteworthy perks: ✦Annual Free Night Reward every year upon renewal ✦ Free Diamond Status ✦ Up to $400 Hilton Resort Credit per membership year ($200 semi-annually) ✦ $200 Flight Credit ($50 per quarter for purchases directly with airlines or via Amex Travel) ✦ $100 on-property credit w/ Aspire Card package ✦ Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees See also: Amex Hilton Aspire In-Depth Review |
Hilton Surpass
Free weekend night after $15K spend each calendar year.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
170K points ⓘ Friend-Referral 170K after $3K spend in 6 months. Terms apply. $150 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 130K + free night certificate after $2K spend in 3 months [Expired 7/19/23] 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. Earning rate: ✦ 12X Hilton spend ✦ 6X U.S. restaurants, US Supermarkets, and US gas stations ✦ 4X U.S. Online Retail Purchases ✦ 3X on all other eligible purchases Base: 3X (1.44%) Dine: 6X (2.88%) Gas: 6X (2.88%) Grocery: 6X (2.88%) Shop: 4X (1.92%) Brand: 12X (5.76%) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: ✦ Free night award after $15K spend in calendar year ✦ Diamond elite status with $40K calendar year spend ✦ Terms apply Noteworthy perks: Free Gold status. Diamond status w/ $40K spend. ✦ Up to $200 in Hilton credits ($50 per quarter) ✦ Terms Apply. |
Hilton Business
Free weekend night after $15K spend in calendar year and another after $60K spend.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
130K Points ⓘ Affiliate 130K after $3K spend in 3 months. Terms apply. $95 Annual Fee 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 Base: 3X (1.44%) Travel: 6X (2.88%) Dine: 6X (2.88%) Gas: 6X (2.88%) Phone: 6X (2.88%) Biz: 6X (2.88%) Brand: 12X (5.76%) Other: 6X (2.88%) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign transaction fees. 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) |
Quick Thoughts
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!
Hat Tip: Tom via Frequent Miler Insiders
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