Best Ways to Use Amex Hilton Free Reward Night Certificates

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• You can earn Hilton free reward night certificates with select Amex Hilton credit cards.
• You can redeem these certificates for any night of the week as long as there is standard room availability.
• 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 some of the best 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 reward night certificate each year with certain cards. Amex is an Insider partner.

Three of Hilton’s credit cards can get you these free night certificates:

The certificates are the same in all cases, valid at nearly every Hilton property (with a handful of exceptions). If there’s a standard room available, you can book it with a Hilton free night certificate.

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 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 150,000 points after spending at least $4,000 in the first three months of account opening, and has a $450 annual fee.

You’ll receive a free reward 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. It has a $95 annual fee, and it’s currently offering an elevated welcome bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (limited time offer ends 4/5/23). 

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes with an annual fee of $95, and you can earn a reward 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 reward 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 a heightened introductory bonus of 165,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership (limited time offer ends 4/5/23). 

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

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

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

A longtime favorite of reward travelers, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island 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

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. This resort normally costs 110,000 points per night for a standard room.

The Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts

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

Laid-back California vibes mix with luxury to offer a stunning hotel located in the middle of Beverly Hills. This hotel routinely charges over $1,200 per night, but you can reserve it for 120,000 Hilton points.

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.

What to know about Hilton free night certificates

The free reward 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.