Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• You can earn Hilton free night certificates with select Amex Hilton credit cards.
• You can redeem these reward night certificates for any night of the week as long as there is standard room availability.
• Hilton free night reward certificates are valid at almost any Hilton hotel, including luxury Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties.
• Read Business 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.

Three of Hilton’s credit cards — the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card — can get you these Hilton free night certificates either on your card anniversary, or by meeting a spending threshold each calendar year.

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

How to earn Hilton free night certificates

Hilton Aspire Card

The easiest way to earn a Hilton free night certificate is with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire. It currently offers a bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership, and has a $550 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 Surpass Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass 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 is a good option. It has a $150 annual fee, and it’s currently offering a welcome bonus of 155,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership. 

Hilton Business Credit Card

The Hilton Honors Amex 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), 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 Amex Business Card is currently offering an introductory bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months of card membership. 

Hilton Credit Card

The Hilton Honors Amex is offering 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (offer ends 4/17/24).

That’s a terrific deal for a no-annual-fee travel credit card. Unfortunately, there’s no option to earn a free night award for meeting spending thresholds on this card.

Best Hilton hotels for using a 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.

How to use Hilton free night certificates

When you’ve earned a Hilton free night certificate, you’ll receive an email from Hilton Honors letting you know your award is in your Hilton account. You should also be able to see it in your Hilton Honors account dashboard, indicating its expiration date and the last four digits of the certificate number.

You can’t redeem the certificate online. Instead, once you’ve found a standard award room at the hotel you want to book, call Hilton Honors at 800-446-6677 and give them your Hilton Honors number, the last four digits of your certificate number, hotel details, and travel dates. The agent will complete your reservation over the phone, and you’ll receive an email confirmation shortly thereafter.

Be aware that Hilton free night certificates expire one year from the date of issue — that is, you must complete your stay before the expiration date. If you don’t, the certificate doesn’t roll over to the next year, so it’s use it or lose it.

On the upside, a Hilton free night certificate covers all resort fees and taxes on your stay, so you’re only responsible for incidentals.