The best ways to use Amex Hilton free weekend night certificates

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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 Cardall offer varying ways to earn certificates.  

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, due to COVID-19, unexpired certificates issued in 2020 or 2021 can be used on any night of the week.

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 you spend at least $4,000 in your first 3 months of account opening, and has a $450 annual fee (See Review).

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 annual fee is just $95 (See Rates), and it’s currently offering a welcome bonus of 150,000 points after you spend at least $2,000 on eligible purchases in your first 3 months of account opening.

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Like the personal Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes with an annual fee of $95 (See Rates), 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 a welcome bonus of a $150 statement credit after your first purchase on the Hilton Honors Card within your first 3 months, plus 150,000 points after you spend at least $2,000 in your first 3 months of account opening.

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, 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 and the Waldorf Astoria Maldives share the distinction of being the only two hotels in Hilton’s portfolio that cost 120,000 points per night — 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 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, 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. 

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa

If Hawaii is a little too close to home, you can opt for the Hilton Moorea. The resort isn’t currently open due to the pandemic, but it will be taking reservations for future travel dates.

I visited this property in 2017 and was blown away by the lush beauty of French Polynesia. You can hop on a direct flight from Los Angeles and be there in eight hours — trust me, it’s worth it. 

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.

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. 

The free weekend night certificate you can earn with several Amex Hilton cards is the most generous out there — with few exclusions, you can redeem your night at any Hilton property and enjoy ultra-luxurious relaxation without paying a dime. 

Carissa Rawson is a personal finance and credit cards expert who has spent the last five years helping consumers make informed decisions. Before launching a career as a journalist, she spent seven years in the US Air Force as an Arabic translator, which included a deployment with special forces.