How To Maximize Hilton Honors Perks for Disney World
Planning a trip to Disney World is always exciting, but finding ways to save money while making the most of your experience can be just as rewarding. If you’re a Hilton Honors member, you’re in luck! Hilton Honors offers numerous perks that can help you save on accommodations during your Disney World vacation.
Here’s a guide on how to get maximum value on Hilton Honors benefits to make your trip magical without breaking the bank. There are several ways to get a free night at a Hilton hotel, including free night certificates, 5th night free on award stays, and using points.
Free Hilton Stays Using Hilton Points
The most popular or known way to earn a free night at a Hilton hotel is through Hilton Honors points. Large chunks of points can be earned as a welcome bonus when signing up for co-branded cards such as the Hilton Honors American Express card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card. All of the Hilton credit cards offer a welcome offer with enough points for a free stay.
A great way to take advantage of all of the sign-up bonuses offered by American Express, make sure to sign up for each card in order from the lowest to the highest level cards. If you sign up for the Hilton Aspire card first, you will not be eligible to earn the signup bonus for the Hilton Surpass card or Hilton Honors credit card.
However, if you sign up for the Hilton Honors credit card, then the Hilton Surpass card, and then the Hilton Aspire card in that order, you will be eligible for the welcome bonus for all 3 cards. Even better yet... have your person 2 or travel partner also sign up for all 3 cards in that order and be eligible for 6 welcome offers from Hilton.
Once you have all three cards, make sure to keep track of the bonus categories for each and prioritize using that card for those purchases to earn even more Hilton Honors bonus points.
Each Hilton card has different bonus categories, so keeping track of when to use which Hilton card will be important to earn the largest number of points.
How to Earn Hilton Free Night Certificates
Hilton Free Night Reward Certificates are one of the most valuable tools in a travel hacker’s arsenal. But how do you earn them, and more importantly, how can you maximize their value?
American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card
You can earn a free night certificate after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
By having both you and a second person (often referred to as "Person 2") sign up for the Surpass card and meet the spending requirement, you can accumulate two free night certificates annually. This is an excellent strategy if you’re planning multiple stays or want to maximize your certificate usage.
The Hilton Surpass is a go-to card for many travelers due to its rewards and benefits, especially for earning certificates.
American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card
The Aspire card automatically grants one free night certificate each year without needing to meet a spending threshold.
With both you and your Person 2 holding the Aspire card, you can enjoy two free night certificates annually as well.
If you have a larger budget, you can earn an additional free night award certificate from Hilton after making $30,000 in purchases and another after making $60,000 in purchases on your Aspire card in a calendar year.
Consider, that if you and your travel partner both have the Hilton Surpass and Aspire cards, each spending $15,000 in a calendar year on your surpass cards, you will have a combination of 4 free night certificates.
Maximizing Hilton Free Night Certificates
The real beauty of Hilton Free Night Certificates is their flexibility—they can be used at any Hilton property that has standard room availability, from high-end resorts to budget hotels.
Strategize with Points: Hilton offers the “fifth-night free” benefit when you book a stay of five nights using points. Use points in increments of five nights to take advantage of this perk. Use a free night reward certificate for nights for extra nights that are in addition to the 5 nights (6th night +).
Plan Ahead: Free night certificates are available only for a standard room reward. Availability of standard rooms can be limited, especially during busy seasons. As the travel date approaches, standard rooms may convert to "premium rooms," which aren’t eligible for free night certificates. Booking early and staying flexible with dates can ensure you get the best value.
Monitor Expiration Dates: Hilton Free Night Certificates have an expiration date of one year after they’re issued, so keep an eye on these dates and make sure to use them before they lapse.
Hilton’s Points 5th Night Free Benefit
One of the most valuable perks of the Hilton Honors program is the 5th Night Free benefit. This allows members to enjoy a complimentary fifth night when booking four consecutive nights using points at Hilton Hotels.
In other words, when you redeem your Hilton Honors points for stays of four nights or more, you get an extra night free, making your points stretch further and helping you save on additional hotel stays.
How to Maximize the 5th Night Free Benefit
To fully capitalize on the 5th Night Free benefit, plan your trips in increments of five nights or longer. Whether you’re taking a week-long vacation or a longer adventure, structuring your stays in multiples of five allows you to maximize your points and enjoy extra nights at no cost.
For example, if you stay for 10 nights, you only need enough points for 8 nights, and you’ll receive 2 free nights. If you’re planning a longer stay that exceeds five nights but isn’t a multiple of five, consider using a free night certificate for the additional nights.
An added perk is that Hilton does not charge resort fees for stays booked with a free night certificate or using hotel points, saving you even more money. This policy is different than Marriott Bonvoy points, which does charge resort fees for stays booked on points and award nights (keep in mind for Dolphin, Swan, and Swan Reserve stays). To learn more about how to maximize your travel rewards points check out “How to Maximize Points For A Free Disney Trip.”
With thoughtful planning, Hilton Honors can help you enjoy free hotel stays during your Disney World vacation. Whether through points, free night certificates, or the 5th Night Free benefit, the Hilton Honors program offers several ways to save on accommodations without compromising on luxury or comfort. Start strategizing, enjoy your stay, and create magical memories at Disney World without breaking the bank!
