I recently got the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve and the welcome bonus gives me 2 free weekend nights (OFFER EXPIRED). Since we're planning a trip to Asia next year I'm pretty excited to explore the potential uses of the free night certificates. Hilton has amazing properties all over the world including many outstanding hotels in Asia.
The 2 free weekend nights can be booked at any category (1 to 10) hotel regardless of the amount of points it would normally cost to stay. Of course a lot of us want to experience some of the top-tier properties, but apart from that, what I value the most is the experiences that I am going remember years from now. In the end, the best use of any reward travel is one that you will enjoy and remember the most.
On this trip I plan on traveling through Vietnam and Cambodia, but Hilton has very few properties in both countries. Plus, it is very easy to find cheap accommodation in both countries. Most likely I will use the nights at stopover or larger city on the trip, so this list mostly covers these properties.
In my opinion, after Hilton devalued their award chart these two free nights are worth much more than any current Hilton credit card offer that gives you points. The free night certificates can be redeemed at any hotel in any category 1 through 10.
If you redeem your nights at a property that currently charges 95,000 points per night, you are essentially getting a bonus worth 190,000 HHonors points with the 2 free weekend nights certificate. This is more than double the current Amex Surpass 75,000 point offer (OFFER EXPIRED).
Hilton Reserve card members also get Hilton Gold status as long as they have the card, which gives you free internet and breakfast. The $95 annual fee is not waived, but I easily justified the fee when comparing the value of the welcome bonus.
Just because a property may be in a lower category, this doesn’t mean that some of your best stays won’t be in a category 7 or 8 or even lower. Although, part of the fun of using these two free night certificates is that you can stay at a hotel that you would normally not pay for and would cost an arm and a leg if you did!
In my opinion, what makes a property worth using 2 free nights in is solely based on someone’s own preferences, but the most important thing is that the value of the free stay in a property is as valuable as the experience that comes with it.
I recently applied for this card during my latest round of credit card applications and am looking forward to redeeming my two free nights at a Hilton property in Asia early next year. Here are some of the Hilton properties that I am looking at using my 2 free nights at, any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
Conrad Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Thailand (Category 10)
Weekend Rate in May:
$704 or 95,000 points per night (.74 cents per point)
Conrad Hong Kong (category 9)
Weekend Rate in May:
$451 or 80,000 points per night (.56 cents per point)
Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay (category 8)
Weekend Rate in May:
$359 or 60,000 points per night (.59 cents per point)
Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa (Category 10)
Weekend Rate in May:
$401 per night or 95,000 points per night (.42 cents per point)
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa (Category 9)
Weekend Rate in May:
$401 per night or 80,000 points per night (.50 cents per point)
Conrad Tokyo (category 10)
Weekend Rate in May:
$391 per night or 95,000 points per night (.41 cents per point)
Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa (category 10)
Weekend Rate in May:
$363 per night or 70,000 points per night (.52 cents per point)
Hilton Labriz Resort & Spa (category 10)
Weekend Rate in May:
$410 per night or 70,000 points per night (.58 cents per point)
Conrad Centennial Singapore (category 7)
Weekend Rate in May:
$228 per night or 60,000 points per night (.58 cents per point)
And some possible uses on a stopover...
Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri, Italy (Category 9)
Weekend Rate in May:
$574 or 80,000 points per night (.71 cents per point)
London Hilton on Park Lane (Category 9)
Weekend Rate in May:
$473 per night or 80,000 points per night (.59 cents per point)
Conrad Pezula (Category 10)
Weekend Rate in May:
$261 per night or 72,000 points per night (.36 cents per point)
These are some of the Hilton properties that caught my attention when I started browsing locations to use my 2 free night certificates. They are also some of the more expensive locations and if they are also close to a great destination they seem to be some of the best uses for the certificates in around Asia.
Have you stayed at any of these properties, share your experiences in the comments below!
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