Hilton Honors Points: 5 Luxury Hotels to Get the Most Out of Award Stays – Cond Nast Traveler

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With Hilton Honors points, the loyalty program of the greater Hilton Hotels and Resorts universe, account holders can redeem free nights at 5,000-plus properties at more than 17 brands worldwide, including top-tier locations of Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels.

That sounds like an incredible perk, but figuring out the actual number of Hilton Honors points required to redeem hotel rewards can be quite the task. Generally it depends on a number of factors, from the category under which the hotel falls, to the time of year (peak vs. off-peak season) and length of stay. Each property is its own casetedious, we knowand the number of points required ranges between 5,000 and 125,000. Unfortunately, in 2018 Hilton stopped publishing a straightforward, official award chart and launched an online Points Explorer tool instead. This widget is designed to help account holders see how far their points can take them, based on destination. You could spend hoursactually days, even weeksplaying with the Points Explorer tool to figure out the best way to use your hard-earned Hilton Honors points, but weve done some of that homework for you.

Since the number of points required for a free hotel stay is not pegged to the cash amount of the stay, the value of a reward stay varies greatly. For example, in late October, a room at the Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach, which retails for $225 per night, will cost you 90,000 points per night; alternatively, a room at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui in French Polynesia, which retails for some $900 per night over the same weekend in October, will cost you the same 90,000 points per night. That's a huge difference in value. In the esoteric world of hotel loyalty, we tend to value Hilton Honors points at roughly a half cent each. So, in the most general sense, any value below that is a bad deal and above, a good deal. In the aforementioned example, youd be cashing out your points for a quarter cent each at the Miami property (bad deal) and one cent each in Bora Bora (amazing deal).

Ultimately, how you spend your points is up to you. With the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card, for instance, you can get 125,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 within the first three months of account opening, and it has a low annual fee of $95.

Learn more about signing up for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card here.

Once you start racking up Hilton Honors points, a free ultra-luxury stay may be closer than you think. Here are five properties in the Hilton portfolio where your points can go a long, long way.

Opened in July 2019, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi comprises three private islands and 122 villas (including 56 overwater bungalows), all with private infinity pools surrounded by the incredible blue-ombre waters of the Indian Ocean. Nightly rates start at $1,930, but standard room rewards range from 95,000 to 125,000 Hilton Honors points per night. On a recent search for rooms in January 2020 (peak season), we found standard room rewards for the 2,518 square feet King Beach Villa with Pool for 120,000 points per night versus the hotel's best available rate of $2,630 per night.

Current value: 2 cents per point

Formerly The London NYC, the contemporary, all-suite, 564-key Conrad New York Midtown, near Central Park in midtown Manhattan, has rooms larger than most New York City apartments. Rates at the newly renovated and re-branded property begin at $675 per night. Points rewards can be found at 95,000 points per night.

Current value: .71 cents per point

With its sleek suites, buzzy rooftop pool bar, and fantastic Jean-Gorges restaurant, its easy to see why the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills ranked No. 1 in our 2017 and 2018 Readers' Choice Awards as the best hotel in L.A. Rooms typically start between $600 and $725 per night (depending on the season) while standard room rewards are fixed at 95,000 points per night.

Current value: .63 to .76 cents per point

Inside a villa bedroom at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui.

Courtesy Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Opened in summer 2017, Conrad Bora Bora Nui is the newest luxury resort in swoon-worthy Bora Bora. Everything about the property screams paradise, but the price tag matches, with rates beginning at $650 or even $1000 per night, depending on the season. Thankfully, points paradise can be found at a fixed 90,000 points per night.

Current value: .72 to 1 cent per point

Often overshadowed by big sister Bora Bora, Moorea, an island in French Polynesia, also impresses with its clear waters and mountainous backdrops. Set on this islands northern shores, Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa has stunning villas and panoramic overwater bungalows. Nightly rates run between $600 to $700 and standard room rewards are fixed at 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Current value: .75 to .87 cents per point

Before booking any of these deals, its important to note that redeeming Hilton Honors points may require patience and flexibility, especially if you're going after inventory at standard redemption rates in coveted locations like those mentioned above. Thankfully, Hiltons search engine allows you to easily view inventory over weeks at a time when selecting flexible dates, so you can find the best possible deal for your points.

Cond Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cond Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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Hilton Honors Points: 5 Luxury Hotels to Get the Most Out of Award Stays - Cond Nast Traveler