Hilton Honors members have recently been informed of some changes to award costs at several luxury properties. Now, while many of the destinations we know and love remain unchanged, there are others where we’ve seen an increase—ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 points per night, depending on the property and the time of travel.
So, let’s take a moment to break this down. We’ll look at what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how we can navigate this new landscape together.
Award Cost Increases: What You Need to Know
Some of the most notable increases in award costs range from 5,000 to 20,000 points per night, depending on the property. Take the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, for example—a beautiful destination that used to cost 120,000 points per night for a standard room. Today, it requires 140,000 points per night—the highest increase we’ve seen.
And it’s not just there. The Conrad Osaka has also seen an adjustment, moving from 95,000 points per night to a range of 100,000 to 105,000 points. What’s important to note is that these higher rates now apply not just on weekends but on some weekdays, too.
This is part of a broader shift toward dynamic pricing at several properties. What does that mean? Simply put, the points required for the same room type can vary depending on your travel dates.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of our favorite destinations and how their award costs have changed—or, in some cases, stayed the same.
It’s important to point out that not all of these popular properties have seen increases. For instance, award costs at stunning destinations like Bora Bora, Tulum, and the Conrad Koh Samui have stayed the same. And for those eyeing ultra-luxury stays, there’s some good news: Hilton Honors’ standard room award pricing remains capped at 150,000 points per night for top-tier properties like the Waldorf Astoria Maldives. That cap hasn’t budged, offering a bit of relief for members looking to enjoy these world-class destinations.
And let’s not forget—Hilton’s free night certificates remain uncapped. That makes them an incredibly valuable resource, allowing members to redeem stays at even the highest-cost properties without worrying about devaluations. It’s a small but meaningful way for members to keep dreaming big.
Let's dig into it
Now, if you’re looking to save on point bookings and have some flexibility in your travel plans, it’s worth exploring different dates. Let’s take the Conrad Osaka as an example. When planning a five-night stay, it’s no surprise that Saturdays often come with a higher price tag. But here’s the thing—even weekdays can sometimes be affected.
By being mindful of these variations and adjusting your plans accordingly, you can make the most of your points and still enjoy an incredible stay at one of these remarkable properties.
Of course, one option is to plan your stay around Saturday. By avoiding it, you could secure five nights at the hotel for 400,000 points. However, if Saturday is part of your trip, you’ll likely end up spending 405,000 points.
But here’s the good news—you can optimize even further and still include Saturday in your stay. If Saturday happens to be your fifth night, it doesn’t matter that it’s more expensive than the other nights. Thanks to Hilton’s fifth-night-free benefit, that higher-cost night will still be free, allowing you to enjoy five nights for just 400,000 points.
It’s a smart way to get the most value out of your points while still enjoying a weekend stay for no additional cost.
A Silver Lining? It Could Have Been Worse
Now, let’s be honest—nobody likes seeing their hard-earned points lose value. But there are a few reasons to remain optimistic. First, while these increases may feel frustrating, they’re relatively modest compared to the sweeping changes we’ve seen in other loyalty programs. Take Marriott Bonvoy, for example—their move to dynamic pricing has caused significant fluctuations in award rates. And Hyatt’s annual category adjustments? They often result in more substantial devaluations.
Hilton Honors, on the other hand, hasn’t implemented a widespread points cost increase since May 2022. So this adjustment marks the first in over two and a half years. When you put it in perspective, a 10% average increase in points costs isn’t entirely unexpected in today’s loyalty landscape.
To break it down further—at a point valuation of 0.6 cents each, a 5,000 to 10,000-point increase translates to an additional $30 to $60 per night. While it’s not ideal, it’s a manageable change for most travelers.
Navigating the Changes
Let’s talk strategy—because even with these changes, there are smart ways to maximize your Hilton Honors points.
Plan Ahead: For properties with varying standard room reward rates, look for travel dates with the lower rates. A little flexibility can go a long way.
Leverage Free Night Certificates: These certificates remain uncapped, making them an incredible resource for redeeming stays at higher-cost properties without dipping into your points.
Take Advantage of the Fifth Night Free Promotion: When booking reward stays, this benefit can stretch your points further and give you extra time to enjoy your destination.
Make the Most of Credit Card Offers: Hilton’s co-branded credit cards often feature generous welcome bonuses that can quickly replenish your points balance. Some cards also offer free night certificates and reward points multipliers in select spending categories, helping you earn points faster.
And finally, use your points wisely and without delay. Hilton Honors points aren’t meant to be a long-term investment. With potential devaluations and changes to redemption rates, it’s better to put those points to good use sooner rather than later—especially if you have a specific trip or experience in mind. Don’t let your points sit idle; let them take you where you want to go.
Conclusion
Now, while Hilton Honors’ recent changes to award costs may be disappointing, they’re not entirely unexpected in the constantly changing landscape of loyalty programs. The key to navigating these shifts is staying strategic and proactive. By planning your redemptions carefully and taking advantage of the tools at your disposal, you can still enjoy exceptional stays at Hilton’s luxury properties—without breaking the bank when it comes to your points. To see whether it’s more beneficial to pay with points or cash, you can check out a comparison of hotel prices and point values HERE. This way, you can make more informed decisions and find the best option for your next stay.
