Hilton HHonors - Last minute use of HH points

I am sure I can dig through the Hilton web site and find out this answer but please humor with me.
If I am stranded at a location (airport) for the night... can I call the Honors phone number and make a last minute reservation at a nearby hotel.
Thanks.

Some years ago, I went to the Hilton in Stockolm, Sweeden. I didn't hold any award reservation. I came directly at the desk and was able to book a 3 nights stay with points.

both ways are possible

You can use them last minute, it's just a question of how the property handles them. When we were closing on our house we never knew until 5 or 6 that afternoon if the deal was going to go through or not. It was a great way to rack up hotel stays for 14 days, every day pick another place. Some of the properties would take care of it all for you at the desk, others would say we had to make the reservation online (which we could do in the business center) and they would do the rest. You can also do it by phone to the reservations center t 1-800-HHONORS. Make sure they understand you will not have access to print the certificate out before you arrive and ask they fax a copy of the certificate over to the hotel if it's needed by the hotel, sometimes they don't even look at it, other times they won't do it without it.