Mar 14, 2019, 8:27 am
Last edit by: rrgg
Expiration: The 12 month expiration date on a certificate means you must reserve and complete the stay by the expiration date. You can't reserve something beyond the 12 month period. You can't extend the expiration date. (Some exceptions starting with this post.)
Eligible Dates: A certificate can be used for a Standard Room Award any day of the week. (Old policy limited them to Fri, Sat, Sun).
Other Notes:
Eligible Dates: A certificate can be used for a Standard Room Award any day of the week. (Old policy limited them to Fri, Sat, Sun).
Other Notes:
- If you earned a free night from a credit card and cancel the card, the free night certificate remains intact.
- If you cancel a reservation made with a free night certificate, the certificate becomes available right away.
- After making a reservation with a free night certificate, you'll get an email that says you booked a Standard Room Award. It will also show the points value, but no points will actually be deducted.
- The free night from the Aspire card arrives by email within 2 months of being approved and anniversary date, and the free night from spend on the Aspire/Business/Surpass arrives within a week or sooner of reaching the spending threshold. This is irrespective of your card statement date. If you upgrade from another Hilton Amex to the Aspire, the free night may post more quickly.
- Available, reserved and used certificates can be seen midway through the My Account page (https://www.hilton.com/en/hilton-hon...st/my-account/)
- If you're waiting for a free night certificate to arrive, Hilton reps say it does not help to make a points reservation and then swap it later. The reason is they have to cancel the old points reservation one and make a new reservation. The old one can't just be edited to change the payment to a FNC.
- From the Hilton email regarding a special 2020 policy on some certificates, "For all unexpired Weekend Night Rewards as of March 11, 2020, and all new ones issued until August 30, 2020, we are extending the expiration date through the end of next summer (August 31, 2021). There is no need for you to do anything, as your certificate(s) are being automatically updated in our systems. We hope this adjustment gives you some additional flexibility for your travels
Consolidated "Free Night Certificate Questions & Experiences" thread
Aug 1, 2022, 1:13 am
#767
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
1. Combining paid nights on the same reservation as an FNC: Not possible.
2. Combining points nights on the same reservation with an FNC (because of a minimum stay requirement, or for any other reason): Totally possible, I promise you, because I’ve done it. But many phone reps don’t know how or insist it can’t be done so be prepared to HUACA.
3. Combining a 5th night free points reservation with an FNC: This might not be possible but I haven’t tried it personally.
Aug 1, 2022, 2:59 pm
#768
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 86
I think there are three different issues getting mixed together in this series of posts.
1. Combining paid nights on the same reservation as an FNC: Not possible.
2. Combining points nights on the same reservation with an FNC (because of a minimum stay requirement, or for any other reason): Totally possible, I promise you, because I’ve done it. But many phone reps don’t know how or insist it can’t be done so be prepared to HUACA.
3. Combining a 5th night free points reservation with an FNC: This might not be possible but I haven’t tried it personally.
1. Combining paid nights on the same reservation as an FNC: Not possible.
2. Combining points nights on the same reservation with an FNC (because of a minimum stay requirement, or for any other reason): Totally possible, I promise you, because I’ve done it. But many phone reps don’t know how or insist it can’t be done so be prepared to HUACA.
3. Combining a 5th night free points reservation with an FNC: This might not be possible but I haven’t tried it personally.
If so, do you know if a FNC night can be added to an existing points reservation, in a case where there isn't single-night availability?
Aug 1, 2022, 3:13 pm
#769
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2,263
Interesting, thanks for the info. Just to be sure, when you say "minimum stay requirement", are you talking about this issue of the standard room availability not showing up unless you are looking for some minimum number of nights?
If so, do you know if a FNC night can be added to an existing points reservation, in a case where there isn't single-night availability?
If so, do you know if a FNC night can be added to an existing points reservation, in a case where there isn't single-night availability?
Aug 1, 2022, 4:29 pm
#770
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
That doesn't really make any sense. You book 4 nights with points, 5th night free. Full Stop. For the 6th night you use a certificate, booked separately.
Aug 2, 2022, 6:02 am
#771
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2,263
But you cannot book a 1 night stay at a place that has a minimum more than 1 night stay, so it cannot be booked separately. 1 night < 5 night minimum
Aug 2, 2022, 6:55 am
#772
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
But since you're really booking 6 nights, I would call and ask the hotel. Minimum stay requirements don't always work out perfectly for the hotel, there are gaps, so the "5 night" rule is not hard and fast, and the hotel can open up a night for a booking. Central Res or even the DD can't/won't do it, but the hotel can.
Aug 2, 2022, 8:49 am
#773
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
I have never encountered a 5-night minimum. But yes, late last year I stayed at a resort where standard rooms (or any rooms actually) only showed up when you searched for at least a 2 or 3 night stay. The Diamond line agent was able to combine two nights on points and one FNC into the same reservation. There was no need to contact the property directly although I guess that is an option too.
As for modifying an existing reservation, travelcards, I think you will only be able to do that if there is still standard room availability for all of the nights.
As for modifying an existing reservation, travelcards, I think you will only be able to do that if there is still standard room availability for all of the nights.
Aug 5, 2022, 7:19 pm
#774
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 286
just wondering there would be any issues with my reservation due to a rep's error.
I booked a 6 night stay at a hotel using 3 FN certificates and points. However, it seems like I was given the 5th night free. Should I call back Hilton and bring this up? Don't want to have any issues when arriving at the hotel.
I booked a 6 night stay at a hotel using 3 FN certificates and points. However, it seems like I was given the 5th night free. Should I call back Hilton and bring this up? Don't want to have any issues when arriving at the hotel.
Aug 5, 2022, 11:37 pm
#776
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: QF Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 389
just wondering there would be any issues with my reservation due to a rep's error.
I booked a 6 night stay at a hotel using 3 FN certificates and points. However, it seems like I was given the 5th night free. Should I call back Hilton and bring this up? Don't want to have any issues when arriving at the hotel.
I booked a 6 night stay at a hotel using 3 FN certificates and points. However, it seems like I was given the 5th night free. Should I call back Hilton and bring this up? Don't want to have any issues when arriving at the hotel.
Aug 7, 2022, 9:09 am
#777
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 10
Just called to book Conrad Maldives Rangali with Points + 5 free 1 + FNC
Checked on Hilton website, the water villa standard room is available to book with points when I selected 6 nights, but when I changed to 5 nights, only the beach villa is available for standard room.
Called Hilton Diamond line and the rep told me that I can't use FNC at this property as it only redeemable at 100k points value.
I told the rep this is on in T&C, he talked to the manager and offered 2 separate reservation for 3 + 3 nights, on points + FNC, but only beach villa.
Anyone know any a way to work around this ?
Checked on Hilton website, the water villa standard room is available to book with points when I selected 6 nights, but when I changed to 5 nights, only the beach villa is available for standard room.
Called Hilton Diamond line and the rep told me that I can't use FNC at this property as it only redeemable at 100k points value.
I told the rep this is on in T&C, he talked to the manager and offered 2 separate reservation for 3 + 3 nights, on points + FNC, but only beach villa.
Anyone know any a way to work around this ?
Aug 8, 2022, 12:18 pm
#778
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Texas
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 514
AMEX FN Cert and Points Earning
Apologies if I missed the answer while browsing this thread. I used my AMEX Aspire FN cert last week and unclear about points earning for dining, incidental fee and MyWay bonus point option. Points initially posted for dining, late check-out fee and the MyWay bonus selection to my Honors account. I checked today and the points for the single night stay using the AMEX FN cert now list as zero.
I found this in the T&C - Members will not earn Points or promotional miles for hotel stays redeemed with a Marketing Partner's discount/free certificate (e.g. frequent flyer award or travel award), unless otherwise stated on the certificate. Members will not earn Points or promotional miles for incidental charges during hotel stays redeemed with a Marketing Partner's discount/free certificate unless otherwise stated on the certificate.
Can someone provide clarification if AMEX FN cert earns points before I file missing points request following the mandatory timeframe.
I found this in the T&C - Members will not earn Points or promotional miles for hotel stays redeemed with a Marketing Partner's discount/free certificate (e.g. frequent flyer award or travel award), unless otherwise stated on the certificate. Members will not earn Points or promotional miles for incidental charges during hotel stays redeemed with a Marketing Partner's discount/free certificate unless otherwise stated on the certificate.
Can someone provide clarification if AMEX FN cert earns points before I file missing points request following the mandatory timeframe.
Aug 9, 2022, 10:53 am
#779
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
Apologies if I missed the answer while browsing this thread. I used my AMEX Aspire FN cert last week and unclear about points earning for dining, incidental fee and MyWay bonus point option. Points initially posted for dining, late check-out fee and the MyWay bonus selection to my Honors account. I checked today and the points for the single night stay using the AMEX FN cert now list as zero.
Aug 14, 2022, 2:00 pm
#780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
If I make a reservation with an FNC and want to change the date of the reservation, can I call either Hilton or the hotel to make the change? Will I need to cancel the reservation and make a new reservation? Wiki said FNCs immediately go back to the account, but I have no experience with this.