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
Jan 2, 2023, 7:50 pm
#901
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Delta, Hyatt-Plat, Priority Club-Plat, Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,271
Jan 3, 2023, 10:41 am
#902
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2,263
June 2023 - Dec 2023 - You spend $15,000 and get a FNC
January 2024 - May 2023 - You spend $15,000 and get a FNC
June 2024 you downgrade the card and pay no second annual fee. You have received 2 FNCs for 1 annual fee.
Jan 3, 2023, 1:06 pm
#903
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
However, wouldn't work for me. I'd have trouble charging $30K in a 12 month period (note I didn't say year). I have other cards with different benefits that I need to also put spend on. And my spend is not unlimited, unfortunately.
I also LIKE my Surpass card, and I'd want to be sure I could reapply (what's the language on getting the same card again?). I would hate to give it up for the sake of one FNC.
You'd also have to, as you point out, get the card in the middle of the year to have this work, many of us don't plan that way, we just get a card if we want it when we see a good SUB.
I'm basically not a churner, and I'm quite happy with the one FNC for the year, especially one I get for only $95 and can then use for $400-800 room (which has been my trend).
Jan 3, 2023, 2:04 pm
#904
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2,263
I'm impressed.
However, wouldn't work for me. I'd have trouble charging $30K in a 12 month period (note I didn't say year). I have other cards with different benefits that I need to also put spend on. And my spend is not unlimited, unfortunately.
I also LIKE my Surpass card, and I'd want to be sure I could reapply (what's the language on getting the same card again?). I would hate to give it up for the sake of one FNC.
You'd also have to, as you point out, get the card in the middle of the year to have this work, many of us don't plan that way, we just get a card if we want it when we see a good SUB.
I'm basically not a churner, and I'm quite happy with the one FNC for the year, especially one I get for only $95 and can then use for $400-800 room (which has been my trend).
However, wouldn't work for me. I'd have trouble charging $30K in a 12 month period (note I didn't say year). I have other cards with different benefits that I need to also put spend on. And my spend is not unlimited, unfortunately.
I also LIKE my Surpass card, and I'd want to be sure I could reapply (what's the language on getting the same card again?). I would hate to give it up for the sake of one FNC.
You'd also have to, as you point out, get the card in the middle of the year to have this work, many of us don't plan that way, we just get a card if we want it when we see a good SUB.
I'm basically not a churner, and I'm quite happy with the one FNC for the year, especially one I get for only $95 and can then use for $400-800 room (which has been my trend).
I had opened a Surpass card in 2020, and did the 2 FNC trick and downgraded it in 2021. I had a 15k charge for December 2022 so I upgraded it back. If I put some large charges on during Jan/Feb 2024 its possible for me to get 3 FNCs from this 1 AF. As I learned from this process, when you upgrade they retroactively count all spending from the year. So if you spend 15k in Jan-Nov, you can upgrade in December and still get the FNC.
Jan 5, 2023, 5:43 pm
#905
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Jan 6, 2023, 8:30 am
#906
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Midwest USA
Posts: 130
Using FNC and resort credit for family at Hilton properties
I have searched and haven’t seemed to find an answer to this question that isn’t 5+ years old.
I have two FNCs I’d like to book for two family members to stay in Sedona next month. I believe I can do this easily by booking and adding their names to the reservation which will allow them to check in without me present. Is that still correct?
I have an Aspire as well, and Bell Rock is eligible for the $250 resort credit. If I book using my Aspire for incidentals, will my family have any issues at check out? Can I pre approve this in any way prior to their trip?
Any advice would be wonderful, TIA!
I have two FNCs I’d like to book for two family members to stay in Sedona next month. I believe I can do this easily by booking and adding their names to the reservation which will allow them to check in without me present. Is that still correct?
I have an Aspire as well, and Bell Rock is eligible for the $250 resort credit. If I book using my Aspire for incidentals, will my family have any issues at check out? Can I pre approve this in any way prior to their trip?
Any advice would be wonderful, TIA!
Jan 9, 2023, 9:38 pm
#907
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Programs: Alaska MVP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 203
Absolutely no luck extending two (2) one-night Certificates due to expire January 15. Yes, they did the two week extension for me from December 31 but now I need just another 3 nights (need something Jan 16-18). I've tried the HUCA trick numerous time and Twitter DM all with no luck. I understand the rules, etc but I'm pretty irate. If anyone has any other suggestions at this point before they go to waste it would be appreciated. Thank you.
Jan 11, 2023, 5:51 pm
#908
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
I am Diamond and have a FNC expiring March, looking at using for a stay in April, how can I get my FN extended?
Jan 11, 2023, 6:05 pm
#910
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 169
Absolutely no luck extending two (2) one-night Certificates due to expire January 15. Yes, they did the two week extension for me from December 31 but now I need just another 3 nights (need something Jan 16-18). I've tried the HUCA trick numerous time and Twitter DM all with no luck. I understand the rules, etc but I'm pretty irate. If anyone has any other suggestions at this point before they go to waste it would be appreciated. Thank you.
Jan 11, 2023, 6:48 pm
#911
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 23
Extremely frustrated: I have a trip to book and my Certificate is not here yet.
Neither Hilton nor Amex know when my account will be credited are saying that the other has the info :/
Afraid that standard room availability will be gone by the time I actually receive it.
My annual fee was paid on December 5th.
Neither Hilton nor Amex know when my account will be credited are saying that the other has the info :/
Afraid that standard room availability will be gone by the time I actually receive it.
My annual fee was paid on December 5th.
Jan 11, 2023, 6:54 pm
#912
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 240
Extremely frustrated: I have a trip to book and my Certificate is not here yet. Neither Hilton nor Amex know when my account will be credited are saying that the other has the info :/ Afraid that standard room availability will be gone by the time I actually receive it. My annual fee was paid on December 5th.
Jan 11, 2023, 7:25 pm
#913
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 23
Anniversary is November. By this time last year, I had already received it. Talk about inconsistency
Jan 12, 2023, 1:05 am
#914
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Online booking for AE certificate
Hi, I just want to suggest to Hilton representative here. Is it possible to ask your genius technical guys to let us make a reservation online for our American Express issued annual certificate? Now I can do everything online without calling the phone customer support. This is the only thing I can't do online. If you can resolve this, you will save tons of money on phone support.
I am thinking that every certificate has a number. So perhaps we can click point booking and enter that number in the special code area. But I don't know anything about your computer system. So this may not be do-able. But I am sure your computer geniuses can figure things out.
I am thinking that every certificate has a number. So perhaps we can click point booking and enter that number in the special code area. But I don't know anything about your computer system. So this may not be do-able. But I am sure your computer geniuses can figure things out.
Jan 12, 2023, 6:41 am
#915
Company Representative - Honors by Hilton
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,516
Hi, I just want to suggest to Hilton representative here. Is it possible to ask your genius technical guys to let us make a reservation online for our American Express issued annual certificate? Now I can do everything online without calling the phone customer support. This is the only thing I can't do online. If you can resolve this, you will save tons of money on phone support.
I am thinking that every certificate has a number. So perhaps we can click point booking and enter that number in the special code area. But I don't know anything about your computer system. So this may not be do-able. But I am sure your computer geniuses can figure things out.
I am thinking that every certificate has a number. So perhaps we can click point booking and enter that number in the special code area. But I don't know anything about your computer system. So this may not be do-able. But I am sure your computer geniuses can figure things out.
Best regards,
William