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
Jul 20, 2023, 1:19 pm
#1036
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,349
Tried calling back in 2 more times over the last ~6 weeks.
Both times, I encountered an initial agent who was adamant that they (speaking about themselves the agent) would not be able to extend a certificate or make a booking with a certificate for after its expiry, not now and not closer to expiry and not after expiry. I mentioned that I had previously been told it was possible and there should be notes on the reservation. Both times, they expressed surprise, then referred me over to another department (I'm guessing some part of HHonors rather than the booking department), and both times that next person I spoke to told me that:
1. They could not extend the certificate now
2. They will extend it when it is closer to expiry (one went so far as to use the word "guarantee", similar to the my initial call back in June)
3. I should call back up to 2 weeks prior to expiry
So, this might not be consistent with what other people have experienced, but it's at least been a consistent message to me throughout my multiple calls.
Both times, I encountered an initial agent who was adamant that they (speaking about themselves the agent) would not be able to extend a certificate or make a booking with a certificate for after its expiry, not now and not closer to expiry and not after expiry. I mentioned that I had previously been told it was possible and there should be notes on the reservation. Both times, they expressed surprise, then referred me over to another department (I'm guessing some part of HHonors rather than the booking department), and both times that next person I spoke to told me that:
1. They could not extend the certificate now
2. They will extend it when it is closer to expiry (one went so far as to use the word "guarantee", similar to the my initial call back in June)
3. I should call back up to 2 weeks prior to expiry
So, this might not be consistent with what other people have experienced, but it's at least been a consistent message to me throughout my multiple calls.
Jul 21, 2023, 1:41 pm
#1037
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: HH Dia, Marriott Titanium, AA Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 192
When are we going to be able to book these online/using the app?
I just had a 2nd instance in which, because of language barriers or just not understanding, the agent booked the wrong date.....I don't understand in 2023 why we still have to call in to reserve....
I just had a 2nd instance in which, because of language barriers or just not understanding, the agent booked the wrong date.....I don't understand in 2023 why we still have to call in to reserve....
Jul 21, 2023, 7:56 pm
#1038
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 26
It's maybe only a little bit better, but you can also book FNC reservations using Hilton's online chat. In my experience there's usually also a language barrier, but at least when the dates are spelled out in black and white it's harder to mess up.
Jul 24, 2023, 7:19 am
#1039
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 82
I'm sorry to hear that you aren't able to get your certificate extended. It seems that those of us who were able to get extensions did it through the Diamond desk. Possibly they have more leeway, but unfortunately at the moment I don't believe you would have access to that being that your status is Gold.
Jul 26, 2023, 10:09 am
#1040
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP
Posts: 1,018
Why does it have to take 45-90 mins to book a simple FNA?
I've booked 3 this month and each time been put on hold repeatedly if I call or asked to stay connected over and over if I chat. This is ridiculous.
Why can't the FNA just be booked online like with Hyatt FNAs?
Why can't the FNA just be booked online like with Hyatt FNAs?
Jul 26, 2023, 10:18 am
#1041
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
It's never more than 10 minutes for me....
I'm not sure the Diamond Desk phone is answered in Dallas anymore? My last FNA redemption was with a very competent but heavily accented CSR.
(I thought you could only accrue 1 per calendar year?)
I'm not sure the Diamond Desk phone is answered in Dallas anymore? My last FNA redemption was with a very competent but heavily accented CSR.
(I thought you could only accrue 1 per calendar year?)
Jul 26, 2023, 10:41 am
#1042
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Gulf Coast
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond; National Car Rental Executive Elite
Posts: 2,322
This is my experience as well. Call in (Diamond #), tell them what you want to do, they ask for the hotel, the dates, and the certificate number. Reservation is made.
Jul 26, 2023, 12:31 pm
#1043
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 172
The last few times I called in, they didn't even ask me for the certificate number - they could just see the certs I had and applied them. I guess that is more of a step if you have multiple and only want to use a certain number of them?
Jul 26, 2023, 1:10 pm
#1044
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
Jul 26, 2023, 1:12 pm
#1045
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 172
Oh yeah, I think you can only get one per card through spend per year, but you can have multiple on your account through multiple credit cards. All the cards had a sign-up bonus recently with a free night certificate and the Business/Surpass/Aspire cards have the opportunity to earn another one through spend.
Jul 26, 2023, 1:30 pm
#1046
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,215
Years ago you had to know the number now all is on your account
Jul 26, 2023, 1:40 pm
#1047
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP
Posts: 1,018
One was leftover from last year and expiring and I accrued this year's earlier and it just posted. The 3rd was on my DD's acct. Plus you can accrue more for hitting 60K spend, and you can have mulitple Amex Cards.
Jul 26, 2023, 3:18 pm
#1048
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,349
Oh yeah, I think you can only get one per card through spend per year, but you can have multiple on your account through multiple credit cards. All the cards had a sign-up bonus recently with a free night certificate and the Business/Surpass/Aspire cards have the opportunity to earn another one through spend.
So yes, it's certainly possible for someone to have multiple FNAs in their account coming from various cards.
Jul 26, 2023, 3:31 pm
#1049
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,215
And in the past that had “spend $x get a free weekend night” in addition.