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I’m writing this from the stunning Oceana Santa Monica, where I just scored an incredible two-night stay that would have cost $2,784—for free! And no, I didn’t even use points. Instead, I leveraged the Free Night Awards that come with mine and Rob’s Hilton Honors American Express Aspire® Cards.
Why the Hilton Honors Aspire Card is a No-Brainer
One of the best perks of the Hilton Honors Aspire card is the Free Night Award, which has no points cap. Unlike other hotel programs that limit the value of their free night certificates, Hilton’s simply requires a standard room rate to be available on points. If you find availability, you can book using your Free Night Award. This flexibility is what allowed me to secure this ultra-luxurious stay at Oceana Santa Monica without spending a dime. BTW, love the no-brainer cards, check out some of my favorite ones here.
The Booking Process: A Small Hassle, But Worth It
Since I booked one night with Rob’s Free Night Award and the second night with mine, I had to link the reservations to avoid switching rooms. Luckily, a quick email to the hotel in advance made the process seamless.
Your Villa Awaits!
The Points Mom’s Got It!
Top-Tier Hilton Redemptions
Over the years, I’ve used my Hilton Aspire Free Night Awards at some of the most exclusive properties, including:
- Grand Wailea, Maui
- Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
- Waldorf Astoria Park City
Now, I can officially add Oceana Santa Monica to that list! These redemptions alone make the $650 annual fee on the Aspire card absolutely worth it.
Hilton Diamond Status Perks
The Aspire card also grants automatic Diamond status, which comes with valuable benefits. For this stay, we’re getting a $50 per day food & beverage credit—a great perk, though I know from experience that we’ll likely go over it just for breakfast.
Be Warned: Luxury Comes with Extra Costs
While scoring a free stay at a luxury hotel is amazing, be prepared for the additional expenses that come with staying at a high-end property. After all, you’re still at a luxury hotel, and things add up fast! One major expense to watch out for? Parking! At Oceana Santa Monica, parking is a hefty $70 per day—a cost that can quickly eat into your travel budget if you’re not expecting it. Other potential expenses include resort fees, pricey food and drinks, and high-end spa services. It’s something to keep in mind when planning your trip, so you’re not caught off guard.
More Ways to Offset the Annual Fee
Beyond the Free Night Award, the Aspire card includes:
- $50 airline credit per quarter ($200 per year) – Unlike the Amex Platinum airline credit, which only applies to incidentals, this one can be used for actual airfare.
- $200 resort credit every six months – This used to be more flexible, but now it’s limited to select Hilton resorts, making it harder to use. I’m honestly struggling to maximize this benefit unless I happen to be staying at one of the eligible properties.
Final Verdict: The Aspire Card is a Keeper
Even if I don’t fully utilize the resort credit, the combination of:
- A Free Night Award worth $1,400+
- $200 airline credits per year
- Diamond status perks like food & beverage credits
…makes the $650 annual fee an easy win when used strategically.
Next Stop: Waldorf Astoria NYC!
With the Waldorf Astoria New York reopening this spring, I’m eagerly waiting for another Free Night Award to land in my account. When it does, you can bet I’ll be putting it to excellent use!
Have you used your Hilton Aspire Free Night at a top-tier property? Let me know your best redemptions!
