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Hilton Honors has increased the cost of standard award nights at select properties yet again. While the program has already increased award rates twice in 2025, jumping to 150,000 points for top-tier properties and then again to 200,000 points in June, the most expensive awards are now topping out at a whopping 250,000 points per night.
Let's dig into the details of this surprising (but now par for the course) no-notice devaluation.
Standard Award Nights at Hilton Properties Now Cost up to 250k Points
Hilton Honors boasts an incredible portfolio of properties around the world, from the Maldives and Bora Bora to Cabo San Lucas. But after the program’s third no-notice devaluation in just nine months, standard award nights at some of these properties is now a lot higher than it used to be just a short time ago. As of today, that cap has climbed to 250,000 points.
These increases hit aspirational properties hardest, such as the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. If you were planning a stay here, your best bet is redeeming a free night certificate. Otherwise, you’ll be shelling out 250,000 points for each standard award night you can find.
Changes like this for programs like Hilton Honors aren't exactly unheard of. Hilton removed official award charts when it shifted to dynamic pricing. However, standard room awards had still loosely followed some semblance of an award chart. But in 2025, Hilton introduced variable pricing for standard awards at certain properties. And from there it's been a race to the bottom. Standard award caps have skyrocketed.
What has not changed, though, is the program’s habit of making overnight no-notice adjustments, which makes it tough for the average member to save up for aspirational redemptions. But if it's any justification, a Hilton spokesperson offered the following when asked about the rationale for the changes:
“Similar to how our hotels adjust their room rates based on supply and demand, we routinely monitor and occasionally adjust Hilton Honors reward pricing to more closely correlate to market demand. The Hilton Honors program continues to offer incredible value, flexibility and choice to our most loyal guests.”
Which properties were affected by this devaluation?
Since there’s no official press release on these changes, you’ll need to check individual properties to see if their standard award night points cap has gone up. But to give you a sense of what’s changed, here are a few examples:
- Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi: Increased from 200,000 points to 250,000 points
- Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: Increased from 190,000 points to 250,000 points
- Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills: Increased from 120,000 points to 200,000 points
- Conrad Bora Bora: Increased from 120,000 points to 200,000 points
- Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island: Increased from 130,000 points to 200,000 points
- Conrad Maldives: Increased from 120,000 points to 180,000 points
It's likely even more properties than this were impacted. That's part of what's so frustrating about no-notice award devaluations like this.
These changes aren't necessarily surprising
Since the pandemic, loyalty programs have exploded with activity. It's now easier than ever to earn Hilton points, with strong credit card offers that reward large sign-up bonuses for new applicants. And with new members earning more Hilton Honors points than ever, award redemptions likely needed an adjustment.
It's clear that Hilton's management sees too many points in supply in the program, similar to how the Federal Reserve adjusts interest rates higher to cool down the economy. While high sign up bonuses are great for consumers, the dark side is that programs have devalued over time.
When I began collecting Hilton points in 2011, the most you'd pay per night for a Hilton was 50,000 points! Since then, we've seen nothing short of a massive increase.
Will Hilton Cap Free Night Certificates Soon?
After three devaluations in nine months, you might be wondering whether Hilton will soon make changes to its free night certificates. Right now, these certificates can be used for standard room rewards, which are now capped at 250,000 points.
We asked Hilton if members should expect any changes to that policy. A spokesperson told us:
“Free Night Certificates can be used for standard room rewards and are not restricted by the number of Points required to book. There are no planned changes to Free Night Certificates applicability in the foreseeable future.”
So, for now, you don’t need to worry about a points cap on your free night certificates.
Bottom Line
With this news, it’s worth remembering not just to collect points and miles but to use them often. An “earn and burn” strategy helps reduce the risk of an overnight devaluation derailing your plans.
For example, I had been saving Hilton points for years to book the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. By chance, I locked in a five-night stay last week using Hilton’s 5th Night Free benefit at 120,000 points per night. After these changes, that same stay now costs 200,000 points per night, or 800,000 points total. Clearly, there’s real risk in hoarding points.
While everyone's travel habits are different, saving up for an award redemption far in the future may not make sense if three big devaluations happen in a nine month span like in Hilton's program.
There's no sugarcoating it. This news from Hilton is particularly bad. For those focused on aspirational redemptions in the program, it might make sense to consider another award program, as current rates could be out of reach for normal travelers, and the current rate could always increase again overnight.
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