October 8, 2026
Don’t Let Your Hilton Credits Go to Waste
Pam
One of the easiest ways to get more value from your Hilton credit cards is by actually using the credits that come with them. These aren’t the flashy welcome bonuses everyone talks about, but they can quietly save you hundreds of dollars every year.
I am currently staying at a timeshare we exchanged into: the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings’ Land Waikoloa. I used a timeshare exchange to book it but am trying to use my Hilton credits while I am here. Here is how it is going.
The $50 Quarterly Hilton Credit
If you have the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll receive up to $50 in statement credits each calendar quarter when you make eligible purchases directly with Hilton. That means you can receive up to $200 back each year just by remembering to use the credit before each quarter ends.
Terms apply. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Even if you don’t have a big Hilton vacation planned, you can still take advantage of it in plenty of ways. Book a quick overnight stay close to home, add a hotel night before an early morning flight, or use it during a road trip. Those smaller stays can end up costing very little after you apply the credit.
I’ve used it to buy Starbucks gift cards at a large Hilton with a Starbucks housed inside. Have lunch or dinner at a Hilton restaurant each quarter. (Just be sure you use the card at a Hilton property that will trigger the credit.)
On this trip we had three credits and used them like this:
- Rented snorkel equipment at the Hilton Waikoloa Village
- Used two to buy lunch for us at the Hilton Waikoloa Village
The biggest mistake? Forgetting about it. Since the credit resets every quarter, any unused amount disappears when the next quarter begins.
The Hilton Aspire Resort Credit
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers one of our favorite hotel perks: up to $200 in statement credits twice each year for eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts. That’s up to $400 in annual value if you use both semiannual credits.
This credit works at eligible Hilton resort properties worldwide, making it a great excuse to book that beach getaway, mountain retreat, or tropical vacation you’ve been thinking about. It can help offset room charges or eligible resort expenses, depending on how you use your stay.
You can even pair this credit with Hilton points for a fantastic strategy. Redeem points for your room, then let the resort credit help cover eligible dining, spa treatments, or other qualifying charges during your stay. It’s one of our favorite ways to enjoy a more luxurious vacation while keeping cash costs low.
On this trip, we used two $200 statement credits this way:
- Pay for extra fees
- Dinner one night at the Bistro on-site
Alex and I used both of my credits at a Hilton stay for a trip to Legoland last quarter. Next quarter I plan to use it at the Waldorf Astoria in Costa Rica.
Bottom Line
The best credit card benefits are the ones you plan to use before you even book your trip. Between the quarterly Hilton Business credit and the semiannual Aspire resort credit, you could save up to $600 each year while still earning Hilton points on your stays. I have a trip planned for the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica in November so will get to use my three $50 quarterly Hilton credits there and my sister’s $200 semi-annual Hilton Aspire resort credit. It’s a great plan to decide beforehand how you will use these credits and plan trips around them. My grandsons are laughing everytime I pull out a card and tell my husband to use it to pay for things on this trip.
These credits are one more reminder that points and miles aren’t just about free flights. The ongoing perks on the right credit cards can make every trip a little more affordable, whether it’s a weekend getaway close to home or a dream vacation at a Hilton resort.
Related Posts
Great Hilton Hotels in the U.S. for Families to Book with Points
The American Express Hilton Credit Cards
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