Hilton Honors for Disney World: Earn & Redeem Points Guide
Hilton Honors Guide: Use Points for Free Disney World Hotel Stays
Disney vacations are magical but can be expensive. What if I told you that your dream trip to Walt Disney World Resort could be free (or nearly free) with strategic use of the Hilton Honors program? By leveraging Hilton Honors points, you can book accommodations at nearby hotels and enjoy exclusive discounts on park tickets and dining. This means not only can you save money on lodging, but you can also use those savings to plan a Disney World trip that includes special experiences like character dining and unique after-hours events. With a bit of planning and careful consideration, a magical experience at Disney can be more attainable than you ever imagined.
Let’s dive into how a Hilton Honors member can earn and redeem Hilton points—and take advantage of key perks like the 5th Night Free and Free Night Certificates—to make your Disney vacation a reality. Earning free hotel stays saves you a large part of the cost of a Disney World Vacation. By strategically accumulating and utilizing these points, travelers can unlock special offers and discounts that make a trip to the happiest place on Earth even more affordable. With careful planning, enjoying both Hilton and Marriott rewards can lead to significant savings and unforgettable memories.
Hilton points work best as part of a comprehensive Disney strategy. Check our complete guide to using points for Disney vacations and learn about Disney trip hacking strategies.
Why Hilton Honors Is a Great Fit for Disney Vacations
Hilton Honors is the loyalty program for Hilton Hotels, offering points for stays and spending on co-branded Hilton credit cards. It’s especially great for Disney enthusiasts because it offers a wide range of properties near Walt Disney World, many of which cost significantly fewer points than you might expect.
Here’s why Hilton Honors works so well for Disney trips:
- Proximity: Many Hilton properties are close to the parks, with some offering shuttle service or being just a short drive away.
- Family-Friendly Amenities: Spacious suites, pools, and even free breakfasts make these hotels perfect for families. These amenities were essential during our Disney World family vacation – read about our seven-day Disney adventure to see Hilton properties in action.
- Affordable in Points: Hilton Honors points can stretch further compared to other hotel programs.
- No Resort Fees: Award stays booked with points are not subject to any resort fee.
Check out our list of Hilton Hotels near Disney World for a deeper dive into your options including the popular Disney Springs area! Some Hilton Hotels near Disney theme parks get perks such as extra magic hours (early entry). We also have a comprehensive list of the 15 best Hilton hotels near Disney World for a deeper dive into your options including the popular Disney Springs area! Also see our guide to maximizing Hilton Honors perks for Disney World for advanced strategies.
If you’re looking to travel with your furry friends several Hilton Hotels allow dogs as well. Also, sign up below for our Disney World hotel database to filter by many options to find your dream hotel.
How to Earn Hilton Honors Points for Free Disney Stays
1. Stay at Hilton Properties
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent at most Hilton brands (5 points per $1 at budget brands like Tru).
- Hilton Honors elite members earn Hilton Honors bonus points on top of the base rate.
2. Use Hilton Co-Branded Credit Cards
Hilton offers co-branded credit cards through American Express, which can supercharge your earning potential. Each new card you open offers a sign-up bonus, providing tens of thousands of points upfront.
3. Transfer Points
American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio, giving you even more ways to boost your Hilton Honors balance. Learn more about all available transfer options in our complete guide to credit card transfer partners and how to redeem American Express points for Disney.
American Express Hilton Co-Branded Credit Cards
American Express offers three Hilton co-branded credit cards, each designed to help you earn Hilton Honors points:
- Hilton Honors Credit Card by American Express (entry-level, no annual fee).
- Hilton Honors Surpass Card (mid-tier, enhanced earning potential).
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (premium, packed with perks like top-tier elite status).
To maximize your rewards, follow this sequence:
- Start with the Hilton Honors American Express Card, the entry-level option.
- Upgrade to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
- Finally, apply for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
Why this order? If you apply for a mid-tier or premium card first, you may forfeit eligibility for the welcome bonuses on lower-tier cards.
Hilton Rewards for Your Disney Trip
- Join the Hilton Honors Loyalty Program First: Before applying for any Hilton credit card, sign up for Hilton Honors and provide your membership number during the card application.
- Avoid Adding Authorized Users: Instead, if you share expenses with a partner or spouse, have them apply for their own card. This “person two strategy” allows both of you to earn separate sign-up bonuses, effectively doubling your rewards. If you add them as an authorized user to your account, they will not be able to earn a sign-up bonus on their account.
- Keep track of Hilton bonus points categories to earn additional points on your everyday spending. You can earn extra Hilton points for your trips to the grocery store, gas stations or at your favorite restaurant. Each co-branded card varies in the bonus points offered. Maximize your everyday spending with cashback apps strategies for Disney and using Rakuten to earn Amex points that transfer to Hilton.
Stack Cashback + Points for Extra Disney Savings
Get cashback on Disney purchases and travel bookings with tested apps — and see how we combine them with points to save $600–$1,400 a year on tickets, dining, and extras.
Maximize Hilton Points and Free Night Certificates
1. Fifth Night Free on Points
When you book an award stay of 5+ consecutive nights using Hilton Honors points, the fifth night is free. This benefit is available to Silver, Gold, and Diamond members and can significantly stretch your points for more free nights.
For example:
- A hotel requiring 40,000 points per night would cost 160,000 points for a 5-night stay instead of 200,000 points.
- Combine this with a Free Night Certificate for even greater savings!
2. Free Night Certificates
Free Night Certificates are one of the most valuable perks in the Hilton Honors program. Here’s how you can earn them:
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card: Receive one Free Night Certificate annually and an additional certificate by spending $60,000 per year.
- Hilton Honors Surpass Card: Earn a Free Night Certificate by spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors Business Card: Similar to the Surpass Card, earn a Free Night Certificate with $15,000 in annual spending.
Where Can You Use Hilton Free Night Certificates?
You can redeem Free Night Certificates for a standard room reward at nearly any Hilton property worldwide, including high-end resorts near Disney like:
- Waldorf Astoria Orlando (luxury, close to Disney).
- Signia By Hilton Orlando (family-friendly with shuttles to Disney).
Pro Tip: Combine Free Night Certificates with points redemptions for an even longer stay, especially when using the “5th Night Free” perk. Also, if you and your person 2 have separate Aspire or Surpass accounts, you can double on Free Night Certificates.
Hilton Honors Membership Tiers
There are 3 Hilton Rewards Levels: Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Each level offers increasing benefits, making your stays more rewarding.
- Silver Status:
- Earned after 4 nights, 2 stays, or 10,000 base points.
- Benefits include the “5th Night Free on Points” perk and a 20% bonus on points earned.
- Gold Status:
- Earned after 28 nights, 14 stays, or 52,500 base points (or automatically with the Hilton Surpass Card).
- Includes free breakfast, room upgrades, and an 80% points bonus.
- Diamond Status:
- Earned after 42 nights, 21 stays, or 84,000 base points (or automatically with the Hilton Aspire Card).
- Includes all Gold benefits plus executive lounge access (in Hilton Hotels which have executive lounges), guaranteed room availability, and premium Wi-Fi.
Hilton Diamond benefits include Lounge access, guaranteed room availability, and the ability to gift elite status. Hilton Executive Lounge benefits vary by hotel, some offer free food and drinks all day, and some only for certain meals.
Tips for Maximizing Your Hilton Honors Benefits for Disney Trips
- Strategically Use Points: Choose properties with lower nightly points requirements to stretch your balance.
- Stack Free Night Certificates with Points: Use certificates for high-cost nights and points for additional nights to maximize value.
- Leverage the “5th Night Free” Perk: Extend your vacation with this incredible benefit, saving thousands of points.
- Book Early: Award availability at popular Orlando hotels can be limited, so plan ahead for your Disney trip.
The Hilton Honors program offers incredible opportunities to make your Disney World vacation more affordable—or even free. By earning and redeeming Hilton Honors points strategically, leveraging the “5th Night Free” perk, and utilizing Free Night.
With thoughtful planning, Hilton Honors can turn your Disney dreams into reality!
CPA-Level Financial Review
Every credit card recommendation analyzed for genuine value, not commission rates. We’ve personally used these cards for our Disney area hotel stays.
About Points to Magic
Our team at Points to Magic is led by Danielle, a CPA with 19 years of financial expertise. We specialize in helping families save thousands on Disney vacations using credit card points and cashback strategies. Every recommendation is personally tested through our own family trips.
Learn More →How many Hilton points do I need for a free Disney Wolrd area hotel?
You need approximately 30,000 to 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night for a free stay at a Disney World area hotel, depending on the specific hotel and time of year.
What is Hilton’s 5th night free benefit?
Hilton’s 5th night free benefit allows members of the Hilton Honors loyalty program to earn a complimentary fifth night when they book a consecutive stay of five nights using points. This offer applies to standard room rewards and is available for bookings made through the Hilton Honors website or app.
Can I transfer points to Hilton Honors?
Yes, you can transfer points to Hilton Honors from select partners, such as American Express Membership Rewards and certain airline loyalty programs. Check the specific partner’s terms for details on the transfer process.
