How my Hilton cards turned a stay at a luxury resort into an all-inclusive experience

I’m a huge fan of luxury resort vacations, but one challenge is that even when booked with points, the costs can add up due to expensive food and beverage options on-site. All-inclusive resorts can help mitigate these expenses, but they often lack exceptional dining options, which are essential for my travel experience.

Fortunately, there are several credit cards that provide statement credits specifically for Hilton properties. For years, I’ve leveraged these benefits to reduce costs during luxury trips to destinations like Mexico, Hawaii, and Bora Bora. However, this year, while planning a getaway to Portugal’s Algarve region, I discovered I could potentially eliminate my out-of-pocket expenses entirely.

Here’s how I made it happen.

Accumulating Hilton Statement Credits

I became a holder of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card shortly after its release in early 2018, and it has remained a staple in my wallet. My husband also has the card, and we both own the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card for its free night certificate benefits.

In late 2023, both cards received significant updates that included valuable statement credits. Aspire Card holders can now receive up to $400 yearly (or $200 biannually) for eligible purchases at participating Hilton resorts, while Surpass Card holders can earn up to $50 quarterly (or $200 annually) for Hilton purchases.

In addition, I’ve been stacking credits from The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, which offers up to $200 annually for Hilton purchases, also divided into quarterly credits of up to $50 (enrollment required).

Related: How to maximize the Amex Business Platinum’s $200 Hilton statement credit

When combined, this means my husband and I can potentially receive up to $550 in statement credits for our resort trips each year.

However, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and in early 2023, I found myself with no immediate use for the full $550 in credits.

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Using Vouchers Strategically

Luckily, as I was already organizing my second-half 2025 trip to Portugal, which included the Conrad Algarve, I found a way to apply my unused statement credits. I booked a four-night stay using three free night certificates and 100,000 Hilton Honors points, and planned to utilize our combined (up to) $550 in statement credits for expenses incurred on-site.

However, without a strategy for my earlier credits, I reached out to the resort to see if they offered gift certificates for on-property expenses, which they did. I initially purchased a dining gift certificate with my Business Platinum Card to test if it would be eligible for reimbursement. When it was approved, I went ahead and purchased additional vouchers—one on each Surpass Card and Aspire Card. In total, I bought around $550 in dining vouchers (estimated, as the cards were purchased in euros).

Related: How to use the up to $400 Hilton Aspire resort credit each year

Experiencing an All-Inclusive Stay at Hilton Conrad

By the time we arrived at the Conrad Algarve, we had approximately $1,100 available to spend on property (about $550 in dining vouchers plus up to $550 in statement credits).

This generous amount allowed us to enjoy exceptional meals and drinks that surpassed typical all-inclusive offerings, including exquisite Portuguese port wines and a memorable tasting menu at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Gusto by Heinz Beck.

Additionally, the statement credits made it possible to cover other expenses, such as hiring a babysitter for my daughter while my husband and I enjoyed some time by the pool. Though babysitting services typically require cash payment, the hotel staff allowed us to charge it to our room, which the credits covered as well.

Final Thoughts

Even when utilizing points for hotel stays, associated costs can accumulate rapidly, especially at luxury properties.

Hilton’s substantial statement credits can alleviate these costs, and when combined, can even eliminate them entirely. If you’re finding it difficult to use your credits or are gearing up for a significant luxury trip, this approach may be just the ticket.

Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card