What the Hilton Honors Family and Friends rate gives you
The Hilton Honors Family and Friends rate is a discounted room rate available to members of the Hilton Honors loyalty program who book for themselves or for people they know. Unlike a standard member rate, this discount extends to friends and family members who are not Hilton Honors members themselves — they do not need their own account to receive the reduced price.
The discount amount varies by hotel, location, and time of year. Hilton publishes a specific rate code for each promotion period, and you enter that code when booking online or provide it when calling the hotel directly. The rate is typically lower than the public rate for that date, but it is not may provide to be lower than other discounts you might find, such as advance-purchase rates or corporate rates.
This rate is meant for personal travel, not business stays. Hilton's terms state that the discount is for leisure travel only, and some properties may ask you to confirm this when you book.
Key Takeaways
- You must be a Hilton Honors member to book the Family and Friends rate, but the people staying in the room do not need to be members.
- The discount code changes each promotion period and is published on the Hilton Honors website or sent to members by email.
- The rate applies to room cost only and does not include taxes, resort fees, or parking, which are charged separately.
- You can book online using the rate code or call the hotel directly and reference the code to receive the discount.
- The discount is for personal leisure travel; business stays typically do not may have access to.
How to find and use the current rate code
Hilton Honors members receive the Family and Friends rate code by email when a new promotion begins. The code is also posted on the Hilton Honors website under the "Promotions" or "Member Offers" section. If you do not see it in your email, log into your Hilton Honors account and check the promotions page there.
Each code is valid for a specific date range — usually several weeks or a month. Once that period ends, Hilton publishes a new code for the next promotion. If you are booking far in advance, check whether the current code covers your travel dates before you reserve.
To book, go to Hilton.com, select your hotel and dates, and look for a field labeled "Rate Code" or "Promotion Code." Enter the Family and Friends code there. If you book by phone, tell the reservationist you want to book under the Family and Friends rate and provide the code. The system will show you the discounted price before you confirm.
Who can stay under this rate and what it covers
The person booking the room must be a Hilton Honors member. The people staying in the room can be anyone — family members, friends, colleagues, or anyone else. They do not need a Hilton Honors account, and they do not earn Hilton points for the stay unless they provide their own member number at check-in.
The rate covers the room only. It does not include taxes, which are added at checkout and vary by location. Resort fees, parking, and any other charges are billed separately and are not discounted. Some Hilton properties charge daily resort fees of $15 to $45 or more, so factor those into your total cost when comparing this rate to other options.
If you are a Hilton Honors member, you earn points on the room rate itself, even when booking under the Family and Friends code. The points are calculated on the pre-tax room cost.
When the Family and Friends rate may not be the best option
The Family and Friends discount is not always the lowest rate available. Some hotels offer lower rates for advance bookings, non-refundable stays, or members of other programs like AAA or AARP. Before you book, compare the Family and Friends price to other rates the hotel is showing for the same dates.
If you are booking a stay that qualifies for a corporate rate through your employer, that rate may be lower than Family and Friends. Corporate rates are usually negotiated between Hilton and your company, and they may include additional perks like late checkout or room upgrades.
The Family and Friends rate is also typically not available during peak travel periods like major holidays or large events in the area. During those times, Hilton may suspend the promotion or limit it to certain properties.
Cancellation and changes to Family and Friends bookings
The cancellation policy for a Family and Friends booking depends on the rate type. Most Family and Friends rates are fully refundable if you cancel by a certain date — usually 24 to 72 hours before arrival, though this varies by property. Some promotions may offer non-refundable rates at a slightly lower price; check the terms when you book to see which applies to your reservation.
If you need to change your dates after booking, call the hotel or log into your Hilton Honors account and modify the reservation. If the new dates fall outside the promotion period for that rate code, the system may not allow you to change the dates without canceling and rebooking under a different code.
Earning and using Hilton Honors points on this rate
When you book a Family and Friends rate as a Hilton Honors member, you earn base points on the room cost. The number of points depends on your membership level — elite members earn more points per dollar spent than standard members. You also earn points for any other services you purchase, such as dining or spa services.
If someone else is staying in the room and they are also a Hilton Honors member, they can provide their member number at check-in to earn points on their stay. Only one member number can earn points per reservation, so you and the other guest should decide in advance whose account will receive the points.
Points earned on Family and Friends bookings count toward elite status qualification, just like points from any other rate. If you are working toward a higher elite tier, these stays contribute to your progress.
Booking for multiple rooms or longer stays
The Family and Friends rate applies to each room booked under the code. If you need multiple rooms for a group, you can book each room separately using the same rate code, as long as the code is still active. Some hotels may require you to call to book multiple rooms at once so they can keep the reservations linked.
There is no limit on how many nights you can book under the Family and Friends rate, as long as the code covers those dates. If your stay spans two different promotion periods, you may need to book the first portion under one code and the second portion under the next code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Hilton Honors member to use the Family and Friends rate?
Yes, the person making the reservation must be a Hilton Honors member. The guests staying in the room do not need to be members. Hilton Honors membership is free to join on the Hilton website.
Can I book the Family and Friends rate for myself, or only for other people?
You can book it for yourself or for others. As long as you are the Hilton Honors member making the reservation, you can use the rate code whether you are staying in the room or someone else is.
Is the Family and Friends rate lower than the public rate?
It is usually lower than the standard public rate, but not always lower than all other discounts. Compare the Family and Friends price to advance-purchase rates, corporate rates, and other promotions before you book to make sure you are getting the best price.
What happens if I lose the rate code?
Log into your Hilton Honors account and check the promotions page — the code is listed there. You can also call Hilton Honors customer service and they will provide the current code. The code is the same for all members, so you can also ask the hotel directly when you call to book.
Can I transfer my Family and Friends reservation to someone else?
You cannot transfer the reservation itself, but you can cancel it and have the other person book their own reservation under the same rate code if they are a Hilton Honors member. If they are not a member, you would need to keep the reservation in your name.