I’ve always used points and miles as a tool to enjoy travel experiences that I would never normally be able to afford. Over time, this often means maximizing my rewards to book first-class flights and luxury hotel rooms. But beyond staying Waldorf Astoria Hotel and book first class flights on Japan Airlines’ newest A350-1000Your points can also be used to book special events and exclusive experiences.
Specifically, you can use Hilton Honors Experience to redeem your points for activities, VIP events, concerts, and more — plus, these experiences aren’t just hotel-related. While some experiences can be “purchased” outright using Hilton Honors PointsOthers are auctioned off. For those that require you to bid, there will be an expiration time, at which point the highest bidder will win the experience.
In July, Hilton Honors Experiences VIP Opportunity Auction to attend the British Formula 1 Grand Prix. I was honoured to be invited by Hilton to visit the McLaren F1 Team VIP Experience at Silverstone to see what it really feels like to win one of these auctions.
Related: Hilton Honors: Everything You Need to Know About the Loyalty Program
You can book Hilton Honors Experiences with points
As a Hilton Honors member, you have access to a range of VIP experiences that can be booked on the website. In July, Hilton auctioned off a VIP weekend experience to attend the 2024 British Formula 1 Grand Prix. The experience for two includes VIP access to the race, access to the McLaren F1 VIP Experience, access to the Pit Lane Walk, a range of activities hosted by the McLaren F1 Team, access to Hilton’s “Stay on the Grid” rooftop experience, and a two-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone, including breakfast.
Bidding for this particular event started at 150,000 Hilton Honors points and ultimately sold for 1,075,000 points. According to TPG September 2024 valuationHilton Honors points are worth 0.6 cents per point, meaning we value 1,075,000 points at $6,450.
So, is this luxury experience worth it?
Related: How 20,000 Hilton Points Got Me a 60-Minute Couples Massage and a 4-Course Dinner for Two
Hilton Honors Experience: My Experience at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix
Hilton has been the global hospitality partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team for nearly 20 years. While Hilton provides hotels to McLaren Racing around the world, this notable partnership is much more exciting for fans.
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When I attended the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, I got my first look at the McLaren and Hilton VIP experience. I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone, which is right on the track and in the heart of the action. The rooms are exactly what you’d expect from this brand in the Hilton portfolio: clean, very comfortable and functional. You might expect a slightly more upscale business-travel-style hotel.
My room on the fourth floor had a balcony with a great view of the track, pit area and starting line.
The experience also includes access to a room with a track view similar to my balcony; in addition, the VIP room offers premium meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day.
Related: Great Ways to Use Your 100,000 Hilton Honors Points and Free Night Rewards
The night before the race, Hilton hosted a huge “Stay on the Grid” rooftop party at the hotel, which included free food and drinks. There were also musical performances by British artist Jess Glynne and a DJ set by Wilkinson.
Other highlights throughout the night included interviews with team drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown. The event was particularly lively as the two drivers had just driven well in qualifying, finishing third and fifth on the grid.
But most importantly, and to my great delight, that night also featured an interview with F1 and Hilton’s longtime partner Paris Hilton, who had been hanging out and hanging out at the rooftop party.
Since breakfast was included in this VIP package, on race day I enjoyed a delicious breakfast on the hotel rooftop. When I commented to the waiter that the omelette was probably the best thing I had ever eaten, I was told that the chef who prepared it in the kitchen had received two Michelin stars.
Because I had VIP race access, thanks to Hilton Honors Experiences, I got to see all the race day fun in a suite, including drinks and food. I had a great view of the pre-race entertainment taking place on the Red Bull stage, which included a flyover by the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, and a performance of “God Save the King” by Hannah Waddingham, of “Ted Lasso” fame.
Being in the VIP room, I had the perfect position not only to watch the race but also to see the celebrities moving around the starting line as the cars lined up.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Concert Tickets and VIP Access
It was a memorable race and Lewis Hamilton’s thrilling victory on home soil sent the British crowd into a frenzy.
There is nothing quite like experiencing the Grand Prix as a VIP. For many, enjoying this kind of experience with such exclusivity and privilege would cost thousands of dollars, so being able to access unique experiences like this with rewards points gives me another reason to continue earning Hilton Honors points.
Best Credit Cards to Earn Hilton Honors Points
If you’re looking to earn Hilton Honors points, here are some of our favorite cards that offer attractive welcome bonuses.
The information about the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
From American Express Membership Rewards Points Transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio (1 Amex point equals 2 Hilton points), you can earn welcome bonuses on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold CardThis will earn you transferable points which you can then move to Hilton and book a Hilton Honors Experience.
The last line
This luxurious VIP experience is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so if you have Hilton points, use your rewards to book the experience of your dreams.
Also look out for Hilton and McLaren’s “Join the Team” experience, which takes things to the next level, giving guests team apparel and garage access throughout the race weekend.
Read more related:
For Hilton Amex Card rates and fees, click This.
For Hilton Surpass Card rates and fees, click This.
For Hilton Aspire Card rates and fees, click This.
