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Graduate Hotels officially joins Hilton Honors

Sept. 10, 2024
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3 min read
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Graduate Hotels officially joins Hilton Honors
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There’s officially a new lifestyle hotel member of the Hilton Honors family, and it’s all about the collegiate life — well, without the stress of midterms and awkward roommates.

Graduate Hotels — now known as Graduate by Hilton — joined Hilton Honors this week. Members can now earn and redeem points at the brand just as they would any of the 24 brands that comprise the Hilton orbit. Graduate, which Hilton acquired earlier this year, is a lifestyle hotel brand in cities and towns with significant ties to colleges or universities.

“Graduate by Hilton gives guests a chance to dive into the traditions and culture that make university towns so special,” Kevin Osterhaus, Hilton’s president of global lifestyle brands, said in a statement. “With Graduate now officially part of Hilton’s portfolio of brands, we’re staying true to what makes these places unique while offering all the perks that come with Hilton Honors. It’s about keeping that nostalgic feel while enhancing the overall experience for our guests.”

Graduate by Hilton Auburn AL. GRADUATE/HILTON

There are 34 Graduate hotels in the U.S. and the U.K., and Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta indicated earlier this year that the brand could eventually expand to as many as 500 hotels. The brand’s latest property, Graduate by Hilton Princeton, opened in recent weeks, and Graduate by Hilton Auburn AL, the brand’s first property in Alabama, is slated to open this month near Auburn University.

Graduate by Hilton Princeton. GRADUATE/HILTON

While earning Hilton Honors points at Graduate might be the prize for some, the brand is also offering one-of-a-kind experiences where travelers can bid to redeem their points at a Graduate property. The first offering at Graduate Auburn will include an exclusive rooftop party, complete with a concert by a “surprise artist,” at the hotel’s War Eagle Supper Club on Sept. 27. This VIP college football weekend package includes a two-night stay at the new hotel and two tickets to the sold-out Sept. 28 home football game between Auburn and The University of Oklahoma.

Hilton Honors members can head to the Hilton Honors Experiences platform to bid on the VIP college football package. As of Tuesday afternoon, the current bid price was 420,000 Hilton Honors points, with a little more than two days left in the auction.

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Given how popular college football is in the U.S., this appears to be a lifestyle hotel brand acquisition touchdown for Hilton.

Related reading:

Featured image by GRADUATE/HILTON
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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