Hilton Honors Experiences: My VIP Formula 1 experience at the British Grand Prix

I've always used points and miles as a tool to enjoy travel experiences that I could typically never otherwise afford to purchase. Over time, this has often meant maximizing my rewards to book first-class flights and fancy hotel rooms. But aside from staying in Waldorf Astoria hotels and booking first-class flights on Japan Airlines' newest A350-1000 aircraft, your points can also be used to book special events and exclusive experiences.

Specifically, you can use Hilton Honors Experiences to redeem your points for activities, VIP events, concerts and so much more — plus, these experiences aren't exclusively hotel-related. While some experiences can be "purchased" outright using Hilton Honors points, others are auctioned off. For the ones that require you to bid, there is an expiration time, at which point the person who bid the highest number of points will win the experience.

In July, Hilton Honors Experiences auctioned off a VIP opportunity to attend the British Grand Prix. I was incredibly privileged to be invited by Hilton to get inside access to the McLaren F1 Team VIP Experience in Silverstone to see what winning one of these auctions is really like.

Related: Hilton Honors: Everything to know about the loyalty program

You can book Hilton Honors Experiences using points

As a Hilton Honors member, you have access to an array of bookable VIP experiences on the website. In July, Hilton auctioned off a VIP weekend experience to attend the British Grand Prix 2024. This experience for two included VIP access to the race, entry to the VIP McLaren F1 Experience, access to the Pit Lane Walk, various McLaren F1 Team-hosted activities, access to Hilton's "Stay on the Grid" rooftop experience and a two-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone, which included breakfast.

The bid for this specific event started at 150,000 Hilton Honors points and eventually sold for 1,075,000 points. According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, Hilton Honors points are worth 0.6 cents per point, meaning we value 1,075,000 points at $6,450.

So, was this luxury experience worth it?

Related: How 20,000 Hilton points got me a 60-minute couples massage and a 4-course dinner for 2

Hilton Honors Experiences: My experience at the British Grand Prix

Hilton has been the global hotel partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team for almost 20 years. While Hilton provides hotels for McLaren Racing around the world, this notable partnership is much more exciting for fans.

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When I attended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, I got a first look at a VIP McLaren and Hilton experience. I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone, which sits right on the racetrack and is at the heart of the activities. Rooms are exactly what you would expect from this brand in the Hilton portfolio: clean, very comfortable and functional. You can expect a slightly higher-end, business travel-style hotel.

My fourth-floor room included a balcony with fabulous views of the racetrack, the pits and the starting grid.

The experience also included access to the box, which had similar race views as my balcony; plus, the VIP box also provided meals, snacks and premium drinks throughout the day.

On the night before the race, Hilton threw a huge "Stay on the Grid" rooftop bash at the hotel, which included complimentary food and drinks. There were also musical performances from U.K. artist Jess Glynne and a DJ set from Wilkinson.

Other notable events throughout the night included interviews with the team's drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown. It was particularly electric as the two drivers had just driven very well in the qualifying sessions, securing the third and fifth positions on the starting grid.

But most importantly, much to my delight, the night also included an interview with longtime F1 and Hilton partner Paris Hilton, who mingled and hung around at the rooftop party.

Since breakfast was included in this VIP package, on race day, I enjoyed a delicious morning meal on the roof of the hotel. When I commented to the waiter that the omelet was potentially the best I had ever eaten, I was told the chef preparing it in the kitchen had received two Michelin stars.

Since I had VIP access to the race, thanks to Hilton Honors Experiences, I got to watch all of the race-day excitement unfold in a suite, which included drinks and food. I had a great view of the prerace entertainment happening on the Red Bull stage, including a flight display by the Red Arrows, the British Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, and a rendition of "God Save the King" by Hannah Waddingham of "Ted Lasso" fame.

Being in the VIP suite, I had the perfect spot to not only watch the race but also see celebrities crawl around the starting grid as the cars lined up.

Related: The best credit cards for concert tickets and VIP access

It was an incredibly memorable race, and Lewis Hamilton's exciting victory on home turf caused the British crowd to go particularly wild.

There is nothing quite like experiencing a Grand Prix as a VIP guest. For many, enjoying this experience with this sort of exclusivity and perks would cost several thousand dollars. Therefore, being able to access unique experiences such as this one with points gives me another reason to continue earning Hilton Honors points.

Best credit cards to earn Hilton Honors points

If you want to build your stash of Hilton Honors points, here are a few of our favorite cards that are offering lucrative welcome bonuses.

• Hilton Honors American Express Card (no annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($150 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 155,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card ($550 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Since American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio (1 Amex point equals 2 Hilton points), you can earn the welcome bonuses on cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card, which will earn you transferable points that you can then transfer to Hilton and book a Hilton Honors Experience.

Bottom line

This luxury VIP experience was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, if you have a stash of Hilton points, using your rewards to book a dream experience could be worthwhile.

Plus, keep a close eye out for Hilton and McLaren's "Join the Team" experiences, which will take things to the next level, putting guests in a team kit and giving them access to the garage for a race weekend.

Related reading:

• Hilton Honors Experiences: How to redeem points for activities, VIP events, concerts and more
• Ways to redeem points with the Hilton Honors program
• Best Hilton credit cards
• The best Hilton hotels in the world

For rates and fees of the Hilton Amex Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here.