Hilton recently announced a major expansion to its loyalty program called Hilton Honors Adventures. The headlines are flashy: partnerships with AutoCamp (glamping) and Explora Journeys (luxury cruises).
Usually, when hotel programs expand into “lifestyle” redemptions (like merchandise or experiences), the value per point drops off a cliff. So, I dug into the details to see if this is a legitimate opportunity for us points enthusiasts or just another way to burn points at bad rates.
Here is my honest take on what this actually means for your strategy.
Part 1: AutoCamp (The Real Deal)
This is the most actionable part of the news. AutoCamp offers “glamping”—think Airstreams and modern cabins—in high-demand spots like Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Zion.
Previously, booking these required cash. Now, they are fully integrated into Hilton.com.
The Math: Is it worth it?
I ran a few searches. Expect standard Airstream suites to cost between 60,000 and 80,000 points per night.
- The Valuation: You are looking at roughly 0.5 cents per point. This is standard for Hilton. It’s not an outsized “sweet spot,” but it’s fair.
- The Trap: Premium dates or suites can push past 150,000 points. At that level, you face diminishing returns.
- The Strategy: The 5th Night Free benefit (for Silver status and above) does apply here. If you book a 5-night stay at Yosemite, that average nightly cost drops significantly, making this a very strong redemption.
The Elite Benefits (Manage Your Expectations)
Don’t expect a free breakfast buffet or lounge access in the woods. Hilton has adapted the elite perks for camping. It’s not luxury, but hey, free firewood is free firewood.
| Benefit | Silver | Gold | Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco-Friendly Water | 2 bottles | 2 bottles | 2 bottles |
| Firewood Bundle | ❌ | 1 per stay | 1 per stay |
| Space-Available Upgrade | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| S’mores Kit | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Note: All guests generally get complimentary coffee and granola in the clubhouse.
Part 2: Explora Journeys (Wait and See)
This is Hilton’s play for the ultra-luxury cruise market. Explora is MSC Group’s high-end line (small ships, 461 oceanfront suites).
The Caution Flag: Historically, using hotel points for cruises is a terrible value proposition.
- Marriott’s Cruise with Points usually yields a dismal 0.4 cents per point.
- Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers roughly 0.56 cents.
Hilton hasn’t released the redemption tables for Explora yet (full launch is Summer 2026). If they match standard hotel rates (0.5 cents), it could be interesting. If they follow Marriott’s lead, it will be a hard pass.
The Current Offer (If you have cash to burn)
If you were already planning to book a luxury cruise, there is a preview offer running until June 7, 2026:
- Book a suite (cash) and get 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
- Plus up to roughly $400 in onboard credits.
My take: These cruises often cost $5,000+ per person. The 100k points are worth about $500. It’s a nice rebate (approx 5-10% back in value), but don’t book a $10,000 cruise just to get $500 worth of Hilton points.
How This Compares
Credit where it’s due: Hilton is currently the only major program offering direct, seamless booking for outdoor hospitality.
- Marriott: Has luxury yachts, but no glamping.
- Hyatt & IHG: No direct play in this space yet.
Good to Know (The Fine Print)
- Pets: Most AutoCamp spots are pet-friendly, which is a huge plus over many standard hotels.
- Free Night Awards: Yes, you can use your Free Night Certificates at AutoCamp. This is potentially a fantastic use of a certificate if cash rates are high (e.g., peak summer in Cape Cod).
Bottom Line
Ignore the cruise news for now—it’s too early to judge the value.
AutoCamp, however, is a win. If you are sitting on a pile of Hilton points and are tired of standard city hotels, booking an Airstream outside Zion National Park is a memorable use of points. Just make sure to aim for that 5th Night Free to get the math to work in your favor.
