My grandma always said, “Having good friends is like having a secret superpower.” It took me two decades to truly grasp her words, but I finally did when I checked into a $500-a-night Conrad hotel for just $55 because my friend worked at Hilton.

This superpower is called the Go Hilton Team Member Travel Program.

While Hyatt offers its employees free nights and Marriott has the popular Explore Rate, Hilton’s program is often considered the “gold standard” in the hospitality industry. Why? Because of its fixed-rate structure. You don’t have to calculate percentages or hunt for fluctuating deals—if the room is available, the price is unbeatable.

Whether you are a new Hilton employee, a spouse, or a lucky friend who just got added to the list, this guide covers every single detail of the program for 2025.

Part 1: What is the Go Hilton Program?

The Go Hilton Team Member Travel Program (TMTP) is the official leisure travel benefit for Hilton employees and their loved ones. It is divided into two distinct rate plans:

1. Team Member Rate: Deeply discounted fixed rates (e.g., $35, $55) exclusively for employees and their spouses.
2. Family & Friends Rate: A flexible discount (35% to 50% off) for friends and extended family.

Both rates are “eligible rates” for Hilton Honors. This is a huge perk: You still earn points, elite night credits, and status benefits even when paying these incredibly low prices.

Part 2: The Rates – How Cheap is “Cheap”?

The most exciting part of this program is the pricing structure. Unlike other chains where employee rates fluctuate with demand, Hilton uses a fixed-price tier system for Team Members.

1. Team Member Rates (Fixed)

These rates are for the employee’s personal travel only.

Note: In Europe, Asia, and other regions, these rates are often converted to local currency (e.g., €35 or £35). Taxes are extra.

2. Family & Friends Rates (Flexible)

These rates are for the friends and extended family of the employee. They are not fixed prices. Instead, they offer a floating discount off the “Best Available Rate” (BAR).

• Discount: Typically 50% off the standard rate.
• Availability: Much easier to find than Team Member rates.
• Example: If a Hilton hotel is selling for $200, the Family & Friends rate will likely be around $100.

Part 3: Yearly Limits (Updated in 2025)

Every eligible employee gets a fresh bucket of nights every calendar year (January 1st to December 31st). Hilton has officially increased the Team Member allowance to 40 nights for 2025.

• Team Member Rate: 40 nights per year (Increased from 30).
• Family & Friends Rate: 70 nights per year.
• Total Combined: 110 nights per year.

Pro Tip: Employees can book the “Family & Friends” rate for themselves if they run out of their 40-night “Team Member” quota, effectively giving them access to the full 110 nights.

Part 4: The “Spouse” Superpower

This is the most critical part of the program for couples.

An employee can designate one specific person as their Spouse or Domestic Partner in the internal Go Hilton system. This person gets a “Super” status compared to regular friends.

• Solo Travel on Employee Rates: Once designated, the spouse can book and stay on the Team Member Rate (fixed $35-$75) even without the employee present.
• Shared Quota: If the spouse travels solo on these rates, the nights are deducted from the employee’s 40-night Team Member allowance.
• One-Time Designation: You cannot swap spouses weekly. The system allows you to designate this person once, and changing it usually requires manual approval.

Warning: Regular “Friends & Family” members cannot use the Team Member rate. If a friend tries to use your Team Member login to get the $35 rate, they will be denied at check-in (and the employee might face disciplinary action). Only the designated spouse has this privilege.

Part 5: Dining Benefits (50% Off F&B)

It’s not just about the rooms. Hilton Team Members receive a massive 50% discount on food and beverage.

• The Benefit: 50% off the total bill (excluding tax/tip).
• Who gets it: The Team Member + up to 5 guests (party of 6 total).
• Where: At Hilton-managed restaurants within the hotel. (Note: Third-party leased restaurants inside hotels often do not honor this).
• Prerequisite: You must be staying at the hotel on a Go Hilton rate (Team Member or F&F).
• Alcohol Rule:
  • Americas (US/Canada): Alcohol is generally excluded.
  • International (Europe/Asia): Alcohol is often included, depending on local laws.

Does the Spouse get this solo? Officially, no. The policy states the Team Member must be present to sign the check for the 50% discount. However, many hotels are lenient if the spouse is staying on a Team Member rate and has their own photo ID. Just don’t expect it as a guarantee.

Part 6: Benefits Cheat Sheet (Who Gets What?)

Part 7: The “Extra” Rates (Unlimited Travel)

This is the best-kept secret of the program. Sometimes, you will see rates labeled as “EXTRA TEAM MEMBER” or “EXTRA FAMILY-FRIENDS” on the booking portal.

These rates appear when a hotel has plenty of empty rooms and wants to fill them.

• The Price: Identical to the standard Go Hilton rates.
• The Perk: These nights do not count against your annual 40 or 70-night limit.

Strategy: If you see an “Extra” rate, always book it! Save your precious quota for busier times when only standard quota rates are available.

Part 8: How It Compares to Other Chains

If you are deciding between job offers or just curious, here is how Hilton stacks up against the competition:

• Vs. Marriott (Explore Rate): Marriott’s rates are also deeply discounted but can fluctuate more than Hilton’s fixed tiers. Marriott is generally stricter about immediate family access. Read our full Marriott Explore Rate guide here.
• Vs. Hyatt (Colleague Rate): Hyatt offers complimentary nights (free!) to employees after one year of service, which is unbeatable. However, Hilton’s network is much larger, making it easier to find availability globally. Read our full Hyatt Employee Rate guide here.
• Vs. IHG (Employee Rate): IHG offers a similar variable discount structure to Hilton’s Friends & Family, but their “Employee Rate” is not as strictly fixed across all brands as Hilton’s. Read our full IHG Employee Rate guide here.

Part 9: How to Book

For Team Members

1. Log in to the Hilton Lobby with your ID.
2. Navigate to the “Go Hilton” section.
3. Search for your destination.
4. Look for the distinct “Team Member” price tag.

For Friends & Family

1. Get Invited: The Hilton employee must log in to their account and “invite” you by entering your name and Hilton Honors number.
2. Log In: Once linked, you (the friend) log in to Hilton.com/go using your own Hilton Honors credentials.
3. Search: You will automatically see the discounted “Family & Friends” rates alongside standard rates.

Part 10: The Golden Rules (Don’t Get Fired)

This program is a privilege, and abusing it can get the sponsoring employee fired.

1. Be Nice: You are representing the employee. If you are rude to staff or trash the room, the employee gets the disciplinary call.
2. ID Check: Team Members (and designated Spouses) must show valid photo ID at check-in.
3. No Selling: Never buy or sell these codes or reservations. Hilton has a dedicated fraud team that monitors this, and they will terminate accounts caught selling access.
4. “Walk” Protection: Unlike some airline staff travel, Go Hilton bookings are confirmed reservations. In the rare event of an overbooking (being “walked”), you are entitled to the same relocation and compensation protections as any standard Hilton Honors member.

Bottom Line

The Go Hilton program is arguably the most valuable travel perk in the industry. For employees, a $75 night at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives (which usually costs $2,000+) is life-changing. For friends and family, getting 50% off allows for travel that might otherwise be unaffordable.

If you know someone who works at Hilton, it might be time to buy them a coffee (or a very nice dinner) and ask if they have an open spot on their Friends & Family list.