Graduate Hotels is now part of Hilton Honors

Officially has a new lifestyle hotel membership Hilton Honors family, and all the bells and whistles of college life—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 like any of the 24 brands that make up the Hilton orbit. Graduate, Hilton acquired earlier this yearis a lifestyle hotel brand in cities and towns with strong ties to colleges or universities.

“Graduate by Hilton gives travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the traditions and culture that make college towns so special,” Kevin Osterhaus, president of global lifestyle brands at Hilton, said in a statement. “With Graduate now officially part of the Hilton brand portfolio, we’re staying true to what makes these locations unique while still offering all the perks that come with Hilton Honors. It’s about preserving that nostalgic feel while enhancing the overall experience for our guests.”

There are 34 Graduate hotels in the United States and United Kingdom, and Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta indicated earlier this year that the brand could eventually expand to as many as 500 hotels. The brand’s newest property, Graduated from Hilton Princetonopened in recent weeks, and Graduate by Hilton Auburn AL, the brand’s first property in Alabama, is scheduled to open this month near Auburn University.

While earning Hilton Honors points at Graduate may be a prize for some, the brand also offers unique experiences where guests can bid to redeem their points at a Graduate property. The first offer 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 September 27. This VIP college football weekend package includes a two-night stay at the new hotel and two tickets to the sold-out home football game on September 28 between Auburn and the University of Oklahoma.

Hilton Honors members can visit Hilton Honors Experience Platform to auction off a VIP college football package. As of Tuesday afternoon, the current bidding price was 420,000 Hilton Honors points, with more than two days left until the end of the auction.

Given the popularity of college football in the United States, this seems like a lifestyle hotel brand that Hilton would want to acquire.

Read more related: