Graduate Hotels has officially become part of Hilton Honors

A new lifestyle hotel has joined the Hilton Honors family, focused on collegiate culture — minus the stress of exams and quirky roommates.

Graduate Hotels — now referred to as Graduate by Hilton — joined Hilton Honors this week. Members can earn and redeem points at this brand just like they do with any of Hilton's 24 brands. Graduate, acquired by Hilton earlier this year, is a lifestyle hotel brand located in cities with strong college or university connections.

"Graduate by Hilton offers guests a chance to immerse themselves in the traditions and culture that make college towns unique," said Kevin Osterhaus, Hilton's president of global lifestyle brands, in a statement. "With Graduate now officially part of Hilton's brand family, we honor the distinctiveness of these locations while providing all the benefits of Hilton Honors. It’s about preserving that nostalgic essence while enhancing our guests' overall experience."

There are currently 34 Graduate hotels in the U.S. and the U.K., and Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta suggested earlier this year that the brand might eventually grow to as many as 500 hotels. The most recent addition, Graduate by Hilton Princeton, opened its doors in the past few weeks, while Graduate by Hilton Auburn AL, the brand's inaugural location in Alabama, is set to open this month close to Auburn University.

For some, accumulating Hilton Honors points at Graduate is a bonus, but the brand is also providing unique experiences where travelers can bid to use their points at a Graduate hotel. The first event at Graduate Auburn will feature an exclusive rooftop party, highlighted by a concert from 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 home football game on Sept. 28 between Auburn and The University of Oklahoma.

Hilton Honors members can visit the Hilton Honors Experiences platform to place bids on the VIP college football package. As of Tuesday afternoon, the current bid stood at 420,000 Hilton Honors points, with just over two days remaining in the auction.

Considering the immense popularity of college football in the U.S., this acquisition of a lifestyle hotel brand seems like a major win for Hilton.