Hilton gift card headaches

Posting it here instead of the Hilton sub since I think more people have or have used Hilton gift card because of the credit from Hilton Surpass card and Business Platinum.

We stayed at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos and I brought 8 $50 Hilton gift cards I accumulated with mine and my wife’s cards with Hilton credit. We booked with FNC but had a some room charges. The front desk was NOT able to apply any of them.

Same story when we stayed at Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe in 2024. From my own research, they are almost impossible to use even in the U.S., although the back of the card says it can be used at Hilton properties worldwide that accepts American Express, which is clearly a lie.

Has anyone been able to actually use a Hilton gift card? If so, at which property or what’s your secret to get it to work?