The Benefits and Perks of Hilton Honors Elite Status [Silver, Gold, and Diamond]

Updated: December 28, 2023, 9:55am CST

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The Benefits and Perks of Hilton Honors Elite Status [Silver, Gold, and Diamond]

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The Hilton brand was founded in 1919 when Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in Texas. Since then, many things have changed with the brand, including the introduction of the Hilton Honors loyalty program in 1989. Serving both business and leisure travelers with more than 7,000 properties worldwide, Hilton is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing hospitality companies.

One of the many benefits of the Hilton Honors program is a food and beverage credit for those with Gold or Diamond status. This can offer substantial savings, particularly in markets where dining out adds up.

We’ll dive into all of the details you’ll need to know about the program in this Hilton Honors elite article. You’ll walk away with an understanding of the loyalty program and associated benefits. Most importantly, you’ll be able to determine which, if any, elite tier makes sense for you to earn.

Hilton Honors Elite Status Levels

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Benefits	Member	Silver	Gold	Diamond
Nights per Year	0 to 9	10 to 39	40 to 59	60+
Points Towards Free Nights	X	20%	80%	100%
No Resort Fees on Award Stays	X	X	X	X
Late Checkout	X	X	X	X
Fifth Standard Rewards Night Free		X	X	X
2 Bottles of Water		X	X	X
Elite Tier Rollover Nights		X	X	X
Space Available Room Upgrade			Up to Executive Room Type	Up to 1-Bedroom Suite Room Type
Food and Beverage Credit			X	X
Unlimited Milestone Bonuses			X	X
Executive Lounge Access				X
Diamond Status Extension				X
48-Hour Room Guarantee				X
Elite Status Gifting				X
72-Hour Early Upgrade			X	X

Hilton Honors Silver

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Hilton — Redeem Hilton Honors points for stays at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Image Credit: Hilton

Silver status is the lowest elite tier in the Hilton Honors program. A member can earn this status by completing 4 stays or 10 nights. Another way to earn this status is to hold the Hilton Honors American Express Card. The card comes with complimentary Silver status as long as you have the card.

Fifth Night Free

When redeeming points for a stay, Silver members receive a fifth night free. This benefit is available for reward stays up to 20 nights. If you find yourself booking these longer stays, this benefit can add up to substantial point savings.

20% Bonus

Members with Silver status receive a 20% bonus on the base points that they earn. Silver members earn 12 points per dollar spent versus 10 points per dollar spent for a Member.

Hot Tip:

The 20% Silver bonus equates to 2 more points per dollar spent than a basic Hilton Honors Member with no elite status.

Bottled Water

For stays at Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, members receive 2 complimentary bottles of water. Stays at Hampton Inn by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and Home2 Suites by Hilton exclude this as a benefit and bottled water is not a stated benefit at Canopy by Hilton and Tru by Hilton properties.

Hot Tip:

The elite benefits for Silver members are limited. If you want more value from the Hilton Honors program during your stays, consider earning higher Hilton Honors elite status via hotel stays or by holding credit cards that come with Gold or Diamond status.

Hilton Honors Gold

Conrad Bora Bora Nui can be a great place to redeem your Hilton Honors points. Image Credit: Hilton

Gold status is the middle elite tier in the Hilton Honors program. Members earn Gold status in 2 ways. One way is to have 20 stays, 40 nights, or 75,000 base points in a calendar year ($7,500 in spend). A second way to earn Gold status is by holding certain credit cards.

Cardmembers of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card, and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card receive complimentary Gold status as a benefit upon enrollment.

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
Access to Amex International Airline Program
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$695 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card^®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card^®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
$189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card^®. Learn more.
$100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card^®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

OUR BEST OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome OfferEarn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$2,640

Annual Fee

$695

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Pros

5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
Statement credits on select purchases with your card
35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program

Cons

High annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
$189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card^®.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
$695 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

U.P. Rating

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Welcome OfferEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
130,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$650

Annual Fee

$150

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

Pros

12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
6x points per $1 U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases
3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

Cons

Annual fee of $150 (rates & fees)

Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required. Terms apply.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
$150 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

U.P. Rating

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Welcome OfferLimited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 in purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$875

Annual Fee

$195

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Pros

12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
Enhanced: 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status
New: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
New: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required.
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$195 annual fee (rates and fees)

Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
ENHANCED: Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
NEW: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
NEW: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required. Terms apply.
Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors loyalty program

Keep in mind that Gold status includes all of the benefits of Silver.

Preferred Room Upgrade

Subject to availability, Gold members receive upgrades to a preferred room up to Executive Floor room types (suites are excluded) at Canopy by Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.

The caveat with upgrades is that the upgrade is only for 1 room. If you book multiple rooms for your stay, only 1 room is available for an upgrade. Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Motto by Hilton, and Tru by Hilton are excluded.

80% Bonus

An 80% bonus is what you’ll earn as a Gold member. This bonus percentage equates to an additional 8 points per dollar spent than a Hilton Honors Member. Gold members earn 18 points per dollar spent versus 10 points per dollar spent for a Member. Stays at Home2 Suites earn 4 additional points per dollar spent.

Credit or Breakfast

If you’re staying in the U.S., you’ll receive a $15 food and beverage credit (more in select cities) for you and 1 guest on your reservation ($30 total) if your hotel doesn’t already offer complimentary breakfast to all guests. If you’re staying outside the U.S., you’ll receive complimentary continental breakfast.

Milestone Bonus

When a member stays 40 nights, the member will earn 10,000 bonus points for every 10 additional nights beyond 40 nights with no cap. After 60 nights in a calendar year, the member will earn an additional 30,000 bonus points, in addition to the 10,000 bonus points that member will earn at 60 nights.

For those of you familiar with the World of Hyatt program, Hyatt offers a similar milestone structure. The key difference is that the World of Hyatt program offers a broader choice of incentives to choose from at different levels.

Bottom Line:

Upgrades and food credits are 2 elite benefits that can be useful for Gold members. While room upgrades to suites are not included, upgrades to preferred rooms can make your stay more comfortable.

Hilton Honors Diamond

Leverage the Hilton program by using your points to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Park City. Image Credit: Hilton

Diamond, the top tier status in the Hilton Honors program, can be earned 3 ways:

30 stays, 60 nights, or 120,000 base points ($12,000 in spending) in a calendar year.
Spend $40,000 on the Hilton Surpass card or the Hilton Business Amex card.
Hold the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome OfferEarn 180,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Aspire card from American Express after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
180,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$900

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.74% - 29.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros

14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Complimentary Hilton Diamond status
Up to $400 in annual statement credits on purchases with participating Hilton Resorts (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually)
Up to $200 back annually on eligible flight purchases (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter)
1 Free Weekend Night Award each cardmember anniversary
$100 credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties

Cons

High annual fee of $550

Earn 180,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Aspire card from American Express after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Plus, enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and every year after renewal.
Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants.
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Enjoy complimentary Diamond status.
$550 annual fee.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.74% - 29.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Diamond also includes all of the benefits of Silver and Gold.

Preferred Room Upgrade

Subject to availability, Diamond members receive upgrades to preferred rooms, including junior, standard, or 1-bedroom suites. Executive suites, villas, and specialty accommodations/floors/towers upgrades are excluded. Upgrades are only for 1 room and do not include any additional rooms booked by the member. Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Motto by Hilton, and Tru by Hilton are excluded.

Hot Tip:

The key difference with upgrades between Gold and Diamond members is that suite upgrades are included as a benefit for Diamond members.

100% Bonus

A 100% point bonus is what you’ll earn as a Diamond member. This equals 10 more points per dollar than what a Member would earn. Diamond members earn 20 points per dollar spent versus 10 points per dollar spent for a basic Member.

Executive Lounge Access

Executive floor lounge access is offered to Diamond members at Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Tapestry Collection by Hilton properties with lounges. Some of the lounges at these properties offer hors d’oeuvres and alcoholic beverages that are available at designated times during the day.

Premium Internet

Stays at Canopy by Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts include premium internet access.

Hot Tip:

Complimentary internet is offered to Silver and Gold members during their stay.

48-Hour Guarantee

On paper, Hilton offers a 48-hour guarantee for Diamond members. However, when you read the terms and conditions, the number of restrictions make this a challenging benefit to utilize.

Bottom Line:

Upgrades to suites are the highlight of the benefits offered to Diamond members. Executive lounge access can also come in handy if you’re looking to pick up food and/or drinks in the afternoon during your stay.

Final Thoughts

With its global footprint, the Hilton Honors program resembles the Marriott Bonvoy program in terms of its global footprint. When you’re traveling domestically in the U.S. or abroad, it’s highly likely you’ll be able to book a stay at a Hilton property.

What’s apparent about the Hilton Honors program is the lack of benefits at each elite tier and the number of points required for award stays. On the elite status front, Silver status leaves much to be desired. Gold status essentially offers a food and beverage credit as its premier benefit, and Diamond status comes with space-available upgrades to suites.

With respect to the number of points required, Hilton requires a boatload of points to book stays at its popular properties. Even when taking into account how easy it can be to earn Hilton Honors points, spending 90,000 to 120,000 points per night isn’t appealing.

The way to unlock the most value with minimal cash and time investment is to hold the Hilton Aspire card. The card comes with Diamond status, so you can receive all of the benefits of a Diamond member without needing to hit the stays, nights, or points threshold every year.

If Hilton is your brand of choice and you want to know more about the best credit cards for Hilton loyalists, you’ll find our detailed article helpful.

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Carissa Rawson

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hilton elite status gifting?

After reaching 60 nights in a calendar year, members will be able to gift Gold status to another member of their choice. When a member reaches 100 nights in a calendar year, the member will be able to gift Diamond status to another member. Gifting of status is only available to 1 member and cannot be changed during the calendar year.

How do you get lifetime Diamond status with Hilton Honors?

There are 2 ways to earn Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond status:

Hilton Honors members who earn 10 total years of Diamond status and have stayed 1,000 paid and/or award nights
Hilton Honors members who earn 10 total years of Diamond status and earn 2 million base points

Does Hilton Honors Gold status get you free breakfast?

Sort of. As a Gold elite, you’ll receive a food and beverage credit which you can use to purchase breakfast in the U.S. At non-U.S. hotels, you’ll receive complimentary continental breakfast.

Can you lose Hilton Honors status?

If a member does not meet the annual requirements for Silver, Gold, or Diamond status, the member will not requalify for their status tier.

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About Michael McHugh

Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Michael took his first international trip in 2013 with friends to the Bahamas. Although he didn’t travel much in his younger years, on that trip, he caught the travel bug and has been hooked ever since.

Michael first caught wind of the points and miles game in 2014 while at a bar in Washington, DC where the conversation amongst friends was quickly derailed because of an alert on a friend’s phone about a mistake fare. That’s where the love affair with points and miles began.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE^™