Hilton HHonors Status Match
Last week Hyatt made the internet blow up with their Diamond tier status match. It was so popular in fact that they sort of changed the rules in the middle of the game. At first they were matching mid-tier elites from most chains to Diamond, then they began only giving them Platinum status. It wasn’t handled in the best way and at this point they are backlogged 14 days.
Well apparently Hilton wants to get in the game too. It isn’t apparent what the rules are regarding their match (i.e. what competitor status matches to what Hilton status), but I have to think that newly minted Hyatt Diamonds would probably get HHonors Diamond status. (Of course there is no guarantee that they will even match to Diamond.)
Here is what a Hilton representative posted on Flyertalk regarding the match:
We’re winding down for the Thanksgiving holiday and, as a heads up, I will be out of the office until Monday, but I wanted to let you know about our status match program…
We’ve been receiving a number of requests and yes, we do match status from other programs and we’d love to be your travel home.
We are matching status for 2016. To make sure you’re all set for the year, please submit your request by January 11, 2016. You’ll enjoy that status through March 2017.
All you need is something that shows your elite tier in another program and an HHonors number.
Email us at HHonorMyStatus@hilton.com and we’ll help get you started.
Please note it may take a couple of days to process given the Thanksgiving holiday. We promise to process requests as quickly as possible and any request submitted prior to January 11, 2016, will be processed in time to enjoy your new status for the entire year.
So to recap, to get the match you simply need to:
- Submit your request by January 11, 2016 to get status through March 2017.
- Send something that shows your elite tier in another program and send your HHonors number.
- Send the info to HHonorMyStatus@hilton.com.
Hilton Diamond Benefits
Hilton HHonors Diamond status isn’t nearly as exclusive in my opinion as Hyatt Diamond, but they do have a lot of properties and the benefits aren’t bad. Keep in mind you can always spend $40K on the Citi HHonors Reserve or the Amex Surpass in order to get Diamond status so it isn’t unattainable via other methods.
Among the perks you get as an HHonors Diamond are: free internet, 50% elite status bonus, a space available upgrade to a preferred room, breakfast at most properties and guaranteed lounge access at more properties. Here is the complete list of benefits.
HHonors Gold?
Hilton may also be matching mid-tier elites from other programs to their HHonors gold tier. Of course Gold status is easy to get with a credit card, but some of you may not have it, so it couldn’t hurt to request a match to see what you get. After all, HHonors Gold does get you free breakfast at most of their properties.
Conclusion
I love love love status matches. While I felt a little upset that Hyatt added so many Diamonds last week, now it is my turn to have some fun. Right now I am an HHonors Gold, but I would love to get an upgrade. I sent over the requested information and am now waiting. If you are looking to match to Hilton, I suggest sending the request as soon as possible in case they either change the rules or get overwhelmed.
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[…] last year Hilton HHonors offered a status match where you could submit proof of elite status with a competing chain and they would match that […]
Thanks for the info! I dragged my feet on actually sending the email, but did it tonight. IHG Spire and Hyatt Diamond. I have a few remaining stays this year with Hilton so it might be beneficial, not expecting much. I did have a super nice CSR on the regular line today who said he works the Diamond help desk, if getting diamond means I get him to solve my booking problems it will be a big upgrade!
[…] Get In Early! Hilton Is Playing the Status Match Game: How to Get Matched to Hilton HHonors Status t… […]
[…] on Wednesday I covered Hilton’s announcement of a new status match program for elite members of other programs. The company’s announcement on Flyertalk didn’t […]
[…] week I covered Hilton’s new status match which seemed to be in response to Hyatt’s crazy Diamond status match. Before the Thanksgiving […]
@granthawaii: @HiltonHHonors what will Hyatt Diamond status be matched to? can you please check my match status. thx!
@HiltonHHonors: @granthawaii Hilton’s highest tier is Diamond. Please allow up to 5 business days for your status match to be processed. Thank you! MW
@granthawaii: @HiltonHHonors so Hyatt diamond is matched to Hilton Diamond?
@ConradHotels: @granthawaii We appreciate the inquiry. Yes, you are correct in that HHonors will match Diamond status with this program. Thank you.
Nice post man. Hope you get upgraded.
But you know, if every major player is dishing out free elite Status Matches for the holidays, Im literally going to avoid going to hotels and trying to obtain status for the rest of 2016 and into 2017. haha.
Im going to wait until the floodgates of status expire then I will get my status. That way, I know I can actually get some awesome value out of it instead of the already very common rejection or “rolling of eyeballs” followed by “omg not another one… sir, we are fully booked, yes I know youre a Milky Way Galaxy Member, but nothing is available, the other 30 Terminators before you just got their Ultra Centurion Double Deluxe Breakfast Suite Certificate Master Credit Card United Airline Unlimited Miles Upgrade Promotion via Discover”.
Gonna watch from afar.
Haha. Good plan.
[…] Milestomemories, Hilton has just opened up an elite status match similar to Hyatt’s Diamond status match […]
As a Hilton Diamond, I was never upgraded. As in ever. Totally useless. Gold is identical at most properties. I wouldn’t waste my time requesting Diamond, instead of keeping my Gold.
Well at least I can flash my shiny card at the front desk to impress the other people waiting in line while saying, “I am a Diamond Guest!” 🙂
You forgot to share the link brotha! (in case people dont know)
https://youtu.be/WCqm4H3m3Ew
Thanks! I really do love this video!
Do diamond members of HHonors still get a physical card to be flashed? 😉
I have been gold the last few years due to a credit card and have never received any card, though it was possible to request one via their website. Did this several times and always the website stated the card would be delivered within a few weeks. But it never ever arrived. So I assumed that essentially Hilton doesn’t do that anymore in the 2010s.
This year I made the jump from an old-fashioned phone to a smartphone. So now I do have at least a digital card 😉
Oh and thanks for the info about the status match program! Almost forgot the most important part of this comment …
Haha. I’m not entirely sure. The last card I got was a Gold one about two years ago.
Does Hilton have a limit to the amount of status challenges you can do (ex: once per lifetime)? Does this status match count towards that?
All programs generally say once per lifetime, but I rarely see that enforced. Some people also just open up new accounts, but I have never personally done that.
Shawn, thanks for the info. Are you aware of Marriott or SPG offering status match? What does it take to become Diamond with Hyatt or Hilton?
Thank you, D. Flowers
Marriott and SPG both have fast track programs. You can contact them, but it depends on your current status, etc. Sometimes Marriott will give you Gold status up front while you work towards the challenge. SPG won’t give you status until you complete the challenge. Neither will just grant status like we have seen with these recent matches.
Thanks for the article on this! Currently Hilton Gold (thru CC) and sent over the required info…curious to see where they match Hyatt Diamond.
I worked pretty hard this year to get to Hilton Gold, it was all staying enough nights. What I had wanted most was the free wifi. Now it is free to anyone who books through their website. I do like the free breakfast, that is a plus. I will miss diamond by a few nights. I am trying the status match, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.