Hilton Honors Elite Status
Times are changing. After many years, Hilton’s reminding me. Like many of you, I recently opened the Hilton app and was greeted by disturbing-but-not-really-in-the-grand-scheme-of-things news. Hilton informed me I’m headed from Diamond to Gold status effective in April. Crestfallen, I immediately remembered I don’t know how I stuck around at the Diamond level for the last several years. I hadn’t held the Aspire for a long time, and I hadn’t met the big spend levels on other cards to achieve it (as far as I can recall). Without any other explanation, I chalk it up to the pandemic-era extensions and, perhaps, some convenient oversight. Regardless the cause, I’m faced with such a “lowly” Hilton Honors elite status within two months time. Should I settle in at Gold or hop back to Diamond? Here’s my case for both decisions.
Going For Gold
I sarcastically issue this cliche, as there’s no serious pursuit required for Hilton Honors Gold. Such status is easily attainable by holding the right Amex card, and several options exist. For instance, individuals easily unlock Gold status with the Hilton Amex Surpass, Business or Platinum card (any-flavor consumer or business version). A large portion of us hold at least one or 17 of those cards, anyway.
And falling from Diamond to “lowly” Gold isn’t necessarily a huge deal, either. In my view, Hilton Honors Gold is the best mid-tier hotel elite status out there. Gold members pick up the exact same elite daily food and beverage credit – what I consider a clear winner – as top-tier Diamond members. While Diamonds earn 100% tier bonus points on paid room rates and folio charges, Golds earn a still-substantial 80%. Those who primarily focus on award stays anyway don’t lose much points earning here, anyway.
Golds don’t have executive lounge access, but those clubs hardly exist and are often a joke now. In talking with other Hilton loyalists who have experiences at both levels, their upgrade experiences are similar at each level. Some haven’t noticed any change at the Diamond level. (My experience has been different – more on that in a bit.) Finally, while Golds don’t get “premium” wifi like Diamonds, I’m a caveman and can’t tell the difference.
Diamonds Are Forever
Of course, I’d love to be a Hilton Honors Diamond member into perpetuity. And while my longtime membership at that level is expiring, the timing is fortuitous. I’ll be cancelling an Amex credit card in the April timeframe, anyway, and subsequently eligible for another one.
Why does this matter? Because I can simply buy top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond with the Hilton Amex Aspire. I have no major issue picking it up even if I’m not eligible for a welcome offer along the way. Indeed, the decision’s easy because the benefit value I can obtain from the Aspire easily outweighs the annual fee (even without the F&B credit).
But that merely addresses holding the Aspire card, not the additional value of Diamond status itself. And the latter is highly dependent on one’s individual experiences, tendencies, and travel goals. While I’ve compared some of the differences in the Gold section, one area clearly stands out here for me – upgrades.
With several years’ of experience at the each of these levels, I can say the upgrades I’ve experienced at the Diamond level are vastly superior to Gold – in terms of frequency and level. I remember picking up nice upgrades at the Gold level, but nothing near what I’ve received over time as a Diamond member. Hilton advertises that Diamonds are eligible for upgrades to suites, and I routinely receive them. In all other instances, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t receive some sort of Diamond room upgrade (not counting limited-service brands). As a Diamond, I’ve appreciated the level of service I’ve received from phone reps, as well. Yes, much of these conversations have to do with Hilton’s stellar free night certificates.
Speaking of FNC’s, we have plenty of them, and I don’t expect that to change. We’ll keep redeeming and earning. In other words, I’m going to be busy with Hilton Honors for the foreseeable future, so why not leverage their top status along the way?
Hilton Honors Elite Status – Conclusion
So it appears I’ll be falling for Diamond status again in April. Perhaps I’m playing right into Hilton’s and Amex’s hands here. No matter, it seems sticking with this status, albeit with a few weeks at Gold, is the optimal move for me. While I continue to enjoy a variety of hotel loyalty programs, I find myself booking Hilton properties more often. And that’s for multiple reasons not involving status. As fate would have it, I have a Conrad stay lined up in April while I’m a Gold. I’m intrigued to see if I notice any status differences. I’ll let you know either way!
When it comes to Hilton Honors elite status, are you fine at Gold, or do you actively pursue Diamond? Why?
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I applied for the Aspire Hilton Card and while Amex was willing to give me the card they wouldn’t give me the bonus points. You said the same thing up above. Why is this? I have never held that card before but I did have the Surpass card awhile back.
Sorry, but I don’t have anything groundbreaking for you here, Nate. To this day, this artifact still perplexes.
Until last year, I would qualify for Diamond from actually staying there. I would also qualify for Diamond by spending +$40K on the credit card. My strategy has changed with Hilton and I have since focused on IHG Diamond Status by spending on the credit card. But I still do stay at Hilton though not as frequently as in the past. Post Covid, I just don’t think the program is going in the right direction, especially with their unpredictable rewards redemption rates which defy logic.
That being said, Gold and Diamond are similar as far as the way the program is setup. But, in my own experience I have found that properties will favor a Diamond over a Gold. Case in point; I went to a function with family friends. We stayed at the same property. My Diamond status got me a room upgrade into a one bedroom suite with a separate living area. My friends received no upgrade with their Gold status. In Europe, I was treated like royalty and upgraded to a very nice corner suite on the executive floor. A Gold never made it to the lounge though they were given access to a full breakfast, still pretty generous, in the Hotel restaurant.
So in my case my first priority is to achieve IHG Diamond status. After that, I’ll focus on Hilton Diamond by spending the 40K. If I don’t make it, I’m still Diamond until April 2026 and correct me if I’m wrong but I believe I receive one lifetime mulligan to remain Diamond until 2027. If I become Gold I’ll still receive some valuable benefits.
As programs progress and regress, I’ll continuously take a look at all the programs again to see which ones I want to focus my time and dollars on.
A sound assessment, as seemingly always, Bill! But I may be a bit more optimistic about the current state of the program than you. Thanks for reading!