Having hotel status is one of the best and easiest ways to bring your vacation to the next level. Hilton is the second-largest hotel chain in the world and having Hilton Honors elite status can be quite valuable for many travelers.
The Points Guy has similar posts that assume values for hotel statuses from different chains. But because everyone’s mileage may vary, it’s inherently unfair to peg values for each level. Therefore, this post is going to simply explain what you can get at each level.
Member
This is where everyone starts out when creating their Hilton account. There are no spend or stay requirements and anyone over the age of 18 can join. Members get a nice suite of perks just for joining:
Points
Regular members receive 10 Hilton Honors (HH) points for every dollar they spend at Hilton hotels. These points don’t include any earned from a Hilton credit card.
No Resort Fees on Reward Stays
Regular members won’t pay any resort fees when you book with points or redeem a free night. This perk could save you upwards of $100 depending on the hotel you stay at.
Hilton Honors App
Members can check in through the Hilton Honors mobile app and avoiding the line at the front desk. Room selection can be done 24 hours before you arrive at the hotel. This is a nice feature that can save you time, especially if you’re tired from traveling.
You can also use the app to access your room and other places that require a key.
Free Wi-Fi
You will have access to free Wi-Fi in your room and in the lobby at select Hilton brands.
Second Guest Stays Free
Members can bring along a second person for no additional cost.
Late Check Out
Hilton members can request a late check out time with the front desk. Unlike other hotel brands, there is no set time for late check out. I wish Hilton would change this by implementing one late check out time across the board.
Free Points Transfer & Pooling
You can transfer and pool points between family members with Hilton accounts.
Silver
Silver is the first earned level of Hilton Honors Elite Status. Hilton members must stay 10 nights or four times to achieve this level organically. Alternatively, this level of status can be obtained upon approval for the no annual fee American Express Hilton Honors Card. Hilton and Amex are offering a public sign-up bonus worth 75,000 HH points.
Having Hilton Silver Elite Status is like being a member with a few extra perks. Silver members will receive all the perks of regular membership plus the following:
Bonus Points
Silver members will receive a 20% points bonus on Base Points earned while staying at Hilton hotel. The bonus increases the 10 points per dollar earned at Hilton to 12 points.
5th Reward Night Free
This perk gives Silver members a free night if you use points to redeem for four nights. For example, if I redeemed 100,000 HH points for four nights, Hilton would give me a fifth night for free with Silver Status. That’s like saving 20% in points on your Hilton stay.
Bottles of Water
Silver members will receive two complimentary bottles of water per stay. However, a better option is to buy a case of water (that can contain anywhere from 12 to 40 bottles) at a local store for your room. I have done this with my family while on vacation and it made the trip that much nicer.
Gold
Gold Elite Status is where the perks start to become serious. Silver members must earn 75,000 HH points, stay 40 nights, or stay 20 times to achieve this level organically.
Alternatively, Gold Elite Status can be obtained by getting approved for the Hilton Surpass Card, the Hilton Honors Business Card, or any variant of the American Express Platinum Card. All three cards offer Gold Elite Status as a perk. However, the two Hilton cards are best for Hilton loyalists. Both of those cards have affordable $95 annual fees and six-figure sign-up bonuses.
Gold Elite Status is the lowest level that Hilton loyalists should strive to achieve. This is where members will start to realize significant value. Gold members will receive all the perks of Silver status plus the following:
Bonus Points
Gold members will receive a nice 80% points bonus on Base Points earned while staying at Hilton hotels. The bonus increases the 10 points per dollar earned at Hilton to 18 points.
Milestone Bonuses
Hilton introduced these opportunities to earn more points in 2018. Gold Status lets members earn an extra 10,000 points on every 10th night upon reaching 40 nights per calendar year.
Room Upgrades
Gold Status gives you opportunities to upgrade to a preferred room. Suites are not included, but Executive Floor rooms are. These upgrades are a great way to save money and receive tons of value from your Hilton membership.
Plus, Gold members could receive access to Hilton’s Executive Lounges if you stay in an Executive Floor room. This is normally a perk for those with Diamond Status. But Gold members could get depending on the location of their room.
Complimentary Breakfast
Gold members and one guest will receive free continental breakfast for each day you stay. Not all Hilton hotel brands offer breakfast to regular members. But those with Gold Status can get complimentary breakfast at any Hilton hotel.
My Way Membership Benefits
This perk will net Gold members bonus points and room upgrades at different brands within the Hilton family. The amount of points and significance of the upgrade will depend on the chosen hotel brand.
Diamond
Diamond is the top level of Hilton Honors Elite Status. Members must earn 120,000 HH points, stay 60 nights, or stay 30 times to achieve this level organically. Alternatively, Diamond Elite Status can be obtained upon approval for the Hilton Aspire Card, which offers Diamond Status as a perk. This card has a $450 annual fee (NOT waived the first year). Plus, Amex is offering a sky-high 150,000-point sign-up bonus.
This level is the cream of the crop for good reason. It’s where members will experience the pinnacle of what Hilton has to offer, especially at their luxury properties. Diamond members will receive all the perks of Gold status plus the following:
Bonus Points
Diamond members will receive a fantastic 100% points bonus on Base Points earned while staying at Hilton hotel. The bonus doubles the 10 points per dollar earned at Hilton properties to 20 points.
Milestone Bonuses
Hilton introduced these opportunities to earn more points in 2018. Diamond members will receive the 10,000-point bonuses earned from Gold Status. But Diamond Status also earns members an extra 30,000 points on every 10th night upon reaching 60 nights per calendar year.
Room Upgrades
Diamond Status gives you opportunities to upgrade to a suite for no extra cost. These upgrades are a great way to save money and receive tons of value from Hilton membership.
Executive Lounge Access
Diamond members gain access to Hilton’s Executive Lounges even if they are not upgraded to an Executive Level room. Not all properties have these special lounges. The lounges serve breakfast in the morning, as well as alcoholic beverages and appetizers in the evening.
Diamond Status Extension
This perk lets Diamond members extend their status if they don’t re-qualify based on stays, nights, or earned Base Points. Eligibility requirements include the following:
- Three non-consecutive total years at Diamond status
- At least 250 nights (paid or reward) OR at least 500,000 earned Base Points since joining Hilton Honors
48-Hour Room Guarantee
Furthermore, Diamond members can guarantee their rooms 48 hours before they check in. Members must book the room with the hotel directly, on a hotel Website, through Hilton Reservations and Customer Care, or through the Diamond Special Services Department.
Elite Status Gifting
Like Hyatt Diamond’s Guest of Honor perk, this perk lets Diamond members gift Gold status to a family member. Gold status is close enough to having Diamond status for many, making this perk could be a great gift for a loved one.
Premium Wi-Fi
Diamond Status gives guests faster Wi-Fi at no additional costs relative to regular members.
Final Draw
Having Hilton Honors Elite Status is the best way to enhance your Hilton stay regardless of level. Members could derive hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars in value. Applying for any of the Hilton credit cards makes earning status that much easier as well. Members will receive not only the perks of having hotel status, but also perks from having a card of choice.
For the Hilton Elite members. Have you noticed that Hilton has become pretty chintzy with their benefits. It seems to have coincided with the change of ownership as well as the change of CEO from Bollenbach to Nasetta.
For instance, gone are the automatic upgrades for rooms to larger rooms or suites. Even as a lifetime diamond member, I’m insulted that when I book a room directly, I always get a little notice on the Hilton Website, that states that for an additional 30,000 to 50, 000 points you can get an upgrade to a larger room
Also, I’ve noticed more room rates where you can get a late check out. Their late check out is now considered 2pm, pre covid era. Yo pay extra for the late check out. Ridiculous, I find this usually at the low level Hampton hotels, but also at the full line hiltons, and conrad hiltons.
I wonder what happened to the hospitality model standard set by Conrad Hilton. Out the door I guess. I’m lucky that I maintain lifetime Titanium status with Marriott and Lifetime Globalist status with Hyatt.