Uh Oh: Hilton Selling More Upgrades To Elite Members At Digital Check-In - Hilton

Uh Oh: Hilton Selling More Upgrades To Elite Members At Digital Check-In

Ben Schlappig — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:25:48 +0000

The Hilton Honors program isn’t exactly known for being the most generous when it comes to upgrades for elite members. Part of the issue is that the program doesn’t promise much when it comes to upgrades — it says it’ll upgrade elite members subject to availability, but that’s about it.

Continue reading: Uh Oh: Hilton Selling More Upgrades To Elite Members At Digital Check-In

Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.

SG_Mark — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 01:23:50 +0000

Before anything, they should recognize your status level at check-in. It’s one of the most important thing beaten into you when training, yet I was recognized more as a gold member previously and since becoming a diamond, not once was that recognized. Never offered any upgrades either.

Jim K — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:09:37 +0000

I can remember when Hilton would upgrade me based on my American Airlines status. Of course, that was back when American was really American and not US Air masquerading as American/Admiral's Club which is nothing compared to what it was. Hilton still does a good job with customer service, and it is my first choice when I'm on the road with Marriot a close second.

DCS — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:13:49 +0000

And yeah DCS, were you denied lounge access because you did not complete the 40 nights a year then yeah they definitely can deny you lounge access unless you pay for it. With at least forty nights a year and choosing the lounge access as a milestone reward I have never been denied lounge access and even at certain IHG properties that do not have lounges to begin ... bah...blah...blah

That right there is why you should really try to stop pontificating so much and think harder before you do. Let me see if you can understand why the IHG lounge access policy does not measure up at all. And yeah DCS, were you denied lounge access because you did not complete the 40 nights a year? The answer is Yes, Yes,Yes! and that is precisely why the IHG lounge access policy does not measure up to Hilton's or Hyatt's or Marriott's because in these programs, top elites, regardless of how they got there, automatically get lounge access. No requirement for 40 nights or to select a limited number of lounge access as a milestone reward. Once a HH Diamond, even a CC or 'Aspire" Diamond, one gets unlimited and automatic lounge access and exec floor privileges, even when one is not automatically upgraded to at least a room on the exec floor. Do you understand the simple and clear difference and why IHG's lounge access policy does not even come close to measuring up?!

Stanley C — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:37:40 +0000

@grayanderson probably only at Hilton properties

Stanley C — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:35:48 +0000

@UA-NYC To be worse than Marriott? That took a lot of effort to be even worse than being Bonvoyed.

Stanley C — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:28:03 +0000

Oh here we go. Just because DCS has gotten a suite upgrade at DT Taipei then everyone else must be wrong and since DCS has always gotten a late checkout with Hilton even as a lowly gold then all those who have been denied must be making stuff up. And that includes Ben too as he has written in his posts about not receiving suite upgrades or given late checkout by Hilton at times then according to DCS Ben must be making this stuff up too in his blog. And yeah I am living in the real universe. I have been getting much better treatment by IHG compared to Hilton including more suite upgrades or better rooms than Hilton. And yeah DCS, were you denied lounge access because you did not complete the 40 nights a year then yeah they definitely can deny you lounge access unless you pay for it. With at least forty nights a year and choosing the lounge access as a milestone reward I have never been denied lounge access and even at certain IHG properties that do not have lounges to begin with I have been offered vouchers or extra welcome amenities even though they do not need to do that. So yeah, as a Diamond Ambassador with a minimum of forty nights a year, IHG has been doing all right by me. Hilton was better in the past. I do not dislike Hilton and still do stay with them but I wish they can be better again.

DCS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:01:21 +0000

I seodom book stays 12 months out so, as usual, the comment is pointless.

DCS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:57:42 +0000

I think you are totally correct @Ben. They do not need to or choose to upgrade your room to a suite even if those rooms are widely available.

Please get real. You were at DT Taipei (Zhongshan) and did not get upgraded and that proves that the program won't upgrade elites even if upgrades are available? Well, (a) people in every program have reported such denials, and (b) I stayed at the same DT Tapei in 2019 and I got a suite upgrade. And, as I've said countless times, I have never been denied a late checkout, even as far back as when I was just lowly HH Gold.

As a Diamond Ambassador with IHG I get treated better overall when compared to Hilton Diamond.

I am and have been an IHG Diamond Ambassador for a few years now and I have not gotten a single complimentary suite upgrade, even in Asia, nor have I gotten lounge access except when I booked a package at ICs that included lounge access. In contrast, Hilton Diamonds (even 'Aspire' ones) automatically get lounge access. If IHG One treats you better than HH does, then you we live in different universes. More likely is that you are simply making up stuff or are simply parroting the same unsubstantiated claims as those in this piece that I debunked?

Sel, D. — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:49:22 +0000

Lol the tired “if we have a…” DCS justification. Yes it’s in one place, but def not the official terms and conditions, as you’re quoting the competitors.