Hilton is one of the largest hotel groups in the world, and Diamond status is the top tier status in the Hilton Honors program. What makes Diamond status unique is that it’s also the easiest top tier hotel status to earn with any US-issued credit cards.
In this post, I wanted to take a closer look at the benefits of Hilton Honors Diamond status, including the easiest ways to earn it.
In this post:
How to earn Hilton Honors Diamond status
There are several pathways to earning Hilton Honors Diamond status — you can earn it through stays, you can earn it just for having a premium credit card, and you can earn it by putting spending on certain credit cards.
Earning Diamond status with hotel stays
If you want to achieve Hilton Honors Diamond status through hotel stays you need to earn any of the following in a calendar year:
- 60 nights
- 30 stays (with each check-in and check-out counting as one stay)
- 120,000 base points (you typically earn 10 base points per dollar at most brands, so that’s like spending $12,000 per year)
Note that both award and revenue stays count toward the night and stay total. The qualification requirements are in line with other top tier status programs, though fortunately there’s a much easier way to earn Diamond status if you have access to US credit cards.
Earning Diamond status with credit cards
Hilton has a suite of co-branded credit cards that can earn you status. The easiest way to earn Hilton Honors Diamond status with a credit card is to simply have the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express (review).
The Hilton Aspire Card offers Diamond status for as long as you have the card, in addition to a slew of other amazing benefits that more than justify the annual fee. These benefits include an annual free night certificate, a $250 annual Hilton resort credit, a $250 annual airline fee credit, a Priority Pass membership, and more. The Hilton Aspire card carries a $450 annual fee.
Alternatively, you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status by spending $40,000 in a calendar year on either of the following cards:
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (review) — $95 annual fee (Rates & Fees)
- Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (review) — $95 annual fee (Rates & Fees)
If you’re unable to meet the $40,000 calendar year spending requirement, keep in mind that both the Hilton Surpass Card and Hilton Business Card come with Hilton Honors Gold status for as long you are a cardmember.
Hilton Honors Diamond status benefits
With the requirements to earn status out of the way, what are the benefits of Hilton Honors Diamond status? Below are the benefits, roughly in the order that I value them.
Executive lounge access
For Hilton-family properties with executive lounges, Diamond members receive access. This applies regardless of whether or not there’s availability to upgrade the Diamond member to an executive room.
Executive lounges offer complimentary breakfast, evening snacks, and a place to grab a coffee or drink during the day. You can generally expect that executive lounges outside the United States (in particular in Asia) will be significantly better than domestic ones.
Complimentary continental breakfast or hotel credit
For properties outside of the United States without executive lounges, Honors Diamond members are entitled to complimentary continental breakfast. At a minimum, this is a choice you can select at all properties in eligible regions.
There are a couple of things to note:
- While the benefit is technically only for continental breakfast, in practice many hotels will offer Diamond members full breakfast
- Technically this benefit only applies at properties without executive lounges, though there are also hotels that will give Diamond members the option of dining either in the restaurant or in the lounge
For properties in the United States, Honors Diamond members receive a hotel credit in lieu of complimentary breakfast.
The amount of the credit ranges from $10-25 per person per night, and depends on the brand and location. For full service and lifestyle brands, high-cost markets include Boston, Chicago, the District of Columbia, Key Largo, Key West, New York City, San Francisco, the county of Los Angeles, and the state of Hawaii.
When it comes to breakfast benefits at major hotel chains, where does Hilton Honors rank for high tier elites?
- I’d say World of Hyatt wins, as Globalist members receive either a hot breakfast in a restaurant or executive lounge access at all properties globally; gratuity is included, and there are generally the fewest limitations on what you can order
- I’d say IHG One Rewards is pretty competitive too, as Diamond members receive a pretty competitive breakfast offering, as they get a hot breakfast at all brands; the catch is that many hotels have a stringier interpretation than with World of Hyatt, specifically about what one can order
- I’d say Hilton Honors ranks next, as breakfast for Diamond members is technically limited to being continental (though lots of hotels go above and beyond), and on top of that properties in the United States only get a food & beverage credit
- I’d say Marriott Bonvoy ranks last, as Platinum members receive continental breakfast at some brands, while other brands are excluded (including EDITION, Ritz-Carlton, etc.)
Room upgrades
Hilton Honors Diamond members are entitled to room upgrades, though individual hotels have a lot of discretion. As the terms explain, Hilton Honors Diamond members may receive upgrades to preferred rooms, and that may include upgrades to junior, standard, or one-bedroom suites.
All of these upgrades are at the discretion of the hotel, and are granted on a space-available basis for the entire duration of the stay at the time of check-in (though at some hotels upgrades are starting to clear in advance on an automated basis).
This language is a bit different than what you’ll find with Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt, which promise suite upgrades for top tier elite members subject to availability, rather than at the discretion of the hotel.
As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, I don’t expect (or ask for) suite upgrades, and that way I’m not disappointed. However, I do find that I’m upgraded to suites fairly often. It doesn’t happen much within the US, while I’d say outside the US I get a suite upgrade about 50% of the time.
100% bonus points
Hilton Honors Diamond members receive a 100% points bonus on Hilton Honors stays. Members ordinarily earn 10 base points per dollar spent, so Diamond members earn an additional 10 points per dollar spent.
Hilton Honors also often has global promotions to earn more points, and Hilton’s co-branded credit cards offer an excellent rate of return for Hilton spending.
When you combine all of these factors, racking up Hilton Honors points for hotel stays is quite easy.
Hilton MyWay Benefits
Diamond members receive what’s known as a “MyWay” benefit with each stay, which varies by brand:
- At Waldorf Astoria choose two of the following: 1,000 Honors bonus points, one in-room movie, or a spa, golf or restaurant discount
- At Canopy, Conrad, Curio Collection, DoubleTree, Hilton, LXR, Motto, Signia, and Tapestry: receive 1,000 Honors bonus points
- At Hilton Grand Vacations: receive 2,000 Honors bonus points
- At Embassy Suites choose one of the following: 1,000 Honors bonus points or three snacks/refreshments
- At Hilton Garden Inn choose one of the following: 750 Honors bonus points or a hot breakfast for up to two guests
- At Hampton by Hilton choose one of the following: 250 Honors bonus points or your choice of a snack and non-alcoholic beverage
- At Homewood Suites by Hilton choose one of the following: 250 Honors bonus points or two bottles of water and a sweet snack
- At Home2 Suites by Hilton choose one of the following: 100 Honors bonus points or your choice of a snack and bottled water
- At Tru by Hilton choose one of the following: 250 Honors bonus points or your choice of a snack and bottled water
Premium Wi-Fi
As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, you receive premium lobby and in-room Wi-Fi at Hilton brands. Interestingly Hilton doesn’t offer premium internet to mid-tier elite members, unlike some other programs.
Fifth night free on awards stays
While this is a perk for all Hilton Honors elite tiers, I still consider it to be extremely valuable. Hilton Honors elite members receive a fifth night free on award redemptions, which can stretch your Hilton Honors points further.
Late check-out, subject to availability
This is an area where Hilton Honors lags. Technically all Hilton Honors members receive late check-out subject to availability. However, this is entirely at the hotel’s discretion. Unlike at Hyatt and Marriott, Hilton’s top tier members don’t get guaranteed 4PM check-out.
Two bottles of water
Again, this is a benefit of all elite tiers — you receive two complimentary bottles of water per stay.
Guaranteed room availability
Hilton Honors Diamond members can receive guaranteed room availability when booking at least 48 hours in advance. There are a couple of reasons this isn’t particularly valuable to me, though:
- When taking advantage of this benefit you can expect to pay the highest possible rate, so you’re not going to get a discounted rate with this deal
- There are limits to this benefit, like when a hotel is overbooked, so don’t expect this to work during major conventions, sporting events, etc.
Elite status gifting
Hilton Honors Diamond members can gift elite status to others, but only if they actually earn a certain number of elite nights (in other words, you don’t get this if you earn status through a credit card):
- If you achieve 60 elite nights, gift Gold status to another member
- If you achieve 100 elite nights, gift Diamond status to another member
Diamond status extension
Honors Diamond members have a one-time opportunity to extend Diamond status if they didn’t qualify in a particular year. This isn’t available to those who earn Diamond status through a credit card, but rather only applies to those who earn it via nights, stays, or base points. In order to be eligible you need:
- At least three total years of Diamond status (they don’t have to be consecutive)
- At least 250 elite nights or 500,000+ earned base points
Earn lifetime Diamond status
Hilton Honors offers lifetime Diamond status, which has the following requirements:
- Members must have maintained Hilton Honors Diamond status for 10 years (the years don’t need to be consecutive)
- Members must have stayed a total of at least 1,000 nights (either paid or award) OR must have accumulated at least two million base points since joining the Hilton Honors program
What are the differences between Hilton Diamond & Gold status?
Gold is Hilton Honors’ mid-tier status, so what are the major differences between Gold and Diamond? I’d say there are a few most significant differences:
- Diamond members receive a 100% points bonus, where Gold members receive an 80% points bonus
- Diamond member upgrades include standard suites (at the discretion of the hotel), and Gold member upgrades exclude standard suites
- Diamond members get executive lounge access regardless of the room they’re in, whereas Gold members only get executive lounge access when upgraded to an executive room
- Diamond members receive complimentary premium Wi-Fi, while Gold members receive free standard Wi-Fi
The differences between the two elite tiers aren’t huge, though you’ll definitely notice some differences if you stay at Hilton properties often, especially outside the United States, where treatment is more differentiated.
Is Hilton Honors Diamond status worth it?
Is earning Hilton Honors Diamond status worth it? It depends on how you’re earning it, what the opportunity cost is, and what you’re hoping to gain from status.
Let me put it this way — if earning Hilton Diamond status through actual stays, I’d say:
- It might not be worth the incremental nights compared to Gold status
- Personally I like that Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and World of Hyatt Globalist offer more guaranteed benefits, at least on paper (this applies to suite upgrades and late check-out)
That being said, I think Hilton Honors Diamond elite status is the all-around best value top tier status you can earn, when you consider that you can get the status just by having the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
You’re paying $450 per year for a card that not only gets you top tier Diamond status, but also gets you up to $500 in credits, a free night certificate, and more. Personally I value the perks of the card at more than $450 not even factoring in the Diamond status, so I basically consider the Diamond status to be “free.”
If you have a similar valuation, then yes, Diamond status is oh-so-worth-it. I think Diamond status is worth it if you’re earning it through a co-branded credit card. However:
- For actual stays I’d probably prefer going for status with Hyatt or Marriott
- Hilton Honors Gold status is great as well, for someone who only stays at Hiltons every once in a while
Bottom line
Diamond is Hilton Honors’ top tier status, and comes with perks like free breakfast (or a food & beverage credit in the United States), lounge access, bonus points, and room upgrades. While the benefits of Diamond status aren’t quite as “guaranteed” as they are with other programs, I’ve consistently gotten great value with my status.
Getting Diamond status with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card is a phenomenal value, in my opinion, as this is no doubt the easiest way to get top tier status with any major hotel program.
If you’re a Hilton Honors Diamond member, what has your experience been like?
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Rates & Fees), and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Rates & Fees).
I have received great value from Diamond status up until my recent visit to the Hilton Resort in Tahiti on Moritea.
Incredibly expensive resort with no reasonable alternative food in the area.
'Upgrade" was laughable - same as bottom room but perhaps 50 feet closer to Beach.
Diamond breakfast was CONTINENTAL AS REQUIRED. Very unsatisfied with breakfast and attitude towards Diamond (earned not cc).
First really BAD EXPERIENCE with overseas Hilton Diamond.
Hope this is...
I have received great value from Diamond status up until my recent visit to the Hilton Resort in Tahiti on Moritea.
Incredibly expensive resort with no reasonable alternative food in the area.
'Upgrade" was laughable - same as bottom room but perhaps 50 feet closer to Beach.
Diamond breakfast was CONTINENTAL AS REQUIRED. Very unsatisfied with breakfast and attitude towards Diamond (earned not cc).
First really BAD EXPERIENCE with overseas Hilton Diamond.
Hope this is not a sign of the times.
Does DCS know that Hilton gives upgrade priority to anybody redeeming 100k points on a stay over a Lifetime Diamond? Did he enjoy his stay at the ever-declining Hilton PDC that would be kicked to the curb if it was a Hyatt?
Cahn't make this stuff up !!!
Hilton Diamond has provided very good service
Lucky, can you please do a post about why do you think Lifetime Globalist is the best? According to DCS, Lifetime Hilton Diamond is the real top tier status. So, in comparison the real top tier status for WoW is Lifetime Globalist. Can you share more about your thoughts on it?
Since Hilton now gives away top tier status for free with a CC, they had to keep the (likely small) gravy train of suckers actually striving to stay and spend with the program. Occam’s Razor.
Ergo, create a LT version of said giveaway status, with some very light early upgrading for int’l rooms in the small minority of OUS Hiltons (of course nothing like using a Hyatt TSU a year in advance).
Hilton does NOT give away its top tier status with a CC any more than Bonvoy or any other program does. Even you ought to know that by now, but to acknowledge the obvious would require that you live in the real world in which the fantasy of made-up benefits crumbles, like bogus "best" breakfast, TSUs that must be requested and then even after the effort do not clear, tiny footprint, expensive status to attain,...
Hilton does NOT give away its top tier status with a CC any more than Bonvoy or any other program does. Even you ought to know that by now, but to acknowledge the obvious would require that you live in the real world in which the fantasy of made-up benefits crumbles, like bogus "best" breakfast, TSUs that must be requested and then even after the effort do not clear, tiny footprint, expensive status to attain, etc, etc.
You'd do better to just shut up because every time you open your cybermouth, only ignorance comes out. You have been singing the tune about how Hilton gives its top status away, like forever. Now that the program's top status requires at least 10 years of being a Diamond, 2M base points or 1k nights, meaning very few with prioritized global automated upgrades and more can actually attain it, you are still spewing the nonsense.
"You'd do better to just shut up because every time you open your cybermouth, only ignorance comes out."
Pot meet kettle
"Pot meet kettle".
It's satisfying to throw around meaningless sayings that one is too dumb to prove. Don't believe me? Then point out to ignorance that's come out of my cybermouth and prove that it's ignorance.
See? Not so easy, is it? Why not just can it and get lost?
If you want to keep throwing a temper tantrum as a grown man here as you are showing right now, be my guest. All it does is destroy your credibility and show that you don't really care about engaging in people in a civil manner. Treat others as you want to be treated. If you treat others like crap, don't be surprised when they call you out for it.
Aha, the good ol' "Golden Rule." Don't waste your breath. I have heard it all psychobabble before.
Did you notice that it is you who first addressed me with a snide remark? Well, I just responded to you in kind. Next time, try practicing what you preach and maybe...
Aha, the good ol' "Golden Rule." Don't waste your breath. I have heard it all psychobabble before.
Did you notice that it is you who first addressed me with a snide remark? Well, I just responded to you in kind. Next time, try practicing what you preach and maybe you'll be credible.
BTW, as expected, you failed to justify your "pot meet kettle" nonsense.
Why not just can it and get lost?
@Xavier
Are you Professor Charles Xavier?
If so then I am a huge fan
Nobody here is talking about Lifetime status but you.
Also, nobody cares about Hilton lifetime status except you. Nobody else here was idiotic enough to devote their loyalty to Hilton for 10+ years.
And yes, Hilton gives away their status with the Aspire card, in so much as you get it along with a weekend night at any hotel and a $250 resort credit (among other things).
You pay $450 for the card, and voila, top tier status.
Duh?! No one cares about Hilton LT Diamond when it is the program's new bone fide top elite status because it's robbed them of the cheap shot about the 'easy' CC status. See? You are still talking about the downgraded "Aspire" Diamond. I feel your pain...
Don't look now, but it makes as much sense as saying no one cares about Hyatt Globalist...
Pot meet kettle exemplified: refusing to acknowledge that the discussion of top tier status has almost *always* been relegated to non-lifetime examples. Willful ignorance to boost your credibility, in fact is chipping away at your credibility.
Hyatt Globalist is their top status, generally speaking.
Hilton Diamond is their top status, generally speaking.
Hence, putting aside your desperate use of semantics, the "cheap shot" about Hilton basically giving away their top status remains intact.
...
Pot meet kettle exemplified: refusing to acknowledge that the discussion of top tier status has almost *always* been relegated to non-lifetime examples. Willful ignorance to boost your credibility, in fact is chipping away at your credibility.
Hyatt Globalist is their top status, generally speaking.
Hilton Diamond is their top status, generally speaking.
Hence, putting aside your desperate use of semantics, the "cheap shot" about Hilton basically giving away their top status remains intact.
I mean, if you really think the reason nobody cares about Hilton LT Diamond is because it nulls the cheap shot, that's pretty freaking desperate. And if you really think the amount of interest in LT Diamond is comparable to the amount of interest in Hyatt Globalist, then holy $hit!
I also loved how you dismissed the golden rule as psychobabble. Top notch!
Your rants and outbursts these days are a definite fall from grace.
As I said in a previous post, at least your superiority complex used to come across as organic.
To add... a true member of academia would've realized the futility in trying to convince this crowd (right or wrong) that Hilton Honors is superior to Hyatt Globalist... and left the discucssion... long before resorting to such basic insults as "stupid".
True academics put their time to much better use.
@Mikey:
You do not get to decide what a program chooses to call its top elite status. Hilton could have created another elite level above Diamond and given it a cool name like Adamantium (like Bonvoy created 'Titanium' above Platinum), but the program is quite 'economical' in how it does things: it kept the existing structure and simply made LT Diamond (with its steep qualification requirements) the program's top elite status. That is what...
@Mikey:
You do not get to decide what a program chooses to call its top elite status. Hilton could have created another elite level above Diamond and given it a cool name like Adamantium (like Bonvoy created 'Titanium' above Platinum), but the program is quite 'economical' in how it does things: it kept the existing structure and simply made LT Diamond (with its steep qualification requirements) the program's top elite status. That is what it is and it is not even subtle. Get used to it because that is the reality !
As a recent lifetime diamond (and titanium) I wish I had moved some of that business spend to hyatt. Their lifetime status still gives you the best perks like suite awards every year, even if you do scale back travel, which will be the case for me in this new corporate world. (confirmable suites are hands down the most valuable perk in the game)
Even though these breakfast coupons are insulting, I did get my...
As a recent lifetime diamond (and titanium) I wish I had moved some of that business spend to hyatt. Their lifetime status still gives you the best perks like suite awards every year, even if you do scale back travel, which will be the case for me in this new corporate world. (confirmable suites are hands down the most valuable perk in the game)
Even though these breakfast coupons are insulting, I did get my first suite upgrade at a domestic Hilton just recently. 50% success this year, about 10 % the 5 years before pandemic.
Hilton Diamond is fine value, depending on your travel habits it can be very lovely perk. It's not my favorite status as I generally perfer Marriott Platnium and just Marriott properties in general which seem to be better about brand standards and consistency, but that's just me.
I also asked this question below, largely to suggest why the question posed in the post titled was itself misguided:
I also asked this question below, largely to suggest why the question posed in the post titled was itself misguided:
For why that reason that is important, I will just re-post a comment I posted just yesterday in this very space as another...
...Parting Shot
True to form, @UA-NYC made the following comment, which I am responding to up here to correct yet another mindless misconception:
[fixes garbled HTML tags]
...Parting Shot
True to form, @UA-NYC made the following comment, which I am responding to up here to correct yet another mindless misconception:
...[fixes garbled HTML tags]
...Parting Shot
True to form, @UA-NYC made the following comment, which I am responding to up here to correct yet another mindless misconception:
That comment is ignorant in its entirety. Programmatic changes that have happened at Hilton Honors with respect to elite levels are really not even that subtle, but I am not at all surprised that they simply passed him by...
For his and everyone's edification: A few years back, it was rumored, based on surveys that some members got, that Hilton Honors was considering creating a new elite level above their Diamond status. As it turned out, it was not simply a rumor. Hilton did intend to create a new elite level above their Diamond status, and the way they’ve done it in practice has been simply to award the new higher elite status to members who meet the program's pre-established qualifications for Lifetime Diamond status. To populate the new and nearly empty top elite level, existing Diamond members on the cusp of reaching Lifetime status are being "fast-tracked" with, e.g., double elite nights promo or an AMEX promo over the last couple of years that has been counting all bonus points earned with any HH AMEX card as base points. It is how I reached the LT Diamond status at least 2 years ahead of schedule...
The objective for creating the new above-Diamond status was clear: to differentiate long-time loyal members who've spent tons of money patronizing the chain from standard or 'Aspire' Diamonds (sort of like UA Global Services vs. UA 1K). At the same time, borrowing from airline cabin upgrades, HH introduced global automated room upgrades that automatically prioritize room (including suites) upgrades in the order Gold < Diamond < Lifetime Diamond.
So, in short, Hilton Honors redid the program's elite levels to achieve a clear differentiation, leading to a new higher elite status that gets higher priority and better recognition than the 'standard' or 'Aspire' Diamond status. The end result is that it exposes just how stupid and ignorant are statements like @UA-NYC's quoted above.
If you only compare the mid tier levels of Hilton and Hyatt, Hilton wins especially internationally. Even IHG mid tier is better than Hyatt’s. So, if you are going for Hyatt it is Globalist or bust. With other hotels, mid tier can still be very worthwhile. So, I will probably change my strategy for US stays. Staying with Choice, Wyndham or Best Western. Good enough at a cheaper price. Even as a BW Diamond and...
If you only compare the mid tier levels of Hilton and Hyatt, Hilton wins especially internationally. Even IHG mid tier is better than Hyatt’s. So, if you are going for Hyatt it is Globalist or bust. With other hotels, mid tier can still be very worthwhile. So, I will probably change my strategy for US stays. Staying with Choice, Wyndham or Best Western. Good enough at a cheaper price. Even as a BW Diamond and now Diamond Select, got better treatment than as a Hilton Diamond and IHG Diamond in the US.
Parting shot
Because knowing the medium, I am sure that the sort of faulty logic used by the forum host to try to discount or nullify my argument pointing to Hilton's great breakfast offering overseas will be picked up and recycled, I would like to show up here how I killed it dead below, where it might have gotten lost in the noise.
The illogical argument:
Parting shot
Because knowing the medium, I am sure that the sort of faulty logic used by the forum host to try to discount or nullify my argument pointing to Hilton's great breakfast offering overseas will be picked up and recycled, I would like to show up here how I killed it dead below, where it might have gotten lost in the noise.
The illogical argument:
The key to the "argument" is that because 80% of Hilton's ~7K hotels are located in the US, it must mean that the only Hilton hotels that offer full breakfast are the 20% located overseas, while the 80% of the hotels in the US offer F&B.
Here is the logical counter argument:
Remember the preceding when someone tries to recycle meaningless numbers and stats to try to support an equally meaningless point.
G'day.
You literally posted this same mouth diarrhea already in the comments, yet feel the need to bump it as not party of a reply.
Get over yourself already Hilton Sociopath(TM)
Funny to call me a Hilton Sociopath, whatever that means, when you practiced (may still be practicing for all I know) necromancy and necrophilia after your beloved SPG's demise.
How DCS thinks he sounds:
https://giphy.com/gifs/reaction-mrw-gpa-c7PcKQlOqZ8Ws
How DCS actually sounds:
https://giphy.com/gifs/pointer-sisters-9PaC2UWEsnIG6nXcsn
In response to Ben’s argument, Hilton is a lot better outside of the US if you are Diamond or Gold especially in Asia (other regions can’t compare). It is literally just a symbol in the US with no tangible benefits. So, DCS can win in this argument. However, Ben is totally right about Globalist treatment worldwide including the US. They treat you much better compared to other programs. Yet, any other tiers in WoW is...
In response to Ben’s argument, Hilton is a lot better outside of the US if you are Diamond or Gold especially in Asia (other regions can’t compare). It is literally just a symbol in the US with no tangible benefits. So, DCS can win in this argument. However, Ben is totally right about Globalist treatment worldwide including the US. They treat you much better compared to other programs. Yet, any other tiers in WoW is not worth it at all. No better treatment or recognition. Nothing significant..
So-called "better treatment" of Globalists is a yet another myth hatched through repetition of how garden variety benefits offered by the program are always "better" than the competition's, the bogus claims about Hyatt's breakfast being exhibit A.
Japan and Sweden hiltons treat mere gold status like royalty. I stay in one city a lot the Hampton gives me a suite when I was gold. The doubletree doesn’t when I’m Diamond, the garden inn breakfast is a joke for $15. I’m going to keep Diamond this year because of planned travel to Europe and Japan
For me it is worth it since I just run through $40,000 of spend on my Surpass card (may upgrade to Aspire after I cancel the $650 Marriott Amex card) on non bonused categories. For those that say that is a waste I get 3 Hilton points which I value at .005 so .015 for each $ spent and that isn't far off the .0175 for my CSR or Amex Platinum point value. Again, I...
For me it is worth it since I just run through $40,000 of spend on my Surpass card (may upgrade to Aspire after I cancel the $650 Marriott Amex card) on non bonused categories. For those that say that is a waste I get 3 Hilton points which I value at .005 so .015 for each $ spent and that isn't far off the .0175 for my CSR or Amex Platinum point value. Again, I only do this on non bonused spend categories.
In the US I get some upgrades and a little bit of recognition but my main reason for keeping Diamond is that I typically take a couple of International trips a year and have gotten great suite upgrades and other benefits at European and Asian Hilton properties. No heavy lift for me since I'm lifetime Titanium and basically lifetime with IHG, Hilton, Hyatt and others through cards or status matches so well off the hamster wheel of staying nights to earn any status which is a nice feeling.
Ben,
Why don’t you pursue lifetime Diamond with Hilton
You should be able to achieve the 2 million Base points with your card spend?
Yes I know you also need 10 years of Diamond as well!
@ Joe -- The way I view it, there's a big opportunity cost to that spending, and I feel well served by the Diamond status I'm able to earn with the Hilton Aspire Amex.
It would be a very tall order (10 years as a Diamond, 2M base points or 1K nights).
Also, too bad the 'Aspire' Diamond status has been "downgraded"...
Ben, LT Diamond, like LT Globalist is actually another tier and much better recognition. This is well differentiated within both Hilton and Hyatt. However LT platinum/titanium at Marriott remains the same as the regular non LT members.
Because of Marriott, many people tend to misunderstand the value of LT Diamond or globalist.
Hilton properties in the USA are average at best. I am a lifetime diamond member and the benefits are disappointing. You write " (lounges outside USA) will be significantly better than domestic ones", that's a give, but moreso it's rare to find a lounge in the USA. As for the credit, it is pathetic and miserable - diamond members should be offered breakfast not this stupid credit, and as for late checkout, I was at...
Hilton properties in the USA are average at best. I am a lifetime diamond member and the benefits are disappointing. You write " (lounges outside USA) will be significantly better than domestic ones", that's a give, but moreso it's rare to find a lounge in the USA. As for the credit, it is pathetic and miserable - diamond members should be offered breakfast not this stupid credit, and as for late checkout, I was at Homewood Suites in Miami and despite my status and the fact I'd been there 2 weeks they made such a fuss about a 4pm checkout and the hotel was only 60% occupied. After much arguing they gave it till 3pm. Hilton Diamond Desk did diddly squat, they should have told the hotel to get with it - they sent a one night voucher for homewood suites 6 months later. Hilton Diamond status has been devalued with the number of people who receive it, it's handed out willy nilly. You wonder if their management care anyway.
I find it amazing the folks the US put up with terrible carve-outs for our benefits. "Breakfast means $15" is objectively inadequate at any full service hotel. Reach for that AA/AS OneWorld Emerald status, but then you don't get into the lounges that the rest of the world's OW programs do.
It's like a growing sickness that people put up with such bad treatment. Why?
The rationale for the airport lounges isn't because US programs are worse than international ones.
While it is hard to argue that Hilton's *breakfast* benefit is better than Hyatt's, having the option of using your $25 per person / $50 per room credit for dinner or drinks (and just grabbing a bagel down the street or whatever for breakfast) at Hilton makes it more flexible in theory.
Most dinners at LXRs or Conrads are substantially more than $25/person. It's just a way to limit loyalty expenses for hotel operators.
I wasn't talking about a full dinner. Some people just aren't breakfast people and may want to spend the benefit on something else. Can't use the breakfast benefit if you wake up at 11 AM, or you just want to buy a yogurt at the store down the street.
You are not serious. They should bend over backwards for diamond members because of their loyalty and provide breakfast and an eveni g drink. If it can be done, and IS done, outside the USA, then they need to provide that in the USA.
Are annual CC holders who get Diamond for net free really “loyal”?
LOL. Hilton baited and switched on them! Now, HH "Diamond" is no longer the top elite status!
I, for one, love the F&B credit, as it offsets my bar tabs, given that I have never cared for the quality of continental breakfast offered in the US to start with...
No. But who cares?
I enjoy my 5-10 nights a year at Hilton. I extra points as a Diamond, get the meal credit, maybe get an upgrade, etc. I especially make sure I direct paid stays to Hilton when they are running their 2x or 3x promotions. A random two or three night stay at a Hilton in a city when a convention is in town and rates are high generates a lot of points....
No. But who cares?
I enjoy my 5-10 nights a year at Hilton. I extra points as a Diamond, get the meal credit, maybe get an upgrade, etc. I especially make sure I direct paid stays to Hilton when they are running their 2x or 3x promotions. A random two or three night stay at a Hilton in a city when a convention is in town and rates are high generates a lot of points. They get real money from me because I have the Aspire.
All of these hotel chains are pretty full. So we are all splitting hairs here.
Diamond with Hilton in the US is terrible relative to Hyatt. I never get upgraded and the breakfast amenity is crap. Hyatt on the other hand I get upgraded every single time and a full breakfast cannot be beat.
I’m a Diamond and a Hyatt Globalist. I just stayed at a US Waldorf. One caveat to the $25 a day food credit (max 2) is that there has to be at least $50 a day in spending to make use of it. I assumed I had $150 in credits which would apply to room service dinners the first two nights. Nope, lost the last $50. I would have bought sandwiches at the gift shop...
I’m a Diamond and a Hyatt Globalist. I just stayed at a US Waldorf. One caveat to the $25 a day food credit (max 2) is that there has to be at least $50 a day in spending to make use of it. I assumed I had $150 in credits which would apply to room service dinners the first two nights. Nope, lost the last $50. I would have bought sandwiches at the gift shop (assuming that qualifies) had I known. I strongly prefer the Hyatt hot breakfast benefit for my family of up to four. I used Amex Aspire certs for the stay for a standard room and they only have a one level upgrade. I had to pay $110 extra a night to get a balcony and fire pit. It would have been a free space available upgrade at Hyatt. As an award stay, no free parking and I had to pay the resort fee unlike Hyatt. Service was good and the grounds of the resort was nice, but I look forward to going back to Hyatt after sampling one of Hilton’s better offerings. Diamond with the Amex Aspite is nice, but the free night certificate and the $250 2-night resort food credit are about the only value I put into the card, not much for the Diamond status.
If this stay was an award stay, as mention, no resort fees should have been charged. There are no resort fees on award stays or Amex free night certificates with Hilton. I’d contact the hotel or Hilton to get this fixed.
But that makes Rhys’s argument less compelling. Easier to lie about being charged a resort fee…
@Ben: that claim won't become true no matter how often you repeat it. In fact, it is actually becoming close to pathetic, even desperation, especially after it was thoroughly debunked just yesterday in this...
@Ben: that claim won't become true no matter how often you repeat it. In fact, it is actually becoming close to pathetic, even desperation, especially after it was thoroughly debunked just yesterday in this very space (well, it may be why you came back for more!). How in the world is having breakfast in the restaurant only when there is no executive lounge better than having full breakfast in the restaurant even when there is an exec lounge (HH) or always having breakfast in a restaurant (IHG, though no access to exec lounge)? See how silly it is to keep trying to make a case that cannot be made to anyone with an ounce of gray matter between the ears?
More importantly, when the title of the post asks "Is Hilton Honors Diamond Status Worth It?", what exactly is it referring to, considering that Hilton Honors has just added Lifetime Diamond as the program's de facto top elite status. which it clearly differentiated from and is higher than the 'Aspire' Diamond status like the forum host's?
@ DCS -- Dude, what planet do you live on? If my Googling is correct, of Hilton's ~7,000 properties in the world, 5,600 properties are in the United States. That's around 80% of the portfolio.
At Hiltons in the United States and when I'm traveling with Ford, could you please tell me about the amazing breakfast the two of us will enjoy with our $50 credit at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, or heck, with...
@ DCS -- Dude, what planet do you live on? If my Googling is correct, of Hilton's ~7,000 properties in the world, 5,600 properties are in the United States. That's around 80% of the portfolio.
At Hiltons in the United States and when I'm traveling with Ford, could you please tell me about the amazing breakfast the two of us will enjoy with our $50 credit at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, or heck, with our $30 credit at the average Hilton?
Are you really going to claim that when two people are traveling together, the credit will more often than not cover a full hot breakfast with drinks, tax, tip, and gratuity?
If you want to debate with me that IHG's breakfast benefit is better than Hyatt's, I'm happy to discuss that. But it's laughable that you're suggesting that Hilton's food & beverage credit (which applies at a majority of Hilton properties) is better than Hyatt's breakfast benefit.
Anxiously awaiting your response. And please, directly address my question. Don't write 10 paragraphs about something unrelated. G'day, sir!
@Ben: I live on planet earth, do you? You were making that same point even when Hilton offered continental breakfast in the US. With 7K properties worldwide and a labor shortage due to the pandemic, Hilton decided to offer F&B vouchers to address the labor crunch. You have now jumped on that as evidence that Hilton's breakfast offering is somehow inferior. Well, it ain't for folks like me who travel mainly overseas. In fact, in...
@Ben: I live on planet earth, do you? You were making that same point even when Hilton offered continental breakfast in the US. With 7K properties worldwide and a labor shortage due to the pandemic, Hilton decided to offer F&B vouchers to address the labor crunch. You have now jumped on that as evidence that Hilton's breakfast offering is somehow inferior. Well, it ain't for folks like me who travel mainly overseas. In fact, in the US, breakfast has already returned to properties with an exec lounge. From the HH FAQs:
See? What are you going to do with yourself when breakfast returns to all the properties that used to offer it, as I predict it will now the labor market crunch is easing?
Considering Hyatt's tiny footprint, a case could, in fact, be made that WoH, with fewer mouths to feed, should be offering full restaurant breakfast not only to the program's very top elites and only at properties without a club lounge, but always in the restaurant and to lower elites as well !!! Hilton offers breakfast to its Lifetime Diamonds, its Diamonds and its Golds. That is a generous program by any measure.
Stop, stop, stop trying to make the silly case because I am now in Asia and I am having breakfast at Hilton hotels that's simply stupendous, with Hilton Singapore Orchard offering breakfast that put what I got at Park Hyatt Saigon to shame. Do not take my word for it. Go to both hotels and compare, and then do an honest report.
G'day.
@ DCS -- So to recap, a) Hilton breakfast is better because 20% of their hotels offer a full breakfast, and those are the 20% of hotels you stay at and b) because you had a better breakfast at one Hilton in Asia than at one Hyatt in Asia.
See, there are some things we can agree on, though. For example, it's fantastic that Hilton offers Gold and Diamond members breakfast, as Gold status is...
@ DCS -- So to recap, a) Hilton breakfast is better because 20% of their hotels offer a full breakfast, and those are the 20% of hotels you stay at and b) because you had a better breakfast at one Hilton in Asia than at one Hyatt in Asia.
See, there are some things we can agree on, though. For example, it's fantastic that Hilton offers Gold and Diamond members breakfast, as Gold status is really easy to earn. That's a great competitive advantage compared to mid-tier Hyatt status.
And there's no denying that many Hilton properties in Asia go above and beyond to provide a great breakfast to elite members.
Re-read my post. You win arguments by addressing the points raised. You are going on and on and on about a programmatic change that Hilton implemented as a result of the labor crunch during the pandemic and, as the FAQs that you never mention show, is already changing. So, of the 20% of the hotels you mention, how many are already offering breakfast in the exec lounge (like Hyatt does)?
Importantly, even before the...
Re-read my post. You win arguments by addressing the points raised. You are going on and on and on about a programmatic change that Hilton implemented as a result of the labor crunch during the pandemic and, as the FAQs that you never mention show, is already changing. So, of the 20% of the hotels you mention, how many are already offering breakfast in the exec lounge (like Hyatt does)?
Importantly, even before the Hilton programmatic change during the pandemic, you were making the same silly claims about how Hyatt's breakfast was superior, based simply on willfully misinterpreting the program's terms: Full restaurant breakfast only at properties without an exec lounge. From that spotty benefit, self-anointed "travel gurus" hatched a dogma and thundered: Hyatt offers full restaurant breakfast that's the best there has ever been !!! They created a myth and fell for it !
Quite pathetic, really.
I am done here, ready for some great Hilton breakfast first thing tomorrow morning.
G'day.
Correction: that should be "of the 80% of the hotels that supposedly offer F&B, how many are already offering breakfast in the exec lounge (like Hyatt does)?"
Also, of the 80% hotels how many are Embassy Suites, HGIs and other properties that already offer free breakfast? Some of the best Hilton properties where one would want to redeem points are overseas. If one is traveling for business in the US, would one care whether or not one pays for breakfast, considering that business travelers generally get reimbursed for meals?
It's nice to throw around numbers and stats, but make sure they mean something.
Your fascination with breakfast is fascinating. Your argument that Hyatt is better would carry more weight if you stopped fixating on breakfast. Enough already.
My reply was in response to Ben’s post, not DCS’s… but you wouldn’t know it because of the poor blogging software.
@ OCTinPHL -- I'm confused. How can you argue that I'm the one "fascinated" with breakfast? I list it as one of the 10+ perks of Hilton Honors Diamond status, while DCS specifically zeroes in on it with every post comparing hotel programs, and tries to claim Hilton's offering is superior.
Because you constantly harp on Hilton’s not offering breakfast, and instead offering F&B credit. I’m one of those people that could care less about breakfast. I enjoy the credit.
Your better argument is that your post was whether you value Diamondm status. Own it - it is your opinion. But in every post about Hilton you harp on breakfast. DCS is correct.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.
Not nice to call the forum host a "pig"! :-)
Exactly the response I expected.
He’s a Hilton Sociopath(TM). Futile and just boring at this point.
Spot on regarding brekkie. And also regarding upgrades. I know my evidence is only anecdotal, but I have yet to receive a Diamond upgrade in the States. Luckily, 97% of my stays are non in the States, and I get upgraded about 80% of the time with HH Diamond status (and Bonvoy Titanium status). I've had one breakfast at a Hilton property in the States since they started that rubbish credit, and I had to...
Spot on regarding brekkie. And also regarding upgrades. I know my evidence is only anecdotal, but I have yet to receive a Diamond upgrade in the States. Luckily, 97% of my stays are non in the States, and I get upgraded about 80% of the time with HH Diamond status (and Bonvoy Titanium status). I've had one breakfast at a Hilton property in the States since they started that rubbish credit, and I had to pay $12 for a tiny breakfast sandwich and OJ (even with the credit).
To answer the question of the article "Is HH Diamond Status worth it?" In my opinion it is worth it if you do most of your travel outside of the U.S., but not worth it if you mostly travel in the States.
This is the content I was waiting for. Never change, DCS.
The framing of the question/article is dumb. Is Diamond status "worth it?" Worth what? Status isn't the goal/objective.
Is Diamond status useful if Hilton family hotels fit your travel patterns. Sure. Is it a goal in and of itself - no. Is it a thing to chase? No, no at all. Nor is any hotel or airline program. Status is not the goal - it is the result of activity done for other reasons.
Hilton diamond is amazing internationally, not so much domestically.
Not Breaking News - all chains are much better OUS than US
Incoming DCS novella length screed in 3…2…1…
lol
This puts things into perspective. We generally talk too much about "free breakfast." There is a lot of value to this status.
Ben, to answer your question: No.
Anyone who's read reader comments over the years would agree. "Best room in the house" benefit? Ha.
As the the Hilton Aspire free night is the most valuable free night among any of the major hotel brands, and it comes with Diamond, the question is kind of irrelevant. You do get good stuff like enhanced earnings (which is the most tangible benefit of all these status), executive lounge access, etc. So Diamond is worth it, by default.
I like these credit card status reviews, but I am not sure the comparisons make sense. Hyatt Globalist requires either 60 nights or significant credit card spend. Hilton Diamond and Marriott Platinum can be bought outright by simply holding a credit card. So while Globalist is a better status, it is also much harder to attain. Are these really the right comparisons? Shouldn't the comparison really be something like Hyatt Explorist vs Hilton Gold/Diamond vs...
I like these credit card status reviews, but I am not sure the comparisons make sense. Hyatt Globalist requires either 60 nights or significant credit card spend. Hilton Diamond and Marriott Platinum can be bought outright by simply holding a credit card. So while Globalist is a better status, it is also much harder to attain. Are these really the right comparisons? Shouldn't the comparison really be something like Hyatt Explorist vs Hilton Gold/Diamond vs Marriott Platinum?
Great point! The highest status many of us can reasonably attain is Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, and Marriott Platinum. I'd love to see these compared, but the bloggers seem to all have Globalist status, so they aren't interested.
A lot of people can get Globalist, but it's hard to see it as an equivalent status to some of these other levels. Someone starting from scratch can have Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum from Day 1. That's a fundamental different scenario than Globalist.
Not everyone is from the United States, so the "Hilton Diamond and Bonvoy Platinum is trivially easy to get" doesn't apply to all of us.
I like your thought process, but why then would you stop at Explorist... it, too is prohibitive to many to reach with a 30 night requirement.
I think a comparison of top tiers is reasonable, though I'd probably also conclude that it only makes sense that people find less value in a program that's available for such a low standard.