In 2026, Hilton Honors is making major change to its elite program, which includes lowering elite requirements for existing tiers, while launching a new Diamond Reserve elite tier. We’ve had reason to believe that there was even more coming, and that has now been officially confirmed.
In this post:
Hilton Honors will roll out invitation-only elite tier
In 2026, Hilton Honors plans to introduce a new invitation-only elite tier, which will be known as The Honors Society. As flagged by LoyaltyLobby, Hilton plans to share details about this early in 2026, but for now, isn’t revealing any information (other than acknowledging that it’s happening).
However, it’s not too hard to figure out what’s going on here, as there are similar tiers with other programs, like Hyatt’s Courtesy Card, Marriott’s Cobalt, etc. Presumably this will be an uber-exclusive tier. I could see this being offered to owners of some hotels, those responsible for large corporate contracts, and perhaps those who spend an extraordinary amount on Hilton hotel stays annually (likely $100K+).
We have reason to believe that Hilton Honors has somewhere around 1.2-1.4 million Diamond members, and that there will be 50K-55K Diamond Reserve members. So I’d expect membership in The Honors Society to be in the hundreds or very low thousands.
This has limited implications for most members, but…
Practically speaking, The Honors Society won’t materially impact most of us. That’s because most of us will never earn that tier, and for that matter, there will be so few of these members that it’s not going to directly downgrade the experience others receive.
That being said, you can’t help but observe bigger picture how Hilton Honors Diamond status is almost starting to look like mid-tier status at this point. As of 2026, elite hierarchy at Hilton Honors will be as follows:
- The Honors Society
- Hilton Honors Diamond Reserve
- Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond
- Hilton Honors Diamond
- Hilton Honors Gold
- Hilton Honors Silver
Admittedly the ranks thin out above Diamond, but Diamond will be closer to the bottom of the upgrade totem pole than to the top. Perhaps the even bigger realization is that there are likely well over a million Diamond members, which really shows you how common the status is. Of course that’s not actually that surprising, since you can get the status just for having a credit card.
Bottom line
In 2026, Hilton Honors plans to introduce an invitation-only elite tier, which will be known as The Honors Society. Details about the status aren’t yet known, but I’d expect this to be along the lines of Hyatt Courtesy Card, Marriott Cobalt, etc., and be very exclusive.
Between that and the introduction of Diamond Reserve, Lifetime Diamond members will have third priority for upgrades, while Diamond members will have fourth priority.
What do you make of Hilton Honors rolling out an invitation-only tier?
Amazing since Hilton benefits are reduced each and every year. Lifetime Dimaond no longer enjoys a free breakfast or dinner, but a $20/person allowance as one example. LD pays the same parking fee, pays the same resort fee, etc as even non-HH member. Hilton has a mission to race to the bottom for some of its loyal D and LD members.
Lifetime Diamond has the same benefit as any other Diamond so the breakfast is of course still included (except at the US and Canadian properties).
Amazing since Hilton benefits are reduced each and every year. Lifetime Dimaond no longer enjoys a free breakfast or dinner, but a $20/person allowance as one example. LD pays the same parking fee, pays the same resort fee, etc as even non-HH member. Hilton has a mission to race to the bottom for some of its loyal D and LD members.
damn I'm feeling even poorer lol
Sucks for DCS to have midtier status now
I have been a lifetime Diamond for many years and an earned lifetime diamond status as I traveled extensively for 30+ years. Have watched it slowly diluted year after year when some stopped the free breakfast and a lot of upgrades (in some of the chains) that was the beginning of the end for me. Lifetime diamond was created with zero special benefits attached. Other than a heavy metal card most hotels had no idea...
I have been a lifetime Diamond for many years and an earned lifetime diamond status as I traveled extensively for 30+ years. Have watched it slowly diluted year after year when some stopped the free breakfast and a lot of upgrades (in some of the chains) that was the beginning of the end for me. Lifetime diamond was created with zero special benefits attached. Other than a heavy metal card most hotels had no idea what this level meant.
Hilton is getting bigger but not better!
Personally I'm basically a free agent. Lifetime Titanium w Marriott and currently Diamond with Hilton (via spend and nights not because of an Aspire card) as well as Hyatt Globalist (which you can't get with a credit card). Also lifetime elite w AA, DL and UA. So now I stay in enough Hyatt's (and run non-bonused spend through their card which isn't bad since I typically get 2-3 cent a point in value) to keep...
Personally I'm basically a free agent. Lifetime Titanium w Marriott and currently Diamond with Hilton (via spend and nights not because of an Aspire card) as well as Hyatt Globalist (which you can't get with a credit card). Also lifetime elite w AA, DL and UA. So now I stay in enough Hyatt's (and run non-bonused spend through their card which isn't bad since I typically get 2-3 cent a point in value) to keep Globalist, rarely stay w Marriott and am letting my Diamond lapse after 2026 (although I get 2027 Diamond as the one time extension since I've been that level for many years). Personally I prefer the Amex FHR properties and the Chase Edit ones. That is my go to place to stay if I want something nicer, not a chain hotel from any of the brands.
The whole Hilton experience leaves a bad taste in my mouth. As an individual who spent 60 nights a year for the last seven years in order to maintain my diamond status it is sad to see the program not rewarding me. aAllowing people to attain it via credit card and other incentives is a one way ticket to worthlessness
I have found elite status like Hilton Lifetime Diamond and Marriott Bomvoy Ambassador to have very limited value. Rather than spending tens of thousands at these mega brands, I now focus on location, amenities, price, and a high service level when choosing a hotel regardless of brand. In other words I look for an immediate return on my money rather than some promissory, hardly likely to materialize elite benefits at some distant point in future....
I have found elite status like Hilton Lifetime Diamond and Marriott Bomvoy Ambassador to have very limited value. Rather than spending tens of thousands at these mega brands, I now focus on location, amenities, price, and a high service level when choosing a hotel regardless of brand. In other words I look for an immediate return on my money rather than some promissory, hardly likely to materialize elite benefits at some distant point in future. Most business works like that and hotels will one day get the message. Really could not care less about a free continental breakfast with day old breads and past the time fruit lol.
I totally agree with you. I’m nowhere near your level and honestly I’m not trying to get there. I’m a paid in full HGV owner and it annoys me that I can’t go to certain resorts because I haven’t upgraded to a more elite level. I’m so over Hilton Grand Vacations. All they want is money money money. Good luck with your endeavors.
All in all, I find my Diamond status to be pretty worthless, especially compared to my Bonvoy Plat & Hyatt Globalist levels. Hilton upgrades very rarely happen, no guaranteed late checkout, and the breakfast $ credits provided barely cover the cup of coffee. It used to be great before the death by a thousand cuts.
All in all, I find my Diamond status to be pretty worthless, especially compared to my Bonvoy Plat & Hyatt Globalist levels. Hilton upgrades very rarely happen, no guaranteed late checkout, and the breakfast $ credits provided barely cover the cup of coffee. It used to be great before the death by a thousand cuts.
Does it really matter in terms of hierarchy? Yes, technical this pushes other tiers one level down but 99% of time there won't be any Honours Society member in the house and thus the impact will be zero. And even if they will be in the house, they will likely get some uberexclusive upgrade no regular diamond would get. A lot of fuss for nothing :)
I just wish they would differentiate CC Diamonds from...
Does it really matter in terms of hierarchy? Yes, technical this pushes other tiers one level down but 99% of time there won't be any Honours Society member in the house and thus the impact will be zero. And even if they will be in the house, they will likely get some uberexclusive upgrade no regular diamond would get. A lot of fuss for nothing :)
I just wish they would differentiate CC Diamonds from BIB Diamonds because right now the system really sucks as Hilton is adding more BIB Diamonds and not doing anything about CC Diamonds.
@Samo, exactly!
They do...an Insider working for Conrad in Bangkok told me the secret that they make a difference between CC Diamonds and Diamonds who really spent 60 nights when it comes to recognition like upgrades and other benefits..
In a way, this is not dissimilar to AA granting upgrades based on Loyalty Points, which are tied to revenue AA receives from various revenue channels. And, if the program is like Marriott Cobalt, the revenue number will be well above $100k.
Well, well, well. Remember years back when Diamond tier was first introduced as a CC benefit and many of you argued it wouldn’t impact those who earned their tier levels? Here we are, Karma is real…
@ Endre -- I don't remember people arguing that giving out status with a credit card wouldn't impact others who earn the status, so maybe I missed that?
Ah, yes, 'karma'... this will totally ruin our respective reincarnations... I'm thinking 'brown marmorated stink bug' for you, Endre. Yum!
Don't know about karma.
But DCS is real.
I imagine this is awarded to current and former Hilton corporate C-suite executives as well as current and former Hilton corporate board members, the Hilton owners with the most properties, and then executives at Hilton's biggest corporate clients.
At that point, if we're talking billionaires, centi-millionaires, and their c-suite mercenaries, who needs artificial corporate-named pseudo-'status' because those folks probably don't even stay at Hilton when they travel... (oh, fine, maybe a few Waldorf-Astoria stays, but, like, c'mon, some of them probably live on their yachts and fly on their PJs.)
Wow, Hilton Diamond really is becoming the new Bonvoy Platinum... basically, free breakfast (where applicable) and not much else. Oh, and also, you get it by paying a premium credit card annual fee ($500+), so yeah, Diamond = Platinum.
Oh, and the Honors Society sounds like a middle school club for nerds.
@ 1990, it sure does sound like a middle school club for nerds :)
Where have you been, @1990? Hilton diamond has been this way for a couple years now. Actually, worse since domestically it doesn't even get you breakfast. Instead, you get a coupon for F&B spending.
FNT, well-aware; other than new luxury openings (like Ithaafushi, Platte Island, even Punta Cacique), I basically just pay the $550 Amex Aspire annual fee, use the free night to breakeven, purchase the $50 UA Travel Bank each quarter, and try to stay at a 'resort' to get the $200 statement credit every 6 months, so practically under 10 nights per year for me. I still feel like I'm 'ahead' with Hilton on that basis, but,...
FNT, well-aware; other than new luxury openings (like Ithaafushi, Platte Island, even Punta Cacique), I basically just pay the $550 Amex Aspire annual fee, use the free night to breakeven, purchase the $50 UA Travel Bank each quarter, and try to stay at a 'resort' to get the $200 statement credit every 6 months, so practically under 10 nights per year for me. I still feel like I'm 'ahead' with Hilton on that basis, but, for folks organically 'earning' status with them, y'all crack me up. I don't expect upgrades or early/late checkouts. Just breakfast overseas. Low expectations and rarely disappointed.
The main benefit of Diamond is lounge access. Breakfast is already offered on Gold level.
@Samo - breakfast (or F&B credit) is offered for Gold for now. I fully expect that will go away in 2027 and also Diamond will likely lose some of the benefits (expect breakfast and lounge access to stay but maybe no upgrade consideration). Frankly makes sense as there are way too many elites. If there are 1.2-1.4 million Diamond how many Gold do you think there are? Has been thoroughly diluted. I expect NOTHING as...
@Samo - breakfast (or F&B credit) is offered for Gold for now. I fully expect that will go away in 2027 and also Diamond will likely lose some of the benefits (expect breakfast and lounge access to stay but maybe no upgrade consideration). Frankly makes sense as there are way too many elites. If there are 1.2-1.4 million Diamond how many Gold do you think there are? Has been thoroughly diluted. I expect NOTHING as a Diamond in the US outside of the F&B credit but do get some benefits and lounge access along with nice breakfast benefits in Europe and Asia.