6 Hilton Diamond benefits that make the status worthwhile

Although it's easy to earn Hilton elite status, Hilton Honors members often face an upsell for paid upgrades, insufficient food-and-beverage credits, and high award prices.

That said, there's no question that Hilton Diamond benefits can make your stay more comfortable. So, let's explore how to qualify for Hilton Diamond status and enjoy its top benefits.

Related: The best Hilton hotels in the world

How to get Hilton Diamond status

Hilton Diamond status is possibly the easiest top-tier hotel elite status to get.

To qualify, you must complete 30 stays, stay 60 nights or earn 120,000 base points in a calendar year. However, primary cardholders of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card enjoy complimentary Diamond status as a perk of their card.

This card offers several other great perks to offset its $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), including an annual free night award, up to $400 in Hilton resort statement credits (provided as up to $200 semiannually) and up to $200 in flight credits (provided as up to $50 quarterly).

If you're looking for a card with a lower annual fee ($150 annual fee (see rates and fees), you can also earn Diamond status after spending $40,000 in a calendar year on qualifying purchases using the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Once you reach the spending requirement, your Hilton Diamond status may take 10 to 12 weeks to become effective. Once it becomes effective, you'll enjoy Hilton Diamond status for the remainder of the calendar year, in which you reached the spending requirements and the subsequent calendar year.

Related: The best Hilton credit cards

Room upgrades

Elite status and upgrades often go hand in hand. As a Hilton Diamond member, you're eligible for space-available upgrades up to a junior, standard, or one-bedroom suite at most brands.

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In fairness, with the surplus of Diamond members, suite upgrades tend to be limited. In my experience, suite upgrades are far less common with Hilton Diamond status than with top-tier Marriott and Hyatt status. Hilton also sells paid upgrades to elite members even when their status should entitle them to a complimentary upgrade.

That said, Hilton Diamond status can be extremely valuable overseas. With Diamond status, I've enjoyed generous suite upgrades at Hilton-branded hotels in Indonesia, Morocco and French Polynesia.

Just be aware that upgrades are up to the hotel's discretion and based on availability when you arrive. Note that Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Spark by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton Grand Vacations, Motto by Hilton, Napua Tower at Grand Wailea, Imperial Floor at Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa don't offer complimentary upgrades.

Related: How to redeem Hilton points for upgraded rooms

Food and beverage benefits

You and up to one additional registered guest can select a $10-$25 food-and-beverage credit per night as a MyWay benefit at most brands in the U.S. This often isn't enough for an entire meal, but it can help offset the price of breakfast, drinks or dinner.

Unfortunately, most Hilton properties do not allow you to use the food-and-beverage credit cumulatively. So, for a four-night stay, you must use the credit daily rather than redeeming four nights' worth of food-and-beverage credits on one charge.

Outside the U.S., Diamond members and up to one additional registered guest can select daily continental breakfast as a MyWay benefit at most brands.

Related: Your complete guide to breakfast benefits at Hilton Honors hotels

Executive lounge access

In addition to the previously discussed food-and-beverage or continental breakfast perk, Hilton Diamond members receive access to the executive lounge at some properties. Within the U.S., executive lounges at Hilton properties are notoriously rare.

Still, this benefit can be nice to have. At some international properties, guests with Diamond status enjoy access to handsomely decorated club lounges with complimentary afternoon snacks, evening hors d'oeuvres, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Related: Best Hilton hotels and resorts on the beach, from the US to the Maldives

Bonus points

Hilton Diamond members enjoy a 100% bonus on the base points they earn from stays. This bonus means Hilton Diamond members get 10 extra points per dollar spent at most Hilton brands. However, Hilton Diamond members only get 5 additional points at Home2 Suites properties outside of China and Tru properties worldwide, as these brands earn at a lower rate.

If you stay at an Embassy Suites for $200 per night, you will earn an extra 2,000 Hilton points per night as a Hilton Diamond member. Based on TPG's November 2024 valuations, those extra points are worth about $12.

Related: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?

Fifth night free on award stays

Members with Hilton Honors elite status receive every fifth night free (up to four free nights per stay) when they book a standard-room award stay entirely with points.

Whether traveling to an expensive resort like the Conrad Bora Bora Nui in French Polynesia or a more modestly priced property (such as the one above), the fifth-night-free benefit can help you get more value from your Hilton points.

Related: Ways to maximize Hilton Honors redemptions

Diamond status extension

Select Hilton Diamond members who won't meet the standard requirements to qualify for Diamond status can request to extend their status for one year with Diamond status extension. Here's a look at the requirements for the Diamond status extension:

• The guest must be a current Hilton Diamond member with status that will expire March 31 of the following year.
• The guest must have held Diamond status for at least three years. (The years do not have to be consecutive, but years in which you used a status match to achieve Diamond status don't count.)
• The guest must have stayed at least 250 nights with Hilton (paid and reward nights are both eligible) or earned at least 500,000 base points since joining Hilton Honors (points earned via bonuses, promotions, and cobranded credit cards don't count).

You can request a Diamond status extension reminder here.

Related: How to get Hilton Honors lifetime Diamond status

Bottom line

Hilton Diamond benefits can save you money and make your travels more enjoyable.

Some properties in Hilton's portfolio recognize members with Diamond elite status far more than others. Nonetheless, when you consider that Diamond status can instantly be yours as a primary cardholder of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (or after spending $40,000 in a calendar year on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card), there's no wonder so many travelers have and enjoy Hilton Diamond status.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, click here.