Hilton Diamond status extension: Retain your top-tier status with this one-time perk

Hilton returned its calendar year requirements for top-tier Diamond status to 60 nights, 30 stays or 120,000 base points in 2023.

If you fell short of meeting these requirements but currently hold Hilton Diamond status, your status likely expires on March 31, 2024. However, some Hilton Honors Diamond members with status expiring by March 31 may be eligible for a Hilton Diamond status extension before their status expires. Here's what you should know.

What is the Hilton Diamond status extension?

The Hilton Diamond status extension is designed to let loyal Hilton Honors Diamond members extend their status by a year once per lifetime. You don't have to tell Hilton Honors why you didn't requalify for Diamond status in 2023, but you do need to be a Diamond member whose status expires by March 31 and who meets both of the following requirements:

• Held Hilton Diamond status for at least three years (years do not have to be consecutive, but years in which you used a status match to achieve Diamond status don't count)
• Stayed at least 250 nights with Hilton (both paid and award nights count) or earned at least 500,000 base points since joining Hilton Honors (base points earned via bonuses, promotions and cobranded credit cards don't count)

You can only use a Hilton Diamond status extension once in a lifetime. You won't be eligible if you've used this benefit before, and once you use the Hilton Diamond status extension, you won't be able to use it again. Visit the Hilton Diamond status extension landing page for more information and to request your extension if you are eligible and decide this is the year to use this once-in-a-lifetime benefit.

Related: What is Hilton Honors elite status worth?

Other ways to earn Hilton Diamond status

To earn Hilton Diamond status in 2024, you'll need 60 nights, 30 stays or 120,000 base points during this calendar year. Luckily, there are a few ways to qualify for Hilton Diamond status without meeting the typical requirements.

The easiest way is by having the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which provides complimentary Hilton Diamond status as a cardmember perk for as long as you have the card. The card carries a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees) but offers various benefits, including 14 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels and resorts, up to $200 in Hilton resort statement credits semiannually and a Hilton Honors free night reward in your first year of card membership and every year upon card renewal. (Terms apply.)

If the annual fee of the Hilton Aspire is too much for you, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card also provides a pathway to earn Hilton Diamond status. The Hilton Surpass Card has a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) but offers complimentary Gold status as a cardmember perk (enrollment required) and the ability to spend to earn Diamond status. Specifically, you'll upgrade to Hilton Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year if you put at least $40,000 of eligible purchases on your card during a calendar year. You'll keep Diamond status for the year you spent at least $40,000 on your card and the subsequent year. (Terms apply).

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Finally, you could earn lifetime Hilton Diamond status, but doing so requires having Hilton Diamond status for at least 10 years and either staying with Hilton at least 1,000 nights or earning at least 2 million base points.

Related: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire: Do you want Gold or Diamond status?

Bottom line

Travelers may want to extend their status after not qualifying for Hilton's Diamond tier for many reasons, including health issues, family factors and job loss. So, it's great that the Hilton Diamond status extension lets some loyal top-tier elite members retain their status despite having a year with fewer Hilton stays, nights or base points.

However, I wouldn't recommend most U.S.-based members who are eligible for a Hilton credit card use their once-in-a-lifetime Hilton Diamond status extension. Instead, I'd suggest getting the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and saving the extension for the future. After all, you may not be able to earn Hilton Diamond status via a credit card forever.

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