In the travel world, loyalty program updates rarely come with good news, which is why Hilton Honors’ latest announcement is such a pleasant surprise. Instead of quietly taking perks away, Hilton is rolling out changes that actually make elite status easier to earn—and more rewarding once you have it.
Diamond Reserve
Starting this month, Hilton will introduce a new top-tier elite level, Diamond Reserve, with some very tempting benefits. Highlights include a confirmable upgrade reward that can be redeemed instantly at the time of booking, a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, and access to exclusive customer support. In our opinion, guaranteed late checkout is by far the best perk. If you’ve ever tried (and failed) to negotiate anything past noon, only to end up having to deal with the hassle of storing your luggage and killing time before an evening flight, you already know how valuable this perk really is.
The confirmable upgrade reward also removes one of the most stressful parts of travel: waiting to see if your upgrade clears. Diamond Reserve members can use the reward to lock in premium room upgrades, including up to a one-bedroom suite for stays of up to seven nights, at the time of booking.
Diamond Reserve members will also receive complimentary access to Hilton Premium Clubs, on-property lounges found at many of Hilton’s luxury, lifestyle, and full-service hotels. These clubs offer elevated food and beverage options along with quieter spaces to work or unwind.
Hilton Honors’ Diamond Reserve can be achieved with 80 nights and $18,000 in eligible spend.
Changes to Hilton Honors Gold Status
Hilton is also making Gold status easier to achieve, cementing it as one of the most valuable mid-tier statuses in hotel loyalty. Gold will keep all of its existing perks, including space-available room upgrades and on-property food and beverage credits or complimentary continental breakfast, but will now require just 25 nights per year—down from the previous 40-night threshold.
Here’s how the updated qualification thresholds break down:
- Silver: 10 nights, 4 stays, or $2,500 in spend (unchanged)
- Gold: 25 nights (formerly 40), 15 stays, or $6,000 in spend
- Diamond: 50 nights (formerly 60), 25 stays, or $11,500 in spend
Explora Journeys Partnership
In other exciting Hilton Honors news, members will soon be able to earn and redeem points on luxury ocean travel, thanks to a new partnership with Explora Journeys, launching in summer 2026. To celebrate, Hilton Honors members who book by June 7, 2026, can take advantage of exclusive benefits, including 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points per suite, up to $400 in Journey Experience Credits on select itineraries (and $200 on all other voyages), and an exclusive in-suite welcome gift. The credits can be used toward onboard experiences like fine dining, wine tastings, spa treatments, destination excursions, curated shopping, and even suite upgrades.
