Hilton is introducing significant updates to its Hilton Honors loyalty program starting in January. The changes include a new top-tier level, lower qualification thresholds for existing elite tiers and additional tools aimed at making status more attainable and more rewarding for frequent travelers.
Introduction of a New Diamond Reserve Tier
Hilton will debut Diamond Reserve, a new premium elite status level intended for its most loyal members. This tier sits above the current Diamond level and combines both stay and spending requirements. To qualify, members must complete 80 nights and reach an annual eligible spend of 18,000 USD.
Diamond Reserve members receive several new or enhanced benefits, including a Confirmable Upgrade Reward. This reward allows members to secure a premium room or suite at the time of booking for stays up to seven nights at participating properties. The first reward is issued upon reaching Diamond Reserve, with an additional one available after either 120 nights or earning 30,000 Points.
Other benefits associated with Diamond Reserve include guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout on eligible stays, exclusive 24/7 customer service support, access to both executive lounges and select Premium Clubs, priority for space-available upgrades as early as three days before check-in and a 120 percent Points bonus on stays.
Easier Path to Gold and Diamond Status in 2026
Beginning in 2026, Hilton will reduce the number of nights required to achieve its two most popular elite tiers, Gold and Diamond.
Gold status will require 25 nights per year instead of the current 40. Members at this level will continue to receive existing benefits such as space-available room upgrades, a daily Food and Beverage credit or continental breakfast depending on brand and region, and an 80 percent Points bonus on eligible stays.
Diamond status will require 50 nights instead of 60. Benefits for Diamond members will remain the same, including space-available room upgrades, lounge access at select properties, a daily Food and Beverage credit or continental breakfast depending on brand and region, a 48-hour room guarantee and a 100 percent Points bonus.
Hilton has also lowered requirements across other qualifying methods, including stays and eligible spend, making elite status more accessible for a wider range of travelers.
Core Program Benefits Remain in Place
Despite the introduction of new tiers and updated requirements, Hilton is maintaining many of the features that have defined Hilton Honors over the years. These include no blackout dates when booking with Points, no resort fees on reward stays booked entirely with Points, and the option to combine Points and cash for bookings.
The Fifth Night Free benefit continues to apply to standard room reward stays booked fully with Points, offering added value for longer stays.
Analysis
Overall, these changes feel like a mixed bag. On one hand, it is rare to see a loyalty program actually lower its elite status requirements in today’s environment. That alone makes this update noteworthy. On the other hand, the introduction of a firm spending requirement for the new ultra-premium tier may signal a long-term shift away from a purely nights-based qualification model. This mirrors what we have seen in the airline world, where earning status is no longer driven solely by flying, but instead by a combination of credit card spend, flying, and partner activity.
While the decentralized nature of the hotel industry makes a full ecosystem shift like the airlines more difficult, Hilton’s new structure suggests a move in that direction. The high spend threshold tied to Diamond Reserve makes it clear the brand is targeting high-value customers and prioritizing pure, pre-tax hotel revenue over just frequency of stays. Unlike airlines, there do not appear to be meaningful shortcuts or status boosters attached to co-branded credit cards for this top tier, which reinforces the idea that Diamond Reserve is meant to be earned organically through actual hotel spend and stay volume.
From Hilton’s perspective, this creates further segmentation within the loyalty base. While it is still possible to achieve Gold and Diamond status through credit cards, Diamond Reserve stands apart as a tier that must be earned the traditional way. That exclusivity may help maintain its perceived value, but it also places it out of reach for a large portion of otherwise loyal members.
Another interesting element is the guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout benefit, which closely resembles what Hyatt offers with Globalist status. This suggests Hilton is not only competing on footprint and price, but also directly targeting benefits that frequent travelers consistently rank as the most useful. For travelers who prioritize flexibility and certainty over flashy perks, this benefit alone could make Diamond Reserve appealing, assuming properties consistently honor it.
For content creators and travelers who focus on maximizing value from loyalty programs, these changes present a new calculation. The lower thresholds for Gold and Diamond make Hilton more accessible for casual and mid-level travelers, while the new top tier creates a clear aspirational layer for high spenders. Whether this ultimately benefits the average traveler will depend on how well Hilton properties deliver on upgrades, late checkouts, and recognition in real-world conditions.
