I became a Diamond in the Hilton Honors program, and now comes the good stuff
With the last two nights spent at the Garden Inn Milan I officially became a Diamond customer in the Hilton Honors program. This [...]
With the last two nights spent at the Garden Inn Milan, I have officially become a Diamond customer in the Hilton Honors Program. This was one of my goals for 2021, and I could not miss the opportunity to take advantage of the promotions put in place by Hilton to facilitate renewal or obtaining status in this difficult year of uncertainty.
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In fact, the chain's loyalty program, which has more than 4,000 hotels worldwide, has made life so much easier for loyal customers. There are 3 ways to become a Diamond: stay 60 nights in a year, make at least 30 stays or accumulate 120k Honors points. Throughout 2021 these levels have been halved: 30 nights, 15 stays or 60k points.
To this we must add that the program automatically reported 2020 nights as 2021 nights, this means that we were not starting from zero but from the number of nights spent throughout 2020, another important help.
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The stay I just completed is the 14th of the year, but there are 15 nights, which, combined with the 16 in 2020, allowed me to cross the finish line and immediately see my level raised from Gold to Diamond, which I will hold as a minimum until January 2023.
What changes from Gold to Diamond
Given that in Italy there is not, as there is in other nations, the possibility of having Diamond status through credit cards or similar products is absolutely a field-earned achievement. The difference between the two levels is enormous in so many ways.
The main benefit for Gold customers, Level you get for free thanks to the American Express Platinum, is free breakfast in (almost) all Hilton hotels worldwide, alternatively you can receive a bonus in terms of HHonors points ranging from 500 to 1000 points per stay depending on the brand. With Diamond status you are spoiled for choice you get both.
The second benefit you get is the certainty (or near certainty) that you will receive room upgrades every time you book-not simple one-level upgrades, but the ability to upgrade from a basic room to a suite.
The third benefit is the opportunity to accumulate 20% more bonus points per stay than the Gold level bonus points.
Then there are small benefits that enhance the stay, for example, a premium wi-fi connection, compared to what is given to all customers, reserved parking spaces in the parking lots, and the guarantee that you can find a free room within 48h in all hotels, a perk that does not make much sense at this time but will surely come in handy when the hotels are crowded again.
Last but not least, guaranteed access to the Executive Lounges. at all hotels that offer this service. Executive lounges at Hilton hotels are lounges reserved for guests who book rooms that include lounge access or for Diamond members. Generally operating from early morning for breakfast to late afternoon, it is always possible to find food and drink, relax, and work meet people in a setting that is normally located in one of the hotel's prime areas.
What is the value of the Diamond level
Of course, it is impossible to put an exact value on Diamond status because it depends so much on how long you stay and especially where you stay. Being Diamond and going to the Maldives means being able to save so much in food & beverage during your vacation, as well as the possibility of being promoted from an entry level room to a room that costs hundreds more each night.
On average I spend from 20 to 30 nights a year in a Hilton hotel so I can say that on balance, between extra points (no less than 25k/30k), room upgrades, and money saved for breakfasts, lunches, and business drinks, in a nutshell I expect to save no less than 2000/2500 € until January 2023.
