KEY POINTS
- You can earn elite status with Hilton by staying a minimum number of nights, completing a minimum number of separate stays, or earning enough Base Points.
- There are also several credit cards that include Hilton Honors status as a complimentary benefit.
- If you stay at Hilton properties often, getting elite status can save you money and give you a better experience.
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Hilton is one of the largest hotel chains in the world. If you stay at its properties often, you could benefit by signing up for its Hilton Honors program and trying to get elite status.
The Hilton Honors program is free to join, and just being a member includes some basic benefits. But it's in the Silver, Gold, and Diamond tiers where the perks get valuable. Getting elite status with Hilton isn't hard, either. You can get it by staying at Hilton hotels, or even just by opening one of its hotel credit cards.
How to earn elite status in the Hilton Honors program
There are a few ways to move up in the Hilton Honors program. You could earn status by doing any of the following within a calendar year:
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- Stay a minimum number of nights. For example, you'll earn Silver status if you stay at least 10 nights.
- Complete a minimum number of stays. You'll also earn Silver status if you complete at least four separate stays, even if they don't add up to 10 nights total.
- Earn a minimum number of Base Points. Hilton Honors members earn 10 Base Points per $1 on stays. If you spend $2,500 on stays in a calendar year, you'll earn 25,000 Base Points -- enough for Silver status.
To reiterate, you only need to complete one of the requirements: Nights, stays, or Base Points. If you spend $2,500 on a three-night stay, you'd earn 25,000 Base Points. That would get you Silver status, even though you haven't stayed 10 nights or four separate stays.
You can also open a credit card that includes Hilton elite status as a perk. This is the fastest and easiest option. Many of these credit cards have an annual fee, but they also have perks to help balance out their cost.
You'll find more info on the ways to earn Silver, Gold, and Diamond status below.
Hilton Honors Silver status
Ways to earn:
- Stay 10 nights
- Complete four separate stays
- Earn 25,000 Base Points
- Open the Hilton Honors American Express Card
It doesn't take much to earn Silver status with Hilton. Benefits of this tier include a 20% points bonus on stays, free bottled water, and a fifth night free on reward stays. That last benefit is extremely valuable. When you're booking with points, you can get five nights for the price of four.
If you want Silver status, the best way to get it is to open the Hilton Honors American Express Card. There's no annual fee (see rates and fees), and it gets you complimentary Silver status. Terms apply.
Ratings Methodology
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Apply Now for Hilton Honors American Express Card
OnAmerican Express'Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Credit Score:Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Apply Now for Hilton Honors American Express Card
OnAmerican Express'Secure Website.
Terms apply
Credit ScoreFalling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
RewardsEarn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
3X-7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome OfferEarn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.
70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward
A fantastic option for earning Hilton Honors points with a lucrative rewards program and nice welcome offer.Read Full Review
- Nice welcome offer
- Bonus points on Hilton Hotels purchases
- U.S. restaurants rewards
- U.S. supermarkets rewards
- U.S. gas rewards
- Limited travel protections
- Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- No Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.Purchase protection, baggage insurance, and car rental loss and damage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Hilton Honors Gold status
Ways to earn:
- Stay 40 nights
- Complete 20 separate stays
- Earn 75,000 Base Points
- Open the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Gold status takes more work to earn, but the perks are a big step up. You get an 80% points bonus on stays, space-available room upgrades, and a daily food and beverage credit or a continental breakfast (depending on the hotel brand and region).
Each status also includes the benefits of all the lower statuses, so you also get free bottled water and a fifth night free on reward stays.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card includes complimentary Gold status for a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees). And if you spend $40,000 on this card within a calendar year, you'll earn Diamond status for the next calendar year. Terms apply.
Ratings Methodology
2024 Award Winner
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Apply Now for Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
OnAmerican Express'Secure Website.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Credit Score:Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Apply Now for Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
OnAmerican Express'Secure Website.
Credit ScoreFalling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x points on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. dining, 3x points on other eligible purchases
3X - 12x points
Annual Fee
$150
Welcome OfferEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.
130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward
Automatic Hilton Gold status is one of the many lucrative perks, including sky-high points for Hilton stays and for restaurants, groceries, and gas.Read Full Review
- Big welcome offer
- Automatic Gold elite status
- Airport lounge access
- Earn an annual free night award
- Bonus rewards in several spending categories
- U.S.-centric bonus categories
- Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.
- Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $150 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Hilton Honors Diamond status
Ways to earn:
- Stay 60 nights
- Complete 30 separate stays
- Earn 120,000 Base Points
- Open the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Diamond is Hilton's highest status tier. It includes a 100% points bonus on stays, executive lounge access at Hilton hotels that offer this, premium wifi, and a 48-hour room guarantee. You'll also have priority for space-available room upgrades.
Most hotel brands don't give out their highest status just for opening a credit card, but Hilton is an exception. You can get complimentary Diamond status with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Terms apply. This card isn't cheap, with a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), but it has quite a few benefits. I opened it last year, and it quickly became one of my favorite travel credit cards.
Lifetime Diamond status
Normally, you need to earn elite status with Hilton every year to maintain it. The exception is its Lifetime Diamond status. To get it, you need to earn Diamond status for 10 years (these don't need to be consecutive) and complete one of the following milestones:
- Complete stays totaling at least 1,000 nights (can be paid and reward stays)
- Earn 2 million Base Points
A valuable benefit for frequent Hilton guests
If you like Hilton hotels, or you don't mind making it your hotel chain of choice, having elite status can save you money and make your stay more special. I was never particularly loyal to any hotel chain. After seeing how easy it is to get Hilton status with credit cards, I decided to give it a try, and I'm happy I did.
Hilton's hotel credit cards are a good way to get started. Or, if you stay at Hilton properties often enough, you could also earn it through nights, stays, or Base Points.
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hilton Honors American Express Card Apply Now for Hilton Honors American Express Card OnAmerican Express'Secure Website. Terms apply | Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night RewardEarn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024. | 3X-7X Hilton Honors Bonus PointsEarn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. | Intro: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a Regular:20.99%-29.99% Variable |
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Apply Now for Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card OnAmerican Express'Secure Website. | Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night RewardEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024. | 3X - 12x points12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x points on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. dining, 3x points on other eligible purchases | Intro: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a Regular:20.99%-29.99% Variable |
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