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Hilton Honors has announced major changes to its loyalty program in 2026. Beginning January 1, 2026, members will see changes to elite status requirements, including faster paths to Gold and Diamond, and an entirely new top-tier status, Diamond Reserve.
Whether you stay with Hilton a few nights each year or spend weeks on the road, these updates will impact how travellers engage with the program, especially when it comes to Elite Status benefits and perks. Below is a detailed breakdown of every change coming in 2026 and what it means for Hilton Honors members.
Major Changes to Hilton Honors in 2026
Hilton has confirmed that Gold and Diamond status thresholds are dropping significantly, and a new top tier, Diamond Reserve, introduces previously unavailable benefits, such as confirmable upgrades at booking and a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout. Existing tiers (Silver, Gold, Diamond) remain, and core benefits like room upgrades, elite bonuses, and the 5th Night Free reward stay perk continue.
Updated Elite Status Requirements (All requirements go into effect January 1, 2026):
| Tier | Nights Required | Stays Required | Eligible Spend Required (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | 10 nights | 4 stays | $2,500 |
| Gold | 25 nights (down from 40) | 15 stays | $6,000 |
| Diamond | 50 nights (down from 60) | 25 stays | $11,500 |
| Diamond Reserve | 80 nights OR 40 stays AND | — | $18,000 |
Updated Elite Benefits for 2026 and beyond
The good news is that the core benefits of the existing status tiers remain unchanged, while the new Diamond Reserve tier gets an impressive new list of benefits. Silver continues with modest perks (bonus points, late checkout, Fifth Night Free) while Gold remains the most powerful mid-tier in the program, particularly with breakfast/F&B credits and upgrades. For many travellers, this will be the biggest shift. A 25-night threshold makes Gold one of the most accessible mid-elite tiers among major hotel programs.
Diamond continues to offer the highest level of recognition before reaching the new Diamond Reserve.
| Benefit | Silver | Gold | Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus Points on Stays | 20% | 80% | 100% |
| Space-Available Room Upgrades | — | ✔ (Includes premium rooms; varies by brand) | ✔ (Highest priority above Gold) |
| Daily Food & Beverage Credit / Continental Breakfast | — | ✔ (varies by brand/region) | ✔ (varies by brand/region) |
| Fifth Night Free on Reward Stays | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Elite Rollover Nights | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Late Checkout (Subject to Availability) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Milestone Bonuses | — | — | ✔ |
| 48-Hour Room Guarantee | — | — | ✔ |
| Executive Lounge Access | — | — | ✔ |
| Premium Wi-Fi | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bottled Water | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Digital Check-In + Key | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| No Resort Fees on Reward Stays | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Points + Money Booking Option | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
New Diamond Reserve tier Benefits
- Confirmable Upgrade Reward (CUR) – A new, premium benefit allowing upgrades to be confirmed at the time of booking, not at check-in, not a few days before. Members can use CURs on stays up to seven nights, and eligible rooms, including up to a one-bedroom suite.Diamond Reserve members will select a toggle to show availability for Confirmable Upgrade Reward redemption during the booking process. The reward can be applied to stays of up to seven nights at any participating Hilton property. This includes hotels within Hilton’s growing luxury portfolio:
- Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
- Conrad Hotels & Resorts
- LXR Hotels & Resorts
- Signia by Hilton
- NoMad Hotels
Earning CUR’s
-
- One CUR on achieving Diamond Reserve
- Second CUR at 120 nights or 30,000 points
This is Hilton’s closest equivalent to Hyatt Suite Upgrade Awards or Marriott’s Suite Night Awards, except that the confirmation at booking places it in a more premium category.
- Guaranteed 4 p.m. Late Checkout – Hilton historically hasn’t offered guaranteed late checkout at any tier. Diamond Reserve members receive guaranteed checkout at 4 p.m.
- Executive Lounge + Premium Club Access – In addition to the standard lounge access enjoyed by Diamonds, Diamond Reserve members gain complimentary access to Hilton Premium Clubs, an enhanced club lounge available at select luxury, lifestyle, and full-service hotels.
- Highest Priority for Upgrades – Diamond Reserve will be the highest position in Hilton’s upgrade hierarchy, where available upgrades may be confirmed up to three days before check-in.
- 120% Points bonus on eligible stays
- Priority Service Line (24/7)
Hilton Status Earned Through U.S. Premium Credit Cards
With Hilton reducing the qualification thresholds for 2026, the role of credit cards remains largely the same, and they will remain an efficient path to Gold and Diamond status tiers.
- The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card continues to offer automatic Diamond status. Despite Diamond becoming easier to achieve in 2026 (50 nights vs. 60), automatic Diamond through the Aspire should remain highly compelling, particularly because the new top tier, Diamond Reserve, is not offered via credit cards and requires both nights and spend. Aspire cardholders will continue to enjoy lounge access, premium upgrades, and 100% points bonuses, with no stay requirement.
- Hilton Honors Gold remains the automatic benefit of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass and Hilton Honors American Express Business cards. Since Gold becomes easier to earn organically (25 nights vs. 40), the card benefit still represents strong value, but the “shortcut” is now less dramatic. For many readers, these cards will continue to be the most efficient way to secure Gold without needing to meet stay requirements.
-
Since no credit card grants access to the new Diamond Reserve tier, travellers relying solely on credit card status will see no direct path to Hilton’s top tier. Members who want Diamond Reserve exclusive perks, such as guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout or Confirmable Upgrade Rewards, will still need to meet the required nights and spend thresholds through actual stays. The new Diamond Reserve tier introduces a clear separation between credit card status and true high-engagement travel status.
Changes to Hilton Honors in 2026 – Takeaway
These updates go live January 1, 2026. Members qualifying under the 2025 rules will transition under the updated structure as the new year begins. For many members, the biggest win will be the reduced qualification for Gold and Diamond, while the new Diamond Reserve tier and associated benefits should deepen the value of staying loyal.
Gold and Diamond thresholds dropping by 15 and 10 nights, respectively, may shift some loyalty toward Hilton, especially among travellers who struggle to hit 50 or 60-night targets at competing brands. For casual Hilton guests, Gold becomes much easier to reach, with 25 nights (down from 40).
The high frequency, high spend travellers should enjoy the exclusivity that comes from the new Diamond Reserve status. The Confirmable Upgrade Reward is the standout benefit in the program now, as true upgrade certainty at booking is rare in hotel loyalty programs.
Featured Image Credit: Waldorf Astoria New York, © 2025 Hilton
