Hilton Honors Gold versus Hilton Honors Diamond: What Are the Differences?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
Posts: 4,889
Hilton Honors Gold versus Hilton Honors Diamond: What Are the Differences?
I have requalify for Gold this year with 46 nights. And I am aiming to get 60 nights to shoot for Diamond...eventhough....i know it may not have a difference....but since I have stayed at Hilton properties mostly this year...i might just well get the top tier...
So any Diamonds out there see a real difference?
And would I be able to get great upgrades?
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Albert
So any Diamonds out there see a real difference?
And would I be able to get great upgrades?
------------------
Albert
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
there are differences, although negligable IMHO
QUOTE]Originally posted by afang:
I have requalify for Gold this year with 46 nights. And I am aiming to get 60 nights to shoot for Diamond...eventhough....i know it may not have a difference....but since I have stayed at Hilton properties mostly this year...i might just well get the top tier...
So any Diamonds out there see a real difference?
And would I be able to get great upgrades?
[/QUOTE]
QUOTE]Originally posted by afang:
I have requalify for Gold this year with 46 nights. And I am aiming to get 60 nights to shoot for Diamond...eventhough....i know it may not have a difference....but since I have stayed at Hilton properties mostly this year...i might just well get the top tier...
So any Diamonds out there see a real difference?
And would I be able to get great upgrades?
[/QUOTE]
#4
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 342
Gold -> Diamond. Worth the trouble?
A question for Diamond members:
I'm a Gold member of HHonnors (who isn't) at the moment and using the 2 for 1 promotion I believe I can make Diamond with about 4 "extra" stays (some hotel hopping) by Mar 31. Is it worth the bother?
I'm looking for 2 things: Nicer rooms and the ability to get more for the Hilton points when I spend them. I don't really mind about the other features of Diamond (welcome gift, guaranteed reservations).
I've been to 3 properties in the last week (1 UK, 2 US) and had an upgrade at all three.
When I asked the front desk at each if I would have gotten anything more as a Diamond member, they said not really. So I ask you, what's a Diamond member get in the way of upgrades that a Gold member doesn't? Looking at the details on the Web site, I don't really see a difference in the kind of upgrades.
I've never redeemed any Hilton points before (I'm nearing 600K), but when I do I'd like to get the max for them. I see there are are no blackout dates for Diamond, but do you also get upgrades and such when redeeming points? Do you get better offers?
I wouldn't normally bother with Diamond, but as I'm not that far away and it looks like Diamond status would last until April 2004 it might be worth it as I'm planning on doing a good bit of travelling later this year.
When I travel it's my money I spend and I like to fly coach and stay at good business class hotels (Hilton & Marriott) to recover. In my mind, the hotel is a fixed cost but if Diamond/Gold get me more for that fixed cost then I'm very interested.
Your thoughts?
I'm a Gold member of HHonnors (who isn't) at the moment and using the 2 for 1 promotion I believe I can make Diamond with about 4 "extra" stays (some hotel hopping) by Mar 31. Is it worth the bother?
I'm looking for 2 things: Nicer rooms and the ability to get more for the Hilton points when I spend them. I don't really mind about the other features of Diamond (welcome gift, guaranteed reservations).
I've been to 3 properties in the last week (1 UK, 2 US) and had an upgrade at all three.
When I asked the front desk at each if I would have gotten anything more as a Diamond member, they said not really. So I ask you, what's a Diamond member get in the way of upgrades that a Gold member doesn't? Looking at the details on the Web site, I don't really see a difference in the kind of upgrades.
I've never redeemed any Hilton points before (I'm nearing 600K), but when I do I'd like to get the max for them. I see there are are no blackout dates for Diamond, but do you also get upgrades and such when redeeming points? Do you get better offers?
I wouldn't normally bother with Diamond, but as I'm not that far away and it looks like Diamond status would last until April 2004 it might be worth it as I'm planning on doing a good bit of travelling later this year.
When I travel it's my money I spend and I like to fly coach and stay at good business class hotels (Hilton & Marriott) to recover. In my mind, the hotel is a fixed cost but if Diamond/Gold get me more for that fixed cost then I'm very interested.
Your thoughts?
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
FWIW, and I'm only HHonors Gold, I'd surely go for Diamond IF I were that close!
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Please also see:
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Please also see:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/000628.html
#6
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Hilton Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 1,266
If your travels take you to the "Hilton" part of the Hilton Family (normally in urban areas), then Diamond is worth it with Towers Level probabilities.
If you are going to be using Hampton Inns or Homewood Suites, which GENERALLY seem to be in suburban/rural areas, there is no real advantage in my experience.
As Doc noted, however, if you're close ...go for it...as you never can tell when you might need the assured reservation feature.
If you are going to be using Hampton Inns or Homewood Suites, which GENERALLY seem to be in suburban/rural areas, there is no real advantage in my experience.
As Doc noted, however, if you're close ...go for it...as you never can tell when you might need the assured reservation feature.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: california
Posts: 241
The #1 reason to become a Diamond is the availability of properties for reward stays. As a Diamond I have never been told there is "no availability" for an award stay. As anyone knows try this if you are a Gold or anything less. A second diffence I have noted in staying outside the U.S. is that lounge access is almost always granted to Diamonds and not to other membership levels. If you make Diamond by the end of March you will have two years of these benefits.
#9
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in PALMYRA, PA, USA
Posts: 58,510
Here is the case for Diamond:
Called the Hilton reservation number and asked for a stay at a downtown MSY property for later that night. No availability anywhere, period. All hhonors properties are sold out. Would I like a room in Metarie?
So I hang up and call Diamond Desk: 'I understand what you want. Let me give this to a concierge and she'll call you right back.' [ring] 'Hello, Mr. Nutz. We have you at the Riverside Hilton for $189/nite.'
'Uhm, can you make that an award stay?'
'Sure! Just a sec. 55,000 points.'
'Uhm how about the Hampton Downtown?'
'Sure, award or revenue?'
'Er, Award?'
'OK. 45,000 points. No need to download a certificate, I'll just make the arrangements with the hotel.'
'Rightous. Thanks!'
Case closed.
Called the Hilton reservation number and asked for a stay at a downtown MSY property for later that night. No availability anywhere, period. All hhonors properties are sold out. Would I like a room in Metarie?
So I hang up and call Diamond Desk: 'I understand what you want. Let me give this to a concierge and she'll call you right back.' [ring] 'Hello, Mr. Nutz. We have you at the Riverside Hilton for $189/nite.'
'Uhm, can you make that an award stay?'
'Sure! Just a sec. 55,000 points.'
'Uhm how about the Hampton Downtown?'
'Sure, award or revenue?'
'Er, Award?'
'OK. 45,000 points. No need to download a certificate, I'll just make the arrangements with the hotel.'
'Rightous. Thanks!'
Case closed.
#10
Join Date: May 2001
Programs: AA PLT 3MM..... WN CP & A-List Preferred.... SPG Platinum
Posts: 294
You said it yourself. "Who isn't Gold." Unfortunately, Hilton has diluted Gold status by giving it away to anyone that asks for it. That's not fair to those people that go out an earn it and should be changed.
That said, it's better being Diamond. No award problems, the Diamond Desk, and easier/better upgrades are some of the benefits.
That said, it's better being Diamond. No award problems, the Diamond Desk, and easier/better upgrades are some of the benefits.
#13
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA USA // UA 1K 2 Million Miler, AA EXP 2MM, HH Diamond, SPG Plat // Easily found on SFO-ORDs
Posts: 2,726
I've been a Diamond now for several months. No tangible impact on my revenue stays--same kinds of upgrades, same kinds of treatment as when a Gold. However, as NeverAtHome wrote, it's all about reward stays: the Diamond desk is squeezing me into a property where there would otherwise be no rooms available from HHonors points usage. Terrific!
(If you're into better treatment and upgrades, then Starwood's Platinum is MUCH better than their Gold.)
(If you're into better treatment and upgrades, then Starwood's Platinum is MUCH better than their Gold.)
#15
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Hudson, OH
Programs: UA-MM; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,350
As a Diamond, when HH "squeezes" you in for an otherwise nonavailable award, is it at the full point redemption rate? Do they ever do this for Point Stretchers?