The Guide to Hilton Diamond Status
Holding the right Hilton credit card is the quickest way to access Diamond status benefits.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Updated · 2 min read
Written by
Lead Travel Writer & Content Strategist 
Edited by
Assigning Editor If you're a Hilton loyalist, Hilton Honors™ Diamond status can be a rewarding elite status level with perks like suite upgrades, food and beverage credits, and executive lounge access. It's the second-highest elite status behind Hilton Honors™ Diamond Reserve Status, which was introduced in 2026.
Here's a look at how to earn Diamond status — even if you don't always stay at Hilton properties — and what benefits the elite tier comes with.
Hilton Diamond benefits
Hilton’s Diamond elite status comes with an impressive array of perks, including:
- 100% bonus on points. Diamond members earn an additional 100% bonus on all Hilton Honors points earned during stays.
- Room upgrades. Those with Diamond status can be upgraded to a one-bedroom suite, if available.
- Executive lounge access. Diamonds receive access to the executive lounge, where available, no matter their room type.
- 48-hour room guarantee. The Diamond guarantee allows members to book rooms at sold-out hotels with at least 48 hours of notice. Restrictions apply.
- Elite status gifting. Diamonds can gift Hilton Honors™ Gold Status to other members once they’ve stayed 60 nights per year. They can gift Diamond status after staying 100 nights per year.
- No resort fees on award stays. This benefit is awarded at all tiers of status, which can save dozens a night during resort stays.
- Complimentary WiFi. Diamond members are entitled to premium complimentary internet.
- Free bottled water. This benefit starts at Silver elite status but applies to Diamonds as well.
- Fifth night free. Hilton Honors elite members receive the fifth night free on award stays.
- Diamond status extension. Allows for a one-time extension of elite status after meeting the eligibility criteria.
- Daily food and beverage credit or complimentary breakfast. Gold members and above receive a credit (in the U.S.) or free breakfast when staying with Hilton.
- Late checkout. Diamond members can request a late checkout, subject to availability.
While early check-in isn't a guaranteed benefit, even for top-tier status holders, it doesn't hurt to ask. If the property can't accommodate, you can typically request to leave your bags with the front desk until your check-in time.
» Learn more: The complete guide to Hilton Honors
Win Private Travel Rewards Consultation ($250 value)
Get the ‘cheat codes’ to using travel points and miles so you can spend less cash. 📥 Sign up for our free newsletter before Jan. 30 and enter to win a 1:1 travel rewards coaching strategy session.
How to get Hilton Diamond status
There are four different ways to become a Hilton Diamond member, though some are more challenging than others.
Stays
You can earn Diamond status after completing 25 stays with Hilton in a calendar year.
Earning status through stays is a viable option for those who frequently stay a single night at a Hilton hotel. Keep in mind that you cannot book back-to-back separate reservations for consecutive nights at the same property to artificially boost your stay count.
Nights
Members can earn Diamond elite status by staying 50 nights in a calendar year.
Hotel spend
If you spend $11,500 on eligible Hilton purchases in a year, you will get Diamond status.
Credit cards
The easiest method to obtain Diamond elite status comes via Hilton’s co-branded credit cards. Two of these cards can get you to Diamond.
Here's how to get Hilton Diamond status for free (in essence): The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card grants you complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond status for as long as you hold the card. You’ll pay a $550 annual fee in return, but the card also comes with a number of other benefits, including an anniversary free night certificate and a $400 resort credit (see rates and fees).
Your other option is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. With an annual fee of $150, the card gives you complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status (see rates and fees). However, spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year will net you Diamond status.
Terms apply.
» Learn more: Is a Hilton Honors credit card worth it?
What else you need to know
Achieving Lifetime Diamond elite status
It’s possible to earn Hilton Lifetime Diamond elite status. To do so, you’ll need to be a Diamond member for at least 10 (non-consecutive) years. Status earned via holding a credit card counts toward this requirement.
You’ll also need to complete one of the following:
- Complete stays totaling at least 1,000 paid and reward nights.
- Spend $200,000 on eligible Hilton purchases.
Once you’ve completed these requirements, you’ll receive Diamond elite status for life.
Status match
Hilton offers a status match program for those with elite status in another program. You must submit proof of that status and also not have enrolled in a status match with Hilton previously. Finally, only those with a general member or Silver elite status can request a match.
Once your request is approved, you’ll be upgraded to Gold status for a trial period of 90 days. If you’d like to extend your Gold status or reach Diamond status, you’ll need to complete the following requirements:
- Stay eight nights within 90 days to keep Gold status.
- Stay 14 nights within 90 days to receive Diamond status.
How long does Hilton Diamond status last?
Hilton elite status is typically valid for the year that you’ve earned it and the year afterward. For example, if you earn Diamond status in March 2026, you’ll hold it through the rest of 2026 and all of 2027.
Those who hold a Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card will have Diamond status as long as they have the card.
» Learn more: How much are Hilton points worth?
If you want to get Hilton Diamond elite status
Hilton’s high-tier Diamond elite status offers big rewards, including suite upgrades, food and beverage credits and executive lounge access. Although it’s possible to earn Diamond status by spending a lot of time in Hilton hotels, holding one of its co-branded credit cards is a more cost-effective way to take advantage of this highly lucrative status.
Top photo courtesy of Hilton.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, see this page.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
NerdWallet's 2026 Best All-Purpose Travel Rewards Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 
Travel
Hotel
WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT: For a modest fee, you’ll earn rich rewards in many categories, plus access to multiple transfer partners, an annual hotel credit, anniversary points and a big sign-up bonus worth at least $750 toward travel. 🤩
