Hilton Honors Levels Get Major Makeover: New Diamond Reserve Tier Arrives with Premium Perks

Hilton is reshaping its loyalty landscape with a bold restructuring of its membership tiers. Starting January 2026, travelers will find it easier than ever to climb the Hilton Honors levels while enjoying enhanced recognition at the top.

Streamlined Path to Mid-Tier Status

The most immediate change affects Gold members. Effective next year, you’ll reach Gold status with just 25 nights annually – cutting the current requirement in half. This tier now positions itself as the most valuable intermediate level within Hilton Honors, offering room upgrades on a space-available basis, daily food and beverage credits (or continental breakfast depending on the property), plus an 80% points multiplier on stays.

Diamond status is also becoming more attainable, requiring 50 nights instead of 60. Members at this level continue to receive space-available upgrades, executive lounge access, a guaranteed 48-hour room hold, and 100% bonus points on every booking.

The New Crown Jewel: Diamond Reserve

The headline addition to Hilton Honors levels is Diamond Reserve – an ultra-premium tier reserved for the brand’s most devoted travelers. To qualify, you’ll need 80 nights AND $18,000 in annual eligible spend. This tier marks Hilton’s most exclusive membership offering to date.

Diamond Reserve members unlock several standout advantages. The centerpiece benefit is the Confirmable Upgrade Reward, which locks in premium room upgrades – potentially including one-bedroom suites on stays up to seven nights – confirmed at booking time through the Hilton Honors app. Members receive their first reward upon achieving Diamond Reserve status, with the option to earn a second at the 120-night milestone.

Additional perks set this tier apart: guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, round-the-clock concierge support via dedicated customer service specialists, and complimentary access to Hilton’s Premium Clubs (exclusive on-property lounges featuring fine dining, work spaces, and premium amenities). Diamond Reserve guests also get priority placement for available room upgrades confirmed up to three days pre-arrival, and they earn a generous 120% points bonus on every night.

What Stays the Same

Despite the restructuring, Hilton Honors levels retain their core appeal: zero blackout dates on points redemptions, no resort fees for reward bookings, the ability to mix points and cash flexibly, and the Fifth Night Free benefit for those booking standard rooms entirely with points.

The company operates 9,000 properties across 141 countries, including over 1,000 luxury and lifestyle properties where members can dream and redeem their points. The program now serves more than 235 million members worldwide, all eligible to accumulate and deploy points across Hilton’s expanding portfolio.