Hilton Honors has announced upcoming changes to its hotel loyalty program.
Hilton Gold status easier to achieve
From 1 Jan 2026, Hilton Gold elite status will be easier to achieve.
Hilton’s Gold status has always been a sweet spot for leisure travellers to receive complimentary breakfast (+1 guest) at Hilton properties wordwide (except in the US). With this change, Hilton Honors members can achieve Hilton Gold status with as little as 15 nights stayed in a calendar year, if clocking only 1-night stays.
From 2026, Hilton’s Gold status can be achieved through one of these methods:
| Per Calendar Year | Hilton Gold Qualification (whichever comes first) |
|---|---|
| Total nights stayed | 25 (previously 40) |
| Total stays (min. 1 night) | 15 (previously 20) |
| Total spending (pre-tax) | US$6,000 |
Key benefits of Hilton Gold status
Moving forward, there will be no change to Gold member benefits. As a refresher, here are the key benefits of being a Hilton Gold member:
- Free breakfast wordwide (F&B credit in the US)
- Late check out upon request
- Room upgrade
Hilton Diamond status easier to achieve
Also from 1 Jan 2026, Hilton Diamond elite status will be easier to achieve.
From 2026, Hilton’s Diamond status can be achieved through one of these methods:
| Per Calendar Year | Hilton Diamond Qualification (whichever comes first) |
|---|---|
| Total nights stayed | 50 (previously 60) |
| Total stays (min. 1 night) | 25 (previously 30) |
| Total spending (pre-tax) | US$11,500 |
Key benefits of Hilton Diamond status
Moving forward, there will be no change to Diamond member benefits. As a refresher, here are the key benefits of being a Hilton Diamond member:
- Free breakfast wordwide (F&B credit in the US)
- Executive lounge access
- Late check out upon request
- Room upgrade
New Hilton Diamond Reserve status
From 1 Jan 2026, Hilton Honors members can achieve a new membership tier: Diamond Reserve. This long-awaited new status will sit above the Diamond status, offering a little more recognition.
Travellers familiar with hotel loyalty programs should be aware that Hilton’s Diamond status has become anything but special in past 6-7 years or so, largely due to how easily co-branded cardholders can achieve it in the US. In fact, LoyaltyLobby recently estimated that there are about 1.3 million Hilton Diamond members worldwide at the moment, which is pretty insane.
To qualify for the Hilton Diamond Reserve status, you will need to spend at least US$18,000 (pre-tax) plus meet one of the following criteria:
| Per Calendar Year | Hilton Diamond Reserve Qualification (whichever comes first, on top of US$18,000 spend) |
|---|---|
| Total nights stayed | 80 |
| Total stays (min. 1 night) | 40 |
Key benefits of Hilton Diamond Reserve status
Here are the key benefits of being a Hilton Diamond Reserve member:
- Free breakfast wordwide (F&B credit in the US)
- Executive lounge access (including premium clubs)
- Guaranteed 4pm late check
- Room upgrade (highest priority)
- 1x Confirmable Upgrade Reward
No more Elite Rollover Nights
For the last time, elite nights earned in 2025 that are not used for status (re)qualification will rollover to 2026. Moving forward, there will be no more Elite Rollover Nights.
This is a pity as it’s a strong feature that’s only offered by one other hotel loyalty program, IHG One Rewards.
What counts as a “stay”?
A ‘stay’ is defined as one or more consecutive nights spent at the same hotel.
There seems to be a lot of confusion among travellers who are new to hotel loyalty programs, so, allow me to share some examples that should clear all your doubts:
Example 1: Making 2 bookings at the same hotel, with back-to-back dates
You booked a 1-night stay at Hotel A and decided to extend the stay by booking another 1-night stay. As the nights spent in the same hotel are consecutive, it will only count as 1 stay, even if you physically check out and check back in a few hours later.
Example 2: Making 2 bookings at the different hotels, with back-to-back dates
You booked a 1-night stay at Hotel A. Immediately after checking out from Hotel A, you then decided to book a night at Hotel B. Because you are not spending consecutive nights in the same hotel, it will count as 2 stays.
Example 3: Making 2 bookings at the same hotel, without back-to-back dates
You booked a 1-night stay at Hotel A on 1st June and checked out on 2nd June. You then booked another stay in the same hotel on 3rd June and checked out on 4th June. As the nights in the same hotel are not consecutive (you slept elsewhere on the night of 2nd June), it will count as 2 stays.
Example 4: Making 2 bookings at different hotels, on the same night
You booked a 1-night stay at Hotel A on 1st June, and made another booking at Hotel B on the same day. As there is no way that a member can sleep in 2 beds at the same time, the system will automatically count your bookings as 1 stay.
Best credit cards for hotel bookings
Singapore-based travellers can earn 4 miles per dollar or 5% cashback on hotel bookings. Here’s a quick look at the best credit cards for hotel bookings:
💡 Click on + Card Summary below to view key details like pros & cons, miles/cashback details, annual fee, income requirement, and more.
Maybank XL Rewards
4 mpd on flights, hotels, dining, shopping, foreign currencies
Maybank XL Cashback
5% cashback on flights, hotels, dining, shopping, foreign currencies
UOB Preferred Platinum
4 mpd on Mobile Contactless, selected Online spending
Trust Cashback
1% cashback, no FX fees, free overseas ATM withdrawals
