Hilton HHonors Gold versus Hilton HHonors Diamond: What Are the Differences?

[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?

------------------
Albert

[TrojanHorse]

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]

[pb9997]

Once Hilton Diamond you're easily comped to other hotels...

Is this the answer you were looking for ?!

[The_Diamond_Z]

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?

[doc]

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:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/000628.html

[milesmilesmiles]

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.

[cy-gone]

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.

[SAN man]

I've travelled as Gold and as Diamond. The upgrades are better as Diamond and you tend to get the lounge access without hassle(yes, I know we are all supposed to get it). The extra 25% point bonus helps too.

[kokonutz]

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.

[W-N]

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.

[Tolew]

HHonors Diamond has which advantage in comparison with HHonors Gold?

[NeverAtHome]

The Diamond Desk and no blackouts on any reward reservation. Worth every extra stay it takes to get that status.

[1K-SFO]

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.)

[Baze]

And don't forget, diamonds earns points faster with the %50 bonus. And the guaranteed space if reserved at least 48 hours out. Saved my but a couple times in sold out cities.

[Zip]

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?