When booking via the Hilton website (and if you're logged in), any bookings made will include your HHonors status.

Although I have since hit gold, I have found silver to be useful. I had gotten free breakfasts, upgrades (a memorably decent one at the Daytona Beach Hilton), free laundry powder (Hampton Inn Valdosta GA), and placement on the Hhonors floor (always very quiet).

I have found that hospitable properties and a smile can go a VERY long way in terms of discretionary unpublished favors.

Edit: Context - I was on a three month 12,000 mile roadtrip this summer Florida-Georgia-KY-NM-California-Oregon-Victoria/Vancouver-Banff-Calgary-Winnipeg-Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec-NYC-DC. Lots of hotel stays in North America.