Is there some official basis, promulgated by Hilton Honors, for this hope, or is it purely personal, creative optimism?

It was on the blogs. I believe based on a leak that Loyalty Lobby got his hands on. But nothing official of course...

Correct. Some info was unofficially shared that LTDs would get priority for upgrades over regular Diamonds. If they make the value of LTD material (with decent upgrades) then I would accelerate my Hilton stays in the near future to reach Lifetime, but if not then just riding credit card status seems good enough and I can use the extra nights to renew status with other secondary hotel chains.

RE: LTD Upgrades via the app.

My data point was booked a City View room at Conrad Resorts World.
An upgrade would have been Strip View room. I got a City View Suite 3 days before check-in as indicated on the app.
At check in they gave a Strip View Suite because the City View Suite I selected in the app wasn't ready yet.

So this LTD was rather pleased with the overall upgrade experience for this trip. I wouldn't expect the same every time, but when inventory is there, this was a generous upgrade.

What I would like to see on a consistent basis, is LTD being upgraded more generously than regular Diamonds, at a wide range of different hotels. I would need to see a lot more reports like the one from SFO 1K

With today's announcement of the revamp of IHG loyalty program, IHG becomes a more attractive program at the top for Diamonds relative to Hilton Diamond tier. So unless Hilton improves upgrades, I will move a non-negligible number of nights from Hilton to IHG and simply be content with being a regular Hilton Diamond with slow progress to Lifetime.

This and find a way to somehow differentiate/prioritize Diamonds who earned it and didn't get it from a CC.

My first stay as Lifetime Diamond at Oceana LXR was a let down. No acknowledgment of the status, no recognition at check-in, and no upgrade was offered. I politely inquired given many higher category rooms were available, and I was upgraded after I asked.

Does anyone know if they are still waiting until the end of the year to send you your lifetime status rewards or if they are doing it as you attain it? I just hit lifetime today.

Oh wow - do you have any links re that? Just wondering if it's only Hilton Amex in the USA or if this would also cover Hilton Barclaycard Visa in the UK...

Not sure if it is all cards or just in US.
https://newsroom.hilton.com/hilton-h...2031%2C%202022.

Thanks, does sadly look like just for that Amex card but agree great if you can make use of it!

That's because there's no way in their system for desk agents to see any distinction between LT Diamond and regular Diamond. The system, as it is now, just shows Diamond. This is something that I've mentioned to many a desk agent and have confirmed at many a location.

On point #2, In my experience, It's ridiculous that upon inquiring about a better room on a Diamond upgrade they will flat out LIE to you that no better room is available during your stay when you can in fact, go to their website and book one for the dates of your stay at most any given location. A Diamond upgrade isn't something that should have to be requested on a stay by stay basis.

As a LT Diamond member since the program was implemented, I haven't had a meaningful upgrade in several years. On my current stay at a Home2 in a city and state that I won't mention, I've now twice been told "We're having issues with housekeeping." but that's a topic for another thread.

This is incorrect. I am frequently welcomed as a Lifetime Diamond guest at various properties, with related upgrades quite often.

YMMV. Are you staying at Hilton Properties in Europe or the USA?