Was just as disappointed as most, no 100K and no real set of promotions. I asked about my diamond status. I had previously been told by the diamond desk that I had 1053 nights.

It comes to pass that I have 10.5 years diamond any 986 days. Just 14 days to go!! I totally agree with all the prerequisites. I didn't 2 days ago!! Should be lifetime by the end of March.

Very cool - unfortunately, the status is only reviewed and awarded at the end of the year.

When I finally got the data I needed... 8 years as Diamond, but a lot of nights to go.

Bluntly, the way airlines and hotel chains are gutting their frequently traveler programs, its hard to work up enthusiasm for busting my butt to find those remaining nights with no confidence that there will be anything of value when I get there.

It is very likely that the view would not be worth the climb up the hill.

Hilton may have set the bar too high with 10 years of Diamond status and 1000 paid nights required for earning lifetime Diamond. Marriott sets their Platinum level at 750 nights and 2 million points including those generated via credit card spend. While I am glad Hilton is offering a lifetime Diamond status, I do not think the qualifying criteria is comparable with other hotel loyalty programs.

+1. Should be there later this year.

I sent a request on feb 22 for the information. Got two quick emails tell me they had received my email, but no information received 10 days later. That is real pathetic customer service. What kind of research or search is required to get this info? They must have run queries to figure out the cutoff for lifetime..Didn't they store the data..or is it someone looking up the info on microfiche..we have been in t he program for over 20 years and I'm just amazed at how poorly this has been handled.

I know but at least I'll have qualification in the bag waiting.

Thought I was losing my mind....glad it wasn't just me

Kind of ironic - after 22 years with Hilton, hedoman could completely start over with Marriott or SPG and have lifetime Gold with SPG or lifetime Silver with Marriott in less time than it would take to get any kind of lifetime status with Hilton.

Of course, Hilton is free to set the bar as high as they like. And of course, those who are close to or above that bar are going to agree with it being set high. It just seems a bit odd that Hilton would set up their lifetime status requirements in such a way that it makes more sense for people to leave their program than to stay in it.

I think 1000 nights is a very high benchmark, and to disregard award nights and points and cash nights, I think I might never reach it even in 20 years!?!

Perhaps Hilton should look into including award nights and cash & points nights.

Starwood is just 500 nights, awards nights included (correct me if I am wrong).

I am good with a thousand nights. I think the Starwood number is way too low. Of course, I have always thought the hotel status standards have been way too low in general.

I finally got an email with the info I requested and I was surprised how many of my nights were award nights (I have always thought I did a good job maximizing that and it was a nice to know that was in fact the case). A thousand nights is going to take a while.

My sentiments exactly, except I'd be less polite--I think it's downright moronic. I'm still scratching my head about this when compared to other programs' lifetime status requirements, and in my mind that's what it's all about--competitive advantage.

Sure, people that have made the requirements will be happy it's set so high, after all nobody wants to see the ranks inundated. But the whole point of lifetime status is to incentivize people to remain loyal, yet they've set the bar so high in comparison to other programs that it really does make sense to leave.

How long did it take?

Starwood also counts SPG AMEX CC nights (5 per year).

Starwood also grant LT Platinum status as soon as 500 nights is reached, assuming 10 years Plat is already reached. Very achievable threshold.

SPG Platinum has to be earned, no spending your way to Plat status through AMEX spending, thus making Plat status more meaningful.