TallestHotelInJapan

This diamind members has the same opinion. Only small diamond benefit over gold benefit. So, why spend too much money for diamond?

elkhornne

My wife and I received an upgrade for 7 nights to a 1500 Sq Ft Suite in Hawaii as a Diamond Member. That was worth more than $400.00 IMO.

I can't remember the last time we weren't upgraded due to being a Diamond member. So for me it's worth the price, and the 50% increase in points adds up fast.

gemac

It appears that the overwhelming majority of FlyerTalkers were not persuaded by the above statement, and in fact they disagree with it strongly. In view of that, it must be incorrect and I withdraw it.

poser

I do not travel for work but due to family/personal reasons I'm in San Diego 1-2 times a month staying at a hotel. I wont hit Diamond on nights but if I play the shuffle game I could hit it on stays. I have played around with the reservations and it would be an extra $5-$20 per trip to do this. My wife and I have yet to take a honeymoon (related to the reason we are in San Diego so much) and I assume having Diamond would help our chances of a honeymoon upgrade.


Would it be worth it?

lewende

Yes and no, depending which hotel you will go to.

I also play shuffle game to maximize airline miles earning and many times inadvertently became a diamond member.

poser

Wow I totally forgot about the airline miles ! I should have been doing this months ago and I would have tons of miles and Diamond already.

russ1h

I am 3rd year of diamond and obtain it on stays. I typically have 4 stays a year for work, the rest of my stays are leisure travel with my wife.

Speaking from my own experience it is worth having diamond although we have only travelled in the UK and Europe.

some dude

HH Gold is absolutely worth it for free breakfasts.

HH Diamond has a good chance of upgrades at low-end properties (the local Hampton Inn), and a good chance of small upgrades at high-end properties (higher floor, better view, but same room), and a small chance of a big upgrade (suite).

For the amount of $$ it will cost you, obviously it makes sense -- the question is if the shuffle will drive you insane.

Don't be surprised if on your upcoming honeymoon you do not get any upgrade at all, even as a diamond -- as that has happened to me more often than the suite upgrades. (no upgrade at all, not honeymoons!)

poser

I should be able to stay pretty close with minimal driving.. And there is another HI opening that should further reduce travel time.

pantanal

HH diamonds IMHO are treated better outside the US

lcohen999

I have been treated reasonably well at Hilton's in SD

Gas Lamp upgraded me to a suite, great AM breakfast
Mission Valley's DT's have given me an upgrade but are usually a bit cheap about breakfast (upgrade from continental) but then offer free parking, so go figure.

SD is a good Hilton city, for the extra few bucks...why not

thphilly

This is very true. I stayed at 3 Conrads and a Hilton resort in Asia last year and the service was excellent. I just attained diamond status for the first time when I went and I thought those lounges/service was going to be the norm. While it's definitely not I do appreciate the better rooms/free breakfast/free internet when I travel.

ges123

I earn Diamond on casual travel and enjoy the benefits from European hotels. We accomplish this on stays.

rjmaype

I have made Diamond the last 4 years on stays, jumping around to mazimize stays each last quarter. I usually stay at DT and HGI, sometimes Hilton, advoiding HI.

I see no upgrade benefit Gold vs Diamond in US.

I use my points to vacation travel outside the US and see substantial benefits as a Diamond outside the US. The exec lounges are better, even if it means getting diet cokes each night for my wife. The Diamond concierge at one location has contacted my next location just to make sure an early check in from an overnight flight goes smoothly. I have had four wireless devices connected to the free internet that would have cost almost half the cost of the room.

I probably will not have 30 stays this year.

I think I will miss it.

JDiver

For the casual traveler, get the new HHonors Reserve credit card that gives you Gold status for $95 annually- Gold perks and points. Not all members would recommend this, but check it out for yourself and decide. (Many would probably agree the difference between Diamond and Gold is not worth the extra stays / spend, etc. to get Diamond, or the Surpass spend to gain it either.)