Worth pushing for Diamond or is Gold enough?
Sep 26, 2018, 2:22 am
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: United Kingdom
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Worth pushing for Diamond or is Gold enough?
Hey guys, I'm on 46 nights so far this year and wondered if it's worth pushing for Diamond in terms of being able to get Exec Lounge access etc. or is Gold usually good enough to get room upgrades (subject to availability of course) and hence the lounge access?
Sep 26, 2018, 3:07 am
#2
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
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Sep 26, 2018, 3:19 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA, BA, Accor, Honors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite and lots more....
Posts: 2,970
How many stays do you need? Often this is easier for many.
Also perhaps depends where you travel. In Europe / Asia it is probably better being Diamond. Maybe not so in the USA where Hilton hand out Diamond like confetti.
Also perhaps depends where you travel. In Europe / Asia it is probably better being Diamond. Maybe not so in the USA where Hilton hand out Diamond like confetti.
Sep 26, 2018, 6:02 am
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Bonvoy LTTitanium, BAEC Silver
Posts: 591
Most of the properties I have stayed at this year have been Hampton (all rooms are the same) or Doubletree (a few room upgrades) and so no lounge. Next year however it's possible I'll be staying at more Hilton properties.
Sep 26, 2018, 6:04 am
#5
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Location: United Kingdom
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Not so many one night stays thus far. I'm based in Europe and can't achieve Diamond via the credit card route.
Sep 26, 2018, 9:40 am
#7
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If it's relatively organic, other people's money travel, then go for Diamond to get the guarantee lounge status and both points and breakfast.
However, I've usually ended up regretting every Ł spent on mattress running Hilton Diamond status. Any hotel that is generous to Diamonds is also pretty generous to Golds. And the hotels where you need Diamond status to DYKWIA into the lounge, etc. are the hotels that you won't want to stay more than once...
However, I've usually ended up regretting every Ł spent on mattress running Hilton Diamond status. Any hotel that is generous to Diamonds is also pretty generous to Golds. And the hotels where you need Diamond status to DYKWIA into the lounge, etc. are the hotels that you won't want to stay more than once...
Sep 26, 2018, 12:00 pm
#8
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I can't imagine paying four digits for a mild bump in hotel status (figuring 14 nights @ $100 USD)- surely you could buy nicer rooms and lounge visits (or restaurant meals) for that kind of money?
I figure the marginal benefits for Gold are at most a couple hundred dollars. Not sure about Gold->Diamond.
I figure the marginal benefits for Gold are at most a couple hundred dollars. Not sure about Gold->Diamond.
Sep 26, 2018, 1:44 pm
#9
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
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If you can do it within your normal travels from now through Dec 31, then yes - I'd say go for it. You're basically on the right pace to get there, presumably without a bunch of unnecessary mattress running.
If we were sitting on Dec 15 and talking about burning cash on mattress runs, I'd say no - Diamond isn't worth enough to justify that.
Diamond status at a European hotel with a good lounge is kind of nice to have.
If we were sitting on Dec 15 and talking about burning cash on mattress runs, I'd say no - Diamond isn't worth enough to justify that.
Diamond status at a European hotel with a good lounge is kind of nice to have.
Sep 26, 2018, 1:53 pm
#10
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You’d also get 50k Hilton points for the 50 and 60 night bonuses. I think you also get to gift Gold to someone after 60 nights.
15 consecutive award nights at a 5k hotel, would only cost 60k points. At .4 cents per point, only a $240 investment, or $40 after the 50k you’d get as bonuses. Maybe sponsor a friend in Bali?
15 consecutive award nights at a 5k hotel, would only cost 60k points. At .4 cents per point, only a $240 investment, or $40 after the 50k you’d get as bonuses. Maybe sponsor a friend in Bali?
Sep 26, 2018, 1:56 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Sep 26, 2018, 1:56 pm
#12
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You’d also get 50k Hilton points for the 50 and 60 night bonuses. I think you also get to gift Gold to someone after 60 nights.
15 consecutive award nights at a 5k hotel, would only cost 60k points. At .4 cents per point, only a $240 investment, or $40 after the 50k you’d get as bonuses. Maybe sponsor a friend in Bali?
15 consecutive award nights at a 5k hotel, would only cost 60k points. At .4 cents per point, only a $240 investment, or $40 after the 50k you’d get as bonuses. Maybe sponsor a friend in Bali?
Sep 26, 2018, 1:57 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 304
No chance of a status match and 8 stays for Diamond?
I do a lot of stays (employer funded) in London, and Diamond status means I am guaranteed lounge access and associated free snacks & booze in the lounge vs. Gold (might get upgraded to executive room, but not a huge success rate). Especially when many London Hiltons have Standard -> Deluxe -> Executive so a standard room booking needs 2x upgrades for lounge access.
If your stays are in quieter cities with, perhaps, standard or executive rooms, you might get good success rates on lounge access via Gold upgrades, but I’m comfortable with knowing i have lounge access guaranteed at Diamond and not stressing about what sort of upgrade I might or might not get at check-in.
If you are travelling occasionally and don’t have a drink problem like mine, then the free breakfast with Gold may be enough ;-)
I do a lot of stays (employer funded) in London, and Diamond status means I am guaranteed lounge access and associated free snacks & booze in the lounge vs. Gold (might get upgraded to executive room, but not a huge success rate). Especially when many London Hiltons have Standard -> Deluxe -> Executive so a standard room booking needs 2x upgrades for lounge access.
If your stays are in quieter cities with, perhaps, standard or executive rooms, you might get good success rates on lounge access via Gold upgrades, but I’m comfortable with knowing i have lounge access guaranteed at Diamond and not stressing about what sort of upgrade I might or might not get at check-in.
If you are travelling occasionally and don’t have a drink problem like mine, then the free breakfast with Gold may be enough ;-)
Sep 26, 2018, 2:17 pm
#14
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Sep 26, 2018, 2:28 pm
#15
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