If you already hold some shiny status with one of the world's leading hotel groups, now there's a way to double-down on your perks courtesy of a generous Hilton Honors status match promotion.
You'll enjoy Hilton Honors Gold or Diamond status for anywhere from 90 days through to 31 March 2021. That's a lot of free breakfasts, room upgrades, club lounge access and late checkouts.
Hilton Honors status match: here's what you need
Of course, Hilton isn't handing out status to anyone and everyone. It's interested in winning the business of people who already spend a lot of time on the road, but do so at properties belonging to Hilton's competitors.
In order to qualify for the Hilton Honors status match you'll need to already hold high-level membership in the loyalty programs of hotel groups such as
- Marriott Bonvoy (either Gold Elite or Platinum Elite)
- World of Hyatt (Explorist or Globalist)
- IHG Rewards (Gold Elite, Platinum Elite or Spire Elite)
- Le Club Accor (Gold or Platinum)
Those are the four leading competitors which Hilton has deliberately identified for this status match, but it doesn't preclude others such as Shangri-La Golden Circle.
Hilton Honors status match: here's what you get
If your status with a competing hotel is considered equivalent to Hilton Honors Gold you'll be in line for some great benefits such as a complimentary continental breakfast at all properties, which can sometimes be upgraded to the full hot breakfast at the discretion of each property.
There's also a space-available upgrade up rooms on a hotel's Executive Floor level, which in turn grants you access to that hotel's Executive Lounge – a place to get some work done during the day before unwinding with evening drinks and canapés.
If your status with a competing hotel is considered equivalent to Hilton Honors Diamond you can also look forward to Executive Lounge access by default, regardless of which room type you are booked into, while the space-available upgrade options include one-bedroom suites where you'll have a lot more room to stretch out.
How to get a Hilton Honors Gold, Diamond status match
Head to this page on the Hilton Honors website and fill out your name, email address and Hilton Honors account number.
(If you’re not already a Hilton Honors member, join for free here to get your Hilton Honors number, before entering it on the page linked above.)
Next up, you’ll be asked to nominate which existing hotel status you’d like to have matched – this is where you key in the details of the elite membership you already have, such as Marriott Gold Elite or IHG Spire Elite:
There’s an option here to select ‘other’, as well, so if you have status with a hotel chain not listed on the drop-down menu, you can still submit your case for consideration.
Further down on the same page, there’s an section marked “upload proof of status”.
Hilton says this can be a photograph or screenshot of your current membership card, or a screenshot of that hotel chain’s website where your status is also visible, typically of the ‘my account’ area when logged in, which must be in JPG image format.
Finally, to prevent serial status matchers from jumping on this offer, you’re also asked to upload proof of at least one hotel stay made under the same hotel loyalty program within the last 12 months, which can again be a screenshot of that previous reservation or a hotel receipt.
For privacy protection, you can black out all personal information in that screenshot – such as your phone number, address, date of birth, hotel username or credit card information – except for your name and account number which must remain visible, and match what you entered earlier.
If successful, you'll receive a confirmation within a few business days.
How to keep your Hilton Honors Gold, Diamond status to March 2021t
If your request is successful, you’ll start with a full 90 days of either Hilton Honors Gold status Hilton Honors Diamond status (at Hilton’s discretion).
However, you can extend those privileges through to 31 March 2021 via a further shortcut.
You can keep your Hilton Honors Gold card until 2021 by making just four stays during that 90-day window: a very generous offer, considering that the usual requirement for Hilton Honors Gold is 20 stays, 40 nights or earning 75,000 Hilton Honors ‘base points’.
If you’ve been issued with a Hilton Honors Diamond card under this status match, only eight stays are needed to lock that in to March 2021 (compared to the normal requirement of 30 stays, 60 nights or earning 120,000 Hilton Honors base points).
In future years, however, you’ll need to retain your Gold or Diamond status the ‘normal’ way, otherwise, you’ll lose your shiny card: ditto if you fail to complete the required four or eight stays during the first 90 days.
To request your status match today, head to the Hilton website.
Additional reporting by David Flynn and Brandon Loo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Sep 2014
Total posts 2
Why is it that Le Club AccorHotels is never offered as a valid loyalty program for status match?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2562
Hilton is a US-based chain, while Accor is headquartered in France and doesn't have a huge presence in the USA, so while Accor is relatively 'big' in Asia Pacific, the same isn't true in the home of Hilton, but you can still try your hand by choosing 'Other', as described in the article. :)
(Hilton's list is also missing programs like Shangri-La Golden Circle, which is primarily attached to Asia Pacific hotels, and Club Carlson, which is indeed based in the USA.)
Qantas
01 Jun 2016
Total posts 30
As Chris suggested please use other. I did a status match from Accor Platinum to Hilton Diamond. I prefer the Hilton over Accor because I get free breakfast ( +1 guest) at any level of Hilton. Furthermore, If a Hilton has a lounge which are more hotels than Accor, you get breakfast and Canape in the evening. Yes, Accor hotels are cheap but their customer service is horrendous and their systems are not that great as you will have to challenge the customer service for some promotion (when you have registered). Currently, I am Hilton Diamond and Accor Platinum. Accor is very strong in APAC whereas Hilton is very strong in US and Europe. Accor does not have life time membership.
18 Aug 2015
Total posts 54
It shows it is in this article in the above photo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 300
I think Hotel loyalty programs and status in those programs are becoming irrelevant as many business travelers use travel companies for bookings etc, and unless you book direct they dismiss your loyalty and offer nothing, I still spend about 80 nights a year or more in hotels and used to be Gold or Platinum/ Diamond in a couple of programs but as our company uses a travel mangement business there is no incentive for me to stay at these hotel chains anymore, so I don’t.
29 Jan 2018
Total posts 3
This is not entirely true.
TMCs can make the booking on your behalf directly in their GDS system, through the hotel and input your number and your loyalty will be recognised. I would speak to your TMC about why its being done the way it is and ask them to book direct from now on. If they cant, then find a TMC who will. There are plenty out there.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2018
Total posts 5
Agreed with JadeTZI - we used a travel management company in my previous job and they had a section asking for you to add your loyalty program number. Worked fine for flights and hotels.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 343
Hotel bookings made by a TMC (agency) in a GDS are considered direct bookings and your membership is recognised. Bookings made through a wholesaler or .com site are considered 3rd party and are not recognised. Reason is because in most cases traditional agency bookings through GDS are paid standard commission levels (or zero for corporate rates) from hotels which are manageable, where as wholesalers and especially .com sites have VERY HIGH commission levels on the hotels and they counter this with offering no membership benefits.
30 Mar 2017
Total posts 6
I had Hilton diamond for 3 years , however there is now barely any Hilton's left in Australia. Even the Hilton in the above picture in southwharf Melbourne is now another brand hotel. Just 1 dble tree left in Melbourne and always been 1 in Sydney . Just not enough choice so i tried out accor and its the best thing i ever done since I often travel with kids so have the apartments choice and if I want to go cheap I can ,or go 5 star.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 170
While I agree they only have a limited offering in Australia, compared to say Accor, they do now have a second hotel in Sydney. Didn't realise Southwharf had become a Pan Pacific, but I gotta say, was never a fan of the edge-of-CBD location.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 76
If you don't get an upgrade by a credit card, why would you bother?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Nov 2017
Total posts 1
I previously held a black level membership with GHA, Platinum with Hyatt and Gold with Accor, however over the past two years I have gained more benefit from using sties like Ctrip to get a nicer room with extras for a lower price. Unless hotel chains greatly improve their rewards for loyal members, I think online comparison sites will quickly take over.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2018
Total posts 5
I always use hotels.com - they price match so you know you're getting the cheapest price on the day, and they also provide a free night for every 10 nights stayed (works out at a 10% ROI). I can book my business trips through the website, and use the free nights for personal trips. Excellent program and tops free breakfast/wifi on a business trip (both of which I can expense anyway!).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jul 2017
Total posts 14
It worked for me. I lodged the status match request and am now Diamond with Hilton. They matched my IHG status that came complimentary when I went Platinum with Velocity.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 May 2015
Total posts 78
It also worked for me. I matched Accor Platinum earlier this month. I am a fairly disillusioned Accor member so it will be interesting to see if Hilton are any better.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2013
Total posts 125
18 Aug 2015
Total posts 54
Yep and I love it!
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 94
Currently Diamond with Hilton,Platinum with Marriott/SPG and Globalist with Hyatt and from my experience over the years Hilton Honors lacks integrity and the benefits are disingenuous. Of the 23 Hilton stays completed last year I was upgraded once and the lounges are so overcrowded the experience is an endurance rather than a pleasure . The lounges are exploding with guests gaining access with a Hilton branded credit card or unabated status matches rather than by those that achieve the 60 night stay requirements . Further my negative experiences with HH’s customer service exacerbates the overall poor Hilton experience .Quite the opposite with Marriott and Hyatt. My stays in 2018 have and will be directed solely with the latter two hotel groups mentioned as consistently good service has prevailed.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 153
My experience has been similar with Hilton.
11 Oct 2017
Total posts 4
Here is my experience....I received Diamond status match from Hilton for my Hyatt status with a requirement that I have eight stays in the 90 day period. My eighth stay started one day after the expiration of the ninety days so I was downgraded to Gold. Was advised when I complained that the eight stays had to be completed in the 90 period. Could not understand that Hilton Honours would not see my position and consider that for goodwill grant me Diamond membership for a year. Just as they probably can’t see why I immediately cancelled a plan stay at the Hilton Waikiki in a weeks time for 8 nights and have gone back to the Hyatt Regency Waikiki with an early check in and lounge access
Etihad - Etihad Guest
10 May 2019
Total posts 1
Hi Chris - I just did the status match and got Hilton Gold for 90 days. After enquiring with Hilton Honors, they keep telling me that after 4 stays in 90 days, I'll get Gold through to March 2020, not March 2021. Here's what they specifically said:
"Please be informed that as per the account details you have enrolled for the particular promotion on Apr 19, 2019 in which you are require to complete 4 stays within 90 days means till July 18, 2019. This is the qualification to retain your gold tier for the year 2019 and it will be valid till Mar 31, 2020.
Further, you are require to complete 20 stays or 40 nights within a calendar year means in the year 2020 to retain your gold tier for the year 2021."
Different Hilton agents keep giving me different answers over email, but MOST of them are saying you only get Gold until Mar 2020, NOT 2021. Is this an issue with agent competence?
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 118
Hi Vanflyer, it seems you started your status challenge on 19 April, at which time the extension was to 31 March 2020.
22 Jun 2017
Total posts 7
I have contacted Hilton and have been declined twice. Coming from Marriott Platinum.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 May 2015
Total posts 13
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 118
Hi linglei, unfortunately you are out of luck here.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 May 2015
Total posts 13
I see. thanks your respond. But I will still give it try and let you know after my trip. I believe points can be manually credit to you. I will keep all my reservation confirmation email. and talk to hotel or even Hilton customer care. because there is nothing wrong I book this way. And minimum 1 night can be count as 1 stay. Finger Cross.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 May 2015
Total posts 13
Virgin Atlantic Airways - Flying Club (Gold)
24 Jul 2013
Total posts 15
When does this expire? Unsure I'll have 8 stays in the next 90 days.....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 May 2015
Total posts 13
if you are going to stay in Hilton. Make sure each reservation only one night. for sample, 3 nights. you make 3 booking. so you get 3 reservation confirm numbers. Keep those emails. And then when you check in or check out, tell hotel don't combine/merge/consolidate your 3 individual reservations. ask them credit points to you one by one. then you will be count as 3 stays. I am going to do that in my coming trip to Kuala Lumpur and Taipei. I have emailed hotel told them about this already. also will remind them when I check in/out. Hopefully after this trip I can make 4 or 5 stay. Then I might have to stay in local (Gold Coast or Brisbane) Hilton 3 or 4 nights on weekend when their rate is not too high. it is low season June July anyway.
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