Changes to the Hilton HHonors Program

Beginning on January 1, 2013 changes to the Hilton HHonors program will change for qualification of the Gold and Diamond level.

I received an email that reads as follows:

Thank you for making Hilton HHonors™ your guest loyalty program. With ten distinct hotel brands, you have endless ways to experience the benefits of being an HHonors member. Over the past few years, we have expanded the benefits for our guests with Gold and Diamond status. They can now enjoy benefits such as complimentary space-available room upgrades, high-speed Internet access, breakfast, and up to a 50% bonus on all Base Points earned on every stay. Periodically, we need to adapt our program based on industry trends. For the past ten years, we have not changed the qualifications for Gold and Diamond status. As of January 1, 2013, we will adjust the requirements to qualify for elite status in 2014. To qualify for Gold status, HHonors members must complete 20 stays, 40 nights, or attain 75,000 Base Points within the calendar year. To qualify for Diamond status in 2014, members must complete 30 stays, 60 nights, or attain 120,000 Base Points in 2013. All other tier level qualifications, as well as elite status received through Hilton HHonors credit cards and partners, will remain the same. We thank you for your loyalty, and we look forward to seeing you at one of our 3,900 hotels and resorts in 2013. Sincerely,

Jeffrey Diskin Executive Vice President, Commercial Services Hilton Worldwide

I believe that the Hilton HHonors Gold level is the best mid-level program out there among the major hotel brands including Hyatt, SPG and Marriott.

At the Hilton HHonors Gold level, benefits include:

25% ELITE STATUS BONUS

With Gold elite status, you automatically receive a 25% bonus on all the HHonors Base Points you earn.

HOTEL BENEFITS

Members with Gold status receive all the benefits in the lower tiers:

• Quick reservations and check-ins based on your room preferences
• Late check-out*
• Express check-out
• Spouse stays free**
• Complimentary access to fitness centers and health clubs†
• Two complimentary bottles of water per stay (at Waldorf Astoria™ Hotels & Resorts, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™, Embassy Suites Hotels™, Hilton Garden Inn™ and Hilton Grand Vacations™ hotels)

Plus:

• eCheck-In: Select your room and check in online up to 24 hours in advance at participating properties

MY WAY GOLD MEMBERSHIP HOTEL BENEFITS:††
Waldorf Astoria™ Hotels & Resorts

• Space-available upgrade to a preferred room
• 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or one in-room movie per stay

Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™

• Space-available upgrade to a preferred room
• 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or a complimentary continental breakfast for you and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day of your stay

Embassy Suites Hotels™

• 500 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or two snack/refreshment choices per stay

Hilton Garden Inn™

• 750 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or a complimentary Hot Cooked-to-Order Breakfast for you and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day of your stay

Hampton Inn™, Homewood Suites by Hilton™

• 250 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or choice of snack and bottled water

Home2 Suites by Hilton™

• 100 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or choice of snack and bottled water

Hilton Grand Vacations™

• 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay

Diamond Benefits include:

50% ELITE STATUS BONUS

With Diamond elite status, you automatically receive a 50% bonus on all the HHonors Base Points you earn.

48-HOUR ROOM GUARANTEE

Need a room at the last minute? You are guaranteed a room when you make a reservation at least 48 hours prior to your arrival.‡‡

HOTEL BENEFITS

Members with Diamond status receive all member benefits:

• Quick reservations and check-ins based on your room preferences
• Late check-out*
• Express check-out
• Spouse stays free**
• Complimentary access to fitness centers and health clubs†
• Two complimentary bottles of water per stay (at Waldorf Astoria™ Hotels & Resorts, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™, Embassy Suites Hotels™, Hilton Garden Inn™ and Hilton Grand Vacations™ hotels)
• eCheck-In: Select your room and check in online up to 24 hours in advance at participating properties

MY WAY DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP HOTEL BENEFITS:††
Waldorf Astoria™ Hotels & Resorts

• Space-available upgrade to a preferred room
• Choice of two among the following: 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay; one in-room movie per stay; or a spa, golf or restaurant discount, as designated by the property

Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™

• Space-available upgrade to a preferred room
• 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay
• A complimentary continental breakfast for you and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day of your stay
• Executive Floor Lounge Access (available at select properties‡)

Embassy Suites Hotels™

• 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or three snack/refreshment choices per stay

Hilton Garden Inn™

• 750 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or a complimentary Hot Cooked-to-Order Breakfast for you and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day of your stay

Hampton Inn™, Homewood Suites by Hilton™

• 250 HHonors Bonus Points per stay, plus snack choices or choice of snack and bottled water

Home2 Suites by Hilton™

• 100 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or choice of snack and bottled water

Hilton Grand Vacations™

• 2,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay

The new changes almost make it very difficult to maintain Gold status, as the new qualifications require almost as many stays to get top tier status with Hyatt or SPG.

I do think the benefits of Hilton HHonors Gold is invaluable, as the free breakfast and internet saved me nearly $80 per day during my stay in London earlier this year.