How To Get Hilton Honors Elite Status [Benefits, How To Qualify, and Free Nights]

Key Takeaways

• Hilton offers three elite status tiers, each with increasing perks. You start receiving benefits as soon as you join Hilton Honors.
• You can achieve Hilton Honors elite status by completing the required number of qualifying nights, stays, or base points within a calendar year.​
• Alternatively, obtain elite status instantly by holding a Hilton Honors co-branded credit card, which grants Silver, Gold, or Diamond status as a cardholder benefit.​

The benefits of Hilton Honors hotel elite status are many. That upgraded room can be luxurious, the free breakfast buffet expansive, and the hotel executive lounge a quiet retreat for complimentary cocktails and culinary delights.

To qualify for hotel elite status and receive these luxury benefits, however, you may have to stay a lot of nights each year. Hotel loyalty programs in general can require 50, 60, or even more nights spent at their hotel properties on an annual basis to qualify.

If you’ve wondered what it takes to claim your own level of elite hotel benefits with Hilton, we’ve got all the information you need right here. Here are the traditional way of qualifying for elite status, but also information about a faster path to elite status with Hilton Honors branded credit cards.

Let’s get started and find out how you can qualify for Hilton Honors rewards elite status and start reaping the benefits.

The Benefits of Elite Status With Hilton

Hilton has 3 levels of elite status, each offering a progressively impressive collection of benefits and perks.

When you sign up as a Hilton Honors loyalty program member, you are immediately eligible for benefits. Meet the annual requirements and you’ll qualify for higher elite status and even greater benefits.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect at each level as a Hilton Honors reward program member.

Member Level Benefits

• Up to 10 points/$1 spent at most Hilton Properties (Tru and Home2 earn 5 points/$1)
• Discounted room rate
• Earn Hilton Honors bonus points
• No resort fees on award stays
• Free standard Wi-Fi
• Late check out
• Digital check in with room selection
• Second guest stays free
• Points pooling

Silver Hilton Honors Level Benefits

As a Silver Hilton Honors member, you will receive all Member benefits plus these additional Silver level benefits:

• Earn 12 points/$1 spent at most Hilton properties (6 points/$1 spent at Tru and Home2)
• Book 4 consecutive award nights and receive the 5th standard award night free
• 2 bottles of water
• Elite tier rollover nights

Gold Hilton Honors Level Benefits

Gold Hilton Honors members receive all Member and Silver level benefits plus these additional benefits:

• Earn 18 points/$1 at most Hilton Properties (9 points/$1 at Tru and Home2)
• Upgrade to an executive-level room or up to the next best available room type at SLH hotels (based on availability)
• Complimentary breakfast at all hotels
• Earn milestone bonus points after staying 30+ nights
• Eligible for early upgrade 72 hours in advance

Diamond Hilton Honors Level Benefits

In addition to all Member, Silver, and Gold level benefits, Diamond members receive the following:

• Earn 20 points/$1 spent at most Hilton properties (10 points/$1 at Tru and Home2)
• Room upgrade as high as a 1-bedroom suite or up to the next best available room type at SLH hotels (based on availability)
• Executive lounge access
• Diamond status extension
• 48-hour room guarantee
• Elite status gifting
• Eligible for early upgrade 72 hours in advance

Elite status is earned on a calendar year basis and provides benefits immediately on qualification through the remaining calendar year and the entire following calendar year. For example, if you qualify for status in June of 2022, you will retain that elite status for the remainder of 2022 (the year in which you qualified) and throughout 2023.

Bottom Line: If you stay even 1 night at Hilton properties, you should sign up as a member of the Hilton Honors loyalty program. Members receive benefits such as late checkout, free Wi-Fi, room rate discounts, and the ability to earn Hilton Honors rewards points which can be redeemed for free hotel nights and more.  

How To Qualify for Elite Status — The Traditional Way

Qualifying for Hilton Honors elite status is simple. Stay the required number of hotel stays, hotel nights, or earn the required amount of base points each calendar year and you will immediately qualify for the corresponding elite level.

• Member (non-elite) — no annual stay or earning requirement
• Silver — 4 stays, 10 nights, or 10,000 Hilton Honors base points
• Gold — 20 stays, 40 nights, or 75,000 Hilton Honors base points
• Diamond — 30 stays, 60 nights, or 120,000 Hilton Honors base points

In addition to annual elite status, members can earn lifetime Diamond status by completing 1,000 award/paid nights or have earned 2,000,000 base points. Having been Diamond for at least 10 years (does not have to be consecutive years) is an additional requirement of lifetime Diamond status.

Enrolling in the Hilton Honors rewards loyalty program is free and there are no annual requirements to receive base member benefits.

Hot Tip: Silver level elite status requires just 4 stays per calendar year. A significant benefit of Silver elite status is receiving the fifth award night free when booking 4 consecutive award nights. 

A Faster Path to Hilton Honors Elite Status

It is possible to receive complimentary hotel elite status, even top status, without the requirement of staying even 1 night at a Hilton property.

Several Hilton branded credit cards grant complimentary elite status that is valid as long as you hold the card and no minimum annual hotel stays or point-earning requirements are required.

Complimentary Elite Status With Hilton Branded Credit Cards

Bottom Line: The fastest and easiest way to acquire Hilton Honors elite status is to secure a Hilton Honors branded credit card. 

Hot Tip: Elite status matches and challenges are another non-traditional way to earn elite status.

How Hilton Branded Credit Cards Enhance Elite Status

In addition to complimentary elite status, Hilton branded credit cards come with benefits that can make having elite status even better.  The cards offer free hotel nights, elevated earnings, and other travel benefits — having one of them in your wallet is a must if you frequent Hilton hotels often.

Free Hotel Nights

In addition to receiving your 5th consecutive award night free and the ability to redeem points for free hotel nights, these Hilton Honors cards offer more Free Night Reward benefits.

• Hilton Surpass Card — Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
• Hilton Aspire — Free Night Reward shortly after card approval, additional Free Night Reward after spending $30,000 on the card in a calendar year, additional Free Night Reward after spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year.

Accelerated Earnings

Having Hilton Honors elite status means you’ll earn more points when staying at Hilton properties. In addition to the points earned for your stay, when you pay with your Hilton Honors branded card you’ll earn even more points.

In fact, you could earn up to 34 Hilton Honors points for every dollar spent at Hilton properties when you pay with your Hilton Honors credit card.

• Hilton Honors Card — 7 points/$1 spent
• Hilton Surpass — 12 points/$1 spent
• Hilton Business American Express — 12 points/$1 spent
• Hilton Aspire — 14 points/$1 spent

Keep in mind that these points are in addition to the points you earn based on your status tier. So if you’re a Hilton Aspire cardholder, you’re earning 20 points per dollar for your Diamond status, but then another 14 points per dollar for the Aspire card; this totals 34 points per dollar spent!

Additional Benefits

Hilton Honors branded cards are loaded with complimentary additional benefits.

• Travel and Shopping Protections/Benefits – Hilton Honors branded cards come with secondary car rental insurance, roadside assistance, travel accident insurance, baggage insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection, and much more. Terms, conditions, and coverage limits vary by card.

Everything Else You Need to Know

Here are the most current offers for these popular Hilton Honors branded cards.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $500

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

You can’t beat a comfy king-sized bed and room service. For many travelers, it’s the hotel that really makes or breaks an experience. If you’re one of those people, you’ve probably stayed at a Hilton hotel.

Whether your visits are for work or pleasure, the Hilton brand has you covered with more than 6,200 locations in 100 counties and territories.

To enjoy a host of great benefits, you may want to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 7x points per $1 on Hilton stays
• 5x points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
• 3x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Not great for those who want multiple redemption options
• Offers the least benefits of all Hilton cards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver Status with your Card. Silver Status gives you a 20% Bonus on Base Points you earn on every stay, plus, you receive the fifth night free when you book a standard room stay with 100% Points.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors Loyalty Program

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Welcome Offer

Earn 155,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.

155,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $775

Annual Fee

$150

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
• 6x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
• 4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases

Cons

• $150 (rates & fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 155,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.
• Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status with your Card. Plus, spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. Terms and Limitations apply.
• As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• $150 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome Offer

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.

175,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Cons

• High annual fee of $550 (rates & fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.
• Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants.
• Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
• Enhance your hotel stay with complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status and enjoy a world of hotel privileges and benefits. Get exclusive perks at any of Hilton's 24 hotel brands, like a 100% Bonus on Base Points earned on every stay, Premium Wi-Fi and space-available room upgrades at select properties, and more.
• Enjoy an Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal.
• $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually.
• $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you can earn an additional Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend an additional $30,000 (for a total of $60,000) in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
• $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: You can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
• $100 Property Credit: How it Works: To receive up to $100 in credits for qualifying hotel charges, book a 2-night minimum stay at participating Waldorf Astoria^® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad^® Hotels & Resorts with your Card through hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page or call Hilton Honors at (855) 292-5757 with the proper booking reference. See Terms & Conditions for further details.
• Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
• $550 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 1/14/2026.

175,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $875

Annual Fee

$195

APR

19.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
• Earn 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3x points thereafter.
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status

Cons

• $195 annual fee (rates and fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 1/14/2026.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X Points thereafter.
• Get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year if the total eligible purchases that you spend on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
• Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors loyalty program

For more information on earning Hilton Honors points, learn all the ways to earn lots of Hilton Honors points.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that even the infrequent Hilton hotel fan could benefit from elite status with Hilton Honors. Just signing up as a Hilton Honors member brings benefits you can use, but elite status kicks it up a notch with those upgraded rooms, fifth night free, elevated earnings, complimentary breakfast, and even lounge access.

Whether the elite status is worthwhile for you will depend on how frequently you stay at Hilton properties. If you are a Hilton loyalist, your experience may be enhanced, your earnings greater, and you could potentially save travel dollars by securing elite status.

For those whose primary brand of choice is Hilton, securing a Hilton Honors branded credit card with complimentary elite status also ensures you’ll have the status you want without the worry of having to re-earn it each calendar year.