Hilton Honors Announces Major Loyalty Program Changes for 2026: What Travelers Need to Know

Hilton Honors is gearing up for one of its biggest loyalty overhauls in years—rolling out new elite qualification paths, refreshed benefits, and an all-new top-tier status designed for Hilton’s most dedicated travelers. These updates take effect beginning January 1, 2026, with a few brand-specific changes arriving slightly later. Whether you’re a casual traveler or someone eyeing Hilton’s luxury properties worldwide, these updates could make earning and enjoying elite status easier and more rewarding.

Below, we break down every important change—and share strategic tips to help you reach Hilton’s newest and most aspirational tier.

A Brand-New Elite Tier: Introducing Diamond Reserve

One of the biggest announcements is Hilton’s creation of an elite tier above Diamond, called Diamond Reserve. This new level is tailored to Hilton’s highest-value members and offers some of the most premium benefits the program has ever introduced.

How to Qualify for Diamond Reserve

To earn Diamond Reserve, you must meet both:

• 80 elite nights OR 40 stays per year

  
  

  and

• $18,000 in eligible annual spend with Hilton

This dual requirement means Diamond Reserve is aimed at travelers who not only stay frequently but also spend significantly at Hilton hotels worldwide.

What Makes Diamond Reserve So Special?

Diamond Reserve members gain access to elevated, experience-driven perks including:

• Confirmable Upgrade Rewards (CURs) at booking—including suites

• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout

• Dedicated elite customer support

• 120% points bonus on stays

• Highest priority for upgrades

• Premium club/executive lounge access

The headline perk is the confirmable suite upgrade you can secure at the moment of booking, not at check-in—meaning you can lock in premium rooms for important trips, family vacations, or luxury stays.

Lower Qualification Requirements for Gold and Diamond

Beginning in 2026, Hilton is making it easier to reach two of its most popular elite tiers. All elite statuses will now be earnable through nights, stays, or an annual spend requirement, giving travelers more flexibility.

Updated Requirements:

• Silver: 10 nights / 4 stays / $2,500 spend

• Gold: 25 nights / 15 stays / $6,000 spend

• Diamond: 50 nights / 25 stays / $11,500 spend

For many travelers—especially those who travel occasionally for business or consistently for leisure—these new thresholds could make mid-tier and top-tier status far more achievable.

Milestone Bonuses Become More Rewarding

Hilton is significantly expanding the value of its Milestone Bonuses (rewards earned once you hit certain annual night thresholds). Members will now be able to earn milestone rewards all the way up to 180 nights, creating the potential for up to 210,000 extra points per year.

Additionally, some milestones can be redeemed for Confirmable Upgrade Rewards, not just points—making them more valuable for travelers seeking elevated stays rather than just points accumulation.

Rollover Nights Are Being Phased Out

If you’ve relied on rollover nights to help push you into the next tier, take note:

Hilton will discontinue rollover nights after the 2026 program year.

Nights earned in 2025 will still roll into 2026, but after that, the rollover benefit ends. If you’re planning ahead for long-term status, it may be worth front-loading stays before the program changes go into effect.

Updated Earnings at Select Brands

Beginning January 8, 2026, stays at:

• Homewood Suites

• Spark by Hilton

will earn a new base rate of 5 points per $1. Elite bonuses still apply on top of this. Travelers who frequent these brands should adjust point-earning expectations accordingly.

Lifetime Diamond Gets an Update

Hilton will continue offering Lifetime Diamond, but the qualification path is changing. Going forward, Lifetime Diamond will now use eligible spend instead of base points as one of its qualification metrics. For many members, this may make the lifetime threshold clearer and easier to track.

How to Reach Hilton’s New Diamond Reserve Tier: Strategy & Tips

Earning Diamond Reserve will be challenging—but not impossible. With smart planning, frequent travelers can position themselves for success.

Here’s how to optimize your path to Hilton’s new top tier:

1. Concentrate Your Stays at Higher-End Hilton Brands

Higher-end brands often involve higher nightly rates, helping you hit both:

• The night/stay requirement

• The $18,000 annual spend requirement

Luxury and full-service brands—such as Conrad, Waldorf Astoria, LXR, and Curio Collection—offer the ideal mix of rate and experience.

2. Stack On-Property Spending to Boost Eligible Spend Quickly

Eligible spend includes:

• Room rate (pre-tax)

• Restaurants charged to the room

• On-property activities

• Parking

• Spa services

• Resort fees

If you’re traveling for business, request that all expenses be billed to your room to maximize eligible spend.

3. Use Multi-Night Stays During Peak Seasons

Higher nightly rates during peak travel dates can help you reach the spend requirement faster. Travelers who time vacations or work trips during busy months can accelerate progress toward Diamond Reserve.

4. Plan Strategic “Mileage Runs” Using Confirmable Upgrades

Once you unlock a Confirmable Upgrade Reward from milestones, you can pair it with multi-night stays to both:

• Elevate your experience

• Boost your spend during stays that matter

5. Combine Business & Leisure Travel (Bleisure Travel)

Extend business trips to personal stays. Because your room rate for the full stay counts toward eligible spend, you can grow your progress dramatically without needing extra travel.

6. Focus on Direct Bookings Only

Third-party bookings do not count toward elite spend.

Always book directly through Hilton.com, the Hilton app, or official Hilton channels.

Is Hilton’s New Program Good for Travelers?

Overall, yes. The qualification paths for Gold and Diamond are much more flexible, milestone bonuses are more rewarding, and the introduction of Diamond Reserve sets a true aspirational target.

For high-frequency or high-spend travelers, these changes could make Hilton Honors one of the most valuable loyalty programs in the industry.