Here's What It's Like to Have Hilton Diamond Status

The Hilton Honors program has four tiers: Member, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Benefits get better with each tier, and Diamond is the top of the line. There are a few ways to reach the Diamond tier:

• Spend 60 nights or 30 stays at Hilton hotels within a calendar year
• Earn 120,000 Base Points within a calendar year
• Open the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which includes complimentary Diamond status (terms apply)

The first two requirements are out of my reach, but I am open to using travel credit cards. So, I decided to get that Hilton card before a lengthy trip and see if Diamond status is worth the hype.

Now, each Hilton Honors status has a long list of benefits, some of them more valuable than others. Diamond has all the benefits of the first three, including free breakfast or a daily food and beverage credit. I'm not going to cover every single perk -- there's not a lot to say about free bottled water. Instead, I'll go over the standouts and how having Diamond status can improve the travel experience.

Upgrades are a common occurrence

Diamond status includes space-available room upgrades, up to a one-bedroom suite. Since it's the highest tier, you'll also have priority for upgrades.

Getting an upgrade isn't guaranteed, but I've gotten them regularly. While traveling in Europe over the summer, I was upgraded at three out of the four Hilton hotels where I stayed. However, online reports suggest upgrades are far less common in the United States. Your mileage may vary on this one, depending on where and when you travel.

One of the perks of Hilton upgrades is that you often get notified in advance. Hilton sends emails of confirmed upgrades 72 hours before check-in. You also have the opportunity to select your upgraded room in the Hilton Honors app.

You can visit Executive Lounges

Some Hilton hotels have Executive Lounges with free food and drinks and other amenities. They're available to guests in executive rooms and Diamond members. I wasn't sure how big a deal this would be, but it's now one of my favorite Diamond benefits, for a couple of reasons.

First, you can eat breakfast in the Executive Lounge. Free breakfast (or a daily food and beverage credit) is available with Gold status, too. But hotel breakfasts are usually packed, whereas Executive Lounges aren't. I love being able to eat in a more relaxed, quieter environment.

Executive Lounges offer more than just breakfast. Some also offer drinks, snacks, and pastries at certain times during the day. For example, some lounges have happy hour, and there are also lounges with tea time where you can grab coffee and cake. I wouldn't plan my day around these, but if you have free time, it's nice to be able to go to the Executive Lounge and grab a drink or a snack.

The service is better

While I don't think it's a huge difference, I found the service better with Diamond status. Here are a few examples:

• Some hotels offer parking spaces and a priority check-in line for Diamond members.
• Staff will thank you for being a Diamond member when you check in.
• High-end hotels may offer a special welcome gift in your room.
• You may receive a welcome note in your room.

These are nice touches that can make your stay a little more pleasant and special.

You earn at least 20 points per $1 on Hilton stays

Hilton Honors members earn 10 points per $1 on stays, and you earn bonus points in higher status tiers. With Diamond status, you get a 100% bonus on stays, meaning you earn 20 points per $1.

This makes it easy to earn Hilton Honors points that you can use for free stays. On a $1,000 booking, you'd earn 20,000 points. And you can earn even more if you also have one of the Hilton credit cards. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card earns 14 points per $1 on stays at Hilton properties. So in total, that's 34 points per $1 on Hilton stays if you have that card. Terms apply.

Is Hilton Diamond status worth it?

I've had a positive experience as a Diamond member. But I don't think it's a must-have or worth going out of your way to get.

The biggest benefits are complimentary upgrades and Executive Lounge access. It's nice to be able to get a better room and visit the Executive Lounge without paying extra. Just remember that these perks are reportedly much better outside the United States.

There are a few situations where you'll likely benefit from Diamond status:

• You stay at Hilton hotels often (at least three or four times a year).
• You travel internationally.
• You stay in Hilton's premium and luxury brands.

If that's the case, I'd recommend getting the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. In terms of value, it's up there with the top hotel credit cards. And if you get it, you can become a Diamond member without meeting any challenging stay or spending requirements.