The Easy Way to Hilton Diamond Status

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Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.  Update:   Thanks to Million Mile Secrets reader Steve for letting us know you should now submit your Hilton status match request through this website.  You can still ask for a status match through January 11, 2016.

It’s now easy to get perks like lounge access, free breakfast, and room upgrades at Hilton hotels!

Hilton is offering Diamond Elite status through March 2017 to folks who can prove elite status in certain hotel programs, including IHG Platinum Elite status.  All you have to do is email Hilton with a screenshot of your IHG account.

This is a no-brainer if you have the Chase IHG card, because it comes with automatic IHG Platinum Elite status!

I’ll explain how to do it!

What’s the Deal?

Link:   Hilton Status Match (FlyerTalk)

Link:   Chase IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card

Earn Hilton Diamond Status – by Having the Chase IHG Card!

I wrote last month that Hilton is offering status matches to folks who can prove elite status in another hotel chain’s loyalty program.

This is a better deal than I originally thought!

If you’re an IHG Platinum Elite (which comes free with the Chase IHG card), Hilton will upgrade your status to Diamond Elite until March 31, 2017.

You can save a lot of money as a Hilton Diamond elite member!  For example, you’ll get free drinks and food at Hilton hotels with an Executive Lounge.

This is a terrific deal for folks (like Emily and me!) who have IHG Platinum Elite status from the Chase IHG card.

I’ve already said this is a card worth keeping, because you get a free night at ANY IHG hotel every year you renew the card.  It’s well worth the $49 annual fee (waived for the 1st year).

When you sign-up for the Chase IHG card and spend $2,000 on purchases in the 1st 3 months of opening your account, you’ll earn 70,000 IHG points.  And an additional 5,000 IHG points when you add an authorized user and make a purchase in the same timeframe.

If you’re not a Chase IHG cardholder, there’s still time to apply and get your IHG Platinum Elite status matched to Hilton Diamond.  Hilton is running this status match until January 11, 2016.

Check out my post on how to get the most travel from the Chase IHG card.  And here are some ideas for where to use your anniversary free night in Europe and the US!

What Do You Get With Hilton Diamond Status?

Normally, you’d need 30 stays, 60 nights, or 120,000 Hilton base points in a calendar year to earn Hilton Diamond elite status.  So this is an excellent short-cut!

With Hilton Diamond elite status, you’ll get perks like:

• Complimentary access to the Executive Lounge (if the hotel has one), even if you’re not upgraded to a room on the executive floor
• Free breakfast at many Hilton brand hotels, including Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Conrad, Curio, and DoubleTree (At Homewood Suites by Hilton you already get free breakfast so they give you Pepperidge Farm cookies.  Perfect for my sweet tooth!)
• Room upgrades when available
• 50% point bonus on paid stays
• A guaranteed room if you book at least 48 hours prior to arrival (with some restrictions)
• Complimentary premium Internet access
• Late check-out when available

While you can get many of these perks by having Hilton Gold elite status (which is included with the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card and Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express), only Hilton Diamond status offers guaranteed Executive Lounge access and a 48-hour room guarantee.

Plus, you’ll earn 50% bonus points as a Diamond elite, instead of 25% with Gold elite status.

Note:   You can also earn Hilton Diamond status when you spend $40,000 or more in a calendar year with the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card and Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express.  But I’d rather put that spending on other cards and earn Diamond status for free from a status match!

How to Request a Status Match

Folks on FlyerTalk say they’ve received Hilton Diamond status by emailing a screenshot of their IHG account (showing IHG Platinum Elite status) to [email protected].  Be sure to include your Hilton Honors account number!

My friend tried this the other day.  Within ~1 week, she received an email confirming their new Hilton Diamond status through March 31, 2017.

Remember, Hilton is only offering this status match until January 11, 2016.  Be patient, because I’m sure they’re receiving lots of requests!

Bottom Line

Hilton is offering free Diamond Elite status through March 2017 to folks with elite status in other hotel programs, including IHG Platinum Elite members!

This is a terrific deal for Chase IHG cardholders, because the card comes with automatic IHG Platinum Elite status!

With Hilton Diamond Elite status, you’ll get access to the Executive Lounge (at hotels that have them), room upgrades when available, and other perks.

To request a status match, send a screenshot of your IHG Platinum Elite status and Hilton Honors account number to [email protected] by January 11, 2016.

So if you don’t yet have the Chase IHG card, there’s still time to sign-up and get your free IHG Platinum Elite and Hilton Diamond Elite status!

Let me know if you’ve received a Hilton Diamond Elite status match from IHG Platinum Elite (or any other elite status).  And enjoy your new perks!