A new elite tier might soon arrive at the top of the Hilton Honors program.
According to information shared in a Chinese travel forum here and picked up by several loyalty blogs, Hilton appears to be preparing a “Diamond Reserve” level, a tier positioned above the current Diamond status.
While this information hasn’t been officially confirmed by Hilton, the details look intriguing and consistent with similar developments at other hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy.
What the Leak Reveals
According to the discussion originally posted on USCardForum, the leaked data suggests the following:
- Tier name: Diamond Reserve
- Qualification requirement: 80 nights per year and $18,000 in qualifying spend
- Points earning rate: 22× per $ spent (compared to 20× for Diamond)
- New milestone: 120 nights may unlock optional upgrade awards or special perks
- Possible tier color: Black theme
If accurate, this would represent Hilton’s first spend-based tier similar to Marriott Bonvoy’s Ambassador Elite, which requires 100 nights and $23,000 in annual spend.
Why Hilton Might Introduce a New Tier
In recent years, Diamond status has become much easier to reach, often through credit cards, meaning a growing number of guests enjoy top-tier privileges. While this is great for accessibility, it also means less differentiation between guests who hold Diamond status through co-branded credit cards and those who truly stay and spend at Hilton hotels.
What’s Still Unknown
At this point, everything remains unconfirmed. Hilton has not made any public statement, and the leaked details could still change.
Key open questions include:
- What additional benefits will Diamond Reserve members receive?
- Will current Diamond benefits remain the same?
- When will the new tier officially launch (rumors point to 2026)?
- what about Lifetime Diamond status?
Until Hilton makes an official announcement, all of this should be treated as speculation, albeit credible speculation.
Conclusion
For frequent Hilton guests, the news is exciting but also concerning. On one hand, it could bring extra recognition for the most loyal and high-spending members. On the other, it may dilute the current Diamond status if key perks shift to the new tier.
For now, we’ll keep watching and continue enjoying our Diamond benefits while they last.
