Hotel loyalty programs never stand still and Hilton Honors is preparing for one of its biggest updates in years.
Hilton has now officially confirmed that something new is on the way for its elite members.
The brand also teased the upcoming changes with a playful post on their social media channels.
We covered the Hilton Honors leak last week. Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming changes to the elite tiers.
“The Honors Society” - An Invite-Only Elite Tier
Clues found in Hilton’s website source code suggest a new ultra-exclusive status level called The Honors Society. This will be an invitation-only tier, likely reserved for Hilton’s most valuable and influential guests.
This would place Hilton alongside other programs that offer private, invitation-only tiers such as InterContinental Royal Ambassador (publicly known invitation tier) or Marriott Bonvoy Cobalt (very secretive, invitation-only level). Although no details have been made public, early signs suggest that The Honors Society will resemble Marriott’s hidden Cobalt status more than the Royal Ambassador, meaning that only a few Hilton employees may be able to nominate or invite select members.
A New Top-Tier Level: “Diamond Reserve”
More transparently, a new regular top-tier also seems to be on the horizon, one that would sit above the current Diamond status. This upcoming tier will reportedly be called Diamond Reserve. While Hilton hasn’t officially detailed its benefits yet, leaked information and reliable reports point to several likely features:
- Qualification: at least USD 18,000 in annual spend and 80 nights per year (some sources mention an alternative of 40 stays)
- Points bonus: about 120% bonus points (current Diamond offers 100%)
- Milestone rewards: new confirmed benefits, possibly including guaranteed suite upgrades
- Design theme: black branding, emphasizing exclusivity
In other words, Diamond Reserve may become Hilton’s answer to Marriott’s Ambassador Elite, which also combines nights and spend requirements.
Lower Qualification Requirements for Existing Tiers
Interestingly, Hilton also appears to be lowering the thresholds for the existing Silver, Gold, and Diamond levels by around 30% according to early internal information.
These reduced thresholds would make elite status more accessible for many travelers, while the new Diamond Reserve and Honors Society tiers would clearly separate the very top of Hilton’s guest base.
What Does This Mean for Frequent Travelers?
For frequent Hilton guests like us, this is one of the most exciting updates in years.
The introduction of Diamond Reserve signals Hilton’s intent to differentiate between members who earn status through actual hotel stays and spending, and those who hold Diamond primarily through co-branded credit cards.
With Diamond Reserve and The Honors Society, Hilton seems ready to give truly loyal and high-spending members a stronger sense of recognition, similar to how other hotel groups reward their top 1%.
If confirmed, these changes could mark the beginning of a new era for Hilton’s most loyal travelers and possibly bring long-awaited perks like guaranteed suite upgrades and personalized service at luxury properties.
What About Lifetime Diamond Members?
A big question remains: what happens to Lifetime Diamond?
If Diamond Reserve becomes the new top tier, Lifetime Diamond will likely stay at its current level, but its relative exclusivity and value could diminish if Hilton reserves new benefits for Reserve or Honors Society members.
So far, Hilton hasn’t hinted at a Lifetime Diamond Reserve option.
Conclusion
Hilton Honors is clearly moving into a new era of elite recognition, combining greater accessibility for new members with more exclusivity at the very top. With The Honors Society and Diamond Reserve on the horizon, the program could soon feel more differentiated and rewarding than ever.
We’ll be following closely and share updates as soon as the new tiers are officially announced.
