What Hilton Is Doing for Elite Members Due to Coronavirus/COVID-19

Well, Hilton is stepping up in a big way for their elite members in response to the travel halt that has hit the world due to COVID-19. Here is what Hilton is doing for elite members.

What Hilton is Doing for Elite Members – COVID-19 Update

Link: Hilton Elite Update

Quick hit – they are extending status for a year! This is a great move for sure and one that will likely help members to stay loyal to them as a result. So, let’s dive in to the particulars.

Hilton Elite Status

• 2019 Status Extension. All members whose 2019 status was scheduled to be downgraded on March 31, 2020—whether it’s Diamond, Gold or Silver—will automatically receive an extension through March 31, 2021.
• 2020 Status Extension. We are extending your 2020 member status through March 31, 2022. This means you will continue to enjoy all the Diamond, Gold or Silver benefits you have access to today for the next 24 months.
• Points Extension. We will pause the expiration of all Points scheduled to expire between now and December 31, 2020.
• Weekend Night Rewards Earned on Eligible Hilton Credit Cards. We have extended the expiration date of all unexpired Weekend Night Rewards as of March 11, 2020, and all new ones issued until August 30, 2020, through the end of next summer (August 31, 2021).

That is great news – if you were set to lose your status in just a few days, you get a whole extra year! If your status year is actually this year (meaning you earned it last year), you get to keep it until March 31, 2022 – two full years! 

Now, while that is great for sure, remember that Hilton elite status is incredibly easy to get through credit cards. In fact, the Hilton Aspire card will outright give you top-tier Diamond access. My guess is that if you have status with the card and cancel it, it could stay through 2022, right? Or does it automatically downgrade? I have never closed my Hilton cards so I am not sure – let me know in the comments!

Hilton Reservations

Here is the next part of their update.

We have made additional adjustments to our modification and cancellation policies to provide you with maximum flexibility while travel remains restricted in many parts of the world.

• Existing Reservations. All reservations—even those described as “non-cancellable” (“Advanced Purchase”)—that are scheduled for arrival on or before June 30, 2020 can be changed or cancelled at no charge, up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival day.
• New Reservations. Any reservations you make—even those described as “non-cancellable” (“Advanced Purchase”)—that are booked between today and June 30, 2020 for any future arrival date can be changed or cancelled at no charge, up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival day.

Again, great news indeed and should help you if you are planning travel for after these lockdowns/quarantines end.

Well done, Hilton! Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG – your’re next! Seriously, though, I think we only heard about this now from Hilton because status was due to expire. There is still time for updates on elite status as we are still in the first quarter of the year. I can tell you this – the big programs will be doing something, we just have to wait to see what that is.