I don’t think I’ve ever truly qualified for Hilton HHonors elite status, however I’ve pretty much had gold or diamond status every year for at least the last ten years. My diamond status, which expired in March, was earned via a 2011 Virgin Australia promotion. Essentially, you were able to airline status match to Virgin Australia’s highest level and one of the perks of that level was instant HHonors diamond status. Well, another Australian / Asia-Pacific targeted promotion can get you status for this year. Jason over at MilesQuest provided a great post back in March with step-by-step instructions on how to receive instant gold status. The offer is intended for Australian residents with a specific Visa card, but Jason walks you through exactly how to get Hilton’s system to think you have both of those…
With the huge Hilton devaluation, free gold status still makes sense, even if you only plan to stay at a Hilton or two this year. Gold status comes with free continental breakfast, free internet, discounted award stays, and potential upgrades. In Asia it almost always secures you executive lounge access as well.
The offer expires on May 31, 2013, so make sure you take advantage while it’s still live. My status updated immediately and I was able to use it during my weekend at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner for FTU (as did I think 90% of attendees)! Currently, I don’t have any other Hilton stays planned this year, besides the Conrad Maldives in December (at the old rates), but I like having the gold status just in case.
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11 comments
It’s not just for Australia, but also Asia Pacific countries.
If you apply say today, does it cover till the end of May of will it be extended till next year?
@jason- it’s good until end of Feb early March 2014!
[…] There is also a free HHonors Gold offer floating around. HT: Point Me to the Plane […]
My Gold status that I got with this method got taken away today by Hilton:
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@Not great – Interesting, seems like Jason above had that problem as well. I’m still OK but wil report back any changes.
Awesome idea. My ugly blue became GOLD again.
Hopefully it stays.
Thanks for the smart and helpful blog!
@Matt – No problem, happy to get you back to Gold!
I think Hilton is catching on. My Gold status was unexpectedly revoked, and I’ve tried to re-establish with this method twice now, no luck. I get the acknowledgement page, but status never changes.
@Jason – Interesting, my status is still showing as Gold.
[…] I had booked a King Hilton Guest Room, but was upgraded to a King Executive Room Plus thanks to my HHonors gold status (thanks again to MilesQuest for that). […]