Instant Hilton HHonors Silver with Gold in just 4 stays

Hilton HHonors keeps coming up with these random promotions for complimentary mid-level elite status. Most of these are in the nature of promotions targeted at employees of specific organisations, and the latest in this string of promotions is for complimentary instant HHonors Silver status with HHonors Gold guaranteed if you have 4 stays within 90 days, targeted at Accenture employees (again!).

This is consistent with what Hilton HHonors has done in the past - some examples below:

• Complimentary Gold status for HP employees (you need a HP email address)
• Gold status for Visa Infinite card holders, where you've got to call Visa Infinite (the card number generator trick won't work here!)
• Immediate Silver and fast-track to Gold for GE employees (you need a GE email address)
• A similar promotion for Accenture employees
• A variety of promos for students / alumni of specific universities in the USA

The good thing with the current promotion is that you do not require an Accenture email ID to register. And if for any reason that doesn't work, you can always set up a new account and then go here to have it upgraded to Silver. This is the same link that existing accounts can use to move up to Silver. I was able to do this to an account that's been inactive for 2+ years now:

It is not clear how long this offer lasts, but do note that the Silver status will likely lapse by 31 December 2014.

Hilton HHonors normally requires 4 stays or 10 nights to move from Blue (base level) to Silver, and a further 20 stays, 40 nights or 75,000 base points to move from Silver to Gold. This particular promotion will save you the trouble of all of that - in effect, all you need is the same 4 stays that would normally get you Silver, to actually get HHonors Gold.

HHonors Silver offers some marginally decent benefits, such as 15% bonus points, 5th award night free, late checkout, spouse / additional guest stays free, health club access and free water on day 1 of your stay.

In my view, HHonors Gold is one of the best middle elite levels in hotel loyalty programs, especially because it gets you room upgrades, free internet and free breakfast at most hotels (some benefits are hotel-brand dependent). Plus Hilton's global footprint is much bigger than Starwood (my other favourite mid-level is SPG Gold though they don't offer breakfast, and internet is an option), though not necessarily in India. 

You can also read my take on Hilton HHonors program as part of my earlier series on loyalty programs with an Indian view. To read the pieces on other programs, click on the HHonors link above and follow through the links to the other programs.