Hilton HHonors status matches closed; status challenges instead

Back in November / December 2015, Hilton and Hyatt started offering extremely liberal status matches from other hotel loyalty programs, to their own. So liberal, that they were willing to match right up to the highest tier in their programs, and even without proof of having completed any stays.

Hilton has now stopped status-matching; they will instead provide status challenges going forward. This involves applying for a challenge, which gets you immediate Gold / Diamond status for 90 days. Then, depending on which level (Gold or Diamond) you're matched to, you'll need to complete 4 or 8 stays with hotels in the Hilton HHonors program, which will extend the status you've earned, till 31 March 2018. Here's more.


Initially, Hilton status matches were done via email. Hilton then opened up a separate landing page to handle these requests, which has now been converted to a status match program. Here's how the status challenge (which you can access here) will now work.


In principle, the process is the same as before. You'll need to head to the offer landing page and provide the information they need, including proof of elite status with other chains as well as proof of a stay within the past 12 months (with the other program to which you're looking to match status). 


Hilton HHonors will then email you back their decision on what status you're matched to, within the HHonors program. That status is instant, and valid for 90 days. Within that 90-day period, you'll have to complete 4 stays to retain HHonors Gold status till 31 March 2018, and 8 stays for HHonors Diamond. 

Note, that if you're matched to Diamond but can complete 4+ but not 8 stays, I'm not sure if there's an ability to keep at least HHonors Gold till March 2018.

You can find the list of benefits by Hilton HHonors status here.

Strategy

The only thing to be aware of with the requirements of the status challenge, is that what counts are number of stays and not the number of nights, that you stay within the 90 day period. If you already have some stays, there may be an opportunity to do some mattress running, to get you to Gold / Diamond, if the need arises. To that end, here are some of the Indian hotels that typically are the lowest priced among all Hilton HHonors properties, along with indicative prices for a night (but YMMV):
  • Hilton Garden Inn Gurgaon Baani Square Gurgaon - Rs 4,400 
  • Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum Trivandrum - Rs 4,500 
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Gurgaon - New Delhi NCR Gurgaon - Rs 4,687 
  • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Bangalore Bangalore - Rs 4,950 
  • Doubletree Pune- Rs 5,000

The Conrad Pune is also occasionally available at sub-Rs 5,000 a night rates. All rates above exclude taxes.

Breakfast at the Conrad Centennial Singapore

Conclusion

It was only a question of time before Hilton HHonors would stop being as liberal as they were, with status matches. There were no stay requirements earlier, which meant that I could use my Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond status (which was also very liberally doled out), to get my Hilton HHonors Diamond status - which is exactly what I did! 

Readers: Do let us know your thoughts on this change, and if you plan to use the status challenge to get Gold / Diamond status with Hilton HHonors. And do post any good mattress running options in the comments below.

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