Hilton Testing Out Pre-Arrival Upgrades at Select Properties

Hilton Honor’s Diamond tier comes with some valuable perks. You can earn Diamond status through stays or if you have the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express. The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card and Hilton Honors American Express Business Card can also get you Diamond status if you spend $40,000 in a calendar year.

Once you are a Hilton Diamond member, you can enjoy space-available upgrades at eligible Hilton properties worldwide. How this benefit is implemented varies widely based on the property. But the terms of the program say that Hilton Honors Diamond members may receive upgrades to preferred rooms, and possibly to junior, standard, or one-bedroom suites. Normally, you find out whether you have been upgraded once you get to the hotel. But Hilton is testing a new feature that will confirm your upgrade before you even get there.

Hilton is testing pre-arrival upgrades at some properties, possibly in Europe only. LoyaltyLobby reports that he received pre-arrival emails from Hilton saying that the reservations have been upgraded to junior suites. The two properties in are both in the Netherlands, DoubleTree Amsterdam Centraal Station and Hilton Rotterdam.

Hilton has also confirmed to LoyaltyLobby that they recently began testing this option. “As an enhancement to Hilton Honors’ complimentary, space-available upgrade benefit, we recently began testing a new member experience across a small number of hotels globally, which will secure and notify the member of a complimentary room upgrade 72-hours prior to arrival,” they said in an email.

The obvious benefit this new option is that you know you will have nicer accommodations for your stay. You can also skip the check-in counter completely and head to your room. This provides a contactless arrival experience which can be preferable during the Covid-19 pandemic.