Hilton HHonors has increased its elite status qualification requirements for 2013. Gold members will need to complete an additional four stays, four nights or earn 15,000 more points. To qualify for Gold status, HHonors members must complete 20 stays (from 16 stays), 40 nights (from 36 nights) or earn 75,000 base points (from 60,000 base points) within a calendar year.

Diamond members will need to complete two extra stays or earn an additional 20,000 base points. To qualify for Diamond status, members must complete 30 stays (from 28 stays), 60 nights or earn 120,000 base points (from 100,000 base points). The 60 nights requirement for Diamond members has not changed. The qualification requirements for Silver status and elite status received through Hilton HHonors credit cards and partners will remain the same.

Bottom line: In an email to members, Hilton HHonors mentioned that it had not changed its elite qualification requirements in the past 10 years. If you want elite status but don’t think you’ll meet the new requirements, the Hilton HHonors Reserve card ($95 annual fee) offers Gold status for as long as you are a cardholder and Diamond status when you spend $40,000 or more per year.