Hilton HHonors has announced that in 2015, the program will introduce Lifetime Diamond Status. Via a post on FlyerTalk, HHonorsRepresentative said, “Over the past several years, we’ve heard from you that Lifetime Diamond Status is important to you and I’m thrilled to announce that we will be inviting some of our most tenured Diamond members into this status.” For more information, when it becomes available, visit HHONORS.

Bottom line: The details of the new status, including how members will qualify have not yet been announced, but some members will be invited to the new lifetime status in early 2015. Currently, Hyatt, Marriott and Starwood offer lifetime elite status. Hilton mentioned only Diamond status as a lifetime benefit, so we do not know if lower status categories will be offered lifetime status. Diamond status is reached with 30 stays, 60 nights or by earning 120,000 base points (equalling $12,000 in spend since members receive 10 base points per dollar spent). Diamond status offers among other benefits, a 50 percent status bonus on HHonors base points earned, fifth night free on standard room award stays of five nights or more, late checkout and complimentary access to fitness centers and health clubs.