Hilton Honors 2019 & 2020 Status Extensions Due To COVID-19 Pandemic

Hilton Honors just updated status extension and points expiry policies due to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and it is more generous than what I expected.

Members who didn’t meet the status requirements in 2019 and were about to be downgraded on March 31, will see their status extended by a year through 2021. Those that qualified Silver, Gold, or Diamond status for 2020 will see theirs extended until March 2022.

You can access Hilton’s page for coronavirus policies here.

READ MORE: Hilton Honors Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions

Points won’t expire before the end of 2020, and free weekend night certificates issued through August this year will be valid until August 31, 2021.

Here’s a relevant part of the email:

Here’s in text:

• 2019 Status Extension. All members whose 2019 status was scheduled to be downgraded on March 31, 2020—whether it’s Diamond, Gold or Silver—will automatically receive an extension through March 31, 2021.
• 2020 Status Extension. We are extending your 2020 member status through March 31, 2022. This means you will continue to enjoy all the Diamond, Gold or Silver benefits you have access to today for the next 24 months.
• Points Extension. We will pause the expiration of all Points scheduled to expire between now and December 31, 2020.
• Weekend Night Rewards Earned on Eligible Hilton Credit Cards. We have extended the expiration date of all unexpired Weekend Night Rewards as of March 11, 2020, and all new ones issued until August 30, 2020, through the end of next summer (August 31, 2021).

Conclusion

Marriott Bonvoy just downgraded members earlier this week (read more here), and Hilton Honors extended theirs by a year. It makes you wonder if there is anyone left running the program at Hilton’s main competitor?

Hilton’s move ties Hyatt’s, IHG’s, and Marriott’s hands. They need to up their coronavirus response when it comes to loyalty.