Hilton Diamond status is top-tier status in its loyalty program, Hilton Honors. Not only is it the most valuable of Hilton elite status tiers, but it's also among the most valuable elite status levels you could earn across any major hotel loyalty program, period.

In NerdWallet's annual rankings of hotel elite status programs, Hilton Diamond status is considered the second-most valuable behind Hyatt's Globalist status. But unlike Hyatt Globalist status, which is pretty tough to earn, earning Hilton Honors Diamond status won't necessarily require you to spend a big chunk of your year staying in a hotel. You can automatically reach Hilton Diamond status simply by holding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

Here's a breakdown of all the top Hilton Diamond status benefits, an analysis of what it's actually worth and a guide to the best way to earn this premium elite status tier:

Top Hilton Diamond status benefits

Whether you get Hilton Diamond status through your credit card or stay enough nights, the perks are significant. Here are our favorite Hilton Diamond status benefits:

1. Space-available room upgrades

With Diamond status, you can get space-available room upgrades, like this suite at the The Monsaraz San Diego, which is a property under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. (Photo by Sally French)

Perhaps the best benefit of Hilton Diamond status is that, depending on availability, you're eligible for a free room upgrade. Although you also qualify for space-available room upgrades with Hilton Gold status, the upgrade for Gold members is only up to an Executive Floor room — but with Hilton Diamond status, you can be upgraded to a one-bedroom suite.

With some luck, you can leverage your Hilton Diamond status to stay in rooms and suites that you might not otherwise be able to afford. For instance, I booked a King Bed Partial Ocean View room at the Conrad Punta de Mita in Mexico for around $185 per night but was upgraded to the Ocean Front Suite with a private plunge pool at check-in. That room can cost more than $1,000 per night, but I was upgraded for free as a Diamond member.