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Hilton recently announced that it's adding a series of tech updates. The first gives guests the option to share their room key digitally through Digital Key Share. Hilton is also introducing new automated room upgrades for Hilton Honors elites.
Let's see how these new features can amplify your Hilton experience.
How Hilton Digital Key Share Works
The Digital Key Share feature is an update to the existing digital key feature. Previously, only one guest could have access to the digital key. Now, multiple guests staying in the room can turn their smartphones into a room key.
To share and access the key, you can use the following process:
For the primary room guest
- Open the Hilton app and select your Digital Key.
- At the Digital Key screen, choose the “Share Your Key” option.
- Select which room you will share.
- Choose the “Send invite” option and then select the way you'd like to share the key: SMS or email.
- Finally, send the key share invitation.
For secondary guests
- Open the Hilton app. If you don't have it, make sure to download it. You can download it here for the Apple store and here for Google Play.
- Log into your Hilton Honors account.
- Open the invitation you received via SMS or email and click on the link.
- The Hilton app will open and allow you to accept or reject the shared key invite.
- Clear the adaptive authentication and fraud check.
- Once the Digital Key is ready, you will be notified.
New Hilton Automated Upgrades Process
Hilton is also updating the way upgrades for its elite members are processed, introducing automated upgrades. Instead of waiting until check-in to find out if you have been upgraded, you can now find out up to 72 hours before.
But these upgrades are more of an opportunity to select an “enhanced” room in the app. In order to snag a suite upgrade, you'll still need to do it the old-fashioned way: make sure your social engineering skills are polished and ask the desk agent.
Both Gold and Diamond elite status holders are eligible for early room upgrades. This makes planning ahead much easier, knowing for sure in advance that you have scored an upgrade.
Hilton Cards That Offer Free Elite Status
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — Cardholders receive complimentary Diamond Status
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — Cardholders receive complimentary Gold Status
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card — Cardholders receive complimentary Gold Status
- Hilton Honors American Express Card — Cardholders receive automatic Silver Status
- Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Related content: How to Get Hotel Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free).
Final Thoughts
The Digital Key Share option is a nice addition and will definitely make stays less complicated when multiple people are sharing a room. As for Hilton's automated upgrades in advance, it's yet to be seen how great — or not great — this option will be.
What do you think of these new technological advances from Hilton?
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