Everybody loves a freebie, right? So here's a hot tip that'll get you instant Gold Elite status with Hilton's HHonors loyalty program.

The perks include free in-room Internet, free room upgrades with access to the Executive Floor (based on availability) and continental breakfast at Conrad, Hilton and DoubleTree hotels

It hinges on a special promotion for Visa Infinite cardholders, but with a little savvy you can jump right in.

1. Click through to the Hilton HHonors Visa Infinite Gold promotion page

2. In the box which asks for "the first 6 digits of your Visa Infinite card", enter 442394

3. Then enter your Hilton HHonors membership number and password to log in and activate your new-found status.

That's it – you should now be catapulted to Hilton HHonors Gold Elite.

Of course, if you're a Velocity Gold member with Virgin Australia you'll already have the option of free Hilton HHonors Gold Elite, and if you're a Velocity Platinum then you can skip straight over Gold and head for Hilton HHonors Diamond Elite.

The Velocity program actually lets you choose between Gold & Platinum status at Hilton HHonors and Intercontinental Hotels Group's Priority Club Rewards – read our article here to see which scheme represents the best value for business travellers.

[Thanks to AusBT reader Chris Neugebauer for alerting us to this one!]