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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
also contributed to this story
September 27, 2026 • 23 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
Elite status with airlines and hotels offers perks like free checked bags, room upgrades, lounge access and late checkout, potentially saving frequent travelers significant amounts each year.
Traditionally, earning elite status requires substantial travel and spending, but select travel credit cards can provide shortcuts, such as automatic status or credits toward qualifying for higher tiers.
Airline cards generally help you earn status through spending, while hotel cards are more likely to grant automatic elite status just for being a cardholder.
The best option depends on your travel patterns, brand loyalty and whether the benefits received justify any associated costs.
What to consider
Most airline cards do not offer automatic elite status with major U.S. carriers but can accelerate qualification through spending thresholds or annual bonuses.
Hotel cards are more generous, often providing automatic entry-level or mid-tier status, with opportunities to reach higher tiers through additional spending.
Eligibility for certain perks or status upgrades may require enrollment or activation, and some benefits are time-limited or tied to annual spending cycles.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of how different cards help you earn or accelerate elite status with specific airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
If you travel often, elite status can quickly go from a nice-to-have perk to something you never want to travel without. Free checked bags, room upgrades, lounge access, late checkout and bonus points can make trips noticeably smoother. And depending on how often you travel, they can potentially save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year.
The catch? Earning airline or hotel status the traditional way usually requires a lot of travel and spending. Many airline programs require thousands of dollars in annual spending, while hotel programs often expect dozens of nights per year before you unlock meaningful perks.
Fortunately, the right travel credit card can help fast-track your path to elite status. Some cards offer automatic status just for being a cardholder, while others let you earn elite-qualifying points or nights through everyday spending. This can greatly reduce the time, expense and effort needed to reach elite status.
These are the best credit cards for earning airline and hotel elite status.
Automatic IHG One Rewards Gold Elite status with the ability to earn Platinum Elite status through the end of the next calendar year after spending $15,000 within a calendar year, or Diamond Elite status after spending $40,000 within a calendar year.
Automatic Hyatt Discoverist Status, five qualifying night credits each calendar year and two additional night credits for every $5,000 spent each calendar year
Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World (enrollment required)
Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required)
The information for the JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Premier Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuers.
Airline elite status
No credit card currently available to new applicants automatically provides elite status with any of the major U.S. airlines (though some cards will give you status with foreign carriers). However, many allow cardholders to earn incremental credits toward status. They might just be the boost you need to jump into the elite ranks or reach a higher tier.
Depending on how much you spend on your card, you may be able to earn status without ever setting foot on a plane. Below, we look at airline credit cards that fall into this camp.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines
Atmos Rewards is Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines' joint loyalty program with a family of three cobranded cards. The best pick for earning elite status is the Atmos Rewards Summit card.
Atmos Rewards Summit Card
Annual fee: $395
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: Receive 10,000 status points every card anniversary. This points boost puts you halfway to earning Atmos Rewards Silver status. You can also earn Atmos Rewards Silver status (equivalent to Oneworld Ruby status) by spending $20,000 on your card or earn Gold status (equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire) by spending $60,000.
Analysis: The Atmos Rewards Summit is an excellent pick for frequent Alaska and Hawaiian flyers. It offers perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding, two Alaska lounge passes per calendar quarter and the ability to earn Global Companion Awards. Plus, you'll earn an unrivaled 3 points per dollar spent on all foreign transactions.
Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, and it's a Star Alliance member. Its loyalty program, Aeroplan, can be intriguing for American travelers for reciprocal elite status benefits on United or Canadian expats in the U.S. who travel back to Canada often. This card was revamped it to include elite status benefits beyond the first year of holding the card.
Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card
Annual fee: $195
Welcome offer: Earn up to 115,000 bonus Aeroplan points: 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus 40,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: You get automatic Aeroplan 25K status every year, just for holding the card. That gives you priority check-in, Zone 2 boarding, an extra free checked bag, Star Alliance recognition, and 5 eUpgrade credits. Plus, you can upgrade to Aeroplan 35K status by spending $75,000 per year on the card in a calendar year.
Analysis: This card is a good option if you travel with Air Canada or other Star Alliance carriers often, as you get automatic elite status with no spending requirement. Plus, the card's two included $50 flight vouchers and 15% off eligible award flights can help offset the card’s annual fee.
Air France and KLM have a shared loyalty program called Flying Blue. Both airlines are members of the SkyTeam alliance, so some status benefits are shared across member airlines like Delta Air Lines. The program has a U.S. cobranded credit card that fast-tracks you to elite status.
Air France KLM Visa Signature card
Annual fee: $89
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 100 Experience Points (XP) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Elite status: Every account anniversary, you'll earn 20 XP and 5,000 bonus miles automatically. Plus, you'll earn more when you spend: hit $15,000 in purchases within your anniversary year for another 80 XP, and $25,000 gets you 160 XP total for the year. That's nearly enough for mid-tier Flying Blue Gold status, and more than enough for Silver status.
Analysis: If you fly with Air France or KLM often, this card could be a great way to get benefits before your next flight. The current welcome offer includes Flying Blue Silver status after you meet the minimum spending requirement, which includes benefits like an extra free checked bag, priority check-in and baggage handling, free seat selection and bonus points on flights.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard
Annual fee: $695
Welcome offer: For a limited time, earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: For every mile you earn on a cobranded American Airlines credit card, such as this one, you’ll earn 1 elite-qualifying Loyalty Point. This means that you can essentially spend your way to status and to Loyalty Points Rewards.
Unfortunately, credit card welcome bonuses and category multipliers are not eligible for Loyalty Points. Cardholders earn a bonus of 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. They will receive another bonus of 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000, 165,000 and 240,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.
Analysis: Having this card is much like having elite status — without the rare first-class upgrades. You get free checked bags, priority access on the ground (when available) and lounge access. Plus, spending on the card will help you earn Loyalty Points toward earning actual American Airlines elite status.
Delta offers a variety of cobranded American Express credit cards — four personal and three business — but choosing the best one for you can be difficult.
Welcome offer: Earn two domestic round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates (valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands) and 50,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. A 21+ day advance purchase is required; up to $80 per person in taxes and fees apply. Other restrictions apply.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: Delta Reserve Amex cardmembers earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent, with no limit on how many MQDs can be earned through credit card spending. They also receive a 2,500 MQD boost each Medallion Qualification Year.
Analysis: The Delta Reserve is excellent for Delta flyers, as it offers access to the most valuable perks of elite status — such as space-available complimentary upgrades, lounge passes and priority boarding — right off the bat.
JetBlue offers three personal and one business credit card through Barclays, all of which offer a pathway to status through spending. Plus, the premium JetBlue Premier Card offers a guaranteed 25 Tiles every year.
JetBlue Premier Card
Annual fee: $499
Welcome offer: 90,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days from account opening.
Elite status: 25 bonus Tiles every calendar year, plus 1 Tile for every $1,000 spent on the card.
Analysis: The real benefit of this card is spending towards Mosaic — 25 Tiles is a good head start, and earning an additional Tile for every $1,000 spent means you can earn Mosaic 1 with just $25,000 in spend. However, if you apply now, your first 25-Tile boost won't arrive until early 2027 since this is a new benefit. Other card perks include a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, access to BlueHouse lounges, Group 3 boarding, and a free checked bag.
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: You can qualify for the four tiers of JetBlue Mosaic elite status purely through credit card spending — from $50,000 for Level 1 to $250,000 for Level 4, both based on calendar-year spending.
Analysis: While earning Mosaic status purely through spending with this card is nice, it’s an expensive option. Mosaic Level 1 status can be achieved by earning 50 Tiles, which requires $5,000 in JetBlue spending or $50,000 in JetBlue credit card spending, or a combination of the two.
Southwest offers frequent flyers several options for credit cards. With three personal cards and two business cards, it can be hard to decide which card is right for you. However, if you’re after A-List status and a Southwest Companion Pass, then the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the card for you.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Annual fee: $229
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: You can earn 2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent on purchases annually, and there’s no limit to how many TQPs you can earn. This can help you get to A-List status with Southwest. All points earned with this card, including the welcome bonus, count toward Companion Pass eligibility, too.
Analysis: This card is great for Southwest flyers, as it gives you a shortcut to both A-List status and the Companion Pass.
If you’re interested in United Club access and credit card purchases counting toward elite status, then the United Club Card is an excellent choice.
United Club Card
Annual fee: $695
Welcome offer: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: Cardholders can earn up to 28,000 PQPs per calendar year by earning 1 PQP for every $15 spent on the card.
Analysis: This card offers many perks, including Premier Access travel services and United Club access at the airport. That said, you can also use it to shortcut your way to elite status through spending.
Hotel chains are much more generous than airlines when it comes to awarding elite status. You can get automatic elite status with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG without staying at any of their properties or spending on your cobranded credit card.
Hilton Honors
The Hilton Aspire is a great choice for Hilton Honors elite status. However, if you don’t want a hefty annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card provides a pathway to elite status for a $150 annual fee (see ).
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
Annual fee: $550 (see )
Welcome offer: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Analysis: This card is a must-have for Hilton fans. Diamond status provides perks like guaranteed lounge access (at properties that have them), room upgrades (when available), free breakfast or food-and-beverage credits and more.
IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program behind major brands like InterContinental, Kimpton and Holiday Inn. And with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card in your wallet, you can enjoy upgraded perks during your stays.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Annual fee: $150
Welcome offer: Earn 180,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: Enjoy automatic IHG One Rewards Gold Elite and move up to Platinum status through the end of the next calendar year after spending $15,000 on the card within a calendar year.
Cobranded Marriott Bonvoy cards stand out because both American Express and Chase have their own card lineup. But if you want the most from your Marriott portfolio hotel stays, go with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, as it offers the highest level of elite status for a cardmember.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express
Annual fee: $650 (see )
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: Enjoy complimentary Platinum Elite status, which provides benefits like upgrades at check-in (including suites, when available), late checkout and a welcome amenity for each stay. Each calendar year, you also receive credits for 25 nights to help you reach the next level of Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
The World of Hyatt is a favorite among TPG staffers and points and miles enthusiasts alike. The program’s stellar redemption rates and growing portfolio have given Hyatt an edge in the marketplace.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Earn up to 60,000 points: 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 point, on up to $15,000 spent.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: Automatic Hyatt Discoverist status, although you also receive five qualifying night credits toward the next level of elite status each year and the opportunity to earn two additional night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card each calendar year.
Similarly, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see ) also provides automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status, plus the ability to gift this status to up to five employees. Cardholders also earn five tier-qualifying nights for each $10,000 spent on the card each calendar year, helping you earn higher levels of status and Milestone Rewards.
Analysis: Discoverist status is among the most valuable lowest-tier hotel elite status levels. It comes with a 10% points bonus when staying at Hyatt properties, space-available upgrades to preferred rooms within the same category, daily bottled water, complimentary premium internet, late checkout when available and access to the elite reservation line. Higher levels of status are also within reach if you’re willing to put some spending on the card.
This is a solid choice for hotel elite status because, as a premium travel credit card, the American Express Platinum Card offers automatic elite status to three hotel brands.
American Express Platinum Card
Annual fee: $895 (see )
Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Analysis: This is easily the best card for hotel stays across several top hotel brands. You can register for elite status with both Hilton and Marriott, as well as Sterling status from The Leading Hotels of the World, but also enjoy highly valuable benefits on Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts stays. Every FHR stay includes perks such as complimentary room upgrades when available, free breakfast, check-in at noon when available, 4 p.m. checkout, and a $100 credit for eligible charges that vary by property.
Like the Amex Platinum, the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides hotel elite status to cardholders. If you're willing to put at least $75,000 of spending on your card in a calendar year, you'll receive even more status benefits.
Annual fee: $795
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Elite status: Cardholders receive automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required). They can unlock IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status and Hyatt Explorist status after spending at least $75,000 in a calendar year.
Analysis: Automatic IHG Platinum status is solid, but you can get that same benefit with the cobranded IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card for a significantly lower annual fee.
If you're spending $75,000 or more on your card in a calendar year, IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status and Hyatt Explorist status could be decent value add-ons. Still, for the Sapphire Reserve's high annual fee, it's worth taking inventory of your setup to see if that's worth it.
Elite status can be worth pursuing if you travel often enough to take advantage of the perks. And while most travelers won’t earn top-tier status solely through credit card spending, the right card can make qualifying much easier.
Some cards offer automatic hotel status without requiring a single stay, while others help bridge the gap toward airline or hotel elite tiers through everyday purchases. The best option ultimately depends on your travel habits, loyalty to a specific brand and whether the perks you’ll receive outweigh the card’s annual fee.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click . For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Surpass Amex, click
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, click . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click . For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click.
Updated 10/1/2026
Cardholders can unlock IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status and Hyatt Explorist status after spending at least $75,000 in a calendar year.
