Reader question: Does elite status from a credit card get you less recognition?
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It can take a lot of nights to earn elite status through hotel stays alone. However, select hotel credit cards provide elite status simply for being a cardholder. In fact, you can even get top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. But do hotels treat elite members who earn their status via credit cards the same as those who achieve it via stays?
Recently, reader Gareth E. wrote in asking about how hotels view status earned through credit cards:
[pullquote source="Gareth E."]I have Diamond with Hilton, and, although I am brand loyal, I maintain my status through the Hilton Aspire card. I probably only stay at Hilton properties for 20 nights a year. But, I sometimes get the sense that my "Diamond" status is less well regarded (in terms of upgrades, etc.) than people who have the status from having earned it by stays. Would this be true?[/pullquote]
To answer that, we'll consider how four popular hotel loyalty programs provide room upgrades to elites. In doing so, we'll also consider whether it makes a difference how your status was earned.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Hilton Honors
You can earn Hilton Honors elite status through nights, stays or base points. But, you can also get Hilton Honors status through select credit cards.
| Card | Hilton Honors status | Hilton Honors status earned with spending | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Diamond | n/a | $450 (see rates & fees) |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Gold | Diamond through the next calendar year when you spend $40,000 on your card in a calendar year | $95 annual fee (see rates & fees) |
| The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | Gold | Diamond through the next calendar year when you spend $40,000 on your card in a calendar year | $695 (see rates & fees) |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express* | Gold | n/a | $695 (see rates & fees) |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express* | Gold | n/a | $595 ($695 if application is received on or after 01/13/2022) (see rates and fees) |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | Silver | Gold through the end of the next year when you spend $20,000 on your card in a calendar year | None (see rates & fees) |
*Enrollment required.
Related: Choosing the best Hilton credit card for you
Elite upgrades
Hilton Honors may upgrade Gold and Diamond members when space is available at check-in. Specifically, Hilton may upgrade Gold members all the way up to executive floor room types. Diamond members can get upgraded all the way up to junior, standard or one-bedroom suites.
So, as a Hilton Honors Gold or Diamond elite, you should get the best room available at check-in based on your status. But, what information can Hilton Honors properties see about guests? A Hilton spokesperson gave us the following insight:
In order to recognize and reward our most loyal customers, individual properties are able to view members' reservation details and Honors information, including (but not limited to) membership tier, length of stay and preferences, etc.
Granted, some Hilton Honors brands don't offer upgrades. So, don't expect one when staying at Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations brands.
Related: The award traveler's guide to Hilton Honors
World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt elite status is earned via nights, base points, meetings hosted. You can also earn World of Hyatt status through the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
The card offers automatic Discoverist status. Normally, cardholders also receive five qualifying nights toward the next tier status every year. But, if you apply for the card through Aug. 31, 2020, you'll get 10 qualifying nights for this status year.
Cardholders earn two additional qualifying night credits for each $5,000 spent on their card. So, it is possible to spend your way up to Explorist or Globalist status.
Elite upgrades
At check-in, World of Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members may get upgraded to a better room, if available. Keep in mind that upgrades aren't available at Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Destination Residences and Hyatt Residence Club hotels and resorts.
As a World of Hyatt Discoverist, you can be upgraded to a preferred room, while Explorist status gets you the best room available. This "best room" for Explorists excludes upgrades to suites or rooms with club lounge access.
Finally, as a World of Hyatt Globalist, you'll receive the best room available at the time of check-in. However, Globalists aren't eligible for upgrades to any suites besides standard suites.
A World of Hyatt spokesperson told TPG the following regarding what check-in agents see on your profile:
Hyatt properties have access to information to understand guest history, preferences, tier status among other things in an effort to ensure a great experience.
So, whether you earn World of Hyatt status through a credit card, status match or stays, your upgrade priority should follow policies for your status tier. As such, how you earned your status shouldn't affect your upgrades.
Related: 5 reasons to go all in on the World of Hyatt Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status by staying at Marriott hotels a set number of nights each year. Select credit cards also offer Marriott Bonvoy elite status as a benefit.
| Card | Automatic Marriott Bonvoy status | Marriott Bonvoy status obtainable with spending | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card | Gold Elite | Platinum Elite through the end of the next calendar year when you spend $75,000 on your card in a calendar year | $450 (see rates & fees) |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express* | Gold Elite | n/a | $695 (see rates & fees) |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express* | Gold Elite | n/a | $695 (see rates & fees) |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card | Silver Elite | Gold Elite through the end of the next year when you spend $35,000 on your card in an account year | $95 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card | Silver Elite | Gold Elite through the end of the next year when you spend $35,000 on your card in a calendar year | $125 (see rates & fees) |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card | Silver Elite | n/a | None |
*Enrollment required
Additionally, those who carry both a personal and business Marriott Bonvoy credit card can also get up to 30 elite-qualifying nights each year. That's enough for Gold elite status and more than halfway to Platinum.
Elite upgrades
As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite or higher, you may be upgraded based on availability at check-in. However, upgrades aren't available at Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Aloft, Element and Vistana properties. Upgrades to Ritz-Carlton rooms with club access aren't available.
Gold Elite members are eligible for upgrades to enhanced rooms, excluding suites. Meanwhile, Platinum Elite members and above can get upgraded to the best available room. The room must be available for the entire length of stay at the time of check-in. Only Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members are eligible for suites at Ritz-Carlton properties.
A Marriott Bonvoy spokesperson told TPG that room assignment is a complex process. When asked what type of information each individual property can see about guests, the spokesperson said:
The front desk accesses the property management system when checking in guests which includes member info like status, duration of membership, last stay at that property and points in the member's account.
However, the spokesperson noted that how elite status was earned is irrelevant when providing benefits.
Related: Beginner's guide to Marriott Bonvoy
IHG Rewards
You can earn IHG Rewards elite status by completing a certain number of nights or earning elite qualifying points. The easiest option is through an IHG credit card. Specifically, there are two IHG Rewards Club credit cards currently available:
- IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card ($99 annual fee): Provides Platinum Elite status.
- IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card (no annual fee): Ability to earn Gold Elite status by spending $10,000 per calendar year.
Elite upgrades
IHG Rewards Platinum Elite and Spire Elite members may be upgraded based on availability. Upgrades may not be available at IHG Residence properties and don't apply to Holiday Inn Express hotels in China.
When asked what information is available regarding guest history, an IHG spokesperson told TPG:
Each hotel has access to a guest's arrivals report which provides basic information on the guest including check-in and out date, tier status and stays in the last 12 months.
So, while individual properties have access to a guest's stays in the last 12 months, the spokesperson stated that "all elites experience the same level of benefits per tier regardless of their nights."
Related: How to earn and redeem points with IHG Rewards Club partners
Bottom line
According to all four loyalty rewards program reps we reached out to, elite members are treated the same, regardless of how they earned their status. Benefits are provided based on elite status tiers when you book directly with all four hotel loyalty programs.
However, this doesn't mean upgrades are provided in the same way across the board. For example, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt both instruct properties to provide the best available upgrade to qualifying elites. And, Hilton Honors states that if a better room is available at check-in, it's yours. But, IHG Rewards simply notes that Platinum Elite and Spire Elite members will be upgraded when available.
For rates and fees of the Amex Aspire, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Surpass, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Business, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Amex, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Brilliant, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Business, please click here.