Airline and Hotel Elite Status & Upgrade Essentials
Looking for a fast-pass to elite status? Want to know the requirements . . . and the perks? Or if all the time and trouble it takes to get elite status is even worth it? Are you looking for upgrade advice on your upcoming flight? If so, you're in the right place. See links to posts written by our highly knowledgeable team of points industry veterans, selected specifically to help you learn the ins and outs of airline and hotel elite status .
Elite Status Essentials - Airlines
Interested in learning the basics of elite status? Look no further:
- All Things Elite Status
- When Does Elite Status Reset and How Long Does It Last?
- Is Elite Status Worth Being Loyal to a Single Airline
Tips for become elite quickly:
Want to book through a credit card portal, but not sure if you'll get airline miles or elite perks?
- Will I Get Airline Miles & Elite Benefits With Portal Bookings?
Comparing Elite Status - Airlines
Interested in elite status, but not sure which is best? See these posts:
Upgrade Essentials - Airlines
- All Things Upgrades
- Can I Upgrade a Ticket Booked with Points?
- How to Upgrade with Miles on AA, Delta, United and Alaska
- How to Upgrade on Flights with International Carriers
- Which is a Better Value for Miles: Flight Awards or Upgrades?
Alaska Airlines
What's Alaska Elite Status worth?
Trying to earn elite status, but expecting a child? Can't travel?
American Airlines
What's AA Elite Status worth?
Is it worth it? TPG himself is skeptical. Read about it, here:
Delta Air Lines
What's Delta Elite Status worth?
Looking for a card to obtain elite status?
JetBlue Airways
What's JetBlue Elite Status Worth?
Make the most of your JetBlue Mosaic Status
United Airlines
What's United Elite Status worth?
Looking for a way around the fees?
Southwest Airlines
What's Southwest Elite Status Worth?
Elite Status Essentials - Hotels
Looking for tips to become elite?
The right credit card will make it easier.
Is hotel elite status even worth it?
Comparing Elite Status - Hotels
Interested in the best — and most valuable — hotel elite status?
- Comparing Hotel Elite Status
Upgrade Essentials - Hotels
Increase your chances of getting upgraded with these tips:
IHG
What's IHG Elite Status worth?
Hyatt
What's World of Hyatt Elite Status worth?
Hilton
What's Hilton Honors Elite Status worth?
Ritz-Carlton
What's Ritz-Carlton Rewards Elite Status worth?
SPG/Marriott
What's SPG Elite Status worth?
What's Marriott Elite Status worth?
Can't find what you're looking for? Check out our guides or travel resources page. Still nothing? Shoot us an email and we'll do our best to get back to you: info@thepointsguy.com. If you'd like to see something added to this FAQ, send us a Facebook message with what you think we're missing. If your request is popular with other readers we'll add it!
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month