Last-minute tips for locking in hotel elite status before the end of year
Editor's Note
Hotel elite status can greatly enhance your vacation experience. From snagging room upgrades to bonus points and even indulging in a complimentary breakfast, having the right status can save you money and add more perks to your trips.
If you haven't accumulated enough points to earn (or retain) your elite status this year, here are some last-minute tips to help you secure your benefits for another year.
Related: So, what exactly is elite status in travel — and how can I get it?
How to earn hotel elite status
To earn hotel elite status, you can follow these common methods:
- Elite night credits: You generally receive one credit for each eligible paid night at a participating property in a major hotel loyalty program. Award nights, "points and cash" stays and certain credit cards may also earn you elite night credits.
- Stays: Some programs allow you to qualify based on stays — which can be any number of nights.
- Points earned: You earn points based on your spending at participating hotels. Usually, only "base points" count toward elite status, excluding bonus points from status, promotions and other offers. Some programs also count spending with partner companies.
- Credit card elite status: Many hotel and travel credit cards provide automatic elite status as a benefit.
- Spending on credit card: Certain hotel credit cards allow you to earn elite status or progress toward it based on your annual spending.
Of course, whether it's worth going out of your way to earn status is a question only you can answer.
Here's a quick overview of how to close the gap and lock in status with the major hotel programs before the end of the year.
Hilton Honors elite status
| Qualification method | Silver | Gold | Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights | 10 | 40 | 60 |
| Stays | 4 | 20 | 30 |
| Base points | 25,000 | 75,000 | 120,000 |
End of the elite year: Dec. 31.
Hilton Honors is one hotel loyalty program that counts award stays toward elite status qualifications. If you have Hilton Honors points or free night certificates, redeeming them for free nights gets you closer to your next elite tier. Hilton also allows you to roll over any extra elite night credits at the end of the year and put them toward your status goals for the following year.
For travelers who want Hilton elite status benefits immediately, getting one of Hilton's many cobranded credit cards is the quickest path. Even the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees) includes complimentary Silver status, with the ability to earn Gold status through the end of the next calendar year when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card includes complimentary Gold status, and you'll be upgraded to Diamond through the end of the next calendar year when you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card gives small-business owners the same elite status benefits, complimentary Gold status and the chance to upgrade their status to Diamond through the end of the next calendar year after spending 40,000 or more on the card in a calendar year. For members who don't want to deal with the high spending hurdle, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card includes automatic Diamond elite status.
Alternatively, you could consider The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to enjoy automatic Hilton Gold status as long as your card remains open (enrollment required).
Read more: Guide to hotel elite status with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
IHG One Rewards elite status
| Qualification method | Silver Elite | Gold Elite | Platinum Elite | Diamond Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified nights | 10 | 20 | 40 | 70 |
| Qualified points | N/A | 40,000 | 60,000 | 120,000 |
End of the elite year: Dec. 31.
IHG One Rewards provides several ways to earn elite status, including booking award stays using points or free night certificates and spending with partners like Hertz and Viator. However, points you earn from spending on IHG cobranded cards do not count toward elite status points qualification.
IHG offers three credit cards featuring complimentary elite status, including one with no annual fee. The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (see rates and fees) automatically comes with Silver Elite status and an upgrade to Gold Elite when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (rates and fees) and the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) include automatic Platinum Elite status, and you can earn Diamond Elite status by spending $40,000 on either of these cards in a calendar year.
Another option for earning IHG One Rewards elite status is to buy an InterContinental Ambassador membership. For $200 or 40,000 points, you'll enjoy Ambassador benefits — which include Platinum Elite status — for 12 months from purchase.
Marriott Bonvoy elite status
| Qualification method | Silver Elite | Gold Elite | Platinum Elite | Titanium Elite | Ambassador Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nights | 10 | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 plus $23,000 in qualifying spend |
End of the elite year: Dec. 31.
Marriott Bonvoy makes earning elite status simple. You must earn elite night credits, either through hotel stays or credit cards, or hold a card that provides elite status. Nights booked with Marriott Bonvoy points and free night certificates also count toward elite status qualification.
Chase and American Express offer various Marriott personal and business credit cards with complimentary elite status. For example, you can enjoy automatic Gold Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. Meanwhile, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes automatic Platinum status. No Marriott card includes complimentary Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status.
In addition, some Marriott cobranded cards include 15 elite night credits toward your desired status level each year, and the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex includes 25 elite night credits annually. Moreover, members can stack elite night credits from any business and personal card for a total of 30 or 40 credits, putting higher elite tiers easily within reach. You can also earn one elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) each year.
And finally, as with Hilton status, the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum both include complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status (enrollment required).
Related: Is Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status worth it?
World of Hyatt elite status
| Qualification method | Discoverist | Explorist | Globalist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights | 10 | 30 | 60 |
| Base Points | 25,000 | 50,000 | 100,000 |
End of the elite year: Dec. 31.
With World of Hyatt, you can achieve elite status based on nights stayed or base points earned at Hyatt properties. Elite night credits also include nights booked with points or free night certificates.
Two Hyatt credit cards are available — one for consumers and one for business owners. Both cards have unique features that can help you earn Hyatt elite status quickly.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) includes entry-level Discoverist elite status. While this status may not offer many standout benefits, you can spend your way to a higher tier. The card provides five qualifying night credits every year, and you'll earn an additional two credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card.
Business owners also receive Discoverist status with the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) . However, this business card is unique on this list because it allows the cardholder to give the gift of Discoverist status to up to five employees. Additionally, you'll receive five tier-qualifying night credits for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year. This rate is 25% higher than what's offered by the personal version of the Hyatt card.
World of Hyatt used to allow members to earn status by hosting a certain number of meetings or events — three for Discoverist, 10 for Explorist or 20 for Globalist — but this is being discontinued on Dec. 31, 2024. In 2025, event planners will earn night credits toward status at a rate of 2 credits per $5,000 spent on meetings and events (up to $150,000 or 60 credits, enough for Globalist status).
Related: Here's how to quickly stock up on Hyatt points for your next vacation
Other ways to earn hotel elite status
You can earn hotel elite status — or at least receive similar benefits — in other ways than having a hotel cobranded credit card. Use these strategies if you don't want to be tied to one hotel's card:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: As noted previously, this luxury travel card includes complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. To receive these benefits, you must enroll in this perk to activate your status. You'll also receive these statuses with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
- American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts: This is an exclusive hotel booking program for Amex cardmembers with a Platinum or Centurion-branded card. It offers elite-level benefits and promotions at premium properties worldwide, including an on-property spending credit, room upgrade and late checkout. Both personal Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers can even receive up to $600 in statement credits each year for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts stays charged to the card. Enrollment is required; credit is split into semi-annual $300 distributions.
- The Hotel Collection: This program offers benefits at participating properties on stays of at least two nights, and it's available to those with an Amex Platinum or American Express® Gold Card.
- Capital One's Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection: These two boutique hotel programs are available to select Capital One cardholders and offer benefits like free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast and bonus miles.
- The Edit by Chase Travel: Formerly known as Chase's Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, The Edit offers elite benefits to select Chase cardholders at over 1,000 highly rated properties (including Four Seasons) worldwide, including daily breakfast for two, a unique benefit worth up to $100, complimentary Wi-Fi, room upgrades and early check-in/late checkout at select properties.
- Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection: When you have a Visa Signature card and book through the Visa Signature website, you'll receive exclusive perks at participating properties.
Related: Complete guide to current hotel elite status match and challenge offers
Bottom line
Options are available if you haven't locked in your hotel status this year.
Many popular hotel loyalty programs offer alternative ways to achieve elite status without going on an expensive mattress run. Holding the right credit card can often grant you elite status or allow you to earn additional nights through card spending to reach an even higher tier.
If these options don't work for you, consider looking into hotel booking programs affiliated with your credit card issuer. These programs offer on-property benefits without requiring loyalty to any specific hotel program.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Card, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.