Attention, elite status seekers: New perks, elite night credits and more are posting for 2025
It's always hard seeing most of my elite status levels reset to zero come Jan. 1. It's a tough reminder that if you want to keep your status in the coming year, you'll need to get back on the hamster wheel.
Some of us at TPG have decided the juice is no longer worth the squeeze when it comes to upper-tier elite status or have even decided not to pursue status at all.
But for those of us who are truly addicted to top-tier status (like me), we need to start the games again.
Plus, there are some bright spots: Rollover credits, miles or free nights from credit cards courtesy of some of our favorite programs like World of Hyatt are already here. Also, several programs have new perks or new choices when it comes to benefits.
We've already seen rollovers and credits — including Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt stay credits — hitting our accounts.
Consider this your annual reminder to check your accounts and make a plan for status goals for 2025.
Delta SkyMiles
It's a whole new world for Delta Air Lines' elite members. The airline made headlines back in 2023 when it made a ton of changes to its program. While Delta has since rolled back some of the most draconian steps, what hasn't changed is the end of Medallion Qualification Miles as a metric for elite status.
It's now all about the Medallion Qualification Dollars, as you can see in the tracker in my SkyMiles account:
Your ability to choose your Delta Choice Benefits is not available right now (at least not in my account). I have it on good authority that people (like me) who had enough MQMs last year to roll over their 2024 status won't see choices until after Feb. 1.
However, there will be a bunch of new choices in addition to previous options like upgrade certificates and bonus SkyMiles.
If you qualified for Platinum or Diamond Medallion status in the 2025 Medallion year (based on qualifying activity during the 2024 calendar year), you have until Jan. 31, 2026, to select your annual Delta Choice Benefits. Note that you must choose your 2024 benefits by the end of January.
According to Delta, you will soon be able to make your choices in the app instead of having to log in on a desktop computer: "Beginning February 1, 2025, enjoy a more seamless experience by selecting your Choice Benefits through the Fly Delta app."
We expect the MQD boost from holding one of the following Delta credit cards will hit sometime in February:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
For each of these cards you hold, you get 2,500 MQDs at the start of each year just for being a cardmember. These stack for travelers with multiple eligible cards. That means if you have two of those cards, for example, you'd get a head start of 5,000 MQDs for the year.
Related: Best credit cards for flying Delta
World of Hyatt
Qualifying nights courtesy of World of Hyatt have already posted in my account. In fact, I got an email about the free nights, so look for that in your email account if you haven't yet seen those nights reflected in your tracker.
Several TPG employees, however, still haven't received them for 2025.
Don't worry if yours haven't yet shown up. Traditionally, they all arrive in the same week.
You get five nights every year toward World of Hyatt status just for holding the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees). Plus, you can earn another two nights for every $5,000 you spend on the card.
Hyatt also has the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees); sadly, you do not get any elite qualifying nights just for holding this card. But you can earn five tier qualifying night credits for every $10,000 you spend each calendar year on the card.
By leveraging one (or both) of these cards, you could conceivably spend your way to status — or combine your spending with regular stay activity to elevate your tier in 2025.
Related: How getting the World of Hyatt business card helped me get top-tier Hyatt status
Hyatt has also rolled out several new features. You'll now have more choices at more stops in your elite status journey. Hyatt Milestone Rewards start at 20 qualifying nights or 35,000 base points earned within a calendar year. You'll earn Milestone Rewards on up to 150 qualifying nights per year.
World of Hyatt also ended the unlimited Guest of Honor benefit available to Globalist elite members. Instead, you can now earn Guest of Honor awards through the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program.
Among the choices you get are 2,000 World of Hyatt points for a stay at select brands, club access awards and credits for Hyatt Find experiences. There are new benefits for 2025, too. Beginning at 20 nights, you can now choose two coupons for preferred seats on American Airlines.
For the first time in 2024, Hyatt deposited five Guest of Honor awards into the accounts of all Globalist members (including those with lifetime Globalist status).
There are another five in my account for 2025, with an expiration of Feb. 28, 2026. My new suite upgrade awards have also already hit my account with the same expiration date.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy fans are already seeing elite night credits hit their accounts. These bonus nights are courtesy of holding a Marriott credit card that automatically awards you anywhere from 15 to 25 elite night credits per year. In my case, I hold the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which comes with automatic Platinum status and a 25-night head start for the year.
You can only get elite nights from one personal card, even if you have more than one. However, if you open a business card and a personal card, you can get up to 40 elite nights, which is nearly enough for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status (50 nights).
Read more: Here's why you need both a personal and business Marriott Bonvoy credit card
My colleague Nick Ewen is one of those lucky Bonvoy members. He's already sitting at 40 nights.
This can provide a large boost toward Bonvoy's elite status qualification.
You'll find this elite night benefit as a perk of several cards, including the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees) and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card ($125 annual fee; see rates and fees).
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant credit card review
Hilton Honors
As of Tuesday, we're also seeing status notifications and status rollover nights posted to Hilton Honors accounts.
If you have Hilton Honors Silver status or above, any qualifying nights beyond the number required to qualify for a given status level are counted toward your elite status qualification for the following calendar year. Those nights should now be posted or will be posted shortly.
You can have Hilton status just by having the right credit card. In fact, I have top-tier Diamond status just because I hold the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
While the card has a steep annual fee of $550 (see rates and fees), there are other valuable inclusions: an up-to-$400 biannual Hilton resort statement credit, up to $200 in airfare statement credits (up to $50 each quarter), and a free night certificate when you open the account and each year on your card anniversary.
Related reading:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
- The best travel credit cards
- The best current credit card welcome offers
- 7 things to understand about credit before applying for a new card
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
For rates and fees of the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire 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. (Partner offer)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. (Partner offer)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.