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Hyatt Globalist to Best Western Gold: Here’s how 11 TPG staffers stand midyear on hotel elite status goals
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
June 23, 2022 • 21 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.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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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.
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Quick summary
TPG staffers share their 2022 hotel elite status goals, strategies and progress across major loyalty programs.
Many are targeting top-tier status with major hotel groups to unlock perks like free breakfast, suite upgrades and late checkout.
Elite night credits from various sources, including stays and promotional offers, play a key role in achieving these goals.
Some staffers are shifting loyalty between brands or relying on automatic status from select products.
What to consider
Elite night credits can be earned through actual stays, promotional offers or certain product benefits, but requirements and rollover policies vary by program.
Some status challenges offer accelerated paths to higher tiers, often with limited enrollment windows and specific stay requirements.
Recent changes to loyalty programs, such as dynamic pricing and updated award charts, may affect the value and strategy for pursuing elite status.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed insights into individual staffers' status strategies, progress and tips for maximizing hotel elite benefits across multiple programs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Hotel elite status can unlock various perks for both frequent and casual travelers. But now that we’re almost halfway through 2022, it's time to solidify your plans for qualifying or requalifying for your hotel loyalty program(s) of choice.
To help you figure out the best plan for the remaining months of the year, 11 TPG staffers discuss their hotel elite status goals in this guide, including their progress toward reaching these goals. And if you missed it, check out our similar breakdown of the TPG team’s airline elite status progress.
Andrew Kunesh, points and miles editor
Breakfast at the Park Hyatt Paris. (Photo by Andrew Kunesh/The Points Guy)
Goal: World of Hyatt Globalist
Current status: World of Hyatt Discoverist. Elite nights so far: 17. Elite nights for goal: 60.
After years of being a high-tier Marriott elite member, I'm switching my loyalty to Hyatt this year. This is largely because I was a recipient of numerous Guest of Honor bookings over the past two years, which have shown me the charm of Hyatt elite status in regard to free breakfast and upgrades.
Right now, I have just 17 nights stayed and have two more nights booked. But I plan to book the bulk of my future stays at Hyatt properties to earn the nights required by the end of the year.
Goal: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Current status: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite. Elite nights so far: 48 (including 30 from Marriott credit cards). Elite nights for goal: 50.
It's still possible that I will earn the nights needed to qualify for Titanium Elite status, depending on how work and personal travel go. But re-qualifying for Titanium Elite isn't a priority for me this year.
Others
I also have Hilton Honors Diamond status as a perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. I closed my card, but Hilton never downgraded my status. Only time will tell if I keep the status. If downgraded, I still have Gold status thanks to The Platinum Card® from American Express.
The information for the Hilton Aspire 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.
Current status: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite. Elite nights so far: 26 Elite nights for goal: 50.
I currently have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which gives me 25 elite night credits per year. And I plan to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card this year, which would add 15 more elite night credits to my account. From there, I will need nine more nights to reach my goal. This will be accomplished through yet-to-be-booked hotel stays for the remainder of the year through personal and business travel.
Current status: World of Hyatt Discoverist. Elite nights so far: Seven. Elite nights for goal: 30.
I have several Hyatt stays planned in mid- and late 2022. For example, I hope to visit several budget-friendly Hyatt hotels in Chicago this summer. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, I'm interested in checking out the newly reopened Park Hyatt Chicago and the Chicago Athletic Association, which is part of the Unbound Collection.
Although the differences between Discoverist and Explorist are minimal, my longer-term goal is to reach Globalist. I'd need to spend 60 nights with Hyatt in a calendar year to earn Globalist, which isn't feasible this year. But I hope to eventually earn Globalist status and unlock perks like free breakfast and 4 p.m. late checkout. After all, when I have a late flight, I like to work out before I fly, and the late checkout provides enough time to work out, eat and shower without rushing.
Hyatt Zilara and Ziva Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)
Goal: World of Hyatt Explorist
Current status: World of Hyatt Globalist. Elite nights so far: 14. Elite nights for goal: 30.
I snagged Hyatt Globalist status thanks to a status challenge. But so far this year, I've only earned 14 elite nights -- five nights from holding the World of Hyatt Credit Card and nine nights at Hyatt hotels.
I love Hyatt, but since no nights rolled over this year, and I can't justify mattress runs, I won't make it to Globalist this year. And I'm not confident I'll even make it to the 30 nights required for Explorist. I'm sitting on more than 140,000 World of Hyatt points, though, and will stay at the chain when it makes sense.
While I didn't have a great year with Hilton in 2021, things got better in 2022. A valuable Hilton free-weekend-night certificate restored my faith in the Hilton Honors program. And I kept my Hilton Aspire card, so I'll maintain Diamond status. So far this year, I've stayed with Hilton just two nights and am sitting on more than 700,000 points.
I also have Marriott Bonvoy Gold and IHG One Rewards Platinum status due to several hotel credit cards. I've stayed 22 nights with Marriott and three nights with IHG this year. Still, I don't plan to strive for higher status with either program.
I'll likely focus on Hilton again once my Globalist status lapses, as I'll easily keep Hilton Diamond status just for holding one credit card.
Current status: World of Hyatt Globalist. Elite nights so far: 32. Elite nights for goal: 60.
When I earned World of Hyatt Globalist status for the first time in early 2021, I expected to enjoy the perks of Globalist through Feb. 28, 2023, but then let the status expire. However, as other hotel loyalty programs continue to drop their award charts, I've found a lot of value in Hyatt's award charts and Globalist status.
I already have 22 more Hyatt nights booked this year on trips I expect to take. So, getting the final six nights I need on top of these stays to requalify for Globalist should be relatively easy. After all, I could go to Las Vegas and earn Hyatt qualifying nights for relatively little out-of-pocket cost during the week. And there's a Category 1 Hyatt property near my sister-in-law's house. So, I can stay at this Hyatt Place in December while visiting her if I need a few more Hyatt nights.
Current status: IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite. Elite nights so far: 11, but zero during my 120-day window for IHG's status challenge. Elite nights for goal: 70, but 15 during my 120-day window for IHG's status challenge.
My plans for IHG elite status have changed several times this year as IHG incrementally unveiled its new IHG One Rewards program. But IHG's current status challenge is really lucrative. The challenge allows members to enroll by July 31, 2022, and then stay just 15 nights in the 120 days after enrolling to snag top-tier Diamond Elite status through December 2023.
So, I plan to stay 15 nights during the 120-day challenge, including 11 nights in Bangkok and four nights in Phuket, Thailand. Then I'll have Diamond Elite status, which provides breakfast for two at full-service and select-service brands. Plus, I want to stay with IHG for 40 qualifying nights this year to earn one of the 40-night milestone rewards: an annual lounge membership.
Current status: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite. Elite nights so far: 45 (including 15 from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and 15 from the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card). Elite nights for goal: 75.
Although I'm striving to requalify for Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status, I may not reach it. And that's okay, as Platinum Elite status provides the benefits I'm most interested in: complimentary breakfast at most brands and guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout. I'd miss having United Premier Silver status through Marriott and United’s RewardsPlus partnership, though.
I currently have 19 more nights booked with Marriott this year. And I have some trips booked for which I still need to reserve a hotel. So, I expect I'll reach 75 nights with Marriott this year. But, I'm prioritizing reaching Titanium Elite behind snagging Hyatt Globalist, completing my IHG status challenge and earning 40-night milestone rewards with IHG One Rewards.
Current status: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite. Elite nights so far: 35 (including 30 from Marriott credit cards). Elite nights for goal: 50.
I need 15 more elite nights at Marriott properties to requalify for Platinum Elite status. I've already earned 30 nights through having two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards in my wallet, and I earned five nights from a winter trip to Whistler, British Columbia, in January. With an upcoming eight-night stay at the Le Meridien Ile Maurice in Mauritius in July, I'll bump that up to 43. I'll earn another five elite nights in November by staying at a Marriott Homes & Villas property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
That means I'll need to stay just two more nights at Marriott properties during the remainder of the year to reach my goal, which is doable. While Marriott Bonvoy has moved to dynamic pricing and that will accelerate in 2023, I still value the free breakfast benefit for Platinum Elite members as my top perk. I also appreciate the 4 p.m. late checkout and plan to choose five Suite Night Awards as my annual choice benefit.
Others
Hilton Honors Gold status as a perk of The Platinum Card from American Express (enrollment required).
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status as a perk of the IHG Rewards Club Select Card (no longer available to new applicants).
World of Hyatt Discoverist status as a perk of the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Royalton Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino. (Photo by Ben Smithson/The Points Guy)
Goal: World of Hyatt Globalist
Current status: World of Hyatt Globalist. Elite nights so far: 64. Elite nights for goal: 60.
I got a taste of top-tier Globalist status last year thanks to Hyatt's fast-track qualification that halved qualification requirements. And I wasn't about to give up benefits like suite upgrades and free breakfast. So I shifted a bunch of everyday spending to my World of Hyatt Credit Card (earning two nights for every $5,000 spent). Combined with several paid stays in the first half of the year, I reached the 60 elite nights required for Globalist last month.
Goal: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Current status: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite. Elite nights so far: 46 (including 30 from Marriott credit cards). Elite nights for goal: 50.
Thanks to work and personal trips, I'm now just four nights away from hitting Platinum Elite status again — and will grab those final nights by early July. By requalifying, I'll also move closer to lifetime Platinum Elite status with Marriott. This will be my ninth year of Platinum Elite (or higher) status, and I should finish the year with around 540 Marriott lifetime nights. That means I need just one more year of status (and 60 more elite nights) to reach that goal.
Others
Hilton Diamond status as a perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status as a perk of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
Hilton Honors rolled over its stay credits throughout the pandemic, and status requirements this year are lower than pre-pandemic requirements. Thus, I need just 18 more nights this year to requalify for top-tier Diamond status. However, I may not get there, given my travel goals and other stays this year.
Once I stop qualifying for Diamond through stays, I'll apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card since automatic Diamond status is a perk for cardmembers.
Goal: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
(Screenshot from marriott.com)
Current status: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite. Elite nights so far: 70 (including 15 from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and 15 from the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card). Elite nights for goal: 75.
I will be the first person to admit that many of the recent changes to Marriott Bonvoy are frustrating. That being said, other hotel brands are simply unavailable at some of my destinations. As I pursue my goal of visiting every country in the world, Marriott hotels are routinely available in locations where I can't find hotels from other brands. Thus, I find myself staying at Marriott properties quite often.
Current status: World of Hyatt Globalist. Elite nights so far: 20. Elite nights for goal: 60.
Like Nick Ewen, Director of Content, said, I got a taste for the good life with Hyatt Globalist through the promotions available last year, and I'm working on keeping my status. I have 20 stay credits so far this year, and I have 2 nights from a recent stay that haven't posted yet. On top of that, I will still earn another 6 nights when spending $15,000 on the card this year (for the free night award). With stays I have lined up over the rest of the year, I should squeak in at exactly 60 nights and will probably get there on one of the last days of the year.
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)
Goal: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Current status: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite. Elite nights so far: 52. Elite nights for goal: 75.
Last year, I obtained Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status for the first time, thanks to the bonus nights Marriott gave during the pandemic. This year it will be harder but possible.
I'm currently at 52 nights — 30 of which came from having a personal and a small-business Marriott credit card. This year's quest has been helped by an earlier promotion for double elite-qualifying nights and a five-night home rental through Homes & Villas by Marriott.
I currently have 13 more nights booked with Marriott — but plans do change. I've also spent $12,914 toward the $20,000 needed for Ambassador status. As I noted in my post, it was an expensive home rental. But I doubt I will go for the 100 nights I'd need to snag Ambassador Elite status. I'm also 48 nights away from lifetime Platinum Elite status.
Others
Hilton Diamond status as a perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
Trying to earn World of Hyatt Globalist through some longer stays and spending on my World of Hyatt Credit Card as I renovate my home.
Current status: World of Hyatt Globalist. Elite nights so far: 23. Elite nights for goal: 60.
I earned World of Hyatt Globalist status with the reduced requirement of only 30 elite nights in 2021. That status is set to expire in February 2023 unless I requalify for Globalist status this year. Now that I've experienced Globalist perks such as suite upgrades, free breakfast and 4 p.m. late checkout, I'd hate to lose them.
My strategy is to earn at least five elite night credits per month to reach 60 nights by the end of December. I'm currently slightly behind that goal but still expect to reach 60 nights. I'm earning elite night credits through a mix of methods — the World of Hyatt Credit Card (five nights just for having the card and two nights for every $5,000 in spending), Hyatt award redemption stays during my travels, mattress runs at local Category 1 Hyatt Place hotels and inexpensive nights in Las Vegas where I can add my Hyatt number to stays at MGM properties.
Current status: World of Hyatt Globalist. Elite nights so far: 60. Elite nights for goal: 60.
World of Hyatt offers the best top-tier status of all hotel loyalty programs. Between confirmed suite upgrades, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, generous breakfast allowances and a dedicated concierge agent, I've been a big fan of Globalist status for years.
I do everything in my power to renew this status annually. Hyatt is my go-to chain, and I've gone out of my way to spend nearly 30 nights at a Hyatt property already this year. I've also put a significant amount of personal spending on my World of Hyatt Credit Card, which has helped me already reach 60 elite nights this year.
Goal: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
(Screenshot from the Marriott app)
Current status: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite. Elite nights so far: 38 (including 30 from Marriott credit cards). Elite nights for goal: 50.
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status unlocks two key benefits I value at hotels: suite upgrades and breakfast. Earning Platinum Elite status gives me a pick from Marriott's choice benefits, and I'll select the five Suite Night Awards as I did last year. Though these awards are much less valuable than the ones Hyatt gives to top-tier elites, at least I'll have a shot at confirming a suite a few days before my Marriott stay.
As part of the welcome gift choice, Platinum members can select a breakfast amenity that varies by property. This is usually my go-to, especially if I'm traveling for leisure with my wife.
To date, I've earned 38 elite nights — eight from sleeping in hotels and 30 promotional nights from holding both a Marriott personal and business credit card. I envision spending 12 more nights across Bonvoy properties this year, which will help me cross the 50-night threshold for Platinum status.
But some TPG staffers still aren’t going for hotel elite status this year. Some travelers aren't bothering with elite status perks anymore and are simply booking the rooms and suites they want. And some travelers prefer to stay at vacation rentals instead of hotels. So, ensure you align your hotel elite status goals with your travel goals.
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.
