Achieve Elite Status Effortlessly at Leading Hotels with These Credit Cards

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Today’s travelers aim to maximize their vacation experiences. Enhancements like complimentary room upgrades, late checkouts, and food and beverage credits can greatly improve a hotel stay. Typically, these perks are reserved for those with top-tier elite status at major hotel chains. However, achieving this status is now easier than ever—just hold the right credit card.

Luckily, several of our top-rated travel credit cards offer elite status that unlocks significant benefits. Here are the ones you should consider before making your next hotel reservation, along with the reasons why.

The Benefits of Hilton Honors Gold Status and the Credit Cards That Offer It

The Hilton hotel and resort network features 22 brands, including Waldorf Astoria, Curio Collection, and Hampton by Hilton, with over 7,295 locations across 123 countries. Hilton’s loyalty program, Hilton Honors, comprises four membership tiers: Member, Silver, Gold, and Diamond.

The advantages of elite status become particularly appealing once you achieve Hilton Honors Gold Status. Benefits at this tier include room upgrades (when available), complimentary Wi-Fi, and daily on-site food and beverage credits. (The value of these credits varies by brand, with luxury brands like Waldorf Astoria offering up to $50 per room per day for two guests.) Members earn 18 points for every dollar spent at properties (excluding Tru and Home2 brands) and receive a complimentary fifth night when booking a standard room stay with points.

To attain Gold Status, you usually need to stay 28 nights, complete 14 stays, or accumulate 52,500 base points within the Hilton portfolio. However, you can also achieve Gold Status effortlessly by holding one of the following credit cards (enrollment is necessary):

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($150 annual fee, see rates and fees)
• The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees)

The Value of Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status and the Credit Cards That Offer It

Marriott International boasts the largest portfolio of any hotel chain worldwide, featuring over 30 brands—including W Hotels, the Ritz-Carlton, and Courtyard by Marriott—across more than 7,000 properties in 131 countries. Their rewards program, Marriott Bonvoy, encompasses six membership tiers, starting with Member, progressing through Silver Elite, and reaching up to Ambassador Elite.

Gold Elite is the program’s third tier, typically achieved by staying 25 qualifying nights each year. Key benefits include room upgrades (when available), complimentary premium internet, 2 p.m. late checkout, and a 25 percent bonus on points for hotel stays and qualifying purchases. Instead of accumulating 25 nights, travelers can elevate their status to Gold Elite simply by holding the following credit card (enrollment required):

• The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees)

Platinum Elite is the fourth tier in the program and is usually obtained by staying 50 qualifying nights per year. Benefits include superior room upgrades (including Select Suites), complimentary premium internet, 4 p.m. late checkout, and a 50 percent bonus on points for hotel stays and qualifying purchases. Rather than accumulating 50 nights, travelers can attain Platinum Elite status by simply being a cardholder of the following credit card (enrollment required):

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card ($650 annual fee, see rates and fees)

IHG Platinum Elite Status: Its Benefits and the Credit Card That Provides It

IHG Hotels and Resorts has expanded to feature 6,000 properties across 17 brands, including Kimpton, Intercontinental Hotels, and Holiday Inn. The IHG One Rewards program consists of five tiers: Club, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, and Diamond Elite. Notably, Platinum Elite status requires either 40 nights each year or 60,000 qualifying points. However, this status is granted automatically to holders of the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card ($99 annual fee). Key advantages of Platinum Elite status include late checkout, complimentary room upgrades (when available), free Wi-Fi, and a 60 percent bonus on points for hotel spending.

Choosing the Right Card for Hotel Elite Status

The Platinum Card from American Express is undoubtedly the top choice for securing elite status. With this card, you automatically receive Gold Status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy simply by navigating to the Benefits page (within your Amex account) or by calling the number on the back of your card. Although it carries a hefty annual fee, annual travel credits can easily balance out this cost. Additionally, the card provides excellent airport lounge access worldwide. Plus, supplementary cardholders can also enjoy Gold Status benefits.

For those who find it hard to justify a hefty annual fee, the affordable IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card still offers a pathway to status. The benefits from just a single stay can easily outweigh the annual fee.

In short, you no longer have to be brand loyal or spend countless nights in hotels to enjoy the perks of upper-tier elite status and enhance your travel experiences. All you need is the right credit card.

This article was first published in 2022 and was updated with new information on October 20, 2023. While the offers mentioned are accurate at the time of this update, they may change at any time and could have changed or may no longer be available.