Many airline and hotel brands have loyalty programs that reward frequent travelers. These programs often include incentives to encourage customer loyalty, such as elite status tiers that provide additional benefits and perks.
The perks you get with elite status vary by program and improve as you climb toward higher elite status tiers. For example, elite status with an airline can get you perks like automatic upgrades, free checked bags and priority boarding, whereas elite status with hotels can get you room upgrades, free continental breakfast and premium internet at participating hotels. Having elite status also helps you earn loyalty points faster since most programs offer additional points or miles for their elite-status members.
How do you achieve elite status? You typically climb elite status tiers by spending money with a travel brand, but there’s a workaround that can help you get there faster. With the right travel credit card, you may get a leg up toward reaching elite status requirements or automatic elite status just for being a cardholder.
How do credit cards help you get elite status?
First off, you should know that nearly all hotel credit cards offer some tier of elite status to members just for signing up. This makes hotel elite status considerably easier to earn without having to stay with a specific hotel or spend any money on hotel stays.
Airline credit cards do not typically offer automatic elite status, but many offer help earning elite status in different ways. For example, airline credit cards within the American AAdvantage program earn loyalty points that count toward elite status with American Airlines. Meanwhile, a few Delta credit cards from American Express offer Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward elite status for being a cardholder and charging purchases to the card. And some premium travel credit cards offer elite status with hotel brands just for opening a new account.
➤ SEE MORE:Which credit cards offer elite status?
Top credit cards that offer hotel elite status
The chart below includes a sampling of travel credit cards that offer elite status with various hotel loyalty programs just for being a cardholder.
Credit Card
Elite Status
American Express Membership rewards
card_name discontinued_disclaimer
Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite
American Express is a CardRatings advertiser
➤ SEE MORE:Strategies to level up your IHG elite status
Credit cards that help you get airline elite status
Getting airline elite status with a credit card requires considerable amounts of spending each year, but it can be done. The way you go about it depends on the frequent flyer program you want to earn elite status with, the card you have and how much in purchases you can charge to your card each year.
The chart below includes some airline credit cards that can help you reach elite status faster, perhaps even without flying anywhere. If you’re looking for the best credit card for airline status, consider these options.
Credit Card
Elite Status Benefits
American AAdvantage
Earn 1 Loyalty Point toward elite status with American Airlines for each dollar spent
Delta SkyMiles
card_name discontinued_disclaimer
Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each year and earn $1 MQD toward elite status for every $20 in purchases charged to the card
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 charged to the card each year
United MileagePlus
Earn 25 Premier qualifying points (PQP) for every $500 charged to the card (up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year)
Citi is a CardRatings advertiser.
Expert tips for leveraging credit cards to upgrade your status
Elite status benefits vary by program, but they can be worth it if you want more convenience and comfort every time you fly or stay at your favorite hotel. The following tips can help you achieve elite status at a much faster rate:
- Sign up for a hotel credit card for automatic elite status. If you are planning a hotel stay with a major brand or want to earn points for a free vacation, take a close look at the best hotel credit cards. The best cards offer some tier of elite status, from introductory to the top tier, and most offer generous sign-up bonuses that can be worth several award nights right off the bat.
- Choose your airline credit card strategically. Not all airline credit cards offer a leg up toward elite status, and those that do offer different earning rates, perks and annual fees. Make sure to choose carefully if you’re after the best credit card for airline status but you also want a card with perks that are important to you.
- Use your travel credit card for all your regular spending and bills. No matter which type of card you get, using it for all your regular spending and bills will help you earn rewards faster. You may also get a leg up toward elite status (or the next tier of elite status) faster based on how much you spend.
The bottom line
Card offers and requirements for elite status vary widely by program, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before you sign up. Also compare the best hotel and airline credit cards for elite status before you move forward, and have a plan to reach the status tier you want the most.
