I have enjoyed having top-tier elite status in various hotel chains but the big value with many of these programs is with the mid-tier status. That is because it is much easier to obtain and it often comes with some measurable benefits (things like late checkout, room upgrades, and even breakfast in some cases). Here is how you can get mid-tier elite status for 3 hotel programs without a single stay!
Get Mid-Tier Elite Status for 3 Hotel Programs without A Single Stay
Thanks to the new merger of Marriott and SPG, opportunities abound for getting great value. One of these opportunities is with the matching of status between Marriott and SPG. Thanks to the benefits of the American Express Platinum card (and only the benefits!), you can now have mid-tier elite status for 3 hotel programs without a single stay.
What You Need
Step 1 – The American Express Platinum Card
The card that gives this is the American Express Platinum card. All flavors of it come with the various mid-tier elite status.
Note:This is not a card to get right now if you have never had it because the sign-up bonus is lame (40,000 points for the personal card) and once you get a particular version of it, you can not ever get the sign-up bonus on that card again. But, if you have had it, it is good to know about the Platinum card that is offered through Ameriprise that has no annual fee for the first year (nor does it have one for the authorized users). This way, you can get maximum value out of it without having to pay the $450 annual fee. Find out more about that card offer here.
Step 2 – Activate Your Hotel Status
Once you have the American Express Platinum card, you can activate the hotel status that comes with the American Express Platinum card. It is important to note that the only status levels directly offered through the Amex Platinum card are for SPG Gold and Hilton Gold. In the next step, you will match the SPG Gold to Marriott Gold.
To activate it, go here and sign-in to your Amex Platinum account. Once there, you can go ahead to activate your elite status for Hilton Gold and SPG Gold.
Step 3 – Match Your SPG Gold to Marriott Gold
Now you can check out this post for how to match your new SPG Gold to Marriott Gold. It is an instant match and you will now have mid-tier elite status for 3 hotel programs and you are ready to get your value from them!
What Does Mid-Tier Elite Status in These Programs Give You?
Believe it or not, SPG Gold is the one status among these 3 that gives the least amount of benefits – and it is still good to have! Having these status levels with these 3 hotel programs will give you late checkout times (like 4PM), increased earning rates when you spend at the hotels, complimentary premium internet, room upgrades (sometimes suites, but that is not the norm), and some other benefits for each program. With Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold, you can get free breakfast at a majority of their properties as well!
To see the benefits for each program, check out these links:
Summary
Of course, elite status means nothing if you don’t stay. But, with the American Express Platinum card, you can get mid-tier elite status for 3 hotel programs without a single stay! That is a nice way to get hotel benefits before you start staying at different chains!
[…] get you mid-tier Elite status in three different hotel programs as Running With Miles explains in THIS post. I want you to notice the disclosure, something you will likely never see in the Titan blogs […]