Achieving elite status with a hotel loyalty program provides regular guests with various exclusive perks, such as suite upgrades, additional points, and complimentary breakfast, upon meeting certain criteria. Attaining this status involves a year of strategic planning and expenditure. After qualifying, guests should begin planning for the subsequent year.
A frequent question from readers is, “When does my elite status at the hotel end?”
Today, we’ll examine the duration of elite status for the major hotel chains.
Related: Comprehensive guide to existing hotel elite status match and challenge offers
Policies on the expiration of hotel status
Similar to airline elite status, hotel elite status involves two crucial time periods. The first is the qualification period, generally coinciding with the calendar year (January 1 to December 31) for most major hotel chains. Throughout this timeframe, you must accumulate a sufficient number of nights, stays, or points to reach your desired status level.
After you achieve your status, it generally activates promptly, although the system may need a day or two to completely register your new elite level. However, it’s crucial to understand that your qualifying activity isn’t updated instantly. Therefore, if you meet the qualification criteria during an extended stay, you’ll probably have to wait until after checkout for it to be acknowledged. Subsequently, the new benefits will typically be available for your following stay.
The membership term is the second time frame. It specifies the duration for which your status will remain valid after you’ve qualified, and it differs depending on the program. Let’s examine how each major program manages this.
IHG One Rewards
Upon achieving IHG One Rewards elite status, you will retain that status until the conclusion of the next calendar year. For instance, if you attain Platinum Elite status in October 2024, it will remain effective until December 31, 2025.
Hilton Honors
Similar to IHG, Hilton Honors elite status remains valid for the remainder of the year in which it is attained, as well as the entire following calendar year.
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Marriott Bonvoy
When you achieve Marriott Bonvoy elite status, it remains effective for the remaining part of the calendar year and extends for an additional 14 months. For instance, if you attain Marriott Platinum Elite status in August 2024, you will benefit from it for the remainder of that year, the entire year of 2025, and the first two months of 2026. Your status after this duration would then depend on the qualifying activities during the 2024 calendar year.
World of Hyatt
Similar to Marriott, World of Hyatt elite status is maintained until the end of February in the second calendar year after qualification. For example, Globalist status obtained in October 2024 will remain valid until February 2026.
Related: Top global hotel rewards programs: Which one suits your needs?
How do the expiration policies for hotel statuses compare?
The length of hotel elite status differs across various loyalty programs. Both Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards grant status for the rest of the qualification year plus an additional full year. In contrast, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt adopt a more generous policy, extending status for 14 months beyond the qualification year.
Nonetheless, both IHG One Rewards and Hilton Honors permit elite members to carry over elite qualifying nights that exceed the usual qualification threshold. This can expedite their requalification process. For instance, if you spent 45 nights at Hilton properties in 2024, you would qualify for Hilton Honors Gold status (which necessitates 40 nights), and you would begin 2025 with five nights.
Obtain elite hotel status using credit cards.
Numerous loyalty schemes also allow you to gain elite status via credit cards. For hotel programs, this typically occurs through one (or a mix) of three methods:
- Granting automatic status
- Granting elite nights at the start of the year
- Gaining extra elite nights based on expenditure
As an illustration, the World of Hyatt Credit Card grants you automatic Discoverist status. Additionally, you will get five qualifying nights at the start of each calendar year, and you will earn two more nights for every $5,000 spent on the card.
Here’s why I strive to reach an annual spending target of $15,000 on my World of Hyatt Credit Card.
If you’re seeking immediate mid- or high-level hotel status, consider theMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® CardThe Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card. These cards provide immediate elite status, complimentary night awards, and statement credits for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear. Furthermore, they offer increased earning rates for eligible hotel stays, flights, and dining purchases. Keep in mind that enrollment may be required for certain benefits.
The information regarding the Hilton Aspire card has been independently gathered by The Points Guy. The details about the card presented on this page have not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.
As another option, you might chooseThe American Express Platinum Card® or The American Express Business Platinum Card®— both of which provide automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required) in addition to various other benefits.
Comparison: Which premium American Express card should you choose, the Amex Platinum or the Business Platinum?
Be aware that canceling a credit card that offers free hotel elite status will result in the loss of those benefits once the program updates your eligibility status. Although this recognition may not happen right away, you should not expect to retain these perks for future stays after cancellation.
Bottom line
Understanding when your hotel elite status expires is essential for preventing any surprises during your stay. Although the duration varies by program, you generally receive a full year of benefits once you attain status, with some programs providing an extra two months as a bonus. Now you know how to accurately determine your status expiration date.