You may think that traveling for free on points and miles is as good as it gets, which let’s be honest, it is pretty great! But, it gets better. There are credit cards out there that not only give you bonus points for signing up but also benefits like access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and hotel status. We’ve discussed the other two so today we will be talking all about hotel status, what cards include that as a benefit, and what is included with different levels of hotel status…think free breakfast and room upgrades!

 

Credit Cards That Offer Hotel Status

 

American Express Platinum Credit Card

Although the American Express Platinum Credit Card is not a hotel-branded credit card, it offers great hotel status for two major hotel chains.  This card also offers other great benefits too and, although the annual fee is high, I will keep it forever because the benefits outweigh the cost.

When you sign up and get approved for an American Express Platinum Credit Card, you automatically get Gold Elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.  Here’s what you can expect with those statuses:

 

Marriott Gold Elite Status

• Upgraded room at check-in, subject to availability
• 25% points bonus on paid stays
• 2:00 pm late check out, based on availability
• Welcome gift of 250-500 points
• Complimentary enhanced wifi

 

Hilton Honors Gold

• Space available room upgrade
• 2 bottles of water, complimentary
• Complimentary breakfast for two
• 5th night free on award stays
• Late check out
• 80% bonus points on paid stays

 

 

Hilton Honors Credit Cards

 

Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card

The Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card will get you Hilton’s top-tier hotel status, Hilton Honors Diamond.  You might get upgraded to a suite, depending on availability. You will also get a free weekend night on your account anniversary each year with this card.

• Upgraded room including a suite, depending on availability
• 5th night free on award stays
• Complimentary enhanced wifi
• Executive Lounge access (free food and beverages)
• 100% bonus points on paid stays
• Complimentary breakfast for 2
• Late check out
• 2 bottles of water
• Bonus points and other welcome gifts

 

Hilton Honors Surpass Card and Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

If you have either the Hilton Honors Surpass Card or Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, you will get Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status and can expect these benefits:

• Space available room upgrade
• 2 bottles of water, complimentary
• Complimentary breakfast for two
• 5th night free on award stays
• Late check out
• 80% bonus points on paid stays

 

Hilton Honors Card

The Hilton Honors Card will get you Silver Elite Status and you can expect these benefits:

• Late checkout
• 2 bottles of water
• 5th night free on award stays

 

 

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

Remember that you will also get a free night on your cardmember account anniversary each year with these cards.  For this reason, I keep mine.  The annual fees and the benefits I get from the card plus the free night are worth it to me. Hotel status with these cards had been very beneficial to me on multiple occasions.

 

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is the only Marriott credit card that comes with Platinum Elite Status. This is what you can expect as benefits:

• Upgraded room at check-in, subject to availability
• 25% points bonus on paid stays
• 4:00 pm late check-out, based on availability
• Welcome gift of points
• Complimentary enhanced wifi
• Complimentary breakfast
• Lounge access if the hotel has one

 

 

Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card and American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card

The Chase Marriot Bonvoy Boundless Card and American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card cards both come with Silver Elite Status.  These benefits include:

• 10% points bonus on paid stays
• Dedicated reservation phone line
• 2:00 pm late check out, based on availability
• Reservation guarantee

 

 

World of Hyatt Credit Card

You get a free night with this card on your card account anniversary too.  This is a card I keep year after year for this benefit.  I can always book a room that is more than my annual fee.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card comes with the Discoverist status.  These benefits include:

• 10% bonus points on paid stays
• Complimentary premium internet
• Free breakfast at Hyatt Place properties
• Room upgrade to preferred room within the same category, as available
• Late checkout, as available
• Elite reservation phone line
• Daily bottle of water
• Status match with MGM Hotels- buffet line passes, complimentary self-parking

 

 

IHG Credit Card

This card also comes with a yearly free night on your account anniversary.  On two separate occasions, when traveling internationally, I have been upgraded to a suite with this card.

The IHG Credit Card comes with Platinum Elite Status.   Here are some benefits:

• 50% bonus points on paid stays
• Complimentary room upgrade
• Late checkout, as available
• Complimentary internet
• Priority check-in
• Welcome amenity

 

 

 

Bottom Line

Hotel status can get you amazing benefits.  I have gotten room upgrades countless times, more free breakfasts than I can count, late checkouts, and even suites just for having the right credit card.  I love a free room thanks to learning how to travel hack!  Even better, I love to pay nothing for a room and get freebies on top of it like free breakfasts or room upgrades  When you are looking at a credit card for travel hacking, why not get one that will give you hotel status?  Let us know if you would like advice with this by clicking the “free credit card consultation” button on our home page.