Enjoy your favorite hotel and airline benefits
Once you have elite status, it’s often tempting to continue spending money and flying with certain programs to reap the rewards of your status while requalifying for another year. TPG staffers have many different status levels, from World of Hyatt Discoveryist to American AAdvantage executive platinum. This article will share some of my favorite elite status perks and discuss some benefits other TPG staffers told me they love.
My favorite elite benefits
Since 2017, I’ve traveled full time as a digital nomad. In 2017, when my husband and i sold or donated the majority of our possessions and gave up our apartment, we had only a few elite memberships. But, while living on the road, we’ve picked up multiple airline and hotel elite statuses.
Currently, I hold American AAdvantage Platinum Pro (Oneworld Emerald), Asiana Club Diamond (Star Alliance Gold) and United Premier Silver. My husband also earned a Southwest Airlines Companion Pass in January 2023, which we’ve earned value from for almost two years.
Southwest Companion boarding pass. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Meanwhile, my husband and I split our stays on the hotel side, so we each hold high-tier hotel elite status in several programs. We travel together, and our combined hotel elites statuses are a great benefit. We both have Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Status, Hilton Honors Diamond, World of Hyatt Globalist status, IHG One Rewards Diamond ambassador, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Caesars Rewards Diamond, and Choice Privileges Gold. But here’s a quick look at my three favorite elite status perks.
Upgrades
Like many other travelers with elite status, I get a lot of value from upgrades. Upgrades on domestic flights are one of the primary reasons I strive to earn at least Platinum Pro status each year with American AAdvantage.
Domestic first class on an American Airlines 737. ZACH GRIFF/THE POSTS GUY
Holding Star Alliance Gold or Oneworld Emerald status allows me to get seats that have extra legroom on certain Oneworld and Star Alliance airlines. These seats have extra legroom that can be a huge help when I want to use my laptop on a flight. If the flight isn’t sold out, some carriers even preemptively block the seat next to Oneworld Emerald elite members in the economy cabin.
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We’ve also received some notable upgrades at Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton and IHG hotels from holding high-level elite status with these programs. TPG’s experts provide exclusive deals, in-depth guides, and breaking news to over 700,000 readers. We usually get the non-connecting room we prefer on a higher floor. These small but frequent upgrades provide significant value since we work from our room on most trips.
Related: Stuck in coach with no elite status? This upgrade may be more affordable than you think.
Lounge Access
One my favorite elite status benefits is lounge access. We’ve been able to enjoy lounges in other countries that provide full breakfasts, afternoon drinks, and evening snacks. The Club InterContinental lounge at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort in Australia. Photo by KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUIY
Airport lounge access may be even more valuable than access to hotel lounges. Oneworld Emerald status allows you to access some incredible lounges when traveling internationally. Oneworld Emerald Status allows me to access some amazing airport lounges. These include The Pier First Class Lounge, Japan Airlines First Class Lounge, and Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge, all in Kuala Lumpur. From a sushi station in Tokyo to sit-down dining in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, I always enjoy the culinary offerings at these lounges.
Related: Ways to ensure you have lounge access before your next flight
Guaranteed 4 pm late checkout
The most valuable hotel elite status perk for my husband and me is guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout. The hotel has the discretion to determine whether or not they will allow late checkout. So you often won’t know until your checkout date whether the hotel will approve your request for late checkout.
Luckily, World of Hyatt Globalist status and Marriott Platinum Elite status or higher provide guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout with relatively few exclusions. We know that when we book with Hyatt and Marriott, our rooms will be available until 4 p.m. As a result, we are willing to pay a little more for a stay at s Hyatt or Marriott. The guaranteed late check-out at 4 p.m. allows us to finish our work day before we check out. And 4 p.m. checkout is extremely valuable before catching evening flights to our next destination.
Related: What to do when a hotel doesn’t want to honor your elite benefits
Favorite airline elite benefits of other TPG staffers
To better understand what other types of travelers might enjoy most about their airline elite status, I checked in with some of my fellow TPG staffers.
Some favorite airline elite status perks are practical. TPG Managing editor Erica Silverstein enjoys United Airlines Silver Premier Status because it allows her to get extra-legroom Economy Plus Seats at check-in. “I am Silver Premier with United and sometimes I get lucky to score Economy Plus seats at check-in. I’m trying my hardest to get Gold status for free Economy Plus seating at booking. She said, “I’m a tall girl who has simple needs. I am a simple girl.” United exit row seats offer extra legroom. ZACH GRIFF/THE POSTS GUY
TPG Engineer Zoe Jablow mentioned that United Silver Premier members also get Economy Plus seats when checking in. She also said: “Jumping to the front of the standby line and getting free changes the same day confirmed have saved me in the past couple of years.” Clint Henderson, the Managing Editor of TPG’s
TPG magazine, has elite status at Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Upgrade certificates were his favorite perk. He said that he had used systemwide upgrade certificates from American AAdvantage to upgrade international long-haul flights. It doesn’t get any better than this. Delta One seat on A330-900. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Meanwhile, TPG Director of Content Operations Andrea Rotondo is loyal to American and enjoys one specific Loyalty Point Rewards benefit. She said that when you reach 60,000 loyalty points in a year of status, you receive a 20% bonus on your Loyalty point spend with certain partners (such as SimplyMiles or the AAdvantage eShopping Portal, AAdvantage dining and more). Once you reach 100,000 Loyalty Points the bonus is 30%. This benefit helps her rollover 12-month balance in Loyalty points, which AAdvantage utilizes to determine upgrade priorities. This status grants him Oneworld Sapphire via a non U.S. carrier. It means that he can access the Flagship Lounge even when flying American in the U.S. “I’ve visited several Flagship Lounges and I love the Champagne table upon entry, the friendly staff, and the peaceful vibe. “
Related: So, what exactly is elite status in travel — and how can I get it?
Favorite hotel elite benefits of other TPG staffers
Multiple TPG staffers mentioned upgrades as their favorite hotel elite status perk. Clint and Andrea have both mentioned Hyatt Suite Upgrade Awards as their favorite benefit. Clint said he has recently used suite upgrade awards for hotels in Monterey, California, and London.
PARK HYATT MARRAKECH
Andrea told me that suite upgrade awards are her all-time favorite perk. She said, “I prefer premium rooms that have separate sleeping and living areas. This is why I am loyal to Hyatt over other brands.” When I book with Hyatt I can be sure that my suite upgrade has been applied to the reservation and that I will get that suite. “
TPG senior writer Tarahchieffi said that upgrades were her favorite hotel perk. She specifically mentioned the room upgrade she receives as a Marriott Gold Elite Member. She said that she is able to upgrade more often than not to a higher-quality room, although upgrades are dependent on availability. “At Gaylord Opryland I was upgraded from an ordinary room to one with a balcony over the beautiful glass atrium. At Walt Disney World Swan I was upgraded to room with balcony overlooking resort. “
View of Tarah’s Walt Disney World Swan room. TARAH CHIEFF/THE POINTS GUIY
TPG’s Senior Editor Christine Gallipeau chose a different approach with her favorite elite perk. As an IHG One Reward member with Diamond Elite status and Ambassador, I have loved being able to select a free daily breakfast per couple as my Diamond Elite welcome benefit, especially because several InterContinental or Kimpton properties let me use the benefit for room service orders, or to pick up food at the restaurant,” said Christine Gallipeau. This perk helped me save money, and it made my stay with my dog easier. I was able to use the amenity while she was still in the hotel. “
Zoe shared my love for elite benefits. She said her favorite perk was the Marriott Platinum Elite or above at most hotels, which allows her to get a 4 p.m. later checkout. This perk was especially useful to her while she traveled full-time for two years, as a digitalnomad. She said that, “Especially on West Coast of the United States, it was a great perk to be able to work uninterrupted for an entire day (Eastern Time)” She enjoys the World of Hyatt Discoverist perk of her World of Hyatt Credit Card, which includes a 2-hour late checkout. It’s nice to get some extra sleep on the last day of my vacation, and not have to worry about staying up too late the night before,” said she. It’s particularly useful when I am staying at Hyatt hotels for conferences. I can then enjoy the morning activities on my last day without having to get up early and pack. Related: My top picks of the best cobranded credit cards for hotels
Bottom Line
Elite Status provides many valuable benefits, but earning it often requires significant travel and spending. It is possible to earn elite status with some programs by using cards. As an example, cardholders with the
The Platinum Card (r) by American Express
and
The American Express Business Platinum Card (r)
may enroll to receive Marriott Gold Elite status or Hilton Gold as a perk. Enrollment is required.
Meanwhile, other cobranded credit cards can allow you to jump-start elite status. You can earn up 40 elite night credits each year by combining Marriott Bonvoy cards. I like to spend $15,000 on my World of Hyatt Credit Card each calendar year to earn six elite night credits and a Category 1-4 free night certificate.
Finally, you may also be able to status match to earn elite status in a new program. Consider how you can best utilize the elite status benefits of the program on your trip, whether it is through a card benefit or a status matching. The elite status benefits are only useful when you travel within the program.
