Hotel elite status offers a range of exclusive benefits such as suite upgrades, bonus points and free breakfast for repeat guests who meet specific hotel loyalty program criteria. Achieving elite status requires a year of planning and concentration, and once you qualify, it’s time to think about the next year. Readers often ask, “When does hotel elite status expire?”
Today we examine the validity of elite status for the major hotel brands.
Hotel status expiration policy
Like airline elite status, hotel elite status has two key time frames to consider. The first is the qualifying period, which for major hotel chains usually corresponds to the calendar year (January 1 to December 31). During this period, you must earn enough nights, stays, or points to reach the desired status level.
Once you achieve your status, it usually takes effect quickly, although the system may take a day or two to fully recognize your new elite level. However, it’s important to note that your qualifying activity isn’t updated in real time, so if you reach a qualifying threshold during a longer stay, you’ll likely have to wait until checkout for it to show up. Then the new benefits usually apply to your next stay.
The second time frame is the membership term. This determines how long your status will last after you qualify, and may vary by program.
Let’s see how each major program handles this.
IHG One Rewards
Once you earn IHG One Rewards elite status, you will retain that status until the end of the next calendar year.
For example, if you achieve Platinum Elite status in October 2023, it will be valid until December 31, 2024.
Hilton Awards
Like IHG, Hilton Honors elite status is valid for the remainder of the year you earn it and the following calendar year.
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Marriott Bonvoy
Once you earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite status, it is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earned it, and an additional 14 months thereafter.
For example, if you achieved Marriott Platinum status in August 2023, you will receive benefits for the rest of this year, all of 2024, and the first two months of 2025. Your status after that period will then be based on the qualifying activity. during the calendar year 2024.
World of Hyatt
Once you achieve Hyatt elite status, it remains valid until the end of February in the second calendar year after you qualify. For example, globalist status earned in October 2023 is valid until February 2025.
Related: The Best Hotel Rewards Programs in the World
How do hotel status expiration policies compare?
The duration of hotel elite status varies by brand. Marriott and Hyatt offer a more generous approach, offering status for 14 months after the qualifying year. Hilton and IHG offer status for the remainder of the qualifying year and one full year thereafter.
However, both IHG One Rewards and Hilton Honors allow elite members to roll over elite qualifying nights above the normal qualification threshold. This can help accelerate your path to requalification.
For example, if you had 45 nights at Hilton hotels in 2023, you would qualify for Hilton Honors Gold status (which requires 40 nights) and start 2024 with five nights.
Many loyalty programs also allow you to earn elite status through credit cards. When it comes to hotel programs, this is usually done in one (or a combination) of three ways:
- Automatically assign status
- Awarding elite evenings at the beginning of the year
- Earn additional elite nights based on spend
For example, the World of Hyatt Credit Card includes automatic Discoverist status and you also receive five qualifying nights at the start of each calendar year. Then you’ll earn two extra nights for every $5,000 you spend with the card.
Related: Why I Want to Spend $15,000 on My World of Hyatt Credit Card Every Year
If you are immediately looking for hotel status in the mid or top segment, check out the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Both cards come with generous instant elite status, free nights and Priority Pass Select memberships.
The information for the Hilton Aspire card was independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been verified or provided by the card issuer.
Additionally, the cards offer higher earning rates on eligible stays, flights, car rentals and dining. Please note that registration for certain benefits may be necessary.
Alternatively, you could come along The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – both offer automatic Gold status with both Hilton and Marriott (registration required), along with a range of other benefits.
Read more: Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum: Which Premium Amex Card is Right for You?
However, if you cancel a credit card that offers complimentary hotel elite status, your benefits will expire once the program recognizes your change in eligibility. This may not happen immediately, but you shouldn’t count on enjoying these benefits on upcoming stays after cancellation.
In short
Knowing the expiration date of your hotel elite status is critical to avoiding unexpected problems during your stay. While it may not always be obvious, you typically enjoy a full year of benefits once you reach a certain status level, and some programs even offer an additional two months as a bonus. Now you know how to accurately determine your status expiration date.