Just because you are an infrequent traveler and prefer find cheap travel options and make reservations for cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages should not prevent you from earning elite hotel status.
Travelers who stay at a major U.S. hotel chain just four times a year often qualify for the chains lowest level of elite status, which often earns them loyalty points and desirable perks such as upgrades and/or complimentary Internet access.
Every hotel program uses a different minimum requirement to earn loyalty status. Elite status requires guests to spend a specified number of nights each year at a chain or hold a hotel branded credit card.
Travelers who wish to earn elite status should try to keep stay with as few hotel chains as possible (in order to earn the most points) that have properties in the destinations where they travel.
The following is a breakdown of how to earn elite status at several hotel chains and the advantages of such status:
Hilton has 3,800 hotels in 88 countries. Its lowest elite level status is silver and lets holders enjoy early check in and late checkout, free use of the fitness center, a 15 percent point bonus of hotel stays, discounts on award nights, and two bottles of water per stay, depending on the hotel.
Silver status is earned by four distinct visits annually or a total of 10 nights, or holding a no fee Hilton HHonors card from American Express.
Hyatt has 478 hotels in 45 countries. Its lowest elite level is Platinum and holders are given better rooms (either on higher floors or larger rooms) when available, free Internet, a dedicated check-in counter, late (until 2 pm) checkout, a dedicated Platinum reservation line, and a 15 percent point bonus for every stay.
Platinum status can be earned by five annual visits or a total of 15 nights, or by signing up for a Chase Hyatt Visa, which comes with a $75 annual fee.
Marriott has 3,600 hotels in 70 countries. Its lowest elite level is silver and holders are allowed late checkout, a dedicated phone line for reservations, 10 percent discount at the hotel gift shop, 20 percent point bonus, 10 percent off Friday and Saturday night rates on a regular room at Courtyard and SpringHill Suites hotels, as well as customized rewards for free tickets to special events such as Broadway shows.
Silver status can be earned by staying 10 nights per year or holding a Chase Marriott Rewards card which has a $45 annual fee.
Starwood has 1,100 hotels in 100 countries. Its lowest elite level is Gold and holders are given better rooms (defined as being on higher floors or newly renovated) if available, a choice of free Internet or a free drink or bonus points upon check in, late (until 4 pm) checkout, a dedicated customer service line, and three points per dollar spent at the hotel.
Gold status can be earned with 10 visits or 25 nights per year or by holding an American Express Platinum card, which comes with a $450 annual fee and automatically confers Starwood Gold status. The other route is to sign up for an American Express Starwood Preferred Guest card which charges an annual fee of $65 and bestows on holders five nights and two stays towards elite status.
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