Wyndham Rewards just started a new status match and challenge offer. This offer lets you match your status from another hotel loyalty program to Gold, Platinum or Diamond in Wyndham Rewards for 90 days. Plus, you can keep your matched status through Dec. 31 of the next calendar year if you stay a specific number of qualifying nights within 90 days of an approved match.
You can also earn Wyndham Rewards elite status — including top-tier Diamond status — relatively easily through cobranded Wyndham Rewards credit cards.
So why should you care about the status match offer? Here’s what you need to know.
Related: The 12 best Wyndham hotels in the world
What’s special about Wyndham Rewards’ elite status?
Some hotel loyalty programs offer generous perks to elite members, while others offer minimal perks. Wyndham Rewards generally falls into the latter category, offering only modest perks even for members with top-tier Diamond status. But here’s an overview of the standout perks at each Wyndham Rewards elite status tier:
Blue (requires zero nights per calendar year): Free Wi-Fi during stays.
Gold (typically requires five nights per calendar year): 10% bonus points on stays, a preferred room within the same category upon request and late checkout upon request (subject to availability).
Platinum (typically requires 15 nights per calendar year): 15% bonus points on stays, Caesars Rewards status match and early check-in upon request (subject to availability).
Diamond (typically requires 40 nights per calendar year): 20% bonus points on stays, complimentary snack or beverage when checking into select hotels and suite upgrades upon request (subject to availability at check-in).
Despite the limited elite perks, it’s worth earning Wyndham Rewards elite status for some travelers. After all, you’ll enjoy perks and higher earning rates on stays at Wyndham properties. And although Caesars halted its status merry-go-round with Wyndham in 2022, Platinum members and higher can still match earned Wyndham Rewards status to Caesars Rewards.
Wyndham Rewards status obtained through a status match shouldn’t be eligible to match to Caesars Rewards, and it’s unclear whether status obtained through a status challenge will be eligible. But we know that Wyndham status earned through stays or a cobranded Wyndham Rewards credit card can be matched to Caesars Rewards.
Once you have Caesars Rewards Diamond status, you can enjoy waived resort fees at participating Caesars Rewards properties, a complimentary stay at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas and free parking at Caesars Rewards properties in Las Vegas.
Related: Which credit card should you use for Wyndham stays?
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Wyndham Rewards status match and challenge
Wyndham Rewards occasionally lets members match their status from other hotel loyalty programs. Specifically, here are the statuses you can match to each Wyndham Rewards elite status tier:
Gold: Marriott Bonvoy member, World of Hyatt member, Hilton Honors member, IHG One Rewards member, Choice Privileges member, Best Western Rewards Blue, Radisson Rewards Club member and Omni Select Guest Gold.
Platinum: Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite; World of Hyatt Discoverist and Explorist; Hilton Honors Silver; IHG One Rewards Silver Elite and Gold Elite; Choice Privileges Gold and Platinum; Best Western Rewards Gold, Platinum and Diamond; Radisson Rewards Silver and Gold; and Omni Select Guest Silver Elite and Gold Elite.
Diamond: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and higher, World of Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Gold and higher, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite and higher, Choice Privileges Diamond, Best Western Rewards Diamond Select, Radisson Rewards Platinum and Omni Select Guest Platinum Elite and higher.
To request a match, go to this page on Wyndham’s website, sign in to your account and complete the status match request form. You’ll need to submit proof of your hotel loyalty program status and then wait five to seven business days for validation of your match via email.
Once Wyndham validates your status match, you’ll have your matched status for 90 days. But if you complete specific stay requirements during the 90 days, you can keep your matched status through Dec. 31 of the following calendar year. You must stay one qualifying night to keep Gold, four qualifying nights to keep Platinum and 10 qualifying nights to keep Diamond.
Luckily, Wyndham Rewards counts most paid nights and award nights as qualifying. So, you can even redeem Wyndham points to get qualifying nights toward your status challenge.
Related: What are hotel and airline status matches, and how do you get one?
Earning Wyndham status through a credit card
Several cobranded Wyndham credit cards offer elite status as a perk for as long as you’re a cardholder:
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card: Primary cardholders automatically receive Wyndham Rewards Gold status within two to eight weeks of opening this no-annual-fee card (see rates and fees).
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Primary cardholders automatically receive Wyndham Rewards Platinum status within two to eight weeks of opening this $75-annual-fee card (see rates and fees).
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card: Primary cardholders automatically receive Wyndham Rewards Diamond status within two to eight weeks of opening this $95-annual-fee card.
The information for the Wyndham Earner Card, Wyndham Earner Plus, and Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you value having Wyndham Diamond status but don’t stay with Wyndham hotels 40 nights a year, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card could be well worth its $95 annual fee. And if you use Wyndham Diamond status to match to Caesars Rewards, you may get significantly more value than the card’s annual fee each year from an Atlantis stay and waived resort fees at Caesars properties in Las Vegas.
Related: 7 things to know before booking a stay at Viva Wyndham Azteca
Bottom line
You can earn Wyndham Rewards elite status through stays. But a status match and challenge can be a good way to quickly earn elite status if you want to switch your loyalty. And Wyndham credit cards offer an easy, ongoing path to status — including top-tier Diamond status. If you value Caesars Diamond perks and a 20% bonus on earnings at Wyndham hotels, it may be worth getting and keeping the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card to maintain Wyndham Rewards Diamond status.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available.
In 2020 and 2021, many major hotel companies offered some of their most generous promotions. That’s how some TPG staffers achieved top-tier Hyatt Globalist with just 10 nights. But those days are far behind us.
Overall, hotel promotions aren’t quite as generous as they once were. But from helping you accrue additional points to earning elite status faster, they certainly should be on your radar.
However, keeping track of the latest hotel bonuses can be difficult — especially if you’re juggling points and elite status with multiple programs. With that in mind, we’ve created this guide to track current promotions across the major hotel chains.
Most of these promotions require you to book directly with the hotel chain. Bookmark this page for regularly updated offers, links and other information about your favorite hotel programs. We’ll also discuss which offers will get you the most bang for your buck.
This article focuses on limited-time promotions, excluding ongoing offers like AAA and AARP member discounts. Further, the list doesn’t include ongoing offers on cobranded hotel credit cards, but you can check out the following links for details on these cards:
Related: 6+ unexpected travel discounts that can save you money
Limited-time credit card hotel discounts
Amex Offers, Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers can offer significant hotel discounts. While we didn’t find any current Citi hotel offers, here are a few targeted offers that TPG staff found on their credit cards — check your cards and see if you have them too.
Amex Offers
American Express is currently offering several hotel promotions for select cardholders via its Amex Offers program, including:
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7,500 bonus points after spending $2,000 or more on your card (expires March 31). TPG values 7,500 Marriott points at $63.
Caesars Rewards Las Vegas: $40 back after you spend $200 or more (expires May 31).
Hilton properties in Mexico: $150 back after spending $750 or more (expires April 30).
Hilton’s in the US, Mexico, Caribbean, Colombia, Honduras and French Polynesia (select properties only): $200 back after you spend $1,000 or more (expires May 31).
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Canada: $100 back after spending $500 or more (expires May 15).
IHG Hotels and Resorts: $40 back after you spend $200 or more (expires June 16).
Lotte Hotel: $100 back after you spend $500 or more (expires Aug. 1).
Lotte New York Palace: $150 back after you spend $750 or more (expires July 23).
Mandarin Oriental: $100 back after you spend $500 or more (expires March 31).
Marriott Bonvoy properties in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Canada: 20% back, up to a total of $50 back (expires March 31).
Marriott Bonvoy properties in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Canada: $60 back after spending $300 or more (expires March 31).
Marriott Homes & Villas: $200 back after spending $1,000 or more (expires May 31).
Riggs Washington, D.C.: $120 back after spending $600 or more (expires April 30).
Sonesta: $60 back after spending $300 or more at properties in the U.S. and U.S. territories (expires April 30).
Staypineapple: $50 back after you spend $250 or more (expires April 3).
The Line Hotels: $60 back after you spend $300 or more (expires April 30).
The Ned NoMad Hotel: $100 back after you spend $500 or more (expires Sept. 4).
Viceroy Hotels & Resorts US & Mexico: $200 back after you spend $1,000 or more (expires May 31).
Remember that Amex Offers are targeted. So, you should check your offers and enroll in any that interest you.
Related: Which is the best American Express credit card for you?
Chase Offers
Chase Offers are targeted. Several of our staffers have this Chase Offer:
Thompson Hotels: Earn 15% back when you spend $100 or more, up to $37.95 (Expires April 21).
Related: Check your Chase Offers to save money with Marriott, Lyft and Carnival
Accor Live Limitless
Accor Live Limitless has a couple of promotions that might help you earn extra points and qualify for status. These promotions require you to register.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
4x points at new hotels
Earn 4 times the points at new Accor Hotels.
Deadline passed.
Through May 5, 2023.
Earn bonus status nights with fast track
This targeted promotion isn’t open to members with a U.S. primary address.
Classic members will earn f5 status nights toward Silver.
Silver members will earn 7 status nights toward Gold.
Gold members will earn 10 status nights toward Platinum.
Deadline passed.
By May 2, 2023.
Related: The award travelers guide to Accor Live Limitless
Best Western Rewards
Best Western’s promotion allows you to earn up to 16,000 bonus points, which requires registration. Here are the details:
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Stay two nights and get 8,000 bonus points (up to two times).
Complete two separate or consecutive eligible nights to earn 8,000 bonus points following completion of the eligible nights.
Valid only on Best Western-branded U.S., Canada and Caribbean stays.
N/A.
Stay by May 7, 2023.
Related: Your ultimate guide to Best Western Rewards
Choice Privileges
Choice Privileges is back with a promotion advertising a gift card, but cashing out your points for the gift card isn’t required. You can read more about their ongoing deals here.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Bonus points after two paid stays
Earn between 5,000 and 8,000 bonus points on the second paid stay. Choice advertises this promotion as being enough points for a $50 gift card, but you can keep the points instead.
N/A.
Stay by June 30, 2023.
Related: The best hotel credit cards
Hilton Honors
Hilton has been generous with its recent promotions. Note that the Double Up + Explore promotion requires you to register. For more details, visit this page.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Double Up + Explore
Earn double points and 1,000 bonus points (worth $6 at TPG’s valuations) for each of Hilton’s 18 brands you stay at during the promotional period.
N/A.
Stay by April 30, 2023.
Free bonus points at Hilton’s newest properties.
Earn 1,000 Hilton Honors points per night at select properties.
Earn 5,000 Hilton Honors points per three-night stay or longer at select properties.
N/A.
Ongoing promotion.
Related: How to choose the best Hilton credit card for you
IHG One Rewards
You can earn bonus IHG One Rewards points with the loyalty program’s latest promotion, but you must register
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
2,000 bonus points every 2 nights
Earn 2,000 points for every two nights of eligible paid stays.
N/A
Feb. 9 to April 14, 2023.
Related: 7 ways to earn more IHG One Rewards points for your next redemption
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott is offering an appealing promotion for points and elite status seekers. Check your “promotion central” to see if you have any targeted promotions.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Delight in the unexpected: Earn twice each night
Earn 1,000 bonus points (worth $8.40 based on TPG’s valuations) and one elite bonus night for each night you spend at a Marriott Bonvoy-branded property at a qualifying rate (award stays are excluded.).
April 9, 2023.
Feb. 7 to April 23, 2023.
Related: The award travelers guide to Marriott Bonvoy
Radisson Rewards Americas
Here’s one noteworthy promotion from Radisson Rewards Americas. Make sure to register.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
First time’s a charm
Earn 3,000 bonus points for your first booking in the app.
N/A.
Ongoing promotion.
Related: Here’s why Radisson Rewards is the best loyalty program for earning free nights
World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt recently launched its latest Bonus Journeys promotion. Here’s a high-level overview of Hyatt’s promotions.
Related: The most award-friendly hotel program: Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards has two generous promotions now — both require you to register. Here’s an overview.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Stay 3 nights, earn 2 free
Book three qualifying nights at participating hotels in Europe, Africa, Eurasia or the Middle East and you’ll earn 15,000 Wyndham Rewards bonus points (enough for two nights at some Wyndham properties).
April 30, 2023 (also the book-by date).
By Sept. 30, 2023.
Earn 1,500 bonus points
Targeted promotion.
N/A.
Ongoing promotion.
In addition, there are limited-time offers through Wyndham’s member month promotions — including property credits and a broader free-night offer.
Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, Ariana Arghandewal, Katie Genter, Ryan Smith, Caroline Tanner and Benji Stawski.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Summer is just around the corner — and it’s shaping up to be a bumper travel season with big crowds, flight delays, and high temperatures (and tempers!)
You’ve probably booked your flights and hotels by now (if not, you should do that right away). However, one part of your trip may be lacking: tips on how to make your trip more comfortable.
This could include anything from zipping through the airport to avoiding crowds, taking advantage of more comfortable seats on your flight and getting freebies or upgrades along the way.
Today, let’s look at the best credit cards for making your next trip more enjoyable.
Premium credit cards that improve your travel experience
Having a premium credit card can offer a lot of perks. You can breeze through airport security, skip the line at rental car facilities and wait comfortably at an airport lounge simply by having a premium credit card in your wallet.
Here’s how these cards can make your travel experience better:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express provides access to numerous travel benefits to make your next trip more comfortable.
First, you can access numerous lounges while waiting for your flight at the airport. These include American Express Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying Delta that day), Priority Pass Select lounges, Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner, Airspace lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges and other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges (search for locations here). Enrollment is required in advance for some benefits.
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To move quickly through security checkpoints, you can receive reimbursement from your Amex Platinum Card when paying for your membership fees to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and Clear. These programs provide dedicated security lanes, which often mean shorter waiting times. Enrollment is required in advance for these benefits.
You also can make your flights more comfortable thanks to up to $200 in statement credits per year for airline incidentals. You must select a preferred airline in advance, and then you can be reimbursed for expenses like checked bags, preferred seats or even inflight Wi-Fi purchases. Enrollment is required.
Related: How to use the Amex Platinum $200 airline fee credit
Amex Platinum cardmembers also have access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection and can enjoy up to a $200 annual hotel credit in the form of a statement credit on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel. Note that there is a two-night minimum stay for The Hotel Collection bookings. These programs provide access to high-quality hotels and benefits like room upgrades, free breakfast or late checkout.
Other hotel benefits come in the form of room upgrades and earning points at higher rates, thanks to elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Amex Platinum cardmembers can enroll for complimentary Gold status in both programs.
To elevate your rental car experience, enroll for elite status in rental car programs, including Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive. This will provide benefits like car upgrades, a free second driver and the ability to skip the line when picking up your car — meaning you can head straight to your car and get on the road.
Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?
Plus, if you need a ride to an airport or hotel during your trip, you can take advantage of up to $200 in Uber Cash per year. You can use this for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S. by adding your Amex Platinum card as a payment method in your Uber account. Enrollment is required.
The Amex Platinum Card’s benefits come with an annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees).
Official application link: The Platinum Card® from American Express
The American Express® Green Card
The American Express Green Card offers 3 points per dollar on broader travel, restaurants and transit, as well as annual statement credits for Clear (up to$189) and LoungeBuddy ($100) that more than cover its $150 annual fee (see rates and fees), making it a compelling offer for any occasional traveler.
The card also offers extended warranty protection, purchase protection and return protection when you purchase eligible items with your card, as well as baggage insurance and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance, with the option to upgrade to primary coverage through Amex’s Premium Car Rental Protection.
Right now, Amex is offering new cardmembers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after they spend $3,000 on purchases in their first six months of card membership. Based on TPG’s valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, the welcome offer points are worth at least $1,200.
You’ll also get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in your first six months to earn up to $200 back, making the total welcome offer worth up to $1,400.
In all, the card’s a great option for the modern traveler.
Official application link: The American Express® Green Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a slightly lower annual fee ($550) than the Amex Platinum and also comes with numerous perks to make your next trip more comfortable.
Like Platinum cardmembers, Sapphire Reserve cardholders also have access to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide. They also have access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, coming to nine airports. These will include popular airports like New York-LaGuardia, San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Washington-Dulles. The first lounges are already open in Boston and Hong Kong.
The Sapphire Reserve card also reimburses your application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or quicker access between the U.S. and Canada through Nexus.
If you need help securing difficult reservations or booking activities during your trip, Sapphire Reserve cardholders have access to a concierge service to assist.
And those looking for boutique hotel experiences can access the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection. These bookings provide benefits like daily breakfast for two people, a $100 on-property credit and room upgrades (when available).
While the Sapphire Reserve card doesn’t provide credits strictly allocated to airline incidental credits, ride-hailing apps or even elite status, it does have something that can offset these expenses. Cardholders have up to $300 in annual travel credits that apply automatically to the first $300 they spend in broad travel categories each year — such as rides to the airport, airport parking, seat upgrades or even the beachside cabana that requires a paid reservation at a resort.
When renting a car, you’ll enjoy complimentary National Emerald Club Executive membership plus benefits with Avis and Silvercar.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
With an annual fee of just $395, the Venture X card may seem like a bargain compared to the Amex Platinum Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve. However, it still comes packed with benefits to make your next trip more comfortable.
Along with access to Priority Pass lounges, cardholders also have unlimited visits to Capital One lounges and Plaza Premium lounges. Lounge benefits also extend to your authorized users, who can also bring two guests of their own — meaning your whole family could access a lounge for free during your next trip.
Related: Big family? No problem! Get unlimited lounge guests with this credit card
Venture X cardholders can also enjoy reimbursement for their Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee to help move through security quickly.
For rental cars, Venture X cardholders (and Venture X authorized users) enjoy top-tier Hertz President’s Circle status.* After registering for this benefit, you can enjoy skip-the-line privileges, guaranteed upgrades, the widest range of selection and a free additional driver. Moreover, once you have rental car status with one company, you can use this to match your status to other rental car programs.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Related: Is the Capital One Venture X worth the $395 annual fee?
For other comforts during your trip, you can take advantage of 10,000 bonus miles on every account anniversary and up to $300 in annual statement credits for travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal. Great uses of these credits would be booking a boutique hotel or even stacking benefits with your Hertz car rentals.
Official application link: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Airline cards that make your flight more comfortable
Breezing through security without the need to take off your shoes or wait in a long line is great. So is waiting comfortably in an airport lounge. However, your trip doesn’t end there.
Here’s how cobranded airline credit cards can make your next flight more comfortable:
A free checked bag is a key feature of nearly every airline credit card. This can save you money and improve your airport experience since you won’t carry as many things through security or onto the plane.
You can enjoy a free first checked bag on your flight across various credit cards and annual fees. This includes the United Explorer Card ($0 introductory annual fee, then $95), the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card ($95 annual fee), Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® ($450 annual fee) and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($550 annual fee; see rates and fees).
Many credit cards also extend the checked bag benefits to other people on your same reservation. However, the number of people this perk covers depends on the card and can vary widely. And while this benefit generally extends to any trip associated with your frequent flyer account number, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines credit cards are an exception. To get free checked bags, you must pay for the ticket with your United Airlines or Alaska Airlines credit card, respectively.
For more details, see the following:
Beyond offering free checked bags, you can enjoy other comfort-adding perks from airline credit cards. Examples include priority boarding and access to preferred seats or seat upgrades.
However, those holding credit cards with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines or United Airlines will enjoy some level of preferred boarding when flying on those airlines. Generally, this means boarding before economy passengers but after business- and first-class passengers. By boarding early, you can access overhead storage bins before they’re full.
Airline credit cards can also offer the chance to upgrade to better seats. Aside from using airline or travel credits on the premium credit cards discussed above, United and Delta flyers can access preferred seats in other ways.
Those who hold the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex can request complimentary upgrades before their flight, potentially moving up to Comfort+ seats. These cardholders receive upgrades ahead of those with the same status and seating cabin who don’t hold the Reserve card. Those with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card can also receive upgrade priority after meeting the Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) waiver requirement of spending $25,000 on the card in a calendar year.
With United Airlines, those with elite status normally don’t receive upgrades on award flights — just on paid flights. However, those who hold a United Airlines credit card with an annual fee can receive complimentary upgrades according to their elite status level even when flying on award tickets. Thus, you could get a roomier seat if you have status with United Airlines — and you can even get that roomier seat on an award flight if you also hold a card like the United Quest Card.
Related: 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card
Hotel cards that improve your stay
When you think about adding comfort to your hotel stays, your first thought probably includes upgraded rooms. However, free (or faster) Wi-Fi, breakfast and parking, and expedited check-in lines can also elevate your stay.
Having the right credit card in your wallet could offer you automatic entry-level status, netting you a few extra points and a free bottle of water. But it also might offer top-tier elite status that qualifies you for upgrades to suites and luxury treatment during your stay.
Hilton Honors credit cards
If you want top-tier Diamond status with Hilton — which includes perks like suite upgrades based on availability at check-in, lounge access at hotels that have these, bonus points, free breakfast and more — you can get this without the effort of counting your hotel nights every year.
Simply holding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card confers Diamond status automatically for as long as your account is open. The card’s annual fee is $450 (see rates and fees), but this may be less than what you would spend on the necessary hotel stays to qualify for Diamond status annually.
The information for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Another option for Hilton status is carrying the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, which confers automatic Hilton Gold (mid-tier) status. There’s an annual fee of $95 (see rates and fees). For this fee, your Gold status will confer benefits like bonus points on paid stays, room upgrades (but not suites) based on availability at check-in and either food and beverage credits or free breakfast, depending on the hotel.
Related: How to choose the best Hilton credit card for you
IHG One Rewards credit cards
If you’re looking for elite status with IHG One Rewards, you can receive complimentary Platinum Elite status (the third-highest of the four tiers) pretty easily. Cardholders of the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card receive Platinum Elite status automatically; the card has a $99 annual fee. Platinum Elite status offers benefits like bonus points on paid stays, upgraded rooms (including suites at some properties), welcome gifts of points or snacks and discounts on reward nights.
Related: IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card review
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
For those aiming for elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, you can unlock Platinum Elite status simply by having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. This status offers benefits like bonus points on paid stays, welcome gifts (which can range from points to a complimentary breakfast), lounge access at hotels that have these and upgrades to suites, based on availability at check-in. These benefits come with an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees) on this card.
The next status tier below Platinum is Marriott Bonvoy’s Gold Elite status. You can get this status automatically with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful credit card. Both cards carry an annual fee of $250 (see rates and fees of the Bonvoy Bevy card). Gold status provides benefits like enhanced internet speeds in your hotel room, upgrades to preferred rooms when available at check-in, late checkout and a welcome gift of bonus points.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Which Marriott credit card is right for you?
World of Hyatt credit cards
It’s also possible to gain elite status with World of Hyatt by holding a credit card. However, you’ll only gain Discoverist status by holding the World of Hyatt Credit Card, which has an annual fee of $95. This status offers benefits like space-available upgrades to preferred rooms — such as a preferred location within the hotel or a nicer view — complimentary bottled water each day during your stay, premium internet access and late checkout.
Hyatt elites also can match their status to MGM Rewards and enjoy benefits from Hyatt’s partnership with American Airlines. This will include earning Hyatt points for spending money on AA flights.
Related: ‘One of the most valuable hotel cards’: A review of the World of Hyatt Credit Card
Wyndham Rewards credit cards
You can gain automatic status with Wyndham Rewards through credit cards, as well. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card offers automatic Platinum status (the third-highest of four tiers), providing benefits like rollover nights, free Wi-Fi, preferred rooms, late checkout, early check-in and a status match to Caesars Rewards. The card has a $75 annual fee.
The no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card offers automatic Gold status, providing benefits like free Wi-Fi, preferred rooms and rollover nights.
The information for the Wyndham Earner and Wyndham Earner Plus cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Which Wyndham Rewards credit card is right for you?
Bottom line
Multiple credit cards can make your next trip more comfortable. From better seats on your flight to better rooms at your hotel and better experiences at airport security, what you hold in your wallet could elevate your next trip and remove stress points.
Premium credit cards can offer a range of perks and help you skip the lines at multiple points in your journey. Airline credit cards can offer perks like free checked bags, better seats and priority boarding. And hotel cards can get you free breakfast, room upgrades and late checkout.
Summer travel is hectic. These cards can remove some hassle from your trip, leaving your travel companions as one of the only potential stressors during your vacation.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Aspire card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Surpass card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex card, click here.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Summer Hull and Stella Shon.
Las Vegas boasts more than 150,000 hotel rooms, ranging from over-the-top opulence to a budget-friendly way to spread out and spend your time in Sin City. For those who want to up the ante during their stay, Vegas teems with jaw-droppingly luxe accommodations. Weâve scoured the city for the best hotels in Vegas, and now â¦
Caesars Rewards has sent out an e-mail to cardholders regarding possible changes to the Caesars Rewards credit card. The major things under consideration are: Introduction of dining credit ($40/$50) when you make at least one purchase in a calendar year New category earning bonuses (e.g 4x points on Caesars properties) There was also some ranking […]