When does your hotel’s elite status expire?
The hotel’s elite status offers a range of exclusive benefits such as suite upgrades, rewards points and free breakfast to frequent guests who meet specific criteria set by the hotel’s loyalty program. Achieving elite status requires a year of planning and spending, and once you qualify, it’s time to start thinking about the next year.
Readers often ask, “When does my hotel elite status expire?”
Today we will learn the validity period of elite status for major hotel brands.
Related: A complete guide to your hotel’s current elite status matches and challenge offers
Hotel status expiration policy
Like airline elite status, hotel elite status has two important time frames to consider. The first is the review period, which typically aligns with the calendar year (January 1 to December 31) for large hotel chains. During this time, you need to earn enough nights, stays, or points to reach your desired status level.
Once you achieve your status, it usually takes effect quickly, although it may take the system a day or two to fully recognize your new elite level. However, it’s important to note that your qualifying activity doesn’t update in real time, so if you reach the qualifying threshold during a longer stay, you may have to wait until at checkout so that is reflected. After that, the new perks will typically 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 it can vary by program. Let’s explore how each major program handles this.
IHG One Rewards
Once you earn it IHG One Rewards elite status, you will maintain that status until the end of the next calendar year. For example, if you achieve Platinum Elite status in October 2024, the status will be valid until December 31, 2025.
Hilton Title
Like IHG, Hilton Honors elite status valid for the remainder of the year in which you earn money and the following calendar year.
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Marriott Bonvoy
Once you earn it Marriott Bonvoy elite status, it will be in effect for the remainder of the calendar year and an additional 14 months thereafter. For example, if you achieve Marriott Platinum Elite status in August 2024, you’ll enjoy benefits for the rest of this year, all of 2025 and the first two months of 2026. Status Your benefits after that period will be based on calendar year 2024 performance standards.
World of Hyatt
Like Marriott, World of Hyatt elite status remains valid until the end of February in the second calendar year after you qualify. For example, Globalist status achieved in October 2024 will be valid until February 2026.
Related: The best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
How to compare hotel status expiration policies?
The timeline for achieving hotel elite status varies by loyalty program. Hilton Title And IHG One Rewards provides status for the remainder of the qualifying year and one year thereafter. Marriott Bonvoy And World of Hyatt offers a more generous approach, providing status for 14 months after the qualifying year.
However, both IHG One Rewards and Hilton Honors allow elite members to pass elite-qualifying nights above the regular qualifying threshold, which can help expedite their recertification process . For example, if you stay 45 nights at a Hilton hotel in 2024, you’ll qualify for Hilton Honors Gold status (40 nights required) and then you’ll start 2025 with 5 nights.
Earn hotel elite status with a credit card
Many loyalty programs also allow you to earn money Elite status via credit card. When it comes to hospitality programs, this usually happens in one (or a combination) of three ways:
- Grant status automatically
- Awarding excellent night at the beginning of the year
- Earn additional elite nights based on spend
For example, Hyatt World Credit Card includes automatic Explorer status. You’ll also get five qualifying nights at the beginning of each calendar year, and you’ll earn two extra nights for every $5,000 you spend on the card.
Related: Why I aim to spend $15K on my World of Hyatt Credit Card each year
If you’re looking for immediate mid-range or upper-class hotel status, take a look Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Both cards come with generous instant elite status, free night awards, and statement credits towards TSA Precheck, Global Entry or Clearance. Additionally, these cards offer higher earning rates on qualifying stays, flights and dining. Note that registration may be necessary to receive some benefits.
Information about the Hilton Aspire card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Alternatively, you can go with American Express Platinum® Card or American Express Business Platinum® Card – both provide Automatic Gold status with both Hilton and Marriott (registration required) along with a host of other perks.
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum: Which premium Amex card is right for you?
Remember that if you cancel a credit offers complimentary hotel elite status, your benefits will cease once the program recognizes a change in your eligibility. It may not happen right away, but you shouldn’t count on enjoying those perks during future stays after cancellation.
Bottom line
Knowing the expiration date of your hotel’s elite status is important to avoid unexpected problems during your stay. Although it varies by plan, you’ll typically receive a full year of benefits after achieving status, and some plans even offer an additional two months as a bonus. Now you know how to accurately determine your status expiration date.
