The Best Credit Cards To Reach Elite Status
Elite status with airlines or hotels can be addictive. Once you get a taste of upgrades, lounge access, bonus points, and enhanced customer service, it’s hard to give them up.
Many airline or hotel programs require specific spending, nights, purchases, or travel to earn elite status, but numerous credit cards can help accelerate progress with automatic status, elite night credit, or status points.
With some of these cards’ welcome bonuses, you earn bonus rewards and get closer to elite status.
Quick Summary
Elite status provides valuable perks, including upgrades, lounge access, and enhanced customer service. Elite status typically requires significant travel or spending.
Many travel-focused credit cards can help accelerate progress toward elite status.
Some cards offer elite status through spending alone, while others include complimentary status.
The value of elite status depends on your travel frequency and how you use benefits.
What To Consider
Elite status qualification often requires meeting spending thresholds or minimum nights.
Not all cards provide automatic status.
Some require ongoing spending to unlock higher tiers or additional perks.
Hotel programs are more generous than airlines, but benefits and qualification terms vary.
What You’ll Miss From the Article
A detailed comparison of how travel credit cards help achieve or accelerate elite status across major airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Elite Status and Credit Cards
Chasing elite status can be addictive. Upgrades, lounge access, bonus points, and enhanced customer service offer hundreds — even thousands — of dollars in value. Airlines require spending at least $5,000 a year.
Hotels typically require at least 10 nights per year. Even lower-tier members spend a fair amount of cash. Numerous credit cards can help jump-start elite status. Many welcome bonuses earn bonus rewards and move you closer to elite status. Playing your cards right could lead to top-tier elite status.
The Best Credit Cards For Airline Elite Status
Airline credit cards offer elite status earnings, elite status benefits, and elite-qualifying points. Some allow progress without stepping on a plane.
Airline Credit Cards and Elite Status Benefits
| Airline credit cards | Elite status benefits and earnings |
|---|---|
| Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card | Earn 1 status point per $2 spent |
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard | Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent; earn 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 and another 10,000 after reaching 90,000 |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent; receive an MQD boost of 2,500 MQDs each calendar year |
| JetBlue Plus Card | Qualify for JetBlue Mosaic elite status through credit card spending |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | Earn 2,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 spent; all points count toward Companion Pass |
| United Club Card | Earn 1 Premier qualifying point for every $15 spent, up to 28,000 per calendar year |
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines
Atmos Rewards is the Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines joint loyalty program with three cobranded cards. The best pick is the Atmos Rewards Summit card.
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card
Annual fee: $395
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Atmos Rewards points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days.
Elite status: Earn Silver status by spending $20,000 or Gold status by spending $60,000.
Analysis: Perks include a free checked bag, priority boarding, Alaska lounge passes, perks when flying Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, and earning 3 points per dollar on all foreign transactions.
American Airlines
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is a top pick for earning status with American Airlines. Lower-annual-fee options include the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select or the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $595
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 in the first three months.
Elite status: Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every mile earned on purchases. Earn 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points and 10,000 after reaching 90,000 within the same qualification year.
Analysis: Free checked bags, priority access, and lounge access. Spending earns Loyalty Points toward elite status.
Delta Air Lines
Delta offers four personal and three business credit cards. The best options are the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Annual fee: $650
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first six months.
Elite status: Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent, no limit. Receive a 2,500 MQD boost each calendar year.
Analysis: Complimentary upgrades, lounge access, priority boarding, and valuable elite perks.
Pro tip: Holding two Delta cards offering 2,500 MQD boosts automatically earns Silver Medallion status.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue offers personal and business cards through Barclays with pathways to Mosaic status.
JetBlue Plus Card
Annual fee: $99
Welcome offer: Earn up to 80,000 bonus points (60,000 after spending $1,000 and paying the fee; 20,000 after spending $6,000 in the first year).
Elite status: Qualify for Mosaic Levels 1–4 through spending ($50,000 to $250,000 per year).
Analysis: Mosaic status through spending alone is nice but expensive.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest offers three personal and two business cards. For A-List status and the Companion Pass, choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Annual fee: $229
Welcome offer: Earn 85,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
Elite status: Earn 2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent, no limit. All points count toward Companion Pass eligibility.
Analysis: Shortcut to A-List status and the Companion Pass.
United Airlines
The United Club Card offers United Club access and PQP-earning from spending.
United Club Card
Annual fee: $695
Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
Elite status: Earn 1 PQP for every $15 spent, up to 28,000 PQP per calendar year.
Analysis: Premier Access services, United Club access, and spending-based PQP earning.
The Best Credit Cards for Hotel Elite Status
Hotel chains are more generous than airlines when it comes to giving away elite status. You can get automatic elite status with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG without staying at any of their properties or putting any spending on your card. Many hotel credit cards provide elite night credits, complimentary status or pathways to higher tiers.
Hotel Credit Cards and Elite Status Benefits
| Hotel credit cards | Elite status benefits and earnings |
|---|---|
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Automatic Platinum Elite status; earn Diamond status through spending $40,000 within a calendar year |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card | Complimentary Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits each calendar year |
| American Express Platinum Card | Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Leaders Club Sterling Status (enrollment required) |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | Automatic Hyatt Discoverist status, five qualifying night credits and two additional nights for every $5,000 spent each year |
Hilton Honors Elite Status Through Credit Cards
The Hilton Aspire is a straightforward way to elite status with Hilton Honors. For a lower annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offers a pathway to elite status through spending.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Annual fee: $550
Welcome offer: Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months.
Elite status: Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status.
Analysis: Diamond status provides guaranteed lounge access at properties with lounges, room upgrades when available, free breakfast or food-and-beverage credits and more. This card is a must-have for Hilton fans.
IHG One Rewards Elite Status Through Credit Cards
IHG enthusiasts can choose the personal IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the business version. Both offer elite status and pathways to higher levels.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Annual fee: $99
Welcome offer: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
Elite status: Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and the ability to earn Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year after spending $40,000 within a calendar year.
Analysis: Platinum Elite offers 60% bonus points on paid stays, discounts on rewards, room upgrades, late checkout when available and a welcome amenity. The annual fee can easily be worth it.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Through Credit Cards
American Express and Chase both offer cobranded Marriott Bonvoy cards. For the most benefits, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card provides the highest elite status level as a cardmember.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Annual fee: $650
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.
Elite status: Complimentary Platinum Elite status with upgrades at check-in (including suites when available), late checkout and a welcome amenity. Receive 25 elite night credits each calendar year.
Lower-fee options include:
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card with automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card with automatic Gold Elite status
Analysis: For the highest-value elite perks, the Brilliant card leads the lineup.
Pro tip: Holding both the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card and the Bonvoy Brilliant gives you 40 elite night credits, leaving only 35 nights needed to reach Titanium elite status.
World of Hyatt Elite Status Through Credit Cards
Hyatt is a favorite due to stellar redemption rates and a growing portfolio. Both the personal and business versions help earn elite status.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Earn up to 60,000 points (30,000 after spending $3,000 in the first three months and up to 30,000 more by earning 2 bonus points per dollar in the first six months on up to $15,000 spent).
Elite status: Automatic Discoverist status, five qualifying night credits each year, and two additional night credits for every $5,000 spent.
The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card offers Discoverist status, gifting Discoverist to up to five employees and five tier-qualifying nights for every $10,000 spent.
Analysis: Discoverist status includes a 10-point bonus, space-available upgrades, bottled water, premium internet, late checkout when available, and access to the elite reservation line. Spending can help reacha higher status.
American Express Platinum for Hotel Elite Status
A unique premium travel credit card that provides automatic elite status across multiple hotel brands.
American Express Platinum Card
Annual fee: $895
Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as many as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first six months.
Elite status: Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, and Leaders Club Sterling Status (enrollment required). The Business Platinum Card from American Express offers the same status benefits.
Analysis: This is one of the best options for elite benefits across Hilton, Marriott, and The Leading Hotels of the World. Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts stays also include room upgrades when available, 4 p.m. checkout, noon check-in when available, and a $100 hotel credit that varies by property.
Bottom Line
Many airline or hotel cobranded cards that offer status boosts aren’t the best for everyday spending, but they can help reach elite status faster. Spending simply to reach elite status may not be logical if you don’t travel much, but if you spend a lot of time on the road, these credit cards can be extremely useful.
