Hotel elite status offers a range of exclusive benefits like suite upgrades, bonus points and free breakfast to frequent guests who meet specific criteria set by the hotel 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 commonly ask, “When does my hotel elite status expire?”
Today, we’ll explore the validity period of elite status for the major hotel brands.
Related: Complete guide to current hotel elite status match and challenge offers
Hotel status expiration policies
Like airline elite status, hotel elite status has two important time frames to consider. The first is the qualification period, which typically aligns with the calendar year (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31) for major hotel chains. During this period, you need to earn enough nights, stays or points to achieve your desired status level.
Once you earn your status, it usually takes effect quickly, though the system might take 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 a qualification threshold during a longer stay, you will likely need to wait until checkout for it to be reflected. Then, 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 once you’ve qualified, and it can vary by program. Let’s explore how each major program handles this.
IHG One Rewards
Once you earn IHG One Rewards elite status, you’ll maintain that status through the end of the following calendar year. For example, if you earn Platinum Elite status in October 2024, it will be valid until Dec. 31, 2025.
Hilton Honors
Like IHG, Hilton Honors elite status is valid for the rest of the year in which you earn it and the subsequent calendar year.
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Marriott Bonvoy
Once you earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status, it will be valid for the rest of the calendar year and an additional 14 months after that. For example, if you earn Marriott Platinum Elite status in August 2024, you’ll enjoy benefits through the rest of this year, all of 2025 and the first two months of 2026. Your status beyond that time period would then be based on the qualifying activity during the 2024 calendar year.
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 instance, Globalist status earned in October 2024 will be valid until February 2026.
Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
How do hotel status expiration policies compare?
Hotel elite status duration varies from one loyalty program to the next. Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards offer status for the remainder of the qualification year and one full year after that. Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt offer 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 roll over elite qualifying nights above the normal qualification threshold, which can help accelerate their path toward requalification. For example, if you stayed 45 nights at Hilton properties in 2024, you’d qualify for Hilton Honors Gold status (which requires 40 nights), and you’d then start 2025 with five nights.
Earn hotel elite status with credit cards
Many loyalty programs also let you earn elite status through credit cards. When it comes to hotel programs, this usually happens in one (or a combination) of three ways:
- Granting automatic status
- Awarding elite nights at the beginning of the year
- Earning additional elite nights based on spending
For example, the World of Hyatt Credit Card includes automatic Discoverist status. You’ll also receive five qualifying nights at the beginning of every calendar year, and you’ll earn two additional 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 instant mid- or top-tier hotel status, check out the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Both cards come with generous instant elite status, free night awards and statement credits toward TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear. Additionally, these cards offer elevated earning rates for qualifying stays, flights and dining. Note that enrollment may be necessary for select benefits.
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.
Alternatively, you could go with The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — both of which offer automatic Gold status with both Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required) along with an array of other perks.
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum: Which premium Amex card is right for you?
Remember that if you cancel a credit card that provides complimentary hotel elite status, your benefits will cease once the program recognizes your eligibility change. This may not happen immediately, but you shouldn’t count on enjoying those perks on upcoming stays after cancellation.
Bottom line
Knowing the expiration date of your hotel elite status is crucial to avoiding unexpected issues during your stay. While it varies by program, you’ll typically enjoy a full year of benefits once you achieve status, and some programs even offer an additional two months as a bonus. Now you know how to determine your status expiration date accurately.
