There are a few ways now where you can earn elite status on airlines entirely through hotel stays! This is sort of a new development that we’re excited to discuss in today’s podcast.
Main Event: Airline Elite Status via Hotel Stays
Giant Mailbag
(01:32) – Whoops: Forgot United offers elite earnings on award tickets (UA flights only)
(04:09) – IHG Choice Benefit annual lounge membership trick worked this year
(05:58) – One reader finds a way to get an offer to upgrade back to Amex Platinum for 50K bonus points after 2K spend.
Card News
(08:03) – Alaska Biz Card 70K offer is back: 70K miles and Companion Fare™
Learn more about the Alaska Business card here.
(09:27) – Costco card goes up to 5% at Costco Gas on 1/19/25. All other gas/EV will stay at 4%
(12:32) – US Bank Altitude Go: beginning on April 15, 2025, cardholders will be limited to earning 4x on the first $2,000 in dining, takeout and restaurant delivery purchases each quarter.
Learn more about that update here.
(13:45) – Sonesta credit card taking a siesta
Learn more about the Sonesta siesta here.
Crazy Thing
(15:34) – Pay1040 fees up, down, all around
Mattress Running the Numbers
(21:42) – Hyatt promo: Earn double elite night credits for stays at Under Canvas properties
Read more about that Hyatt promo here.
Bonvoyed
(28:21) – Marriott Choice Benefit 40K expiry
(33:30) – BA goes revenue-based (Read more about that change here)
(34:45) – Daily Getaways Dead: The program has been discontinued
Main Event: Airline Elite Status via Hotel Stays
(36:29) – Marriott ->> United Premier Silver AND Air Canada Aeroplan 25K
Read more about that here
(40:59) – Hyatt ->> American Airlines
Read more about this option here
(50:49) – Hyatt Explorist/Globalist elite members can trade Hyatt points for status for a day
(53:33) – Not as many shortcuts with Hyatt as with Marriott
Read more about this here
Question of the Week
(1:03:00) – Should I mattress run with Advantage Hotels the rest of my way to AA Executive Platinum status?
(1:06:14) – How do you value your time, for example when an hour of effort will save you a small chunk of change?
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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Can confirm the Wyndham Business Earner card earns 8x on Costco gas. Just filled up a few days ago.
A few days ago, I reached out to Pay1040 regarding its processing fees. They responded stating they would provide an answer within 24 hours. I have yet to receive that answer.
You can earn United status with only award flights, don’t need to spend any cash.
Nick is wrong when he says that there is a “premier qualifying dollar” requirement. It’s all just based on PQP, which award tickets earn.
However, there is a requirement that you fly 4 flights on United metal and I think these have to be cash flights as opposed to award bookings. So you would still need to spend some money on United.
Award flights earn both PQP and PQF. I doubt many people are earning United status with only award flights but it is possible.