How To Get Airline And Hotel Elite Status Through Credit Cards

When boarding a plane or checking into a hotel, you might have cast an envious glance at someone who waltzes to the front of the line or straight to the lounge, complete with baggage tags indicating they’re a VIP.

You’ve just discovered the joys of elite status, which, unfortunately, is normally out of reach to anyone other than frequent work travellers. But did you know that elite status could be yours, without having to rack up all those miles or hotel nights?

In this post, we’ll look at which credit cards offer instant elite status, or reduced qualification requirements that get you the perks faster.

With a non-waivable annual fee of S$1,744, the AMEX Platinum Charge is no small investment. That’s probably why American Express throws in so many additional benefits such as S$1,354 of annual statement credits, free hotel stays, dining vouchers and lounge access. 

Another perk is instant hotel and rental car elite status. Cardholders, whether principal or supplementary, enjoy the following perks:

• Avis President’s Club
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star
• Hilton Honors Gold
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold
• Radisson Rewards Premium
• Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Platinum

Out of these, Hilton Honors Gold is arguably the most useful, because it comes with complimentary breakfast for two guests every day. When you’re visiting a high-cost destination like the Maldives, that can save you almost S$100 daily.

The benefits offered by Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Platinum are more marginal, but at the very least you’ll be higher in the pecking order for room upgrades and late check-out.

Status is granted immediately upon registration and is available to both principal and supplementary cardholders.

AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Cardholders who spend at least S$15,000 on Singapore Airlines tickets within the first 12 months of card approval will be upgraded to KrisFlyer Elite Gold. Do note that all tickets must originate from Singapore, and be charged in Singapore Dollars.

KrisFlyer Elite Gold perks include:

• 25% bonus mileage accrual
• Complimentary forward and standard seat selection
• Extra baggage allowance
• Priority check-in
• Priority boarding
• Priority baggage handling
• Lounge access

With the exception of complimentary seat selection, which is a Singapore Airlines-only perk, these benefits are available for travel on both Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance members. 

KrisFlyer Elite Gold normally requires accumulating 50,000 Elite miles in a 12-month period, which is no small matter- that’s three round trips to San Francisco! What’s more, you can only accrue Elite miles for tickets in your own name. 

Just like the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, AMEX HighFlyer Cardholders also have a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold, which requires them to spend at least S$15,000 on the Singapore Airlines Group (defined as Singapore Airlines, Scoot and KrisShop) within the first 12 months of card approval.

Do note that this is a wider definition than the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, whose fast-track offer only counts spend on Singapore Airlines tickets. There is also no requirement that the Singapore Airlines tickets here originate from Singapore or be charged in Singapore Dollars.

In addition to this, AMEX HighFlyer Cardholders receive a complimentary Accor Plus membership, which includes benefits such as up to 50% off dining and a free hotel night each year. But a lesser-known perk is the 20 status nights, which grant instant Accor Live Limitless Silver status (requirement: 10 nights),. 

Truth be told, Accor Live Limitless Silver does not have many perks- the most noticeable difference you’ll realise is that you get some welcome drink coupons upon check-in, and if you’re very lucky, maybe late check-out. 

However, 20 nights is also 2/3rds of the way towards the 30-night requirement for Accor Live Limitless Gold, which adds additional perks like a space-available room upgrade and a welcome amenity.

DBS Vantage Cardholders also enjoy a complimentary Accor Plus membership, so they will be automatically upgraded to Accor Live Limitless Silver upon signing up. 

KrisFlyer UOB Credit Cardholders who spend at least S$5,000 on the Singapore Airlines Group (defined as Singapore Airlines, Scoot and KrisShop) within the first 12 months of card approval will be upgraded to KrisFlyer Elite Silver.

KrisFlyer Elite Silver perks include:

• 25% bonus mileage accrual
• Complimentary standard seat selection
• Extra baggage allowance
• Priority check-in
• Priority boarding

This doesn’t have nearly as many perks as Elite Gold and does not have the all-important lounge access, but it’s still better than nothing. The priority lines and extra baggage can make a world of difference at crowded airports, or if you went a bit overboard with shopping.

Even if you have none of the cards mentioned above, don’t worry! Mastercard has partnered up with several hotel chains to offer instant status for its World and World Elite cardholders. You might not have a World Elite card - this badge is reserved for premium cards like the Citi Prestige or UOB Lady’s Solitaire Metal Card - but I guarantee you have at least one World card in your wallet. 

In Singapore, this is effectively the entry tier for credit cards, whether it’s the Citi Rewards Card or the OCBC Rewards Card (both of which have minimum income requirements of just S$30,000).

There’s a total of six different hotel programmes that Mastercard partners with.

I’d argue that the most useful option here would be GHA DISCOVERY, which includes chains such as Anantara, Capella, Kempinski, NH Hotels, Pan Pacific, and PARKROYAL. Titanium status offers a two-category room upgrade, complimentary breakfast at selected brands, and early check-in or late check-out, subject to availability. 

Before you go and get all your accounts upgraded, here’s one important distinction to make.

Some of these offers are only valid for one-time upgrades, which means that following the initial year of free status, you will need to requalify via the regular route. Others are valid so long as you hold the credit card that gave you the status in the first place.

For one-time status offers, timing is important. You should only activate the free status near the period when you know you’ll be travelling, or else you’ll effectively waste it!

For perpetual status, it doesn’t really matter when you sign up though, you’ll obviously want to do it ASAP to start enjoying the benefits immediately. 

Earning elite status with airlines or hotels is usually out of the reach of most casual travellers, but the fast-tracks offered by credit cards let you bypass the regular requirements.

Be sure to read the fine print of every status match offer to ensure eligibility, and for one-time upgrades, don’t be too hasty to pull the trigger until you know you’ve got a confirmed trip scheduled!