TOP TIER Hotel Elite Status Strategy for 2021 (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt)

[@PrinceofTravel]

Interested in learning all about how to travel the world on points? Join us at The Travel Summit Toronto 2022: The #1 event for elevating your travel! thetravelsummit.com

[@jpknowledge8852]

I'm going to become a Hyatt Globalist soon for the first time. I'm typically not a status chaser, but this one just landed in my lap almost completely naturally with all the promotions in the first two months. I'm looking forward to being a Globalist when I travel overseas once the world opens up.

[@Exp291]

The video I've been waiting on! Great video Ricky and thanks for the tips!

[@PrinceofTravel]

Glad you enjoy Tylor! Let me know if you have any ideas for future videos too

[@P8REN]

Thanks for this. I used to be a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium but dropped down to Platinum last year. I will be staying for 16 nights in March, so 16*2 = 32 as a result of the Q1 promotion. If you add on the 25 nights Bonvoy will add as a result of gaining 50 nights last year, this brings it to 57. And then if I sign up to the Bonvoy Amex here in the UK, it will take me up to 72 nights, hence I just need 3 more nights to regain Titanium. This should also let me gain Lifetime Gold for 2022.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Which top-tier status are you going to earn in 2021? Let me know your goals 👇🏼

[@philip1065]

Planning a European trip in business and 5 star hotels with the wife for 10 year anniversary in 2022, planning to do gold via platinum Amex at minimum, may also try to get US card to get platinum

[@PrinceofTravel]

​@@philip1065 Did you have any status in 2020? If so the 50% boost will be super helpful, otherwise yeah 2021 is your year of getting started with the US cards which will give you 30 elite nights, meaning you only have to stay 20 nights (or as few as 10 under the Double Elite Nights promotion) to get Platinum.

[@philip1065]

@@PrinceofTravel I didn’t unfortunately, I cancelled my Marriott card like a dummy in 2018, gunna get the mrs a card probably

[@lesdorgo]

I am going for Marriott Titanium. I had Plat in 2020 and both USA cards.

[@PG-bs3uv]

Great video, as always Ricky. I got too aggressive with my Amex Canada strategy and got shut down loosing 150K MR points and had several cards cancelled; Ouch! I know, I know, I was warned.. my fault. Despite this kick in the stomach, I’ve picked myself up and have moved on. Thankfully, in 2019 I had done a global transfer and managed to get my US issued Amex no fee Hilton card thanks to your suggestion. Since I’m still waiting on my ITIN from the IRS, I thought that further US Amex cards would not be possible. Despite this, two weeks ago I phoned Amex USA and managed to get my second US Amex card, a Bonvoy Brilliant based on my Amex Hilton card history. Hooray, I’m back in the game! With gold status from last year, I’m taking your advice and mattress running four nights in Winnipeg, thanks to the help of a friend to check in for me for an additional 8 elite nights. The final step will be to pick up my US Bonvoy Business card to pick up another 15 elite nights once my ITIN comes in and then it will be at least platinum status until Feb 2023. Even if I don’t get to indulge in exotic suites in for away lands in the near future, moving up to platinum or titanium status gives me hope that some day we will get to travel again. Thanks again for the great content.

[@theteacherandbeyond]

Oooooh! THANK you for this!! I am hopeful to at least get to Marriott Platinum status :)

[@PrinceofTravel]

Go get em' Miss Teacher in the Tesla! 😁

[@Eilen719]

Can you explain the Bonvoy card “qualifying $ 20,000 spending “. What is considered qualified?

[@yvr2002rtw]

Maybe I'll do some major renovations at my house and move into a hotel for a month or two!

[@LH4116]

Hilton Diamond with 150 nights (booked and stayed so far) in 2021 and Hyatt Globalist thanks to the promo, but will likely reach 60 nights at the end of the year. It's quite a shame that Hilton doesn't offer a tier above Diamond for those of us who actually earn our status the hard way. Pretty glad to have diversified into Hyatt as well since I generally find their top tier recognition to be worlds ahead that of Hilton's.

[@bstv3380]

Just got to Ambassador for Marriott, Diamond for Hilton and Platinum for IGH. All that is left to do is to actually be able to travel xD

[@AllanIceman]

I already got my Globalist statues the first week of 2021 thanks to a staycation at my local Hyatt place! Next up: Marriott Platinum when the next bonvoy promotion starts up.

[@gtrr3246]

I actually think Hilton attaching their top-tier status to their $450 Aspire was a brilliant marketing idea. Not many Diamond holders I know have the Aspire since they don't want to pay the AF. Many of my buddies have diamond simply due to the type of work, but not an Aspire holder.

[@samkim2805]

Correction: that's actually not true. For this year you can get ( 28 Elite promo nights) 13 nights from Amex Platinum (even as an authorized user and enroll for the Gold Benefit) then 15 nights with Amex Brillant Bonvoy.

[@syhzaidi22]

Is there still a distinction between MR Select Points vs MR Points

[@cad6095]

Hi, I’ve just looked at platinum benefits. It says you get offeared a free breakfast or points award at hotel, but you have access to lounge with that anyway. So should you just take the points, as lounge gets you dinner and breakfast right. Also does the lounge give access to your guests staying with you as well?

[@02dpoirier]

As someone who is apprehensive to holding too many cards (max 3 or 4), which points reward program do you recommend? Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy? Committing to only Aeroplan with a bank issued Visa (TD) and an Amex seems like the simple option, but would I be missing out?

[@bernedoodleatlas4086]

Started a new job that requires alot of travelling. Unfortunately I don't have any CCs that grants status nor do I have any hotel status. So here is my plan: -Sign up for IHG fast track (5 nights within 90 days platinum status) -Status match IHG platinum with Marriott platinum. I will then have 90 days to do 15 nights to keep status. I will book during double night promotion so that I only need to do 8 nights. Do you see any flaws in this plan?

[@PrinceofTravel]

I think you'd be able to request a Marriott status challenge even without having IHG Platinum status. Also, I'm not sure if the double elite nights promotion will count for the purposes of the status challenge; I think it's fairly likely that the regular 16 nights will still be required for the challenge.

[@lphui]

Already Globalist, Diamond and Platinum. More than likely will give Titanium a shot.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Go for it - especially during that Double Elite Nights promotion ✌🏼

[@lphui]

OK, I will. Please keep up with the great contents on your videos. Very informative compared to other channels.

[@RyanLackey]

I wish there were a double dollar credit or something for Ambassador. I'm lifetime Titanium (and Hilton Diamond via CC, IHG Spire), but $14k spend this year doesn't seem worthwhile (I'll probably easily get to $6-8k on my own).

[@richardadams288]

Wondering if the new Day Rates at Marriott would qualify. For instance, Day Pass rates start at $59 in Toronto.

[@navigateur101]

I have been Gold member with Marriott the whole 2020 until December 28th 2020 where I reached Platinum. Will I receive 13 bonus nights or 25? Thanks and great video!

[@PrinceofTravel]

You should be getting 25 - well done!

[@Hintonbro.]

Good video but nobody considers Petawawa as the outskirts of Ottawa. Call up a friend in Ottawa to go check you in at a hotel in Petawawa and he’ll laugh at you.

[@dimebagg1]

Feb 2023? Not 2022? That’s great. I think I’ll go for ambassador this year. Have titanium currently. I’m a Toronto guy too... but leaving the country for good to escape the crazy taxes.

[@philip1065]

Another awesome video as always.... video idea: have some subscribers send in examples of how your strategies and advice has helped them take amazing trips they only dreamt of..... Also, do you have a discord?

[@PrinceofTravel]

I like it! Yes, the Discord chat group is part of the membership on Patreon: www.patreon.com/princeoftravel

[@melsenel4408]

Hi Ricky, I am a Marriott Gold member via the Amex Personal Platinum. I only have the 15 elite qualifying nights that comes with the card. Will I also receive the 13 bonus elite nights?

[@jasonscarrotts577]

Thanks Ricky...it sucks that Bonvoy does not give Canadians the 30 elite nights for having both the Canadian personal and business card...Titanium Elite here

[@PrinceofTravel]

Hoping they make that improvement up here too 🙌🏼

[@yeomilkong]

Can you do a video on how to maximize to get to higher tier levels in Canada by getting credit cards?

[@NicksDynasty]

I just made a video on this topic.

[@TheLandMiler]

Great detailed breakdown on qualifying for the top tier statuses! I'm wondering if a full mattress run with no travelling purpose for Hyatt Globalist is worth it given I already have Marriott titanium... probably not but I've heard great things about having Hyatt status and how they treat customers

[@PrinceofTravel]

I grappled with that for a while and decided to go for it. May as well see what the Hyatt hype is all about

[@IronHulkTriathlon]

Good stuff! Just subscribed! More visual aids and a slower pace would go a long way with feeble minds like my own.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Thanks for the tips - it’s sometimes a bit tricky to get the pace right, so I appreciate the feedback!

[@TY-ne6lc]

Hello Ricky, I am a Marriott Gold member via the United Airlines Premier Gold. Will I receive the 13 bonus elite nights?

[@PrinceofTravel]

If you held Gold status in 2020, yes!

[@tivsma]

Is there no really good hotel/travel CC for Canadians (that is not an Am Ex)? I can't seem to find anything that stands out. No US cards...Looking for Canadian only. Help?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yeah the hotel rewards cards are pretty lacking up here. The only option outside of Amex Bonvoy cards is MBNA Best Western, which really isn't the strongest program at all. Hopefully we see some better products entering the market in 2021.

[@dakaizumifusa242]

Does a combination of paid stay and Marriott 1-night voucher count toward double elite nights? Thanks

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yes, as long as there's one paid stay and it's all under one reservation, it'll count

[@caterminnis5534]

Can you link any desired Hilton rewards number to any card? I am looking at my wife opening a card using my existing Hilton honors rewards number.

[@afzalshaikh2128]

You can’t

[@caterminnis5534]

@@afzalshaikh2128 I have an authorized user card should I just use mine primarily to collect points to single Hilton honors account or will that affect the bonus offer?

[@caterminnis5534]

@@afzalshaikh2128 so would I need to be the primary to earn the bonus offer

[@afzalshaikh2128]

@@caterminnis5534 yes, your Hilton number is linked to your credit card. You can't earn points on behalf of someone.

[@larissamccollum5738]

I’m in the US and going to get gold via the AmEx for the first time. What is my best strategy? Assuming I missed the extra elite nights.

[@PrinceofTravel]

If you sign up for the Bonvoy Brilliant and Bonvoy Business in 2021, you'll have 30 elite nights, which leaves you with only 20 until you get Platinum Elite at 50 nights! You could also book stays during the promotion period (Feb 16-Apr 27) which will count double for the purposes of those 20 (so you could simply book a cheap 10-night stay and be done with it). Alternatively, consider simply applying for the Hilton Aspire and getting top-tier status with Hilton that way.

[@larissamccollum5738]

@@PrinceofTravel thank you so much! What is the guest check in option you referred to with Marriott? I can’t seem to find it.

[@vipers953]

Can you use the points for these hotels on affiliated hotels? How do you know if a hotel is affiliated?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt all have 10+ brands affiliated with them, you can find the details on each brand's website.

[@chrissun2882]

Amex Platinum Card makes all hotel status less attractive. Each stay $100 credit, free breakfast, free room upgrade etc.

[@TravelHere]

The ''elite status'' doesn't mean anything anymore at Marriott and Hilton. Free breakfast buffet is removed out of their programs or is replaced with a simple set breakfast or a la carte breakfast with very limited choices. Almost all executive lounges are closed or replaced next to the lobby. Hilton had free breakfast for diamond members but they removed it out of the program since everybody is a Hilton Diamond member these days (reachable with 15 nights). Marriott ''free breakfast'' is available but you get a set / a la carte breakfast instead of breakfast buffet, which is a huge downgrade. The ''room upgrades'' are mostly ''a higher floor'' or ''a better view'' which everybody gets already since hotels are for 90% empty in 2021. And almost all of their executive lounges are closed. They made ''a part of the lobby'' the new ''executive lounge'' which is exactly the same of the normal lobby. Hyatt was still operating like a normal the last time i visited. Awesome buffet breakfast and special designed lounge area on a different floor.

[@darkwoodmovies]

It's crazy that someone can spend 100 nights in hotels per year. Like one in 3.65 days are in a hotel :/

[@MasonsTurtle]

Good tips but i rarely travel now that I have two kids. Maybe 1 or 2 weeks at a hotel per year. Can’t imagine staying 30-75 nights. I’m still waiting to use my Hilton Aspire card that i got after watching one of your vids.

[@PrinceofTravel]

The Aspire card is best suited to your situation then, since you don't actually need to stay organically to get top-tier status every year. Make sure to maximize those $500 credits to offset the $450 fee!

[@MasonsTurtle]

@@PrinceofTravel Yup, I’m still trying to find a chance to use my one free night, but we’re being super careful of COVID.

[@geraldquintos4421]

The pain of not being in North America

[@PrinceofTravel]

😭

[@hb6497]

I am a diamond member with Hilton. I stayed at a bedbug infested Hilton and they did everything to cover up, lie and actually gaslight me about it. I’ve since stopped staying with them. Any hotel can get bedbugs, but the manner in which Hilton corporate lied to me was truly disturbing

[@tiantiantian55]

A complete waste of time and money. Spend annual fees to get useless cards, spend money on 'gap' nights, so you can get an 'elite' status in case you need to stay in a hotel amidst a global pandemic ... so that you can get free breakfast that you probably can get around the corner from where you're staying for $5 dollars... the moment when you think you're gaming the system, but realize you are the game...

[@PrinceofTravel]

Never spend money on stuff that you don't need.