Exclusive benefits and elite status have become hallmarks of premium brands looking to reward their most loyal and high-spending customers. From room upgrades to special events invitations, priority bookings to members-only sales, the perks can be plentiful for those granted access into these coveted inner circles.
While elite tiers take different shapes across hotels, airlines and other hospitality brands, the qualifications tend to share some commonalities. By understanding what these brands, like SpinBet, are looking for in their top guests, you’ll be better equipped to work towards the elite status that unlocks all those special treats. This guide will cover the main benefits of VIP membership and how to elevate your habits to reach those upper echelon levels.
It’s Critical to Track Your Spending and Habits
Most programs determine elite status qualifications based on a member’s spending habits and behaviors over a clearly defined period, usually one calendar year. The basic metric used by most hotel chains and airlines is your overall spending amount with the brand over that timeframe.
For example, Hilton Honors top-level Diamond status requires $20,000 USD spent across all Hilton hotels and resorts in a year. Similarly, American Airlines Executive Platinum status requires $15,000 USD spent on AA flights annually. Other hospitality groups like cruise lines, rental car agencies, tours and sightseeing companies and others also follow this spending-based model for determining elite tiers.
| Brand | Elite Status Name | Annual Spending Requirement |
| Hilton Honors | Diamond | $20,000+ |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Titanium | $15,000+ |
| American Airlines | Executive Platinum | $15,000+ |
Keeping careful track of your annual expenditures with any brand you wish to achieve elite status with is crucial for monitoring your progress towards unlocking those VIP perks and benefits.
Volume of Stays Also Plays a Role
For hotel and airline programs, the sheer amount of business you conduct with the brand – or volume of stays/flights – is also factored into status qualifications. Some weigh total annual nights stayed more heavily than dollar amount spent, especially if aiming to attract business travelers on the road frequently versus high-end leisure guests.
Most airlines have a system requiring you to fly a minimum number of flight segments (one-way flights) in addition to reaching an annual spending threshold with the airline. So even big spenders can’t buy their way to Exec Platinum without logging the miles in the sky first.
When planning your travel and stays, choosing to conduct more of your business with one primary brand each year will accelerate your activity count and help you climb the tiers more quickly towards elite status.
Early Status Perks Motivate Loyalty
The highest elite tiers with the most valuable and exclusive benefits understandably have high barriers to entry, sometimes taking years of unwavering loyalty to attain. Thankfully many programs offer guests special “taste test” perks and upgrades earlier in the lower Elite Status tiers.
Early perks like room upgrades, lounge access, priority boarding, free Wi-Fi and bonus earning can give you a preview of the royal treatment that awaits at the top status levels. Access to these benefits earlier on helps incentivize you to concentrate more of your travel, hotel and flight budgets with one provider.
Elite Tiers Open Doors
The key to unlocking those elite VIP perks and status levels is identifying brands that align with your individual travel preferences and habits. Focusing your spending and stays across their portfolio of hotels, airlines or properties makes each tier climb more achievable in a shorter timeframe.
With milestone elite status comes the red carpet treatment, opening doors to the secret menus, insider access and special treatment normally reserved for royalty, celebrities and only the most valued guests. Entry into these elite inner circles marks an elevation in your travel experiences, so map out your game plan today to start reaping those exclusive rewards sooner.