Travel Hack: Get elite hotel status before a single stay
Status with a hotel chain can be nice to have.
As an elite member, you can expect things like priority check-in, room upgrades, executive lounge access, free breakfast, welcome drinks, more loyalty points and late check-out – all things which can elevate your stay.
However, many hotel loyalty programs require you to stay at least 25 nights per year with a particular hotel group to receive these perks – something not achievable for the average traveller.
The good news is there are work-arounds to securing status with many hotel chains in Australia – sometimes before you stay a single night.
Elite Hotel Status Hacks
Hilton Honors Silver Status
If you hold an eligible American Express card in Australia, you can enrol for complimentary Silver status with Hilton.
This unlocks benefits at more than 5,600 hotels and resorts worldwide when you book rooms directly through Hilton, including:
20% Bonus on all Hilton Honors Base Points you earn
Receive every 5th night free on Standard Room Reward stays of 5 nights or more
Complimentary Standard in-room and lobby Wi-Fi
Check-in, choose your room and order ahead prior to your stay with the Hilton Honors App
Eligible cards for this offer are:
The American Express® Gold Card
The American Express Explorer® Credit Card
The American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card
The American Express® Rewards Advantage Card
American Express Business Explorer® Credit Card
American Express® Gold Business Card
Hilton Honors Gold Status
Gold status with Hilton is a significant step up from Silver and there are a couple of ways you can get it without staying 40 nights a year at Hilton properties.
There are a couple of ways to get this status in Australia without staying. American Express Platinum Card® members – and any additional card holders – can enrol for ongoing complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status.
Additionally, those who reach Gold status in Virgin Australia’s Velocity program are offered a one-time, 12-month status match to Hilton Honors Gold.
Benefits include:
80% Bonus on all Hilton Honors Base Points you earn
Space-available room upgrades to preferred rooms at select brands
Daily continental breakfast for you and up to one additional guest at select brands
Receive every 5th night free on Standard Room Reward stays of 5 nights or more
Late check-out, when available
If you are upgraded to an Executive room at some Hilton properties – which we have been before – then you can also receive access to the Executive Lounge for breakfast, snacks throughout the day and evening drinks and canapés.
There are multiple ways to enjoy status at Hilton hotels and resorts without meeting the usual requirements.
Hilton Honors Diamond Status
The highest level of status with Hilton unsurprisingly comes with the most perks.
This usually requires 60 nights in hotels to reach, but frequent flyers who achieve Platinum status in Virgin Australia’s Velocity program are offered a one-time, 12-month status match to Hilton Honors Diamond.
You get everything you get with Gold, plus:
100% Bonus on all Hilton Honors Base Points you earn
Space-available room upgrades up to one-bedroom suites
Executive lounge access
Premium Wi-Fi
48-hour room guarantee
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status
Marriott International is the biggest hotel chain in the world and Marriott Bonvoy™ members can receive benefits at more than 6,500 properties across 139 countries and territories.
Gold status with Marriott usually requires you to stay in the brand’s hotels for at least 25 nights each year.
However, American Express Platinum Card® members in Australia – including any additional card holders – are able to enrol for a complimentary upgrade.
The benefits of Gold status with Marriott are not as lucrative as other programs but include:
25% Bonus on all Marriott Bonvoy™ points you earn
A complimentary upgrade to an enhanced room at check-in, if available
Late check-out up to 2pm, subject to availability
A welcome gift upon check-in
IHG One Rewards Gold
A mid-tier status within IHG’s One Rewards program, it normally takes 20 nights of stays to reach this status.
But if you reach Gold status in Virgin Australia’s Velocity program you can accept a one-time, 12-month status match to IHG One Rewards Gold.
Benefits of this status include:
40% bonus on all IHG One Rewards points you earn
Points don't expire
2pm late check-out, subject to availability
Member rates and free internet
IHG One Rewards Platinum
The second-highest tier in IHG’s One Rewards program, you would normally have to stay 40 nights to achieve this level of status.
However, Platinum members of Virgin Australia’s Velocity program can accept a one-time, 12-month status match to IHG One Rewards Platinum.
Members with this level of status can expect:
60% bonus on all IHG One Rewards points you earn
Reward night discounts
72hrs guaranteed room availability
Welcome amenity at check-in
Complimentary upgrades, subject to availability
Early check-in, subject to availability
2pm late check-out, subject to availability
Accor Live Limitless Silver
Accor has a large presence across the Australia Pacific region, with more than 400 hotels to pick from.
This status normally requires members to stay at least 10 nights at Accor properties, but if you have Gold status or above in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program you can apply for a fast-track to Accor Live Limitless Silver after just one hotel stay.
American Express Platinum Card® members in Australia can also enrol for complimentary Accor Plus membership, which includes Silver status in addition to dining discounts and a free night’s stay.
Benefits of Silver status with Accor include:
Priority welcome
Welcome drink
Early check-in or late check-out, subject to availability
Accor Live Limitless Gold
Normally reserved for those who stay more than 30 nights a year at Accor properties, a fast-track is available which can see you enjoy Gold status after one stay if you have the right credit card.
If you hold a NAB Rewards Signature card and are enrolled in auto redemption for ALL Reward points you can register for the ‘Fast Track offer’.
All you have to do after registering is book a stay on ALL.com and travel before December 31, 2025 to reach Gold status after a single night’s stay.
Benefits of Gold status with Accor include:
48% bonus on ALL Reward points earned during stay
Late check-out or early check-in, subject to availability
Complimentary upgrade, subject to availability
Welcome drink on arrival
Welcome gift
Guaranteed room availability
Getting a status match
Sometimes hotel chains also offer status match opportunities, allowing you to match your status from another hotel group or airline.
Hilton, for example, regularly offers a ‘status challenge’, providing a 90-day trial of Gold or Diamond Status.
If you stay at least eight nights during your trial period, you can receive another 12 months of Gold status.
Staying at least 14 nights during the trial period can see you enjoy Diamond status for a further 12 months.
Why hotel status isn’t always best
At Hack Your Trip, we’ve certainly enjoyed the benefits of elite hotel status from time to time.
Things like free breakfast, late check-out, welcome drinks and room upgrades can really elevate a stay.
However, it is important to note that status benefits are generally only received when you book directly with hotels.
Third-party booking websites like Expedia may provide better room rates – and offer more options for properties – so could be a better option.
These days, hotel package deal websites like Luxury Escapes can also provide more perks than hotel loyalty programs.
So, it is worth weighing up your options before booking any stay.
Summary
Holding the right credit card can get you instant status with some hotel chains in Australia, providing benefits like bonus points, late check-out, room upgrades, welcome gifts and free breakfast. There are also status match opportunities available for those who hold elite status in the Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity programs, as well as with competing hotel groups. It is worth remembering, though, that you will generally only receive status benefits if you book directly with hotel chains. Sometimes you may be able to find better deals on rooms on third-party websites like Expedia.
Written By: Chris
Updated: February 2025
