ONE Card + 4 Simple Steps = 3 Free Hotel Elite Statuses!

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Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.  Did you know you can get free mid-tier elite status with 3 hotel chains just by opening ONE new card?

When you’re approved for the AMEX Platinum personal card, Mercedes-Benz card or small business card, you can enroll for Starwood Gold elite status.  And then match it to Marriott Gold elite status.  You’ll also get free Hilton Gold elite status with any of these cards!

AMEX Platinum Free Hotel Status
Here’s the Secret to Getting Elite Status With 3 Hotel Chains Just by Opening an AMEX Platinum Card

I just got my AMEX business Platinum , and I’ll show you how to get free hotel elite status!

About the AMEX Platinum Cards

Right now, there are different offers for each version of the AMEX Platinum Card.

1.   The Platinum Card® from American Express

Link:   The Platinum Card® from American Express

With The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months.  The annual fee of $450 is not waived.  Here’s my review with more details about the card.

2.   The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz

Link:   The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz

The offer for the American Express® Mercedes-Benz Platinum is 50,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after you charge $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of card membership.  The annual fee of $475 is not waived.  Here’s my review of the card.

3.   The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN

Link:   The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN

And the best offer right now is for The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN, if you can handle the tiered minimum spending requirements.

Through January 25, 2017, you’ll earn 50,000 AMEX Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.  And an extra 50,000 AMEX Membership Rewards points after you spend an additional $10,000 on qualifying purchases within the same timeframe.  The $450 annual fee is not waived.

Here’s my review of this limited-time offer.

How to Get Free Hotel Elite Status

Step 1.   Enroll for Free Hilton & Starwood Gold Elite Status

To get started, log into your American Express account.  Click the image of your AMEX Platinum Card, then “Benefits.”

AMEX Platinum Free Hotel Status
Click “Benefits” to Begin Enrolling for Hilton and Starwood Gold Elite Status

Step 2.   Enroll for Hilton Status

On the same screen, find the box that says “Hilton HHonors Gold Status” and click “Learn More.”

AMEX Platinum Free Hotel Status
Enter Your Hilton Loyalty Number and Click “Enroll”

On the next screen, fill-in your Hilton loyalty number, then click “Enroll.”  That’s it!

Step 3.   Enroll for Starwood Status

Go back to the “Benefits” screen (Step 1) and look for “Starwood Preferred Guest Gold.”  Click “Enroll Now.”

AMEX Platinum Free Hotel Status
Just Like Before, Enter Your Details, This Time for Starwood, and Click “Enroll”

Enter your Starwood loyalty number, and click “Enroll.”

You should see both elite status updates in your account within a day or two.

Step 4.   Match Starwood Status to Marriott

Link:   Link Your Starwood and Marriott Accounts

As part of the Marriott-Starwood merger, you can instantly link your accounts and match your elite status between both programs.

AMEX Platinum Free Hotel Status
Click “Link Account” Then “SPG Members Start Here”

Simply click “Link Account” at the top of this page, and “SPG Members Start Here.”  Then, sign-in to your Starwood account to process the instant match!

Now you have elite status with 3 hotel chains!

What Do You Get With Elite Status?

You’ll enjoy perks like upgrades when available, late checkout, bonus points, and sometimes free breakfast!

Let’s take a look at what each elite status gets you.  Note these perks are for Gold elite status within each program, because that’s what you’ll end up with!

1.   Hilton Gold Elite Status

Link:   Hilton Gold Elite Status

You’ll get:

  • A space-available upgrade to the executive floor or the next best available room type
  • Free continental breakfast
  • 4:00 pm late checkout when available
  • 25% bonus points on stays
  • 5th night free on award stays
AMEX Platinum Free Hotel Status
Hilton Gold Elite Status Gets You Free Breakfast!

Million Mile Secrets team member Harlan often stays with Hilton and has enjoyed several very nice upgrades!  And lounge access is always a nice perk when the hotel gives you a room on the Executive Floor.

2.   Starwood Gold Elite Status

Link:   Starwood Gold Elite Status

You’ll get:

  • 3X Starwood points per $1 spent on your stay at Starwood hotels (50% points bonus)
  • 4:00 pm late checkout when it’s available
  • Upgrade to enhanced rooms (higher floor, better view, etc.)
  • Complimentary in-room premium internet when you book through the Starwood website or via their mobile app
  • Welcome gift (choose 125 points for Aloft, Element, and Four Points hotels or 250 points at other Starwood hotels, or complimentary drink)

If you stay often with Starwood, this is an easy way to earn even more valuable Starwood points!

3.   Marriott Gold Elite Status

Link:   Marriott Gold Elite Status

You’ll enjoy:

  • 25% bonus points on stays
  • 4:00 pm guaranteed late check-out at most Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels   
  • Free breakfast and lounge access at participating executive lounges
  • Room upgrades (if available)
  • 10% discount at Marriott gift shops
AMEX Platinum Free Hotel Status
Lounge Access Can Be a Lifesaver Because You Often Get Snacks Throughout the Day and Free Drinks in the Evening!

This elite status carries over to Ritz-Carlton hotels, too.  So you get a two-for-one deal with this status!

Bottom Line

When you have the AMEX Platinum personal card, Mercedes-Benz card or small business card, you can get Gold elite status with 3 hotel chains for free.  Easily enroll for Hilton Gold elite status and Starwood Gold elite status.  Then match your Starwood status to Marriott Gold elite status (which also works at Ritz-Carlton hotels)!

Then you can enjoy perks including bonus points, upgrades when there’s room, and free breakfast and lounge access (depending on the hotel).

Marriott and Hilton are among the world’s largest hotel chains, so you’ll get to enjoy elite status almost everywhere you travel!

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

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