Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Editor's Note This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you travel often, elite status can quickly go from a nice-to-have perk to something you never want to travel without. Free checked bags , room upgrades, lounge access, late checkout and bonus points can make trips noticeably smoother. And depending on how often you travel, they can potentially save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year.
The catch? Earning airline or hotel status the traditional way usually requires a lot of travel and spending. Many airline programs require thousands of dollars in annual spending, while hotel programs often expect dozens of nights per year before you unlock meaningful perks.
Fortunately, the right travel credit card can help fast-track your path to elite status. Some cards offer automatic status just for being a cardholder, while others let you earn elite-qualifying points or nights through everyday spending. This can greatly reduce the time, expense and effort needed to reach elite status.
These are the best credit cards for earning airline and hotel elite status.
Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card Earn 1 status point per $2 spent Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees ) Automatic Aeroplan 25K elite status, upgrade to 35K status by spending $75,000 a year on the card. Air France KLM Visa Signature® Credit Card Earn 20 Experience Points every card anniversary. Earn an additional 80 XP after $15,000 in annual purchases, and up to 160 XP total after $25,000 Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent on purchases Earn 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000, 90,000, 165,000, and 240,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every $10 spent Cardmembers receive an MQD boost of 2,500 MQDs each qualification year
JetBlue Premier Card Earn 25 bonus Tiles every calendar year, plus 1 Tile for every $1,000 spent on the card. JetBlue Plus Card Qualify for the four tiers of JetBlue Mosaic elite status through credit card spending Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees ) Earn 2,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 spent on purchases annually toward A-List status . All points earned count toward Companion Pass eligibility . United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees ) Earn 1 Premier qualifying point for every $15 you spend on the card, up to 28,000 PQP in a calendar year Cardholders receive a 1,500 PQP bonus within eight weeks of Feb. 1 each year, starting in the calendar year following their account open date
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees ) Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status with the ability to earn Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year after spending $40,0…