Keeping your hotel elite status forever without having to requalify every year, that becomes a reality for a number of frequent travelers after years. Some hotel loyalty programs reward their most loyal members with lifetime status. Earlier, I explained how to earn airline elite status for life. In this article we cover the most popular hotel loyalty programs to earn elite status for life.
World of Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
World of Hyatt only offers its top tier Globalist status as a lifetime elite status. Globalist members are eligible for club access, free breakfast, a 30% bonus points and waved resort fees. Lifetime Globalists earn also 4 suite night awards every year, even when not having qualifying stays.
There is only 1 requirement to earn lifetime Globalist status and this is earning a total of 1 million base points over de life of your account. Elite bonus points and credit card bonuses and not eligible towards this total of points. Assuming you’ll spend $ 10,000 per year in Hyatt hotels, it will take you at least 20 years to reach lifetime Globalist as 1 million base points equals a total spend of $ 200,000.
Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond Status
Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond is the only lifetime status that is offered in the Hilton Honors program. If you’re not eligible for one of the Hilton Honors credit cards and if you’re staying frequently at Hilton hotels, this status be worth thousands of dollars thanks to all its perks like space available upgrades, guaranteed lounge access, breakfast for 2 and 100% bonus points and more.
To qualify for lifetime Diamond status, you not only need to be a Diamond member for 10 (non-consecutive) years but you also need to complete one of the following requirements:
- Staying 1,000 nights in the Hilton Honors program, both paid and reward nights are eligible
- Earning 2 million base points.
Being a Diamond member for 10 years is not that difficult, especially if these years not have to be consecutive. On the other hand, 1,000 nights in the program requires you to stay at least 60 nights per year for 17 years. And earning a total of 2 million base points requires a total spend of $ 200,000. Therefore, lifetime Diamond status is only for those who are loyal for life to Hilton Honors.
A special gift will be send to you when reaching your lifetime status. Note that you have to contact Hilton Honors as you’re lifetime progress isn’t shown in your account.
Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite Status
Unlike other hotel loyalty programs that are offering only a top tier lifetime elite status like World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy also offers a lifetime status on their lowers tiers.
Silver Elite only offers a 10% bonus points and a late check-out. To reach Silver Elite for life, you not only need to be a Silver Elite for 5 years, you also need to stay 250 nights in the program. Gold Elites get a 25% bonus points, upgrades to enhanced rooms as well as a welcome amenity. To be a lifetime Gold member, you need to be a Gold Elite for 7 years and stay 400 lifetime nights in the program.
But the real value kicks in at Platinum Elite. Apart from a 50% bonus points, space available suite upgrades and a welcome amenity, you’re also granted access to the lounge. You will be a Lifetime Platinum Elite when getting 600 lifetime nights in the program as well as being a Platinum member for 10 years.
Although, it still takes at least a decade for most people to earn a lifetime hotel elite status, Marriott Bonvoy is the quickest way as the requirements are lower than World of Hyatt and Hilton Honors.
Hotel Elite Status For Life Bottom Line
Some hotel loyalty programs reward their most loyal customers with lifetime elite status but this requires a long-term commitment. Therefore, this isn’t for everyone but only for those who are loyal to one hotel chain. Although it takes at least a decade to earn a top tier lifetime status in a hotel loyalty program, it’s nice for those who not have to worry about chasing status again every year.
Myself I’m loyal to Hilton Honors and have spent just a couple of hundreds of nights in the program, so it would take me many years yet to reach lifetime Diamond status. World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy are the only 3 hotel loyalty programs that are offering lifetime elite status. Other programs like Le Club Accorhotels, Wyndham Rewards and IHG do not offer lifetime status.
Are you working towards lifetime hotel elite status or do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments below.
