Originally Posted by
Small Shiny Objects
I have not been traveling much the last few years and so I do not currently hold status for any hotel chain. Starting in October it looks like I am going to start travelling a lot more than I have been.
I know there are several credit card offers that allow you to gain status for certain hotel chains. I may take Chase up on an email offer they sent me a month ago for Priority Club Rewards if it is still valid, but I really don't need any additional credit cards.
I see I can purchase Gold status for Priority Club directly from them for $50, but would only be good through 12/31/11, so it is not necessarily a good time to make that purchase.
I should be able to earn status fairly quickly if I end up being able to stay at just one or two chains, but I will be jumping around from city to city and may not have the option to try and put all my eggs in one or two baskets.
Are there any other hotel programs besides Priority Club that allow you to simply purchase status?
Intercontinental allows you to purchase Ambassador status for $200 (and, I believe you get Priority Club gold as well).
Hyatt gives you Platinum status if you sign up for their Chase Hyatt Visa Card.
Hilton gives you Gold for their Hilton Surpass credit card (and you also get Priority Pass Basic for airport lounges).
Marriot has a promotion giving out Silver:
http://thepointsguy.com/2011/03/free...silver-status/
Best Western and Choice hotel allows you to status match elite status from other programs (very simple form/email to fill out).
That's the ones off the top of my head.