If you get the Chase Priority Club Visa (preferably with the 80K emailed targeted offer) that will get you Platinum for a year because it's 60K points in the calendar year. Then buy Ambassador for $200. Then go on CC or eBay and get Royal Ambassador. Excellent, excellent hotel status.

Furthermore, it's easy, easy to earn the 60k points/year to get Plat with all the crazy promos PC runs. A recent single ($100) stay netted me 10k points. (Make sure to sign up for all the promos.)

Plus, Point Breaks are unparalleled. I'm getting ready for a four night stay at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia (Atlanta) with two rooms. They're upgrading both rooms to Executive Floor because I'm a Plat, which comes with free breakfast and lounge access. The whole stay for 4 people, 2 rooms for four nights came to $240 worth of points.