Originally Posted by
rankourabu
I have 5 hotel statuses, and have only stayed on free nights in chains.
Its very possible to have hotel status by just having the right (often free) credit card.
Its very possible to get many airline benefits that status would give you with the right credit card as well.
i do not know of any airline benes from bought card other than free bag, front of line boarding, and the lounge. (excluding amex megabuck card, if still offered). wife and i fly about 50K a year using FF tickets. we each have a couple thousand ff miles from paid short hauls to family. absolutely no status with any airline.
my only interest in getting status is some airlines give better selection on award flights to elites