CC Spend for Airline/Hotel Elite Status?
Jan 14, 2024, 8:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott // WN, AA, BA, UA, AS // Avis
Posts: 1,314
CC Spend for Airline/Hotel Elite Status?
Last few years, I have been putting $2M - $3M on CC's annually for various business expenses. This year (2024) will likely be over $4Mil in CC spend. Traditionally, I've put all my large expenses on my Amex Biz Plat, and then I have a myriad of other cards for gas, groceries, restaurants, etc. I also always hit Hyatt Globalist through a mix of stays & CC Spend on the WoH card, and I stay at Hilton's enough where having the Aspire CC to get Diamond status is 100% worth it for me.
I'm wondering, is there a list (or if not, we should make one and I can volunteer to start it) of all the various hotel and airline programs where levels of status of could be attained through CC spend alone? I know AA is another option, and I will easily hit AA Plat with a few flights + throwing some of my non-bonus spend on my Citi AA card. Now the question is, for other non-bonus spend, what other programs are there I should consider putting charges on their respective CC to earn my way up the elite levels? Would not be too difficult for me to move $200k-400k of non-bonus category spend to another card.
Ya, I know, been around FT long enough to know some people frown upon this since I'm not a loyal customer of "X" program.. blah. For my spend and travel habits, obtaining elite status in another 1 or 2 airline programs or another hotel program would be worth it.
I'm wondering, is there a list (or if not, we should make one and I can volunteer to start it) of all the various hotel and airline programs where levels of status of could be attained through CC spend alone? I know AA is another option, and I will easily hit AA Plat with a few flights + throwing some of my non-bonus spend on my Citi AA card. Now the question is, for other non-bonus spend, what other programs are there I should consider putting charges on their respective CC to earn my way up the elite levels? Would not be too difficult for me to move $200k-400k of non-bonus category spend to another card.
Ya, I know, been around FT long enough to know some people frown upon this since I'm not a loyal customer of "X" program.. blah. For my spend and travel habits, obtaining elite status in another 1 or 2 airline programs or another hotel program would be worth it.
Jan 14, 2024, 9:19 am
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Here is a vintage thread on this topic which ran from 2004 - 2016: Elite Status Without Flying or Staying
Jan 17, 2024, 7:35 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,577
Definitely would be a handy chart to have.
I'd also add in the known threshold bonuses, since when you're talking about that kind of spend the threshold bonuses can substantially improve the value prop of a given card. (Adding top-category hotel nights, 2-for-1 airline awards, etc.)
I'd also add in the known threshold bonuses, since when you're talking about that kind of spend the threshold bonuses can substantially improve the value prop of a given card. (Adding top-category hotel nights, 2-for-1 airline awards, etc.)
