purchase...
 

Hi everyone,

So I have noticed that some hotel and airline companies will allow you to purchase elite status. I was wondering if we could make a list of all the elite status you can purchase. I'll start off with the ones I know.


FF Elite Status
Continental OnePass Elite Silver - $350

Hotel Elite Status

Hilton
Silver - $? or Hilton Amex Platinum Credit Card
Gold - $?
Diamond - $?

SPG
Gold - $? or Amex Platinum Credit Card
Platinum - $?

Marriott
Silver - $?
Gold - $?
Platinum - $?

Hyatt
Diamond - $?
Platinum - $?

Priority Club
Priority Club Gold - $50
Priority Club Platinum - ?

I have Marriott Silver because I have the Marriott Rewards card... in essence, I get it for the annual fee (50, I think).

AFAIK, CO Silver for $350 was a buy-up offer for someone who was close to 25k EQM. That said, you can purchase gold for $2500 if you are eligiable for an Amex Centurion card.

well thats 2500 a year...but first you have to buy 250k worth of stuff to qualify...awfully expensive for gold. on another note i called up the different hotels and heres what i found. spg cant be purchased. priority club only allows gold to be purchased. hilton doesnt allow. and hyatt doesnt allow but will status match. spg gold is equivalent to hyatt platinum and hilton gold is equiv to hyatt diamond, and i must say the CS at hyatt when i called was superb. so right now only PC gold can be purchased. what ashame

If you have some elite status on one airline is it not possible for another airline to match it? If you have PL on AA you might be able to get a similar status with UA or CO if you send a letter. Not sure how this works but I've heard this should work! (I only have a QF silver card so I doubt any american carrier will bother to match me)

I think Hilton Silver comes with any Hilton CoBranded Card. I got mine with the Hilton Visa.

Charge $20K a year on the Hilton Amex and get Gold.

i thought that was only a rumor...did that get confirmed?

There are numerous threads in the Hilton forum indicating that it is true.

Mike

OTOH, they'll let my pet dog's flea into the Emerald Club.

I don't know if they are still doing this, but you used to be able to "buy" UA elite status by prepaying for flights.

IC Platinum
 

you can buy ambassador status and this will give you platinum priority club status!

i thought it gave you gold status...if they give you platinum then PC Plat is = 150

It's definitely Platinum Status, and renewals are $100/yr., so far.
Kate

edited for speling :eek:

I am quite sure you only get Gold Status:

www.priorityclub.com/ambassador

Valid at over 140 InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts worldwide, Ambassador status also automatically elevates you to the Gold Elite level of Priority Club® Rewards. So every time you stay with us at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts you’ll receive exclusive privileges (recognition) (relaxation) (rewards) and you’ll earn valuable points or airline miles. In addition, your corresponding Priority Club Rewards membership entitles you to Gold Elite member benefits when you stay within the Priority Club® Rewards family of brands - Crowne Plaza®, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Express by Holiday Inn®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®. All for an initial fee of $150USD.

The platinum status was only granted with the old Ambasssador version which was in the Six Continents Club. There would not be any incentive for PC members who don't stay at ICs to earn Plat if they could buy it for $150.