For many people, earning elite status with a hotel chain requires frequent travel. Lots of nights spent in hotels, lots of time away from home. But there are some Australian credit cards that include gratis hotel status from the get-go.

Why spend 1-2 months of your life staying in hotels to earn status, when you can be elevated to a rewarding tier before leaving home? Play your cards right and you could start enjoying perks like free breakfast, room upgrades and late checkout from your very first stay – not two months down the track.

Here’s how you can fast-track your way to elite status with leading hotel chains through an eligible credit card.

Hotel perks with the American Express Platinum Card

Those who travel far and wide may find the American Express Platinum Card the most beneficial for hotel status. That’s because Card Members receive elite status with more hotel chains than any other Card in the Australian market open for public application.

Amex Platinum Card Members receive Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Radisson Rewards Premium status. There’s also complimentary Accor Plus membership – which, itself, grants Silver status in Accor Live Limitless. Here are some of the perks to look forward to with each membership.

Accor Plus with Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Silver

  • A complimentary hotel night every year in Asia Pacific.
  • Drink voucher with every stay.
  • Late check-out.
  • Discounts of up to 50% on dining in Asia Pacific.
  • Access to discounted Red Hot Room rates.
  • Receive 20 Status Nights per year towards higher ALL status.

Hilton Honors Gold

  • Daily continental breakfast or food & beverage credit.
  • Space available room upgrades, up to Executive Floor.
  • Earn 80% more points than entry-level members.
  • Fifth night free on reward stays.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold

  • Priority late checkout, as late as 2 pm.
  • ‘Enhanced’ room upgrades.
  • Premium in-room Wi-Fi.
  • Earn 25% more points than entry-level members.

Radisson Rewards Premium

  • Room upgrades to the next category.
  • Early check-in and late check-out.
  • Free storage of two suitcases at your favourite hotel.

Another hotel status shortcut for Amex Platinum Card Members

Through a separate offer, holders of the Amex Platinum Card can qualify for a fast-track to Platinum status in the Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) program. That’s the loyalty program of hotels like Citadines, Oakwood and Quest.

Platinum is the top level in ASR, and promises some compelling perks like:

  • 3 pm late check-out.
  • 60% bonus points on stays, compared to members at the Classic level.
  • Free daily breakfast in Europe.
  • Free one-way airport transfer in Middle East on stays of 5+ nights.
  • Complimentary launderette use.

Unlike the other hotel status levels which are opted in through Amex, this status is by request to ASR itself. Eligible Amex Card Members can complete the status match form, with proof of their Platinum Card Membership.

There’s also Fine Hotels + Resorts, which is another way to enjoy benefits on hotel stays through the Amex Platinum Card. Those with the Platinum Card can book directly through the American Express website. Expect perks such as free daily breakfast, guaranteed late check-out, credits to spend during the stay (typically US$100 per room), and more. It’s often available at premium hotel chains such as Shangri-La and Four Seasons.

Get your hands on Hilton Honors Silver

If the American Express Platinum Card isn’t for you, you could try your hand at Hilton Honors Silver hotel status. It’s available through a handful of other American Express Cards – including those at a lower annual price point than the Amex Platinum Card.

This benefit applies with the American Express Explorer and Business Explorer Credit Cards. On the business side, it’s also available through the Amex Business Gold Plus Card. And, for those who’ve been with Amex for a while and have Cards no longer open for general application, it’s available via the Amex Gold, Amex Platinum Reserve and Amex Rewards Advantage cards. Here are the key benefits.

Hilton Honors Silver

  • Earn 20% more points on stays compared to entry-level members.
  • Free bottled water.
  • Fifth night free on reward stays.

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Featured image courtesy of Friends Stock/Adobe Stock.


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These Australian credit cards offer elite hotel status was last modified: May 19th, 2025 by Point Hacks