In this post, we will review the credit cards that would help you accelerate towards the Elite status with Airlines and Hotel Reward Programs
1. Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard:
Apart from the signup bonus and other benefits. You could also earn 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM’s) when you spend $40,000 or more in eligible purchases with in a calendar Year.
This card comes with an Annual fee of $450.
Here is a summary of requirements for various levels of AAdvantage elite status.
2. Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit card
Through 04/11/2018, there is an improved signup bonus of 70,000 miles with the Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit card. You can also earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. This card comes with an annual fee of $195.
you can also earn 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 or more in eligible purchases on the Card in a calendar year. Earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $50,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in a Calendar year for a total of 20,000 bonus miles and 20,000 MQMs.
Here is a summary of elite status requirements.
MQD requirement is waived, if you spend $250,000 or more in a Calendar year with Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit card. In theory, you could earn Delta Silver status with just credit card spending.
3. Amex Delta Reserve Credit card
American Express offer 3 variants co-branded Delta credit cards. Another card that helps you earn elite status is Delta Reserve Credit card. You can earn 10,000 MQM’s when you spend $3,000 or more in eligible purchases with in first 3 months.
This card carries a hefty annual fee of $450.
You can also earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $30,000 on purchases on your Delta Reserve Credit Card in a calendar year. Earn an additional 15,000 MQMs and an additional 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $60,000 on purchases on your Delta Reserve Card in a calendar year.
This card also waives MQD requirement, if you spend $250,000 or more in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
4. United MileagePlus Presidential Plus Credit card:
You can earn 1,000 Flexible Premier qualifying miles (Flex PQM) for each $5,000 you spend on your Card. You can use these Flex PQM to help maintain your Premier status or elevate it, up to Premier Platinum. Flex PQM earned through credit card spending is valid in the calendar year they are earned and an additional 39 months before they expire.
Here is a summary of the requirements for United Premier status.
5. Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Business MasterCard:
Earn $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars after spending $25,000 on purchases each calendar year. This card comes with an annual fee of $95.
6. AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard:
You could earn 5,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM’s) for every $20,000 you spend annually (up to 10,000 miles each year)
You could also earn $6,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars when you spend $50,000 on purchases each calendar year. You’ll earn $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars after spending $25,000, and another $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars after spending $50,000
This card comes with an annual fee of $195. This card can not be applies directly, but only available as upgrade to Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard.
With all the 3 variants of AAdvantage cards, you could potentially earn 20,000 EQMs and $9,000 EQDs after a combined total spend of $115k in eligible purchases across the 3 cards, which gets you Gold status comfortably and well on the way towards Platinum status.
With Hotel Reward programs, it is fairly straight forward. In most instances, you get the status just for holding the card. Here is the summary
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Elite Status offered |
| Amex Platinum Charge Card | $550 | SPG Gold Status Hilton Honors Gold Status |
| Starwood Preferred Guest Credit card | $95 | SPG gold status with $30,000 spending in a Calendar year |
| Hilton Honors Amex Aspire Card | $450 | Hilton Honors Diamond Status |
| Hilton Honors Amex Ascend card | $95 | Hilton Honors Gold Status |
| Hilton Honors Amex card | $0 | Hilton Honors Silver Status |
| Hilton Honors Amex Business card | $95 | Hilton Honors Gold Status |
| Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Credit card | $0 for first year and $85 afterwards | Receive 15 Elite night credit enough for Marriott Silver status and an additional 1 Elite night credit for every $3,000 spend |
| Chase IHG rewards Club select Credit card | $0 for first year and $49 afterwards | IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite |
| Chase Hyatt Credit Card | $0 for first year and $75 afterwards | Hyatt Discoverist Status |
| Chase Ritz Carlton Rewards Credit card | $450 | Ritz Carlton Gold Elite status for the first year. Spend $10,000 your first year and each subsequent year to maintain your Gold Elite status. Elevate to Platinum status when you spend $75,000 or more in an account year |
| Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature card | $75 | Radisson Rewards Gold Status |
| Radisson Rewards Visa Signature Credit card | $50 | Radisson Rewards Silver Status |
| Barclays Wyndham Rewards visa card with no annual fee | $0 | Wyndham Rewards Gold Membership |
| Barclays Wyndham Rewards visa card with annual fee | $75 | Wyndham Rewards Platinum Membership |
What is your favorite card and the elite status?