If you have the American Express Platinum Card, you probably already know about some of its flashier perks: airport lounge access, up to $400 in annual statement credits through Resy, and credits for CLEAR® and digital entertainment services.
But the Platinum Card also includes a handful of under-the-radar benefits that can provide a lot of real-world value — especially for hotel stays. One of the best?
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status.
I don’t stay at Hilton properties often enough to earn elite status the “traditional” way, so this benefit is how I keep one of the most useful mid-tier hotel statuses active on my account.
Why Hilton Gold Status Is Worth Activating
- Free breakfast or a daily food & beverage credit (depending on the region of your stay)
- Space-available room upgrades
- Bonus points on paid stays
- Late checkout when available
- Bottled water and premium Wi-Fi
Even one stay per year can make this status worthwhile.
How To Activate Hilton Gold Status With Your AMEX Platinum
You don’t automatically get Gold status just by having the card — you need to enroll manually.
1. Log into your American Express account.
Go to your Platinum Card’s benefits section.
2. Look for the Hilton Honors Gold Status enrollment perk.
It usually lives under Travel benefits.
3. Enter your Hilton Honors number and submit.
Make sure the name and email on both accounts match.
In most cases, Hilton processes the request quickly, and your status should update within minutes to a few hours.
If Your Enrollment Gets Stuck — Call AMEX
When I tried enrolling online, my request was denied for no clear reason. A quick call to the number on the back of my Platinum Card solved the issue — the representative manually submitted the request.
How To Confirm Your Hilton Gold Status
Once processed, your Hilton app or online dashboard will show a Gold badge next to your name.
If you have any upcoming Hilton hotel reservations, your benefits should apply automatically.
Why You Should Enroll Even Without Upcoming Hilton Stays
Hilton points expire after 24 months of inactivity. Having Gold status gives you better earning rates and perks if you find yourself booking a Hilton stay — even on short notice.
Plus, if you do end up at a Hilton even once or twice a year, the savings on breakfast alone can offset a small chunk of your card’s annual fee.
Final Thought
I’ll probably never earn Hilton Gold from actual hotel nights again — and that’s perfectly fine. As long as I keep the AMEX Platinum Card, I can enjoy Hilton’s best mid-tier status without any extra effort.
If you have the Platinum Card and haven’t activated Hilton Gold yet, take a minute to do it now. Your next hotel snack might already be covered.
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