elite status

Over the years, I’ve developed a system to get an upgraded room at hotels every time. It’s so easy that I’m hesitant to share it with you. But I figure …

Hilton just did something that feels both obvious and overdue: they admitted that their top tier isn’t really the “top” anymore. For years, Hilton Diamond has been in a weird …

We’d held Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for seven straight years. That’s long enough that it starts to feel like part of your travel identity — even if you’re not …

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, …

Basic Economy fares are still with us in 2025, and while the core idea hasn’t changed—lower fares in exchange for fewer perks—the fine print continues to evolve. Airlines have updated …

It’s easy to forget there was a time when you didn’t know how any of this worked — before you cared about elite status, 5x categories, or which programs had …

I originally wrote this post in 2019, and then updated it in 2020, when airlines and hotels were practically giving away elite status due to the pandemic. Back then, I …

The Marriott Bonvoy program’s Terms and Conditions webpage scrolls on seemingly forever. When your program encompasses dozens of different brands worldwide, there are endless exceptions and carve-outs that need to …

Booking a luxury hotel through a premium credit card travel portal can unlock valuable perks—think daily breakfast, property credits, upgrades, and more. Two of the most popular programs are American …

I’ve been following the miles and points world for close to two decades. When it comes to hotel loyalty programs, one of the biggest gripes is how hotels exploit their …