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Get instant Hilton, Marriott and LHW hotel elite status with the Amex Platinum Card

Oct. 08, 2025
8 min read
Hilton Hotel Tahiti Lobby
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Editor's Note

This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Though the American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express recently underwent a significant refresh with notable new statement credits, one major card perk that has flown under the radar is the ability to get complimenary elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and Leading Hotels of the World's Leaders Club (enrollment required).

While complimentary hotel status with Marriott and Hilton was part of the Platinum cards' benefits prior to the refresh, the addition of Leaders Club status can now get you even more perks while traveling.

Here's what you need to know about these three hotel statuses with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum.


American Express Platinum Card®: Find out your offer. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.


What is the Amex Platinum hotel elite status card benefit?

Cardholders of the Amex Platinum Card and The Business Platinum Card — including authorized users — can enroll in complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hilton Honors Gold and Leaders Club Sterling status.

Man checking into a hotel room
SOFIE DELAUW/GETTY IMAGES

Once enrolled, you'll maintain at least Gold/Sterling status if you keep your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum account open.

Related: Complete guide to authorized users on the Amex Platinum Card

How do I enroll?

First, make sure you have signed up and created a Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and Leaders Club account.

Then, to enroll in either (or all) complimentary hotel elite statuses, log in to your American Express account, click on "Rewards & Benefits" in the top navigation bar and then select "Benefits." Scroll down (you may need to expand a "Premium Travel" section) to find separate icons for Hilton, Marriott and the Leading Hotels of the World.

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Click "Learn More" in either (or all) tiles for more information. If you want to enroll, click "Enroll Now" and enter your member number with the hotel loyalty program. This online enrollment process should work for both primary and additional Platinum cardholders, but you can also enroll by calling the customer service number on the back of your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum card.

Once you request enrollment, American Express will share your enrollment information with the hotel loyalty programs, which will upgrade your status if you currently hold a lower status. Remember to book hotel stays directly to earn points and ensure benefits are recognized. You can usually use your elite status when you book through the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program, so you can maximize the benefits of both booking through this program and your elite hotel status.

Activation typically may take a few business days, but it could take longer, so don't wait until just before a trip to enroll in these benefits.

Related: Here's how much value you can get from the Amex Platinum card in your first year

What are the benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status?

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status usually requires you to accrue at least 25 elite night credits per calendar year. As a Marriott Gold Elite member, you'll have access to the following benefits:

  • 25% more points on stays: Earn 25% more Bonvoy points than base-level members on eligible hotel purchases at participating Marriott properties.
  • Enhanced room upgrades: The Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions note that Gold Elite members may receive a complimentary upgrade to "rooms with desirable views, rooms on high floors, corner rooms, rooms with special amenities, rooms on Executive Floors" at participating properties. However, each hotel is left to identify room upgrades; some brands don't offer complimentary upgrades, and upgrades are subject to availability.
  • Late checkout at 2 p.m.: Get a 2 p.m. late checkout at participating brands upon request (based on availability).
  • Enhanced internet: Enjoy complimentary enhanced internet when staying at participating properties.
  • Welcome points: Get 250 or 500 welcome points per stay at participating brands.
Marriott Westin Cleveland
THE WESTIN CLEVELAND DOWNTOWN/MARRIOTT

What are the benefits of Hilton Honors Gold status?

Hilton Honors Gold status usually requires that you stay 40 nights per calendar year, stay 20 times per calendar year or earn 75,000 Hilton Honors base points per calendar year. As a Hilton Gold member, you'll have access to the following benefits:

  • 80% elite status bonus on stays: Receive an 80% bonus on the Hilton Honors base points you earn on stays.
  • Continental breakfast or a daily food-and-beverage credit: Some brands provide breakfast for all guests as a brand amenity. But at most other brands, you can select a daily food-and-beverage credit (at select brands in the U.S. and at Motto by Hilton properties globally) or a daily complimentary continental breakfast (at select brands outside the U.S., excluding Motto by Hilton) for yourself and up to one other guest registered to your room as a MyWay benefit.
  • Space-available room upgrades: Gold members may receive a complimentary upgrade to preferred rooms up to Executive Floor room types. The Hilton Honors terms and conditions note that "Preferred rooms may also include those not on the Executive Floor but conferring Executive Lounge access (excluding the Sakura Club at Conrad Washington, D.C. and Club Signia at Signia by Hilton hotels), the next-best available room types, rooms with desirable views or amenities or other rooms identified as 'preferred' by the hotel and may vary within each brand." Additionally, upgrades are "granted on a space-available basis for the entire stay," and some brands and properties don't participate in complimentary upgrades.
  • Milestone bonus: Earn 10,000 Hilton bonus points for every 10 nights after you've stayed 40 nights in a calendar year.
  • Fifth night free: Hilton elite members get every fifth night free (up to four free nights per stay) when booking a reward stay of five nights or more using points.
Hilton Maldives Amingiri Habitat
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Related: The 21 best Hilton hotels in the world

What are the benefits of Leaders Club Sterling status?

Leaders Club publishes two public tiers: Club (entry level) and Sterling (upper tier, normally earned after spending $5,000 on qualifying Leaders Club stays in a calendar year). With Leaders Club status, you'll receive:

Club benefits

  • Upgrade priority at arrival: This is valid for a one-room category upgrade from the initial room type you reserved. You must have reserved through an eligible booking channel, and upgrades are not guaranteed.
  • Continental breakfast: Enjoy a daily continental breakfast for two.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi: Get access to free Wi-Fi.
  • Earn toward free nights: Earn 1 point per dollar spent on eligible stays toward free nights (maximum of three rooms per booking).
  • Prearrival upgrade: Get one confirmed prearrival upgrade each membership year (unlocked after your first qualifying paid stay; valid for a room-to-room category upgrade, suites and villas excluded).
  • Early check-in and late checkout "considerations": These are subject to availability and must be arranged with the hotel upon check-in.
  • Rental car status: Enjoy complimentary Sixt Gold car rental status.

Sterling benefits

With Sterling status, you'll have all of the Club benefits listed above, plus:

  • Prearrival upgrades: Enjoy five confirmed prearrival upgrades per membership year, valid for a room-to-room category upgrade (suites and villas excluded), with the upgrade request outcome advised at least three days before check-in.
  • 5% bonus points: Get 5% bonus points on your qualified room rates, excluding taxes and fees, for each stay.
  • Elevated rental car status: Enjoy complimentary Sixt Platinum car rental status.

Bottom line

Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Leaders Club Sterling status provide some valuable perks, so it's great that Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders can enroll in these statuses as a perk of their card.

Getting Hilton, Marriott and Leading Hotels of the World status through these cards can be useful if you don't stay frequently enough with these programs to earn elite status organically and don't want to add a hotel credit card to your wallet.

However, having the Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum won't help you earn a higher status with either program. After all, unlike select Marriott Bonvoy cards that provide elite night credits as a cardholder perk, you won't get Marriott Bonvoy elite night credits as a benefit of the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum.

Featured image by HILTON
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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4 / 5
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Rewards

1 - 4X points
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Best for dining at restaurants
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.