This post looks at the options available to get free elite status in hotel loyalty programmes with UAE-issued credit and charge cards.
One of the appealing benefits of expat life in the UAE is the opportunity to travel and explore. The United Arab Emirates is one of the most connected countries in the world. Dubai Airport alone offers nonstop connections to 260 destinations on six continents.
The number of new destinations continues to grow. During 2023, Etihad Airways added eleven new routes to their network, including flights to Boston, Osaka and Nairobi.
One thing new expats work out very quickly is how valuable airline frequent-flyer status can be. Whether earning bonus miles, maxing out the extra baggage allowance on an annual home leave trip or selecting extra-legroom seats for free in Economy, status in an airline programme can often save money and help make travel more comfortable and enjoyable.
Thankfully, the UAE is a great place to live if you are after fast-track airline status. Several UAE credit cards include complimentary elite status in either Etihad Guest or Emirates Skywards as a perk. There are also specific programmes for some government and corporate employees offering easy access to frequent-flyer benefits and status.
What about free hotel status?
What fewer expats appreciate is how helpful status in a hotel loyalty programme can be. Elite status with a hotel loyalty programme can secure an upgrade to a better or larger room, early check-in or late check-out privileges and sometimes complimentary breakfast.
These perks can be handy for weekend trips around the region and staycations in the UAE. A late check-out can add a full day to a stay without paying for an extra night. Few things are worse than having to check out at midday when your flight home departs at midnight.
Understanding hotel status, though, is trickier. Hotel loyalty programmes are complex. They have multiple brands as well as incomprehensible earning and redemption policies. And unlike airline programmes, many of the perks are not guaranteed.
That being said, if you can get elite hotel status for free, it also has the potential to make travel more comfortable and enjoyable.
Which credit cards offer free elite hotel status?
There are four ways to get free elite hotel status via credit and charge cards issued in the UAE. Let’s take a look at the four options below.
Emirates NBD Marriott Bonvoy World Mastercard
The Emirates NBD Marriot Bonvoy World Mastercard includes Gold Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme as a benefit.
One of the advantages of Marriot Bonvoy status is that Marriott is the largest hotel group in the world. Wherever you are travelling and whatever your budget is, there is likely to be a Marriot hotel nearby.
The Marriot portfolio includes 30 hotel brands ranging from the Ritz-Carlton, Edition and St Regis to the W, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Westin and Aloft. Marriott operates more than 6,900 properties across 130 countries.
What are the benefits of Gold Elite?
Marriot Bonvoy has five tier levels. Gold Elite status is the second from the bottom. The benefits are not huge:
- 25% bonus on base points earned
- 2 pm late check-out
- Enhanced Room Upgrade at check-in
The most helpful benefit here is the late check-out at 2 pm. However, that benefit and the room upgrade are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
The card has a welcome bonus of up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. You must spend $10,000 USD over three months to unlock the total bonus.
The big attraction of Bonvoy points is that they can be transferred. Marriott has transfer partnerships with 40 frequent-flyer programmes. Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest and British Airways Executive Club are all Bonvoy airline transfer partners.
ALL – ADCB Infinite Credit Card
The ALL – ADCB Infinite Credit Card offers a fast track to Platinum status in ALL- Accor Live Limitless after one stay.
Accor also has a large footprint in every hotel category, from budget to luxury. The group currently operates 5,487 hotels in 110 countries.
The current portfolio includes over 40 hotel brands ranging from Raffles and Fairmont to Mercure, Novotel and Ibis.
What are the benefits of ALL – Platinum status?
ALL – Accor Live Limitless has five status levels. Platinum is the second-highest elite tier. The main benefits include:
- Early check-in AND late check-out (subject to availability)
- Upgrade to next room category (subject to availability)
- Suite Night upgrade certificate
- Complimentary breakfast (Asia-Pacific hotels only)
In addition, ALL – ADCB Infinite cardholders have access to unique UAE-specific privileges. These are:
- Complimentary beach and pool access at select hotels in the UAE, including Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel.
- 50% discount off all-inclusive access to Rixos Dubai The Palm and Rixos Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island
- 25% dining discount at select Accor restaurants in the UAE
- 25% discount at select Accor spas in the UAE
The ALL – ADCB Infinite Card currently has a sign-up welcome bonus of 50,000 Rewards points.
ALL – ADCB Signature Credit Card
The ALL – ADCB Signature Credit Card offers a fast track to Gold status in ALL – Accor Live Limitless after one stay.
What are the benefits of ALL – Gold status?
Gold is the middle tier in ALL – Accor Live Limitless. The main benefits include:
- Early check-in OR late check-out (subject to availability)
- Upgrade to next room category (subject to availability)
ALL – ADCB Signature cardholders have access to some additional UAE-specific privileges. These are:
- 50% discount on beach and pool access at select hotels in the UAE, including Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel.
- 35% discount off all-inclusive access to Rixos Dubai The Palm and Rixos Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island
- 25% dining discount at select Accor restaurants in the UAE
- 25% discount at select Accor spas in the UAE
The ALL – ADCB Infinite Card currently has a sign-up welcome bonus of 25,000 Rewards points.
American Express Platinum Card
American Express Platinum is potentially the most exciting card available in the UAE regarding free hotel status. The card comes with elite status in four separate hotel loyalty programmes.
The four loyalty schemes and complimentary status levels are:
- Hilton Honors – Gold status
- Marriott Bonvoy – Gold Elite
- MeliáRewards – Gold Membership
- Radisson Rewards – Premium Status
These are, without exception, mid-tier elite levels in all four programmes. The exact benefits vary. However, you can expect some form of upgrade eligibility, early check-in and late check-out privileges and a couple of the programme’s free breakfasts.
However, the reality is that in most cases, these benefits are subject to availability and not guaranteed. The one exception to that rule is the complimentary breakfast at Hilton Hotels. That is a guaranteed Gold benefit across the chain.
In addition, American Express Platinum cardholders also get access to the Fine Hotels & Resort programmes, which offer elite status style benefits at over 1,000 luxury hotels worldwide.
Platinum charge cardholders also earn Membership Rewards points on their spending. These points can be transferred to 14 airline partner programmes, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Oman Air and British Airways.
American Express is currently offering a welcome bonus of 30,000 Membership Rewards points to new cardholders.
What card is right for you?
In conclusion, there are four straightforward ways to get free hotel status with UAE credit and charge cards. Which route is correct for you depends on your travel pattern and priorities. This post only briefly overviews the individual credit cards mentioned above.
Frequent travellers may get more mileage from the Platinum American Express and enjoy not being limited to a single loyalty programme. For many expats, the scale and spread of Marriot Bonvoy makes it a reliable option, particularly as the co-brand card currently comes with 150,000 bonus points.
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You can expect lots of information about Etihad Guest and Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of both Emirates and flydubai. I will also share my views on the best credit cards for points and miles earning in the UAE.
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