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Comparing Top-Tier Hyatt and Starwood Elite Status

With the launch of the new World of Hyatt Program, Hyatt is really upping their game when it comes to their new top-tier status, which will now be called Globalist Status. Previously, this was referred to as Hyatt Diamond status in the former Hyatt Gold Passport Program. With new benefits added, we’re going to see how Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum status compares.

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Secrets to Earning Oneworld Alliance Tier Status

Here’s the scoop on how to earn status on an alliance and not just an airline. The oneworld alliance may be smaller the other two major ones, but its 14 members (plus 21 affiliated members) can literally take you anywhere in the populated world.

If you regularly fly on Air Berlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, Japan Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, or SriLankan Airlines, it’s a safe bet that you might benefit from oneworld tier status.

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The Ultimate Guide To The American Express Centurion Card

The Ultimate Guide To The American Express Centurion Card image

Among credit cards, there is one card that stands apart from all others. The Centurion Card from American Express is by far the most expensive, and exclusive card offered in the United States. Yet it’s also perhaps the least understood as many of its features and benefits are kept secret. In fact, this card is not even offered to the general public, you have to be invited to apply. Let’s take a look at the history of this card, how to get it, and what it costs, as well as its numerous features and benefits. Then, you can determine if this card makes sense for your needs.

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Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus Elite Status: How to Earn it and What’s in it for You

Thai Airways is a member of the Star Alliance and transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Diners Club. If you fly Thai Airlines regularly you might consider attaining their elite status. Unfortunately, the entry-level elite Silver tier hardly offers any benefits. The first sensible elite tier is Gold. Attaining Gold status is not easy, but the benefits are good even if they don’t include earning bonus miles.

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Emirates Skywards Elite Status: How to Get it and What’s in it For You

One of the best and most glamorous airlines in the world, Emirates, isn’t a member of any alliances, but it is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards and SPG programs, and it has a number of partners that you can earn and redeem miles on.

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Hawaiian Airlines Pualani Elite Status: How to Get it and What’s in it For You

Despite being a legacy carrier, Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t have a huge footprint in North America. Nor is it a member of an airline alliance. However, if you fly Hawaiian Airlines on a regular basis, elite status might be worthwhile. 

Additionally, Hawaiian Airlines has several airline partners including Japan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, China Airlines, jetBlue, Virgin Australia, and Korean Air that allow you to credit miles earned on their flights to Hawaiian. All of the above makes collecting Hawaiian miles relatively easy. Unfortunately, all elite benefits are limited to flights on Hawaiian Airlines, and it doesn’t appear that there are any reciprocal elite benefits between Hawaiian Airlines and its partners.

Get bonus miles when you fly on Hawaiian Airlines
Get bonus miles when you fly on Hawaiian Airlines

Earning Status

Hawaiian Airlines Pualani has two elite levels: Gold and Platinum.

Hawaiian Airlines Pualani Qualification Requirements

Qualification requirements are as follows:

  • Pualani Gold: 20,000 miles or 30 segments
  • Pualani Platinum: 40,000 miles or 60 segments

Upgrades

  • Gold and Platinum: Upgrade to Extra Comfort or Preferred Seat
  • Platinum:
    • Same day upgrade on a flight to the Neighbor Islands
    • Two first class domestic and business class international one-way upgrades
    • Six one-way systemwide upgrades upon reaching 75,000 miles
    • One additional upgrade for every 10,000 miles earned after that

Hawaiian Airlines Pualani Bonus Miles

  • Gold: 50% bonus miles
  • Platinum: 100% bonus miles

Fee Waivers

  • Gold: First two bags
  • Gold and Platinum: In-flight Unlimited TV & More Pack on A330 flights
  • Platinum:
    • First three bags
    • Preferred Seat on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights to the Neighbor Islands

Airport Services

  • Gold and Platinum:
    • Access to the first class check-in line and express security line
    • More seats are available for selection at time of booking
    • Discounted E-Awards at HawaiianAirlines.com
    • Priority routing and handling when calling Exclusive Reservations Line
    • Hold a fare on a flight reservation for 1-2 days
    • Priority boarding
    • Neighbor Islands same-day standby
    • Priority security lines at select airports
    • Priority baggage handling
    • Priority pre-boarding

  • Platinum:
    • Neighbor Island Economy Class SEAT guaranteed up until 72 hours prior to departure with a revenue e-ticket.
  • Complimentary Lounge Access

    • Gold and Platinum:
      • Premier Club Access – Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, Kahului and Lihue
    hawaiian_lounge
    Complimentary access to The Plumeria Lounge

    Notable Additional Rewards for Gold and Platinum Members

    • Special invitations to events hosted by Hawaiian Airlines throughout

    the U.S.

    • $100 annual statement credit toward in-flight purchases for Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard cardholders ($10 maximum per day)

    Premier Club Benefits

    Some of the elite benefits are available to anyone willing to pay for them. The Premier Club membership costs $299 or 40,000 Hawaiian miles and covers many Gold and Platinum benefits except:

    • Upgrades
    • Hold a Fare
    • Guaranteed seat
    • Bonus miles
    • Neighbor Islands standby
    • Invitations to special events

    Other Ways to Earn Status

    • None

    Status Match/Status Challenge

    • Not official, but there are some reports of status-matching on a case-to-case basis.

    Earning Elite Miles on Partner Airlines

    • None

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