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Once available to “VIPs” only, airport lounges are now more accessible. Getting into airport lounges can be easy, and casual travelers can enjoy lounge spaces too. Today you can get access to lounges all across the globe without paying a fortune. A wide choice of airport lounges allows you to easily find a place to rest during a long layover or just to wait for your flight far from crowds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.Â
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.
Earning Status
Hawaiian Airlines Pualani has two elite levels: Gold and Platinum.
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
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.