With just a few weeks left until 2025, travelers are counting their status achievements to lock in benefits for 2026.
You may be hoping to achieve elite status for the first time this year, or you may be pursuing a higher status level. If you’re on any ship, you’re probably planning to get there via organic travel or even a last-minute mattress run.
Elite status is generally easier to achieve with hotels than with airlines because award nights at larger hotel chains count toward hotel elite status.
But if you’re at risk of not reaching earned status in 2025, will hotel stays from December 31 to January 1 count toward earned status this year or next? TPG reader Hailey asked:
Considering all my work travel, I will be short one night of my Marriott Platinum membership this year. If I book a reward night on New Year’s Eve, will this count towards this year (when checking in) or next year (when checking out)?
RELATED: Last-minute tips for locking in hotel elite status before the end of the year
Earn Elite Points on New Year’s Eve stays
Simply put, Marriott Bonvoy rolls points for stays between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 toward the previous year, while Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards and World of Hyatt roll points toward the following year.
This means that if Hailey books a one-night stay on New Year’s Eve, she will cross the threshold to earn Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status in 2025 and enjoy it in 2026.
Things get even more confusing if Haley plans to book a longer stay. For example, if she checks in on December 31st and checks out on January 3rd. Marriott will prorate stays; therefore, nights stayed before and after December 31st will count toward the previous year, and nights after January 1st will count toward the following year.
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The difference between Hilton, IHG and Hyatt: Stays are not divided and the entire stay counts toward 2026 eligibility. Hyatt points are based on the year of billing. Manual year-end adjustments are generally no longer allowed, so do not rely on them.
How to Use a Credit Card to Qualify for Elite Hotels
With the right credit card, you can earn elite status in your favorite hotel loyalty program without having to worry about squeezing into a hotel room on New Year’s Eve.
this Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Offers Platinum Elite status to all card members. or, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (See Rates and Fees) and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Each hotel offers 15 Elite Stay Points per year. If you have both, the points stack, meaning you’ll receive 30 Elite Night points — more than half the number required for Bonvoy Platinum membership.
if you have World of Hyatt Credit Card (See Rates and Fees), you will automatically receive five tier-eligible nights per year. You’ll also earn two tier-qualifying nights for every $5,000 you spend with your World of Hyatt Credit Card. this World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (See Rates & Fees) Five tier-qualifying nights per $10,000 spent on the Card per year.
If you prefer Hilton Honors, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Diamond level available.
IHG Platinum Elite membership is offered as an additional benefit to membership IHG One Rewards Premium Credit Card (See Rates and Fees) and IHG One Rewards Premium Business Credit Card (See Rates and Fees).
If you hold United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees), you can also sign up for free IHG Platinum Elite membership.
Finally, you can enjoy gold status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors through: American Express Platinum Card® (Registration required).
bottom line
Waiting until the last day to requalify is risky, especially given the wide disparity in benefits across hotel tiers.
For stays at Marriott hotels, you can earn your last elite night on December 31st, even if the stay lasts through January; Hilton, Hyatt and IHG typically count New Year’s Eve stays toward the billing year.
If you’re planning to use your New Year’s travel to earn Hotel Elite status, monitor your account during the first week of January to make sure your stay points are recording as expected.
