As 2025 nears its end, a quiet calculation is happening among travelers – a tally of nights stayed, points earned, and status achieved. The goal? To secure coveted elite benefits for the coming year, 2026. For some, it’s the first push towards a higher tier of recognition; for others, a final sprint to climb even further.
Qualifying for hotel elite status often proves more attainable than with airlines, largely because award stays generously contribute to those totals. But what happens when you’re agonizingly close, just one night shy of reaching a desired level? The question becomes particularly critical when a New Year’s Eve stay is the potential solution.
Consider this scenario: a traveler, one night short of Marriott Platinum status, contemplates booking an award stay spanning the New Year’s Eve transition. Will that check-in count towards 2025, or will the checkout date determine the qualifying year? The answer, surprisingly, depends on the hotel chain.
Marriott Bonvoy uniquely credits stays crossing midnight to the *previous* year. That means our traveler’s New Year’s Eve stay would indeed push them over the threshold for Platinum status in 2025, unlocking benefits for 2026. However, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, and World of Hyatt all apply the stay to the *following* year.
The complexity increases with longer stays. If a traveler checks in on December 31st and checks out on January 3rd with Marriott, the stay is split. Nights up to and including December 31st count towards the previous year, while those from January 1st onward count towards the next. Hilton, IHG, and Hyatt maintain a simpler approach – the entire stay counts towards the year of checkout.
Hyatt specifically credits nights based on the checkout date, a crucial detail to remember. It’s also important to note that manual adjustments to account credits are rarely granted these days, so relying on them is a gamble. Careful planning is essential.
Fortunately, strategic credit card use can significantly reduce the pressure to squeeze in last-minute stays. Certain cards automatically grant elite status or provide a substantial number of elite night credits annually.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, for example, instantly confers Platinum Elite status. Other Marriott cards, like the Boundless® and Business® American Express® Cards, each contribute 15 elite night credits per year, stacking for a potential total of 30. Similarly, the World of Hyatt Credit Card offers automatic tier-qualifying nights and additional credits based on spending.
Hilton Honors offers Diamond status through the American Express Aspire Card, while IHG Platinum Elite status is available with the IHG One Rewards Premier and Premier Business Cards. Even the United Club℠ Card can unlock complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status. The American Express Platinum Card provides Gold status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
Ultimately, leaving status requalification to the last possible moment is a risky proposition, given the substantial differences in benefits across hotel tiers. Knowing how each program handles New Year’s Eve stays is vital. Marriott credits stays on December 31st even if they extend into January, while Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG generally credit to the year of checkout.
If you’re counting on New Year’s travel to secure elite status, diligently monitor your account during the first week of January to confirm the stay has been credited correctly. A proactive approach ensures your hard-earned benefits are recognized and ready for your travels in the year ahead.
