Hotel elite status brings free breakfast, upgrades, late checkout and bonus points, but you do not need fifty nights a year to earn it. Credit cards, status matches and promotions offer shortcuts.

Co-branded cards grant status automatically: Hilton cards grant Silver or Gold, Marriott cards grant Silver or Gold, and IHG's premium card grants Platinum. One trip with free breakfast and an upgrade can cover the annual fee.

If you hold status with one chain, competitors will often match it for 90 days, extending it if you complete a set number of nights. Time your match to a period when you already have stays planned.

Double elite night promotions can halve the stays needed for status, and award nights at Marriott and Hilton usually count toward elite totals. Stack a match, a promotion and a card for the fastest route.