Can you gift airline status?

Maybe. With some airline programs, such as Delta and American Airlines, you can gift elite status to others, and this is available as a choice benefit as you move up the status ranks. Choosing the ability to gift status to someone means not choosing the other options, so take this into consideration.

How do I gift Hilton Honors elite status?

Once you reach the Diamond status tier, Hilton will email you a redemption code. This code allows you to gift Gold status to someone. If you reach 100 qualifying nights with Hilton in a year, you can gift Diamond status to another member.

Can you gift someone Marriott status?

Yes, it’s possible to gift Marriott Bonvoy elite status. At the Platinum Elite tier, you can choose an Annual Choice Benefit, and one of the options is gifting Silver Elite status. At Platinum Elite, you can choose another Annual Choice Benefit, and an option at this level is gifting Gold Elite status.

Can you transfer airline status?

No, you can’t change the name or move your airline elite status into someone else’s account. However, some airline rewards programs allow you to gift status to another member once you reach an elite tier yourself. Examples of programs that allow this include Air Canada Aeroplan, Finnair Plus, and Delta SkyMiles.

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14 Airline and Hotel Programs That Let You Gift Elite Status to Others [2025]

Updated: August 20, 2025, 3:00pm CDT

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10 Airline Programs That Let You Gift Elite Status to Others
4 Hotel Programs That Let You Gift Elite Status to Others
Final Thoughts

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Earning elite status with a hotel or airline can be difficult. However, it is much easier to get elite status if someone gifts it to you. Luckily, that’s possible in 14 airline and hotel programs.

The process for gifting elite status is unique in each program. Some offer the ability to gift status for a single trip, while others offer the ability to gift elite status for a full year. Additionally, the requirements for unlocking the ability to gift status to someone vary greatly across these programs.

Here’s a closer look at 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs that let you gift elite status to someone, and what your recipient will receive along the way.

10 Airline Programs That Let You Gift Elite Status to Others

1. Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program offers 5 levels of elite status: 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite. Those at the 50K and higher tiers can gift elite status perks to others.

While it’s not elite status, the Status Pass benefit allows these top-tier members to gift elite status benefits to others for 1 trip — even if it’s just a temporary perk.

Members with 50K status can choose 2 passes as a Select Benefit each year — perks they can choose from when reaching this elite tier. 75K members, however, can get 3 passes as a Select Benefit. Super Elite members get something even better, receiving 2 Status Pass benefits as a Core Benefit at the top tier. Plus, they can choose an additional 4 passes in their Select Benefit options.

What perks does Status Pass offer? Friends and family traveling on these passes enjoy the following perks:

3 complimentary checked bags
Priority check-in at the airport
Priority security clearance at airports where it’s available
Access to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés
Priority boarding
Priority baggage handling for checked luggage

Air canada business maple leaf lounge Frankfurt center seating and art — Status Pass holders can access Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés. Image Credit: Ehsan Haque

The best part of Status Pass is that it doesn’t apply to just 1 person and applies even when the recipient isn’t traveling with you. Instead, Status Pass applies to anyone you want to gift it to, and the benefits extend to up to 9 people on the same reservation. It’s worth noting that the perks only apply to Air Canada flights.

2. Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards

The Atmos Rewards program allows you to gift elite status for a year or a single trip.

Alaska Airlines offers Milestone Rewards, which are benefits you can pick as you reach certain thresholds throughout the year. These can be reached at elite status tiers and in between levels, and you can select the option you find most beneficial. Among the Milestone Rewards to choose from, you can gift elite status.

You’ll qualify for Milestone Rewards by earning elite-qualifying miles (EQMs). At the 55K level, you can gift Silver status to someone for a single trip, while you can gift Gold for a single trip at the 85K level.

Alternatively, you can nominate (read: gift) someone for Gold status at the 85K Milestone Reward level, and they’ll keep the status for a year. The 100K Milestone — the level where you’ll reach Titanium status — lets you nominate someone for Gold status for a year.

With Silver status, your status gift recipient will enjoy several perks during their trip. Benefits include upgrades when available, complimentary checked bags, complimentary preferred seating, priority check-in, and priority boarding.

Alaska Airlines first class — Enjoy perks like upgrades to first class with Alaska Airlines. Image Credit: Stella Shon

Gold status offers additional perks, including a free premium drink in Main Cabin, lounge access, 2 free checked bags, complimentary seat upgrades when available, priority check-in, priority boarding, and priority airport security when available.

Hot Tip:

Learn how to earn Atmos Rewards elite status so you can qualify for these benefits.

3. American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program offers Loyalty Point Rewards, which are perks you can choose from as you earn additional Loyalty Points each year. Among the options is gifting elite status to someone.

At the 175,000 Loyalty Point level, one of your Loyalty Point Rewards options is gifting Gold status to 2 people. You can choose this option at the 250,000 Loyalty Points level, but you can gift Platinum status to 1 person at the 400,000, 550,000, and 750,000 Loyalty Points tiers.

At 1 million Loyalty Points, you can gift Platinum Pro status to 1 person. You can gift top-tier Executive Platinum status to 1 person at the 3 million and 5 million Loyalty Points levels.

Gifted status is valid for a full status year.

With Gold status, the recipient will get complimentary preferred seats at the time of booking, upgrades up to 24 hours before departure, priority check-in, priority boarding, and priority access at security checkpoints (where available). They’ll also get complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seats at check-in and premium seat upgrades where available. Lastly, these members get free checked bags.

American Airlines 787 9P Flagship Suite Preferred lie flat seat — Upgrades could put you into a lie-flat seat with American Airlines, thanks to elite status. Image Credit: Jessica Merritt

Platinum members enjoy those perks plus extras like upgrades clearing 48 hours in advance, extra checked baggage allowance, complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats at booking, and boarding in group 3 instead of group 4. Platinum Pro, by contrast, offers upgrades up to 72 hours before departure, 3 free checked bags, and group 2 boarding. Lastly, top-tier Executive Platinum members get upgrades 100 hours before departure and group 1 boarding.

4. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Those with Diamond or Platinum Medallion elite status (the top 2 tiers) via Delta SkyMiles can gift elite status to 2 people. This option is available among the Choice Benefits elite members have access to each year upon reaching their status tier.

Upon reaching Platinum Medallion, you can gift Silver Medallion status to 2 people. Upon reaching Diamond Medallion, you can gift Gold Medallion status to 2 people. Remember that you must choose these options for your Choice Benefits; they aren’t automatic.

Benefits of Silver Medallion include upgrades to Delta One on the day of departure (within the U.S. only), upgrades to Premium Select (within the U.S.) up to 24 hours in advance, and upgrades to first class or Delta Comfort+ up to 24 hours before departure. Members are also eligible for upgrades with Aeromexico up to 24 hours before departure and can choose complimentary preferred seats on Delta flights. Silver Medallions also get complimentary checked bags, priority check-in, and Zone 5 boarding.

Delta B767 300ER Delta One back of cabin — Delta One, the airline’s business class, could be available through status upgrades on your flight. Image Credit: Alberto Riva

Gold Medallion offers those perks plus more. Improvements include Premium Select upgrades (within the U.S.) up to 72 hours before departure, first class and Comfort+ upgrades up to 72 hours in advance, Aeromexico upgrades up to 72 hours in advance, and Zone 4 boarding with Delta. Gold Medallions also get priority security lane access and expedited baggage service.

5. Emirates Skywards

Those who reach top-tier status with Emirates Skywards can gift Gold status to someone. The nominee can be anyone you choose.

Gold benefits include complimentary seat selection, priority for sold-out flights, and 75% bonus miles on Emirates-operated flights.

Plus, Gold members still have access to booking Emirates first class using miles. That’s something members without status can’t do, due to a recent program change.

Emirates Game Changer First Class on the Boeing 777 — Members with Emirates elite status can book first class awards using miles. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Gold members also get priority check-in, priority boarding, excess baggage allowance, and complimentary access to a range of airport lounges. Moreover, members get priority baggage delivery at their destination and a handful of benefits with flydubai, Emirates’ low-cost affiliate.

6. Finnair Plus

In the Finnair Plus program, those who reach the Platinum tier (the third tier above basic membership) can gift Gold status to another member. The gifted status is valid for a year.

Interestingly, when that 1 year starts will vary. If the person you gift status to has a lower status tier than Gold, the status takes effect immediately. However, if you gift Gold status to someone who already has it, the 1-year gift takes effect when that person’s current Gold status ends.

Members with Finnair Plus Gold status get extra checked baggage allowance, priority check-in, priority security access, advance seat reservations on flights, complimentary internet access (of varying length) on flights, and flight upgrades for better seats. Gold elites also get access to Finnair business class lounges at the Helsinki Airport (HEL).

Finnair Lounge Helsinki HEL Non Schengen bar seating blurred — Access this large lounge in the non-Schengen area of the Helsinki airport, thanks to Gold status. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

7. Frontier Airlines Frontier Miles

Those with Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond in the Frontier Miles program can gift a status pass to others — an Elite Silver pass once you reach the Platinum tier and an Elite Gold pass at the Diamond tier. Gifting this pass will bump someone to the corresponding elite tier for the following calendar year by depositing the required number of elite qualifying miles in their account (though not miles they can redeem for flights).

Perks of Frontier elite status include bypassing many of the carrier’s fees, such as checked bags, choosing seats in advance, and moving into preferred seats. Depending on your tier, you’ll also get additional perks like family pooling and early boarding.

Frontier Airlines economy seat A321 — Frontier Miles elites can move into preferred seats located towards the front of the aircraft. Image Credit: Jessica Merritt

8. ITA Airways Volare

Lufthansa recently purchased 41% of Italy’s ITA Airways, and its Volare program will soon merge with the Miles & More program. That’s a shared rewards program of the Lufthansa Group airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines.

Presently, top-tier Volare Executive status members can gift Volare Premium (the second-highest tier) status to another member.

ITA additional club card full page — Image Credit: ITA Airways

With ITA Airways moving into Star Alliance, ITA Volare Premium status will likely convert to Miles & More Senator status, though that hasn’t been officially confirmed. This would yield Star Alliance Gold status after ITA becomes an official member.

Star Alliance Gold benefits include priority check-in, priority boarding, priority baggage handling, extra baggage allowance, lounge access, and priority lanes at security checkpoints. Interestingly, those with Star Alliance Gold status from an airline other than United can access United Club lounges when flying domestically in the U.S. — a perk United’s members don’t get for domestic travel.

9. TAP Miles&Go

TAP Air Portugal’s Miles&Go program offers the ability to gift status when you reach the Gold or Navigator tier — the program’s top 2 levels.

At either tier, members can gift Gold status to 1 member. It’s important to note that those who receive Gold status as a gift or through a status match can’t gift status to others. You must earn the status to unlock this benefit.

Perks of Miles&Go Gold status include last-minute upgrades, priority boarding, priority baggage handling, access to Star Alliance lounges worldwide (including 1 guest), extra checked baggage allowance, and even the ability to borrow miles if you’re just short when it’s time to book an award ticket.

TAP Air Portugal Business Class A321neo — Last-minute upgrades are a perk of Miles&Go Gold status. Image Credit: Stella Shon

10. Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

You can gift elite status with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, but it comes at a cost.

Those who reach the program’s top tier, Elite Plus, can gift Elite status—the program’s third tier out of 4 — to other members. Up to 3 people can be gifted this status, but each gift costs 40,000 miles. We value Turkish Airlines miles at 1.3 cents apiece, so 40,000 miles are worth $520.

At the Elite tier, members enjoy the following perks: Additional complimentary Wi-Fi benefit on flights, lounge access with 1 guest or immediate family members, excess baggage allowance, priority check-in, complimentary seat selection, in-airport fast-track services, and a 50% discount on a second business class ticket when paying cash.

Turkish Airlines business class 787 Juan Ruiz — An interesting perk of gifted status is “buy 1, get 50% off the next” perk for business class with Turkish Airlines. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

4 Hotel Programs That Let You Gift Elite Status to Others

1. Hilton Honors

Those who reach top-tier Diamond status with Hilton Honors can gift elite status to 1 person. After reaching 60 qualifying nights to get Diamond status, you can gift Gold status. However, if you reach 100 qualifying nights in a year, the gifted status becomes Diamond.

Hilton Honors elite status offers several valuable benefits at the Gold tier. Perks include waived resort fees on points bookings, a fifth night free on award stays, free Wi-Fi, free bottled water, either daily breakfast or a daily food-and-beverage credit (depending on the hotel’s location), and room upgrades. However, that doesn’t include suites.

Hilton Odawara Resort Spa breakfast hot foods — Outside the U.S., those with Hilton Honors Gold status get complimentary daily breakfast. Image Credit: Ehsan Haque

With Diamond status, you’re eligible for upgrades to suites and can get lounge access and premium Wi-Fi at hotels that have these options.

Hot Tip:

It’s also possible to get automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status simply by holding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

2. Marriott Bonvoy

Those with Marriott Bonvoy elite status can gift status to another person, though they must choose that benefit over other options through the Marriott Bonvoy Annual Choice Benefit.

These choices are available at 50 elite nights (Platinum Elite status level) and 75 nights (Titanium Elite). Among options like upgrade awards, free night awards, and adding elite night credits to your account, you can choose to gift elite status to someone for a year.

At the Platinum Elite tier, members can gift Silver Elite status — the program’s lowest tier. At the Titanium Elite tier, members can gift Gold Elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy elite members enjoy a few perks at the Silver Elite tier, such as late checkout and complimentary Wi-Fi. At the Gold Elite tier, members gain perks like a welcome gift of points at check-in, room upgrades based on availability at check-in, and 2 p.m. late checkout.

Grand Hotel Centenari Valencia Marriott Autograph Collection bedroom — Gold Elite members can receive complimentary upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy properties like this one in Valencia, Spain. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

Hot Tip:

All Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards offer some level of automatic elite status. However, you still need to earn the required elite night credits to qualify for Annual Choice Benefits. Holding a complimentary elite status won’t unlock the ability to gift status to someone.

3. World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt doesn’t directly offer a way to gift elite status to someone. However, members can earn rewards that they can gift to others, and these can provide elite status during an upcoming trip — or elite-like perks through upgraded rooms.

Through Milestone Rewards, members earn a benefit choice at set intervals. These awards can be gifted to other members at no cost.

At 20 qualifying nights, members can choose 2 Club Access Awards to stay in a room with lounge access at a hotel with a lounge. This benefit option is also available at 30 nights, while a Suite Upgrade Award is available at 40 nights. At 50 nights, members can choose 2 Suite Upgrade Awards to confirm a suite upgrade for up to 7 nights and confirm it in advance — rather than hoping for an upgrade at check-in.

Hyatt Regency Irvine Regency Club lounge outdoor patio — Those staying in Club Access rooms and suites at the Hyatt Regency Irvine have access to a lounge with complimentary food and drinks and a private outdoor patio. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

However, if you want a friend or relative to enjoy the full experience of elite status, you can gift Globalist status (Hyatt’s top tier) for a stay through the Guest of Honor benefit.

Globalist benefits include waived resort fees on paid and points reservations, complimentary parking on award stays, room upgrades at check-in (based on availability), daily breakfast and/or lounge access, and likely a welcome gift upon arrival at the hotel.

4. Wyndham Rewards

Those with Wyndham Rewards‘ top status tier, Diamond, can gift Gold membership to 1 person each calendar year.

Gold is Wyndham’s lowest status tier above basic membership. Benefits at this tier include earning at least 1,000 points on every stay, free Wi-Fi at hotels, preferred room choices, access to free and discounted nights at hotels, and late checkout.

Wyndham Southbury guestroom beds — Wyndham Rewards elites enjoy preferred room choices. Image Credit: Jessica Merritt

Final Thoughts

There are 14 different airline and hotel rewards programs that let you gift elite status benefits to others. What those perks look like — and how long they last — vary from program to program.

In some of these programs, you must reach top-tier status to gift elite status to another person. In other programs, you must choose the ability to gift status, which means forgoing other options.