Amex Platinum Card grants free elite status at Hilton, Marriott and LHW hotels

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The American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express have enough benefits that it's not surprising some fly under the radar.

One major card perk that many cardmembers forget about is the ability to get complimentary elite status with Marriott Bonvoy , Hilton Honors and Leading Hotels of the World's Leaders Club (enrollment required).

Given that both cards charge $895 each, it's important to maximize as many perks as you can (see rates and fees for the Amex Platinum and see rates and fees for the Amex Business Platinum).

Here's what you need to know about these three hotel statuses with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum.

American Express Platinum Card : Find out your offer. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

What is the Amex Platinum hotel elite status card benefit?

Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers — including authorized users — can enroll in complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite , Hilton Honors Gold and Leaders Club Sterling status.

SOFIE DELAUW/GETTY IMAGES Once enrolled, you'll maintain at least Gold/Sterling status if you keep your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum account open.

Related: Complete guide to authorized users on the Amex Platinum Card

How do I enroll?

First, make sure you have signed up and created a Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and Leaders Club account.

Then, to enroll in either (or all) complimentary hotel elite statuses , log in to your American Express account, click on "Rewards & Benefits" in the top navigation bar and then select "Benefits." Scroll down (you may need to expand a "Premium Travel" section) to find separate icons for Hilton, Marriott and the Leading Hotels of the World.

Click "Learn More" in either (or all) tiles for more information. If you want to enroll, click "Enroll Now" and enter your hotel loyalty program member number. This online enrollment process should work for both primary and additional Platinum cardmembers, but you can also enroll by calling the customer service number on the back of your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum card.

CARLINA TETERIS/GETTY IMAGES Once you request enrollment, American Express will share your enrollment information with the hotel loyalty programs, which will upgrade your status if you currently hold a lower status. Remember to book hotel stays directly to earn points and ensure benefits are recognized.

You can usually use your elite status when you book through the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program, so you can maximize the benefits of both booking through this program and your elite hotel status.

Activation typically may take a few business days, but it could take longer, so don't wait until just before a trip to enroll in these benefits.

Related: Here's how much value you can get from the Amex Platinum card in your first year

What are the benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status?

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status usually requires you to accrue at least 25 elite night credits per calendar year. As a Marriott Gold Elite member, you'll have access to the following benefits:

25% more points on stays : Earn 25% more Bonvoy points than base-level members on eligible hotel purchases at participating Marriott properties.

Enhanced room upgrades : Note that some brands don't offer complimentary upgrades, and upgrades are subject to availability.

Late checkout at 2 p.m. : Get a 2 p.m. late checkout at participating brands upon request (based on availability).

Enhanced internet : Enjoy complimentary enhanced internet when staying at participating properties.

Welcome points : Get 250 or 500 welcome points per stay at participating brands.

THE WESTIN CLEVELAND DOWNTOWN/MARRIOTT What are the benefits of Hilton Honors Gold status?

Hilton Honors Gold status usually requires that you stay 25 nights per calendar year, stay 15 times per calendar year or spend $6,000 with Hilton per calendar year. As a Hilton Gold member, you'll have access to the following benefits:

80% elite status bonus on stays : Receive an 80% bonus on the Hilton Honors base points you earn on stays.

Continental breakfast or a daily food-and-beverage credit : Some brands provide breakfast for all guests as a brand amenity. But at most other brands, you can select a daily food-and-beverage credit (at select brands in the U.S. and at Motto by Hilton properties globally) or a daily complimentary continental breakfast (at select brands outside the U.S., excluding Motto by Hilton) for yourself and up to one other guest registered to your room as a MyWay benefit.

Space-available room upgrades : Gold members may receive a complimentary upgrade to preferred rooms up to Executive Floor room types. Upgrades are subject to availability and some brands and properties don't participate in complimentary upgrades.

Milestone bonus : Earn 10,000 Hilton bonus points for every 10 nights after you've stayed 40 nights in a calendar year.

Fifth night free : Hilton elite members get every fifth night free (up to four free nights per stay) when booking a reward stay of five nights or more using points.

Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi, Curio Collection by Hilton. HILTON Related: The 22 best Hilton hotels in the world

What are the benefits of Leaders Club Sterling status?

Leaders Club publishes two public tiers: Club (entry level) and Sterling (upper tier, normally earned after spending $5,000 on qualifying Leaders Club stays in a calendar year). With Leaders Club Sterling status, you'll receive:

Upgrade priority at arrival : This is valid for a one-room category upgrade from the initial room type you reserved. You must have reserved through an eligible booking channel, and upgrades are not guaranteed.

Continental breakfast : Enjoy a daily continental breakfast for two.

Complimentary Wi-Fi : Get access to free Wi-Fi.

5% bonus points : Get 5% bonus points on your qualified room rates, excluding taxes and fees, for each stay.

Prearrival upgrade : Get five confirmed prearrival upgrades each membership year (unlocked after your first qualifying paid stay; valid for a room-to-room category upgrade, suites and villas excluded).

Early check-in and late checkout "considerations" : These are subject to availability and must be arranged with the hotel upon check-in.

Rental car status : Enjoy complimentary Sixt Platinum car rental status .

Therasia Resort Sea and Spa. LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD Bottom line

Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Leaders Club Sterling status provide some valuable perks, so it's great that Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders can enroll in these statuses as a perk of their card.

Getting Hilton, Marriott and Leading Hotels of the World status through these cards can be useful if you don't stay frequently enough with these programs to earn elite status organically and don't want to add a hotel credit card to your wallet.

However, having the Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum won't help you earn a higher status with either program. You won't earn bonus elite nights or elite qualifying points with either card.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum .

Apply here: American Express Platinum Card®

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, please click here .

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, please click here .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.