If you hold an American Express Platinum card, you are eligible for an instant upgrade to Hilton HHonors gold status.  Just call up Amex, give them your card number and Hilton HHonors account number before December 31, 2013 and you’ll be all set.  According to Hilton’s website, benefits of gold status include a 25% bonus on all points earned, free high speed internet access, late check-out and access to fitness centers.  Some properties even offer upgrades to preferred rooms.

Don’t forget that the American Express Platinum card also automatically earns you Starwood Preferred Guest gold status.  Again, just call up American Express and they will conference in the folks at Starwood and set this up.

Don’t have the Platinum American Express?  Consider getting it.  In addition to these features, you get lounge access at hundreds of airports around the world, no foreign transaction fees, $200 in airline fee credits per calendar year, perks with car rental companies and lots of other valuable benefits.  My personal favorite is the free Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check enrollment.  Being a part of both of these programs is such a time saver!

The card comes with a hefty fee: $450 a year, but if you take advantage of the $200 in airline fee credits per calendar year, you could potentially knock the fee down to $50 for the first year.