Reader’s Question: Buying Airline Or Hotel Status From Website?

A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a question about a legitimate-looking website that sells hotel and airline tiers. Readers are encouraged to send us questions, comments, or opinions by email, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We’ll cover them here several times a week. Reader’s Question: Hi, I found a website that […]

May 20, 2025 - 23:45

A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a question about a legitimate-looking website that sells hotel and airline tiers.

Readers are encouraged to send us questions, comments, or opinions by email, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We’ll cover them here several times a week.

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I found a website that sells elite memberships for various hotels, car rentals, and airlines.
The website is https://REMOVED.com/ and it seems legitimate, but I’m very surprised that you can purchase access to these elite statuses.
Could you confirm if these status purchases are legal and valid? Thanks very much!!

I had a look at the website that the reader referenced in their email, and they certainly were selling various products:

Hotels:

Airlines:

Some of the prices can make sense, while others do not.

For example, you can buy the International Ambassador membership directly from IHG for much less, and it comes with the Platinum status.

Then they probably “facilitate” adding you to the Marriott employees’ Friend & Family list or listing you as their partner to get a better discount.

Many of these products that they sell are status matches or various fast tracks that these companies offer.

The website or whoever is behind it basically processes the status match using fake documents, or they have someone working at these companies who does it for money.

And is this legit?

As a buyer, you are not breaking any laws, but it is certainly against the T&Cs of various loyalty programs, and your account may be closed for program violations.

Whether the seller engages in illegal behavior is an entirely different matter.

Conclusion

I have seen ads for this specific and other sellers online quite a few times, and it appears that these sellers mainly come from Mainland China, where anything goes when it comes to these loyalty programs.

It wouldn’t surprise me if they have contacts at these companies who process these for “tea money.”

Have you come across ads or websites that sell airline and hotel statuses? Please comment below.

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