Hotel elite status carries benefits that can make every stay more comfortable, more rewarding and more affordable. Hopefully, you already have a plan regarding elite status qualification (or requalification) for your favorite hotel chains.
Remember, you can obtain elite status in some of the major hotel programs just by having the right credit card.
However, you can also leverage your existing airline, rental car and hotel status to unlock the benefits of new hotel status through elite status matches. This is when a hotel awards complimentary elite status due to your existing status with another program — and potentially provides a shortcut to extend that status for a number of additional months.
We’ve covered the various status match and challenge options currently offered by the major U.S. airlines, so let’s shift our attention to hotel programs to see if one of them makes sense for you.
Things to know about status matches and challenges
For starters, it’s worth pointing out that these offers aren’t an invitation to mislead a company, as hotel programs will likely verify that your request is legitimate. A status granted or obtained through hotel credit cards or via non-traditional methods may not be enough to enroll in a status match or status challenge (as one TPG reader discovered when status matching to Alaska Airlines). Also, the falsification of hotel status credentials is not only dishonest but is unlikely to work.
You should make sure you understand the requirements of the match or challenge before opting in. With some programs, you don’t need status with another hotel chain, while others require proof. Some programs will give you temporary status as you work toward qualifying for more permanent status by completing a certain number of stays.
Even the most legitimate requests for status can be waylaid by misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the rules. So, take your time to consider the options and the timing before jumping in.
Having the highest status with the maximum number of programs is not the best approach, even though it may seem that way at first glance. That’s because all programs restrict how frequently you can utilize a match or challenge. For some, it’s every five years, while others only allow it once per lifetime of the account. As a result, you need to be strategic about how you use it.
The timing of your status match or challenge is critical as well. You may be able to extend your status even longer by requesting it or earning it at the right time. You also want to submit the request before your current status or the status match promotion expires.
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Finally, remember that there are many ways to earn status without staying at hotels or going through a status match or challenge.
So, where do the major hotel programs currently stand on status matches and challenges? Unfortunately, only a few make this information publicly available, and many will grant a match or challenge on a case-by-case basis. A great site with user-submitted data is StatusMatcher, which will give you an idea of your options. You can also check specific hotel chain forums on FlyerTalk.
Here’s a rundown of what you’ll currently find — but remember that there are always exceptions.
Best Western Rewards
Best Western Rewards has a well-known “Status Match … No Catch” program where you fill out a form with your contact information and competitor elite tier. After you submit your request, Best Western will generally match you to a requisite status without hesitation.
The program doesn’t have any high-end properties for award redemptions. Still, if you’re considering a trip to places off the beaten path, Best Western elite status is handy.
Choice Hotels
There are two ways to status match with Choice Hotels.
With the Diamond Elite status jump, Choice continues to offer the incredibly generous promotion of one stay at a Cambria-branded hotel to earn top-tier Diamond status. I took advantage of the promotion in October 2019, genuinely enjoyed my stay at Cambria and was granted Diamond Elite status through 2020.
To take advantage of this promotion, complete a stay at a Cambria property and forward your folio, proof of elite status with another program and Choice Privileges number to [email protected].
Alternatively, you can complete a standard status match before staying in any Choice property. This is a phenomenal way to get benefits starting from day one, and it isn’t limited to just one participating brand.
Choice elite status can be particularly useful for those with transferable points at their disposal. Choice Privileges partners with multiple credit card issuers, including:
This means you can leverage some of the top travel credit cards to book award nights by redeeming Choice points.
Hilton Honors
While Hilton is no longer matching status, there is a status challenge program, which is a great way to get benefits at Hilton properties.
Related: What is Hilton Honors elite status worth?
Immediately after requesting the status challenge on this landing page, your Hilton Honors account will be upgraded to Gold status. Within 90 days of requesting the status challenge, your Gold status will be extended until March 31, 2025, if you stay eight nights. And if you stay 14 nights within 90 days, your account will be upgraded to Diamond status through March 31, 2025.
If you don’t stay eight or 14 nights in the 90-day trial period, your status will be removed, returning your account to general member status.
If you’ve previously participated in a status challenge with Hilton, there’s no harm in checking the landing page to see if this offer is available to you.
Instead of completing a status match or challenge, you can open a credit card that includes elite status outright. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card ($450 annual fee; see rates and fees) provides automatic top-tier Hilton Diamond status, while holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees) and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees) enjoy automatic Gold status. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Surpass cardholders can upgrade to Diamond status by spending $40,000 a calendar year on their card.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Best Hilton cards
IHG One Rewards
IHG occasionally offers a limited-quantity status match up to its top-tier Diamond Elite status, though it’s not currently promoting one. When available, this is a great way to snag top-tier Diamond Elite status. However, there are many other ways to achieve status with IHG (or some of its brands).
You can buy InterContinental Ambassador status for $200 and be matched to Platinum Elite. Or, you can apply for an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card with automatic Platinum Elite status.
Last year, IHG launched a promotion allowing United Club Infinite Card holders to receive a status match to IHG Platinum Elite. As a result, if you have the card, you can enroll on this landing page to receive a $75 credit for charging an IHG stay to your United Club Infinite Card.
Related: What is IHG One Rewards elite status worth?
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy once had a generous status challenge for those looking to earn Gold Elite or Platinum Elite status that has unfortunately been discontinued.
However, you may have luck calling Marriott Bonvoy to see if your account is eligible for a targeted status challenge. For example, some Marriott Bonvoy members have reported receiving the challenge of staying 16 nights in 90 days for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. If you call Marriott, mention if you have competing hotel elite status with another major program.
There are also multiple ways to leverage credit cards for Marriott status. You can get automatic Platinum Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card ($650 annual fee; see rates and fees) and Gold Elite status with the Amex Platinum (enrollment required) or the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. You’ll get automatic Silver Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card. If you spend $35,000 on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card in a calendar year, your status is upgraded to Gold Elite.
Most Marriott cobranded cards award 15 elite qualifying nights to cardholders yearly (it’s 25 on the Bonvoy Brilliant), though they can’t be combined across personal cards. You can, however, combine elite qualifying nights earned from personal Marriott cards with those from the business card, giving you the potential to earn up to 40 elite nights.
It’s also worth noting that United Premier Gold, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Likewise, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members receive a status match to low-tier United Premier Silver status.
Related: What is Marriott Bonvoy elite status worth?
Omni Hotels & Resorts
While Omni does not status match, FoundersCard members are eligible for Omni Select Guest Platinum elite status for one year.
Those who hold JetBlue’s newest Mosaic+ status are eligible for a complimentary FoundersCard Elite membership, which can be used to status match to Omni Select Guest Platinum elite status. This is a textbook example of how airline status can get you hotel status, even when an intermediary like the FoundersCard is involved.
World of Hyatt
American AAdvantage elite members now have a faster way to earn World of Hyatt status through February 2025. Plus, you can enjoy Explorist status for 90 days just for registering.
You can register for this offer on Hyatt’s website through Nov. 30 if you haven’t already used such an offer this calendar year. Once you register, you’ll begin a 90-day trial period during which you’ll enjoy World of Hyatt Explorist status.
If you complete 10 tier-qualifying nights at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide, Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties and Lindblad Expeditions during your trial period, you’ll maintain Explorist status through February 2025.
But, it gets better for higher-tier American AAdvantage elite members. AAdvantage members with Platinum Pro status or higher also have the opportunity to earn World of Hyatt Globalist status through February 2025 by completing at least 20 tier-qualifying nights during their Explorist trial period.
American AAdvantage elite members can log in and register at this page on Hyatt’s website. However, the offer’s terms note that you must have “already successfully linked your AAdvantage® account to your World of Hyatt® account.” So, you may not be eligible if you hadn’t previously linked your American and Hyatt accounts.
Hyatt has always been rather conservative about status matches and challenges and has no other publicly available offers. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a shortcut to status.
First, employees of certain companies have been offered challenges for immediate Explorist status or even Globalist status with 10 stays in 90 days. Check with your company’s travel office to see if your company qualifies.
If you aren’t lucky enough to work for one of those companies, the World of Hyatt Credit Card offers Discoverist status as long as your account is open. Cardholders also earn five elite qualifying nights per year, plus two additional elite nights for every $5,000 spent on the card in a calendar year. This can be a great option to spend your way to status outright or combine credit card spending with semifrequent hotel stays to boost your status accordingly.
Related: What is World of Hyatt elite status worth?
Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards offers a published status match offer for all of the major hotel loyalty programs, and it’s among the most generous offers out there. For starters, you don’t even need to have any existing status; entry-level members can enjoy Gold, Wyndham’s lowest status, for 90 days. Existing low-tier elite members from other programs will match to Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, while mid- and top-tier elite members will enjoy Diamond status. You can view the full breakdown on this page.
Even better? The terms allow you to do this once per calendar year.
Once your status match has been processed, you’ll enjoy the perks for 90 days — but you’ll need to complete the following requirements to extend it:
- Gold: One night
- Platinum: Four nights
- Diamond: 10 nights
However, if you do successfully meet your applicable threshold, you’ll enjoy it for quite some time. Here’s what the terms say:
In the event that Member completes the requisite number of Qualifying Night within their ninety (90) day period, his/her/their Awarded Level will remain in effect through December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such Qualifying Night(s) were completed, unless it is extended or superseded in accordance with the Wyndham Rewards Terms.
For example, let’s say you initiate the match in December 2023 and are granted Diamond status. You then complete your 10 nights on Feb. 10, 2024. Your Diamond status would then be extended throughout the rest of 2024 and all of 2025.
Once you have Wyndham Rewards status, you can instantly match to Caesars Rewards status (or vice versa).
Wyndham Diamond status equates to Caesars Rewards Diamond status, which waives resort fees at all Caesars properties. The inverse is also the case, where if you have Caesars status, you are eligible for a status match to Wyndham elite status.
Bottom line
A status match or challenge can be a great way to leverage current status with a hotel chain and turn it into status with another. This gives you a great opportunity to try another program before fully committing, and it can also unlock valuable rewards like suite upgrade certificates.
Remember that these programs have various restrictions, so do your homework before initiating the request.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, please click here.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Aspire card, please click here.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Surpass card, please click here.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please click here.
