Difference between revisions of "Shortcuts to elite hotel status"

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</blockquote>  
 
</blockquote>  
  
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It isn't always possible to qualify for the loyalty program's most valuable benefits like free breakfast, club floor access, or suite upgrades, but it is usually easy to get at least some valuable additional benefits and bonus points.  
+
It isn't always possible to instantly qualify for the loyalty program's most valuable benefits like free breakfast, club floor access, or suite upgrades, but there are some shortcuts. And you can usually get at least some level of elite status from the hotel program's credit card.  
  
 
{{TOC}}
 
{{TOC}}
−
*[[#Elite status from hotel credit cards|Elite status from hotel credit cards]]
+
*[[#Typical shortcuts to elite status|Typical shortcuts to elite status]]
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*[[#Airline-Hotel elite status partnerships|Airline elite status partnerships]]
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*[[#The big three: Hilton, Hyatt, & Marriott|The big three: Hilton, Hyatt, & Marriott]]
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*[[#Status matches and challenges|Status matches and challenges]]
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*[[#Caesar's & Wyndham|Caesar's & Wyndham]]
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*[[#Ongoing status match programs|Ongoing status match programs]]
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*[[#The other big programs|The other big programs]]
 +
*[[#Big opportunities at small hotel programs|Big opportunities at small hotel programs]]
 +
*[[#Hotel credit card status summary|Hotel credit card status summary]]
 
{{/TOC}}
 
{{/TOC}}
  
 
{{Main|article}}
 
{{Main|article}}
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=== Elite status from hotel credit cards ===
+
=== Typical shortcuts to elite status ===
  
−
Almost every hotel credit card automatically gives you some level of elite status in their loyalty program. If you have the card, you'll get additional benefits and earn extra points on every stay.
+
There are several techniques that can qualify you for elite hotel status, often without a single stay.  
  
−
However, except for getting one of several cards that provide Hilton Gold or Diamond status, it usually isn't worthwhile to get a hotel credit card just for its enhanced status benefits. You typically don't get enough extra benefits to justify the card's annual fee.  
+
<ul class="bulletlist">
 +
<li>'''Almost every hotel credit card automatically gives you some level of elite status in their loyalty program'''. In most cases, the automatic status isn't good enough for the really juicy benefits. But if you are getting a hotel credit card for its free night certificate and/or signup bonus, you'll get access to at least some extra elite benefits.</li>
  
−
But if you decide to get a hotel credit card for other reasons, such as its annual {{link|free night certificates|free night certificate}} or signup bonus, elite status is a nice side benefit.  
+
<li>'''Many hotels programs offer "status matches"'''. To help woo customers who have theoretically demonstrated that they are a frequent traveler by earning elite status in other programs, they will often provide a shortcut to their own status.</li>
  
−
{{List|Logo}}
+
<ul>
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{{LogoLabel|Best Western Logo}}
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<li>'''In most cases, you can match status that you simply received from a credit card'''. For example, if you chose to get the Hilton Aspire card for its free night certificate and Hilton breakfast benefit, you can use your high-level Hilton Diamond status to get status in a bunch of other hotel programs.</li>
−
The '''{{Card|BestWestern|only}}''' gives you Platinum status, which entitles you to a 15% bonus on points from stays and some possibility of a minor room upgrade. $59 annual fee. {{Link|Best Western Benefits}}.
 
  
−
The no-annual-fee version gives you Gold status, which entitles you to a 10% bonus on points from stays.
+
<li>'''Some hotels will offer status "challenges" instead of "matches"'''. In order to get status, you'll need to spend a reduced number of nights during a limited period (typically 30 nights). For example, you can get Hilton Gold status by staying 10 days in a 90 day period. Note that only paid nights count for completing the challenge. Award nights and elite night credits earned from credit cards won't.</li>
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Choice Logo}}
+
<li>'''If the status challenge gives you temporary status, you can easily gain its benefits for an upcoming stay'''. Some status challenges will give you the high-level status during the challenge period, so that you can experience the benefits during your stays. If status would be particularly advantageous for an upcoming trip, you could sign up for a challenge even if you don't expect you'll be able to spend enough nights to complete the challenge.</li>
−
The '''{{Card|Choice|only}}''' gives you Gold status, which entitles you to a snack or beverage at Comfort Suites, a 10% bonus on points, and the ability to book reward nights 50 days out (rather than 30). $95 annual fee. {{Link|Choice Benefits}}.
 
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Hilton Logo}}
+
<li>'''Most of the larger hotel companies will theoretically only match your status once per lifetime or once every few years—try to make it count'''. Wait until you have one or more trips planned where you expect to receive a lot of value from the extra benefits. While official rules will state once in a lifetime, those rules are not always enforced, so you can always try for another match. And if there multiple people in your household, a different person can match their status each time it would come in handy.</li>
−
'''{{Card|HiltonSurpass|only}}''' and '''{{Card|HiltonBiz|only}}''' give you Hilton Gold status, which entitles you to the Hilton breakfast / snack benefits, the possibility of a room upgrade, free access to fitness centers, two free bottles of water per stay, and an 80% bonus on points from stays. $95 annual fee. {{Link|Hilton benefits}}.
 
  
−
The '''{{Card|HiltonAspire|only}}''' gives you Hilton Diamond status, which adds premium internet access and executive floor lounge access (at most properties), increases your points bonus to 100%, and potentially entitles you to suite upgrades. $450 annual fee but also gives you a free night certificate without any spending requirement, a $250 per calendar year airline incidental credit, and a $250 Hilton resort credit (which can be used to pay for your room at Hilton resort hotels).  
+
<li>'''StatusMatcher is a useful source of information about whether you are likely to be able to get a status match or not'''. [http://www.statusmatcher.com/hotels StatusMatcher] is a website where travelers share information about successful and unsuccessful attempts to get their status matched. It helps you see whether a program is likely to do any kind of status matching, and if so, which other programs it is likely to match and what level of elite status you are likely to get.</li>
  
−
The no-annual-fee '''{{Card|HiltonCard|only}}''' gives you Silver status, which entitles you to a 15% bonus on points from stays, access to the 5<sup>th</sup> night free on reward stays, complimentary access to fitness centers, and two bottles of water at most hotels. It is a great "downgrade" option if you want to stop paying the annual fee on one of the other Hilton credit cards, don't want to lose the 5<sup>th</sup> night free benefit, and are willing to give up one of your Amex slots.
+
{{Image|KempinskyMatch.jpg}}
 +
</ul>
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Hyatt Logo}}
+
<li>'''A few hotels have airline partnerships that provide elite status benefits to the airline's elite frequent flyers''' (and vise versa). For example, United Gold and above elites get Marriott Gold status.</li>  
−
The '''{{Card|Hyatt|only}}''' gives you Discoverist status which entitles you to a 10% bonus on points from stays, a free bottle of water, 2 PM late checkout, and the possibility of a small room upgrade when available. It also comes with a free night certificate (and the ability to earn a 2<sup>nd</sup> certificate). $95 annual fee. {{Link|Hyatt Benefits}}.
+
</ul>
  
−
The Hyatt Card can also help you reach higher level elite status. Just by getting the card, you'll receive 5 elite night credits and you'll earn an extra 2 credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card. For example, if you spend $15,000 per year to earn the second free night certificate, you will get a total boost of 11 elite night credits. Note that the Discoverist status you get with the card doesn't translate into any additional elite night credits. You just get the 5+ credits described above but are guaranteed a minimum of Discoverist status.  
+
{{Box|Status Hacks Can Work for Up to Two Years}}
 +
When you earn elite status during the year, it is actually for the following calendar  year. In other words, status earned in 2021 is for the 2022 travel year. But you'll get status for the rest of the year you qualify and usually for a couple of months after the end of the following year. So status earned in early 2021 is good until early 2023.  
  
−
Generating credits through spending is an expensive way to qualify for high level Hyatt elite status, but it can be very worthwhile if you only need a few additional nights to augment the nights you earned from the stays. For example, if you wanted to spend your way to Globalist status with no real Hyatt stays (which is an unlikely scenario), you would need to spend $140,000. But if you "only" needed an extra 15 nights, you would "only" need to spend $25,000.
+
This can reduce the annualized cost of some of these  techniques. For example, if you can generate $75,000 of spend on a Marriott Brilliant credit card, you'll receive Marriott's valuable Platinum status. Assuming you have a way to generate this amount of spending, you'd be missing out on about 1% in rewards by using the Marriott Card instead of a credit card with a higher reward rate. For the people who are able and interested in doing this, buying Platinum status has an opportunity cost of about $750. But if you do this early in a year, it will last for almost two years, making the annual cost "only" $375.
 +
{{/Box}}
  
−
The '''{{Card|UnitedClub|only}}''' also gives you Hyatt Discoverist status. But this card costs $525 per year, so is only interesting for people who highly value its United lounge club membership.
+
=== The big three: Hilton, Hyatt, & Marriott ===
  
−
{{LogoLabel|IHG Logo}}
+
Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott provide have large networks of hotels and provide valuable benefits to people with higher-level elite status.  
−
The '''{{Card|IHGPremier|only}}''' gives you Platinum Status, which entitles you to a 50% bonus on points from stays and the occasional minor room upgrade. While IHG Platinum status doesn’t really get you very much, it is a ‘high level”, rather than a mid-tier status, making it good for matching to other hotel programs when the opportunity arises. It also comes with a free night certificate. $89 annual fee. {{Link|IHG Benefits}}.
 
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Marriott Logo}}
+
==== Hilton ====
−
The '''{{Card|Marriott|only}}''' and '''{{Card|SPGBiz|only}}''' give you 15 elite night credits, which is good enough for Silver status. Silver status entitles you to a 10% bonus on points from stays, priority late checkout (upon availability), and free enhanced internet. The same benefit is available several other Marriott cards that aren't available for new signups. You can only earn the extra credits from a single personal card and a single business card (for a total of 30). Both cards also come with a free night certificate. $95-125 annual fee. {{Link|Marriott Benefits}}.
 
  
−
If you earn the bonuses from both a personal card and a business card or you spend $35,000 on either of these cards during the year, you'll be upgraded to Gold status, which adds an increased point earning bonus, 2 PM late checkout (upon availability), and the chance of a preferred room upgrade. Perhaps more importantly, earning 30 elite night credits puts you only 20 credits away from earning Marriott's much more valuable Platinum status.  
+
'''Hilton is by far the easiest of the big three programs to qualify for high-level status without stays'''. With Hilton, ''Gold'' status gets you free continental breakfast across all their brands, along with other benefits. ''Diamond'' status provides club access and a better chance of a nice upgrade. {{Link|Hilton Benefits}}.
  
−
The premium '''{{Card|SPGLuxury|only}}''' gives you Gold status (plus the 15 elite night credits). $450 annual fee but comes with a $300 credit towards Marriott purchases and a free night certificate that works for nights up to 50,000 points (rather than 35,000 points). If you spend $75,000 on the card during the year, you'll be given Platinum status. 
+
<ul class="bulletlist">
 +
{{Status Hilton}}
 +
</ul>
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Radisson Logo}}
+
==== Hyatt ====
−
The '''{{Card|Radisson|only}}''' gives you Gold status, which entitles you to a 25% bonus on points from stays, some possibility of a minor room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, and an in-room welcome gift. It also gives you the option of earning free night certificates. $75 annual fee. The no-annual-fee Radisson card doesn't give you any level of elite status. {{Link|Radisson Benefits}}.
 
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Sonesta Logo}}
+
'''Hyatt's Globalist status provides much better benefits than Hilton and Marriott's higher level status, albeit at a smaller number of hotels. Unfortunately, there are normally no great shortcuts to Globalist''' (which normally requires staying 60 nights in a year). {{Link|Hyatt Benefits}}.  
−
The '''{{Card|Sonesta|only}}''' gives you elite member status which entitles you to free lounge access or continental breakfast plus other benefits such as room upgrades, late checkout and early check-in (upon availability), and a 15% discount on dining and resort amenities. $75 annual fee. [https://www.sonesta.com/travel-pass/member-benefits Sonesta Benefits].
 
  
−
Note that Sonesta will usually match your status with other hotel programs, so you don't necessarily need their card to get Sonesta elite status.
+
<ul class="bulletlist">
 +
{{Status Hyatt}}
 +
</ul>
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Wyndham Logo}}
+
==== Marriott ====
−
The '''{{Card|WyndhamBiz|only}}''' gives you Diamond status which entitles you to suite upgrades and free snacks and beverages. You also get two free tickets to a local activity when you make award stays at one of a selected set of cities around the world. Your Wyndham Diamond status will be automatically matched by Caesars Total Rewards, giving you access to valuable benefits like a $100 annual celebration dinner, waived resort fees, two free show tickets every month in Vegas, and a free annual trip to Atlantis in the Bahamas. $95 annual fee. {{Link|Wyndham Benefits}}.
 
  
−
The '''{{Card|Wyndham|only}}''' gives you Platinum status, which entitles you to a preferred room, early check-in, and late check-out (upon availability). It is automatically matched to Total Rewards Platinum status, which entitles you to free parking at Caesar's and Harrah's family of casinos and a shorter annual free trip to Atlantis Bahamas. $75 annual fee.  
+
'''It is relatively easy for many people to drop the requirements for Marriott's valuable Platinum status from 50 to 20 nights per year and a few additional ways to earn it without stays'''. {{Link|Marriott Benefits}}.  
  
−
The no-annual-fee '''{{Card|Wyndhamnaf|only}}''' gives you Gold status, which entitles you to a preferred room and late checkout (upon availability). It is a good option for "downgrading" the regular card if you don't want to maintain access to the annual free Atlantis Bahamas trip.
+
<ul class="bulletlist">
−
{{/List|Logo}}
+
{{Status Marriott}}
 +
</ul>
  
−
All variations of the '''{{Card|PlatinumCard|only}}''' give you Hilton and Marriott Gold status. $550-595, but comes with a large number of credits and benefits.
+
=== Caesar's status through Wyndham ===
  
−
=== Airline elite status partnerships ===
+
=== The other big programs ===
  
−
Elite members of some airline programs are given automatic elite status in partner hotel programs. For example, every United Platinum member gets automatic Marriott Gold status. To receive the benefits, you need to register and link your accounts.  
+
'''It is pretty easy to get higher level status with IHG, Choice, and Best Western. But even their highest levels of status don't provide that much in the way of benefits'''.  
  
−
{{Image|RewardsPlus.jpg}}
+
==== IHG ====
  
−
{{List|label}}
+
'''The {{Card|IHG|only}} gives you automatic high-level Platinum status''', as well as a free night certificate every year. But that won't entitle you to free breakfast or even much of a chance of a substantial room upgrade (at least within the United States). It'll get you a much bigger bonus (50%) on points from stays, a 72-hour room guarantee, and a better chance of a somewhat upgraded room and extended check out. Along with Gold members, you'll get a nice $10 "raid the bar" credit at Kimpton hotels. {{Link|IHG Benefits}}.
  
−
{{Label|Marriott and United}}
+
==== Choice ====
−
United Gold elites can get matched to Marriott Gold status, which provides some minor benefits. Marriott Titanium members get automatic United Silver status. [//secure.unitedmileageplus.com/reg/rewards_plus/index.html United RewardsPlus].
 
  
−
{{Label|Marriott and Emirates}}
+
<ul class="bulletlist">
−
Marriott elites (Gold and above) earn 3 points for every dollar spent on Emirates, on top of any Emirates miles they'd earn. Emirates elites (Silver and above) earn Skyward miles for every dollar spent at Marriott. Emirate Gold elites don't get actual Marriott status, but they do get priority check-in, 4 PM checkout (upon availability), and free enhanced Wi-Fi.
+
{{Status Choice}}
−
[//www.emirates.com/english/skywards/about/partners/hotels/your-world-rewards.aspx Your World Rewards].
+
</ul>
−
 
 
−
{{Label|Hyatt and American Airlines}}
 
−
American Airlines elites earn 1 mile for every dollar spent at Hyatt and Hyatt elites earn 1 point for every dollar spent on American Airlines flights. Top-tier AA Concierge Key members get automatic Hyatt Globalist status. Lower level elites have access to special status challenges in the corresponding partner program. Typically, you’ll need to stay 10 nights within 90 days to earn Explorist status.  Executive Platinum members typically can also  stay 20 nights within the 90 days to earn Globalist status.  If you have high enough AA status, it would be worthwhile to register right before a period where you will be able to stay enough nights to complete the challenge.
 
−
 
 
−
{{Label|Accor Live and Air France / KLM Flying Blue}}
 
−
When you link your Accor live and Flying Blue counts, you are eligible for 5 XP and a bonus status night after your first Accor stay, and another 5 XP and bonus status night after your first Air France or KLM flight. Members with linked accounts earn both Accor Live points and Flying Blue miles on all their Accor stays hotels and Flying Blue flights. [//all.accor.com/loyalty-program/partners/miles-points/index.en.shtml Program webpage].
 
−
 
 
−
{{Label|Singapore and Shangri La}}
 
−
Singapore PPS club members or Kris Flyer Gold elites get Shangri La Gold status and will be automatically upgraded to Jade with just a single stay. Gold status entitles you to benefits like free fruit and free local calls. Jade members are entitled to room upgrades, late check-out, free breakfast, and other valuable benefits. All members also earn 500 Singapore miles, on top of their hotel points, when they stay at Shangri-La hotels. [http://infinitejourneys.com/en/ Infinite Journeys].
 
  
−
{{/List|label}}
+
==== Best Western ====
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=== Status matches and challenges ===
 
−
 
 
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Hotels are obviously interested in winning the business of frequent travelers. To help woo customers who have theoretically demonstrated that they are a frequent traveler by earning elite status in other programs, they will often provide a shortcut to their own status.
 
−
 
 
−
These come in two forms. A straightforward '''status match''' grants immediate elite status. A '''status challenge''' allows you to earn elite status if you stay for a certain number of nights or visits over a period of a few months—usually far fewer hotel stays than would ordinarily be required. Sometimes, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of elite status during the challenge period, sometimes you will need to wait until you’ve successfully completed the challenge.
 
−
 
 
−
Hotel programs will often match status that you simply received from a credit card. For example, in 2016, we had Platinum Status from having the IHG Credit card, got Hilton to give us Diamond status based on our IHG Platinum Status, and then got Hyatt to give us Platinum status based on our Hilton Diamond status—all without requiring a single hotel stay.
 
  
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
−
<li>
+
{{Status BW}}
−
'''Most of the larger hotel companies will theoretically only match your status once per lifetime or once every few years—try to make it count'''. Wait until you have one or more trips planned where you expect to receive a lot of value from the extra benefits. While official rules will state once in a lifetime, those rules are not always enforced, so you can always try for another match. </li>
 
−
 
 
−
<li>'''If you are staying with a hotel that belongs to a smaller loyalty program (which you don’t expect to frequently use), it is often worthwhile to try for status match before ANY stay'''.</li>
 
−
 
 
−
<li>'''StatusMatcher is a useful source of information about whether you are likely to be able to get a status match or not'''. [//www.statusmatcher.com/hotels StatusMatcher] is a website where travelers share information about successful and unsuccessful attempts to get their status matched. It helps you see whether a program is likely to do any kind of status matching, and if so, which other programs it is likely to match and what level of elite status you are likely to get.</li>
 
−
 
 
−
{{Image|StatusMatcherHilton.png}}
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
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{{Box|Free Atlantis Vacations with Wyndham Status Match}}
+
====  Radisson ====
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If you can get matched to Wyndham Platinum status, you can get an annual "free" vacation at Atlantis in the Bahamas. You will still need to pay the resort fee ($50 + tax per night and gratuities of $5 per person per night).
 
  
−
That is because Wyndham status is automatically matched by the Caesars reward program. Fortunately, it is often easy to get Wyndham to match high-level status with other hotel programs.
+
{{Status Radisson}}
−
{{/Box}}
 
  
−
=== Ongoing status match programs ===
+
=== Big opportunities at small hotel programs ===
  
−
A few hotel chains advertise formal status matching programs. Some additional hotel chains will periodically run status matching promotions. Even if you can't find information about a status program or promotion, one may be still be possible with any given hotel program. You just need to contact them and ask.  
+
If you are staying with a hotel that belongs to a smaller loyalty program (which you don’t expect to frequently use), it is often worthwhile to try for status match before ANY stay.
  
−
{{List|logo}}
+
Because smaller programs often have provide more valuable elite status benefits, status matching can often unlock some very nice perks for an upcoming stay. Whenever you are staying at a hotel that belongs to a smaller loyalty program, check to see if they will match the status you have with the large programs, even if you only have that status because of a credit card. You might be pleasantly surprised with free breakfast, a room upgrade, or other valuable benefits.
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Best Western Logo}}
+
{{Box|Sonesta Status}}
−
'''Best Western's''' “Status Match…No Catch” program will match your status from other programs. The downside is that even their high-level Diamond status doesn't offer much in the way of valuable benefits. [//www.bestwestern.com/rewards/offers/status-match.asp Best Western status match].  
+
Sonesta was a relatively small hotel program that grew significantly in 2020. It is now one of the largest hotel programs in the United States.  
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Choice Logo}}
+
Their high-level "Elite" status compares favorably to high level status from the big three US programs. It entitles you to club lounge access (or continental breakfast), discounted suite upgrades, a free drink, and a welcome amenity at Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels, and Sonesta Resorts, a $15 "sip 'n snack" credit at Sonesta ES Suites, early check-in and late check-out, and a set of additional minor benefits. {{Link|Sonesta Benefits).
−
'''Choice''' matches status from other chains. However, you are officially only permitted to status match once per lifetime and you don't get much in the way of benefits. [//www.choicehotels.com/choice-privileges/membership-levels/status-match Choice status match].
 
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Hilton Logo}}
+
They will almost always match your status from other hotel programs. Instructions are available in their [//www.sonesta.com/travel-pass/faq FAQ]. You also get automatic high-level status, along with a solid signgup bonus, from the {{Card|Sonesta|only}} from Bank of America.
−
'''Hilton's''' current policy is to match status from any other program for 90 days. If you want status for longer, you’ll need to stay 10 nights during that 90-day period to get Gold status and 18 nights to get Diamond status. If you have an upcoming stay at Hilton, you can take advantage of this to get benefits during your stay. However, you can only take advantage of this once. Hilton Gold and Diamond status is pretty useful due to the breakfast benefit but is also easy to get through credit cards. [//statusmatch.hiltonhonors.com Hilton HHonors status match].
+
{{/Box}}
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Hyatt Logo}}
+
=== Hotel credit card status summary ===
−
'''Hyatt''' doesn't usually easily match other programs. But they have a partnership with MGM's M Life program. Status in either program will be matched to the other program every year.
 
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Marriott Logo}}
+
{{Table|basic}}
−
'''Marriott''' doesn't mention a status challenge on its website, but they will let you call customer service to enroll in a status challenge. You can choose between Gold status (which requires 8 nights in 90 days) or the much more valuable Platinum status (which requires 16 nights). Unlike Hilton's status challenge, you won't receive higher-level status until you've completed the challenge. Award nights don't count.  
+
!Card
 +
!Status
 +
!Free Night
 +
!Effective Fee
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|BestWestern|only}}||{{Link|Best Western Benefits|Platinum}}||No||$59
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|Choice|only}}||{{Link|Choice Benefits|Gold}}||No||$95
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|HiltonSurpass|only}}||{{Link|Hilton benefits|Gold}}||With $15,000||$95
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|HiltonBiz|only}}||{{Link|Hilton benefits|Gold}}||With $15,000||$95
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|HiltonAspire|only}}||{{Link|Hilton benefits|Diamond}}||Yes||<$0-450
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|HiltonCard|only}}||{{Link|Hilton benefits|Silver}}||No||$0
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|Hyatt|only}}||{{Link|Hyatt Benefits|Discoverist}}||Yes||$95
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|UnitedClub|only}}||{{Link|Hyatt Benefits|Discoverist}}||No||$450
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|IHGPremier|only}}||{{Link|IHG Benefits|Platinum}}||Yes||$89
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|Marriott|only}}||{{Link|Marriott Benefits|Silver}}||Yes (35K)||$95
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|SPGBiz|only}}||{{Link|Marriott Benefits|Silver}}||Yes (35K)||$125
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|SPGLuxury|only}}||{{Link|Marriott Benefits|Gold}}||Yes (50K)||$150
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|Radisson|only}}||{{Link|Radisson Benefits|Good}}||With $10,000||$75
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|Sonesta|only}}||[//www.sonesta.com/travel-pass/member-benefits Elite]||No||$75
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|WyndhamBiz|only}}||{{Link|Wyndham Benefits|Diamond}}||No||$95
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|Wyndham|only}}||{{Link|Wyndham Benefits|Platinum}}||No||$75
 +
|-
 +
|{{Card|Wyndhamnaf|only}}||{{Link|Wyndham Benefits|Gold}}||No||$0
 +
{{/Table}}
  
−
{{LogoLabel|Radisson Logo}}
+
All variations of the '''{{Card|PlatinumCard|only}}''' give you Hilton and Marriott Gold status. $550-595, but comes with a large number of credits and benefits.
−
'''Radisson''' doesn't mention a status match program on their website, but they will reliably match your status up to their Gold level. You just need to email statusmatch@radissonhotels.com.
 
−
 
 
−
{{LogoLabel|Sonesta Logo}}
 
−
'''Sonesta''' will match your status in other programs. It is pretty easy to get their high-level "Elite" status which entitles you to club lounge access (or continental breakfast), discounted suite upgrades, a free drink, and a welcome amenity at Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels, and Sonesta Resorts, a $15 "sip 'n snack" credit at Sonesta ES Suites, early check-in and late check-out, and a set of additional minor benefits. Instructions are available in their [//www.sonesta.com/travel-pass/faq FAQ].
 
−
 
 
−
{{LogoLabel|Wyndham Logo}}
 
−
'''Wyndham''' typically matches from other hotel programs. They also have a partnership with Caesar's, where status in either program will be matched to the other program every year. High-level Wyndham / Caesar's Diamond status offers valuable benefits with both programs. [//www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-rewards/status-match Wyndam status match]. [//www.caesars.com/myrewards/partners/wyndham_resorts Caesars status match for Wyndham elites].
 
−
 
 
−
Note: Wyndham has temporarily discontinued their status match program. You can still get an automatic match from Caesars Rewards status, but not from other hotel programs.
 
−
 
−
{{/List|logo}}
 
−
 
 
−
{{Box|Perpetual Status}}
 
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Because of the partnerships between Wyndham and Caesars and between Hyatt and M-Life, status you achieve in these programs can be maintained indefinitely. Each program's status lasts for a slightly different set of months. When your status expires in the one program, you can rematch it to your status in the other program. Then, when your status in the second program expires, you can match it back.
 
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This can work with any type of status match, but it works best with loyalty program partnerships, where status matching is unlimited and automatic.  
 
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Unfortunately, high-level M-Life status doesn't match to Hyatt Globalist status, so you can only maintain Hyatt Discoverist or Explorist status. 
 
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Revision as of 19:21, 11 February 2021

  Hotel Strategies

Steps.jpg

The normal path to elite status is to stay a lot of nights over the course of the year. However, unless you travel a lot for work, this may not be realistic.

Fortunately, there are plenty of shortcuts for getting elite hotel status.

It isn't always possible to instantly qualify for the loyalty program's most valuable benefits like free breakfast, club floor access, or suite upgrades, but there are some shortcuts. And you can usually get at least some level of elite status from the hotel program's credit card.


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Typical shortcuts to elite status

There are several techniques that can qualify you for elite hotel status, often without a single stay.

  • Almost every hotel credit card automatically gives you some level of elite status in their loyalty program. In most cases, the automatic status isn't good enough for the really juicy benefits. But if you are getting a hotel credit card for its free night certificate and/or signup bonus, you'll get access to at least some extra elite benefits.
  • Many hotels programs offer "status matches". To help woo customers who have theoretically demonstrated that they are a frequent traveler by earning elite status in other programs, they will often provide a shortcut to their own status.
    • In most cases, you can match status that you simply received from a credit card. For example, if you chose to get the Hilton Aspire card for its free night certificate and Hilton breakfast benefit, you can use your high-level Hilton Diamond status to get status in a bunch of other hotel programs.
    • Some hotels will offer status "challenges" instead of "matches". In order to get status, you'll need to spend a reduced number of nights during a limited period (typically 30 nights). For example, you can get Hilton Gold status by staying 10 days in a 90 day period. Note that only paid nights count for completing the challenge. Award nights and elite night credits earned from credit cards won't.
    • If the status challenge gives you temporary status, you can easily gain its benefits for an upcoming stay. Some status challenges will give you the high-level status during the challenge period, so that you can experience the benefits during your stays. If status would be particularly advantageous for an upcoming trip, you could sign up for a challenge even if you don't expect you'll be able to spend enough nights to complete the challenge.
    • Most of the larger hotel companies will theoretically only match your status once per lifetime or once every few years—try to make it count. Wait until you have one or more trips planned where you expect to receive a lot of value from the extra benefits. While official rules will state once in a lifetime, those rules are not always enforced, so you can always try for another match. And if there multiple people in your household, a different person can match their status each time it would come in handy.
    • StatusMatcher is a useful source of information about whether you are likely to be able to get a status match or not. StatusMatcher is a website where travelers share information about successful and unsuccessful attempts to get their status matched. It helps you see whether a program is likely to do any kind of status matching, and if so, which other programs it is likely to match and what level of elite status you are likely to get.
      • KempinskyMatch.jpg
  • A few hotels have airline partnerships that provide elite status benefits to the airline's elite frequent flyers (and vise versa). For example, United Gold and above elites get Marriott Gold status.
Status Hacks Can Work for Up to Two Years

When you earn elite status during the year, it is actually for the following calendar year. In other words, status earned in 2021 is for the 2022 travel year. But you'll get status for the rest of the year you qualify and usually for a couple of months after the end of the following year. So status earned in early 2021 is good until early 2023.

This can reduce the annualized cost of some of these techniques. For example, if you can generate $75,000 of spend on a Marriott Brilliant credit card, you'll receive Marriott's valuable Platinum status. Assuming you have a way to generate this amount of spending, you'd be missing out on about 1% in rewards by using the Marriott Card instead of a credit card with a higher reward rate. For the people who are able and interested in doing this, buying Platinum status has an opportunity cost of about $750. But if you do this early in a year, it will last for almost two years, making the annual cost "only" $375.

The big three: Hilton, Hyatt, & Marriott

Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott provide have large networks of hotels and provide valuable benefits to people with higher-level elite status.

Hilton

Hilton is by far the easiest of the big three programs to qualify for high-level status without stays. With Hilton, Gold status gets you free continental breakfast across all their brands, along with other benefits. Diamond status provides club access and a better chance of a nice upgrade. Hilton Status Benefits.

  • You can get Gold or Diamond status just by getting a credit card. That's it. If you have the Hilton Surpass, Hilton Business, Hilton Aspire, or Amex Platinum card, you're entitled to at least Gold status, regardless of the amount of your spend or stays. The Hilton credit cards also let you earn extremely valuable "free night certificates". Because a large percentage of travelers can benefit from this strategy, it is discussed in its own dedicated guide. Get Free Breakfast or Club Floor Access with the Right Credit Card.
    • HiltonStatusMatch21.jpg
  • If for some reason you unwilling or unable to get a Hilton or Amex Platinum Card, you can still get instant Hilton Gold status through Hilton's status match. You are only supposed to be able to do this once per lifetime, but many people have been approved multiple times. Plus, if there are multiple people in your household, a different person can take advantage each time it would be beneficial.

    • All you need to qualify is elite status, including the status that comes with many hotel credit cards, and a single stay with the other program in the past 12 months. About a week after you send Hilton the information, you'll be upgraded to Hilton Gold status for the next 90 days and will start receiving the benefits on any upcoming stays.

    If you wind up staying 10 paid nights during the 90 day period, you'll earn Gold status for the rest of the year, the entire following year, and the first three months of the next year. If you wind up staying 18 nights, you'll get Diamond status instead. Hilton Status Match webpage.

Hyatt

Hyatt's Globalist status provides much better benefits than Hilton and Marriott's higher level status, albeit at a smaller number of hotels. Unfortunately, there are normally no great shortcuts to Globalist (which normally requires staying 60 nights in a year). Hyatt Status Benefits.

  • The personal version of the Hyatt credit cards provides a small status boost. Along with the annual fee night certificate (and the opportunity to spend $15,000 for a second certificate), cardholders get 5 elite night credits each year and automatic low-level Discoverist status. But this only entitles you to a 10% bonus on points from stays, a free bottle of water, 2 PM late checkout, and the possibility of a minor room upgrade when available.
  • You can earn additional free nights by spending on the Hyatt credit cards, but it would take a lot of spending to get all the way to Globalist status. For every $5,000 you spend on the personal version, you'll receive an additional 2 elite night credits. If you decide to spend $15,000 with the card to earn the second free night certificate, you'd earn an extra 6 elite night credits, bringing you up to 11 credits (without counting your actual stays). For every $10,000 you spend with the business version, you'll receive an additional 5 elite nights.

    • If you wanted to get all the way to Globalist, without relying on any actual stays, you'd need to spend $140,000 on the personal version or $120,000 on the business version over the course of the the year. Even mid-level Explorist status, which doesn't come with fantastic benefits, requires 25 extra nights or up to $65,000 in credit card spending.

  • Hyatt doesn't usually match status from other hotel companies, except for a special partnership they have with the M life (MGM family) casino loyalty program. If you have Gold status (or better) with M life, you can automatically match it to mid-level Hyatt Explorist status. Unfortunately, no level of M life status is good enough to match to Globalist status.
  • High-level American Airlines elites can periodically earn Hyatt status through a "fast track" challenge program. Platinum and higher elites can stay just 10 nights in 90 days to earn Explorist status and Executive Platinum elites also have an opportunity to stay 20 nights in 90 days to earn Globalist status (elite nights earned from the credit card don't count). For many people, this isn't a realistic path to status.

    • A challenge with identical terms is sometimes available to employees of some large companies.

  • If you ever qualify for mid-tier Explorist status, you can hold onto it indefinitely. Hyatt's status year extends past the end of the calendar year. As a result, you can match your Hyatt status over to M life before it expires. Then you can match back from M life. Explorist status does entitle you to better room upgrades and early check-in (both upon availability), 72-hour guaranteed room availability, and a total of 20% bonus points on stays.
    • HyattMlifeMatch.jpg

Marriott

It is relatively easy for many people to drop the requirements for Marriott's valuable Platinum status from 50 to 20 nights per year and a few additional ways to earn it without stays. Marriott Status Benefits.

  • If you have some upcoming stays with Marriott, you may be able to take advantage of their status challenge. It is open to people who don't already have status with Marriott (Silver is okay), have status with one of the other hotel programs, and have completed at least one stay with that program over the past 12 months. As soon as they approve your application, you'll have corresponding status (usually Marriott Platinum) and can enjoy the benefits on any upcoming stays.

    • Normally, you'd need to spend 8 nights in 90 days to lock-in Gold status and 16 nights in 90 days to stay qualified for the much more valuable Platinum status. But for the current promotion, they've dropped it to 5 and 15 nights respectively. Status Match Webpage.

  • You can earn up to 30 elite night credits each year with Marriott credit cards (without any spending requirement). This drops the requirement from 50 nights to 20 nights and brings Platinum status into the reach of many more people. You'll earn 15 elite night credits if you have one of the Marriott personal credit cards and an additional 15 elite night credits if you have one of the business cards (you can't earn additional credits by having multiple different personal or business cards).
    • MarriottCardStatus.jpg
  • Each Marriott card also gives you either automatic Silver or Gold status, but this doesn't provide that much in the way of benefits. Silver only entitles you to the potential for late checkout and 10% bonus points on stays. Gold bumps the bonus points to 25% and gives you a small points boost on each stay, enhanced internet access, and the possibility of an upgrade to a slightly better room. Spending $35,000 per year on one of the cards that normally gives you Silver status will bump your status to Gold, but this is almost certainly a bad idea.
  • United Gold elites can also be matched to Marriott Gold status. But no level of United status is good enough for Marriott Platinum. Register Here.
  • You can also earn Platinum status (without any stays) by spending $75,000 in a year with the Brilliant or Ritz Carlton cards. Obviously that's a lot of money, but if you aren't going to spend at least 20 nights, it may be your only option for Platinum. At a 1% opportunity cost, it would "cost" about $750 to earn Platinum status for up to two years. While the Brilliant card has a high annual fee, it is offset by a $300 credit you can use for stays and a free night certificate (good at hotels at up to 50,000 per night).

Caesar's status through Wyndham

The other big programs

It is pretty easy to get higher level status with IHG, Choice, and Best Western. But even their highest levels of status don't provide that much in the way of benefits.

IHG

The IHG Select Card gives you automatic high-level Platinum status, as well as a free night certificate every year. But that won't entitle you to free breakfast or even much of a chance of a substantial room upgrade (at least within the United States). It'll get you a much bigger bonus (50%) on points from stays, a 72-hour room guarantee, and a better chance of a somewhat upgraded room and extended check out. Along with Gold members, you'll get a nice $10 "raid the bar" credit at Kimpton hotels. IHG Status Benefits.

Choice

  • Choice will usually match your status with other programs. Unlike the Hilton and Marriott Status challenges, you're simply granted status—there is no need to stay a minimum number of times over 90 days to lock-in your status. As long as you apply after July, you'll have status for the rest of that year and the entire following year. Status Match webpage.

    • Benefits are light. You're entitled to a free snack or beverage at US and Canadian hotels, the possibility of a minor room upgrade, and either 10% or 25% bonus points on stays (depending on whether you receive Gold or Platinum status). Like the other matches, you are only officially allowed to do this once per lifetime. Choice Status Benefits.

  • If you stay a single time at a Cambria hotel, your status match will bump you all the way to Choice's highest Diamond level status, with a better chance of a room upgrade. Without the Cambria stay, your status match will only qualify for the Gold or Platinum level.
    • CambriaStatusMatch.jpg
  • You'll also get automatic Choice Gold status from the Choice Credit Card. But since it doesn't come with a free night certificate or a huge bonus, getting the card isn't a high priority.

Best Western

  • Best Western is quite happy to match your status from other programs through their “Status Match…No Catch” program. The downside is that even their high-level Diamond status doesn't offer much in the way of valuable benefits. Best Western status match.
  • The Best Western Credit Card gives you automatic Platinum status, which entitles you to a 15% bonus on points from stays and some possibility of a minor room upgrade. $59 annual fee. Like the Choice card, the Best Western card does't provide a free night certificate or a large signup bonus. Best Western Status Benefits.

    • The no-annual-fee version gives you Gold status, which entitles you to a 10% bonus on points from stays.

Radisson

  • The Radisson Premier Card gives you Gold status, which entitles you to a 25% bonus on points from stays, some possibility of a minor room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, and an in-room welcome gift. It also gives you the option of earning free night certificates. $75 annual fee. The no-annual-fee Radisson card doesn't give you any level of elite status. Radisson Rewards Status Benefits.
  • Radisson doesn't mention a status match program on their website, but they will reliably match your status up to their Gold level. You just need to email statusmatch@radissonhotels.com. You can only be matched once per lifetime.

Big opportunities at small hotel programs

If you are staying with a hotel that belongs to a smaller loyalty program (which you don’t expect to frequently use), it is often worthwhile to try for status match before ANY stay.

Because smaller programs often have provide more valuable elite status benefits, status matching can often unlock some very nice perks for an upcoming stay. Whenever you are staying at a hotel that belongs to a smaller loyalty program, check to see if they will match the status you have with the large programs, even if you only have that status because of a credit card. You might be pleasantly surprised with free breakfast, a room upgrade, or other valuable benefits.

Sonesta Status

Sonesta was a relatively small hotel program that grew significantly in 2020. It is now one of the largest hotel programs in the United States.

Their high-level "Elite" status compares favorably to high level status from the big three US programs. It entitles you to club lounge access (or continental breakfast), discounted suite upgrades, a free drink, and a welcome amenity at Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels, and Sonesta Resorts, a $15 "sip 'n snack" credit at Sonesta ES Suites, early check-in and late check-out, and a set of additional minor benefits. {{Link|Sonesta Benefits).

They will almost always match your status from other hotel programs. Instructions are available in their FAQ. You also get automatic high-level status, along with a solid signgup bonus, from the Sonesta Hotels Credit Card from Bank of America.

Hotel credit card status summary

All variations of the Amex Platinum Card give you Hilton and Marriott Gold status. $550-595, but comes with a large number of credits and benefits.




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