The hotel industry is competitive. This is part of the reason hotel brands launch loyalty programs that frequently seduce and reward travelers. However, there is another tool that hotel brands use to steal business travelers and jet setters from other brands, known as status matches.
If you’re staying frequently with one hotel brand and want to view elite status, you’ll probably be busy enjoying hotel perks such as room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, lounge access and more. But what if you want to change the hotel brand you like?
Hotel Status Match Programs can help you enjoy elite benefits on a limited time with other hotel loyalty programs or even if you switch programs.
What is a status match?
Status Match is a tool that hotel loyalty programs often use to get travelers from competing hotel chains. Essentially, these programs allowed elite members of other brands to qualify for the highest class perks they normally need to earn through paying hotel stays or having a co-branded hotel credit card.
Some status matches are automatically provided to those who sign up, while others are offered in the form of status “challenge”. If the latter applies, the customer will typically have to complete a certain number of paid stays or reach a certain expenditure threshold with the new hotel brand.
Which hotels offer status matches?
This is a summary of the hotel brands currently offering status matches.
Hilton’s Honor
Hilton honors members who have not previously applied for status matches and are below the Silver Tier. You can apply for this benefit. Essentially, frequent travelers should submit evidence of elite status in advance under another hotel brand. At that point you will be upgraded to Hilton Gold status for 90 days. At that point, the guest can do one of the following:
- We will stay at least 8 nights within the 90-day trial period to maintain our position as gold until March 31, 2027.
- Stay for another 6 nights (14 total nights) within the 90-day probation period and upgrade to Diamond Status until March 31, 2027.
Also, be aware that some Hilton credit cards offer automatic elite status only to sign up. Some options to consider are:
Marriott Bonboy
At this time, the Marriott Bonvoy program does not have official status match offers to apply. However, the brand has an unannounced status challenge, allowing you to call and request. Details include:
- Stay 8 nights within 3 months of registration and earn Marriott Bonboy Gold status.
- You will be 16 nights within 3 months of registration to obtain Marriott Bonboy Platinum status.
If you meet the requirements, maintain all statuses for the next membership year, in addition to the rest of the year. Unlike status matches, no existing status is required to apply. If you only count your paid stays and already have elite status with Marriott, you cannot request a challenge.
To register, call Marriott and request a status challenge. Please note the requirements obtained from the representative, as this is a “unofficial” offering.
There are also co-branded Marriott credit cards that offer automatic elite status. If you want to gain automatic elite status and earn rewards for your spending, consider the following cards:
The Hyatt World
The World of Hyatt program does not currently offer a status match program and has not previously offered a status match. However, you can get an automatic world of Hyatt Elite Status by signing up for the right world of Hyatt Credit Cards.
IHG 1 reward
IHG One Rewards is another hotel brand that does not currently offer public status match challenges. It’s been quite a while since it became available. However, you can obtain automatic elite hotel status with a qualified credit card.
Wyndham Reward
Wyndham Rewards offers you the opportunity to match your status at publication. To qualify, complete a minimum number of paid stays to the hotel brand within 90 days and send proof of your existing hotel elite status.
The new status you receive will depend on the status you have. For example, Marriott Bonvoy’s Gold Elite Status or above will be translated into Diamond Status with Wyndham Rewards.
Status match requirements include:
| Wyndham Rewards Matching Status | Number of eligible nights required within 90 days to maintain matching status |
|---|---|
| gold | 1 |
| platinum | 4 |
| diamond | 10 |
You can also get automatic Wyndham Rewards Elite status with the following reward credit cards:
This is one of the easiest status matches to get. Therefore, if Wyndham is staying, we recommend registering.
Selection privilege
Selection privileges currently offer status matches. You can apply for a status match by submitting proof of elite status to another hotel brand. Email your full name, select privileged member number, and status proof (such as a screenshot showing the status of an elite hotel) to [email protected].
Within 30 days, you will automatically become an elite member with the privileges of choice. You will then be eligible for elite perks such as bonus points for paid stays and welcome gifts on eligible US and Canada properties.
Although details are scarce about how the match works, there are three potential stat layers: gold, platinum and diamond. It may match as closely as possible from existing elite status.
You can also cut to track and get instant elite status with the right credit card.
The best western reward
Best Western offers a program called Status Match…NoCatch®. This allows you to request a status match without the necessary work.
This program requires you to email [email protected] with your name, contact information, the best western loyalty number and proof of status in another hotel program.
Best Western says new elite members will receive status until December 31, 2026.
Do I need to do a hotel status match?
Using a status match program is easy if you already have elite status under a particular hotel brand, but you’d like to give a try with a new program. After all, most status match programs offer a high status hierarchy just to prove your current status, allowing you to enjoy the perks of elite status for over a year.
That said, you can get automatic elite status through many top hotel credit cards, but this may be even easier. With a hotel credit card, you can even earn generous sign-up bonuses and hotel points on all your expenses. Many offer free award nights each year (often after card member anniversary). Additionally, some of the best travel reward cards provide cardholders with hotel status.
Conclusion
Status Match Programs tend to come and go over time, so you should frequently check out the hotel programs you’re interested in to see which new Status Match offers have appeared. By proving that you have elite status and taking steps to match it, you can enjoy the elite perks and try out competing hotel brands before you fully commit to a new brand.
*Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bondless Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Hyatt Credit Card, World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, IHG One Ihg One Premier Business Card, New United Club Rewards Card, Wyndham Rewards Harner Business Cards were collected independently by Bankrate.com. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
