Hotel Elite Status Made Easy: Status Matches, Fast Tracks, and Credit Card Perks

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The only thing better than award travel is award travel with elite status. By holding elite status with a brand, you can enjoy huge money-saving perks, ranging from free room upgrades to bonus earnings on every dollar you spend, free breakfast, and even complimentary lounge access — which can offer snacks, drinks, and even meals.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to get elite status easily. Some hotel chains offer members the ability to get elite status solely for having status with a competitor's program — known as a “status match.” Others offer the option to earn status through a shortcut on requirements, known as a “status challenge” or “fast track.” Some hotel programs offer both options!

Other programs offer complimentary status when you hold the right credit card. This means you can enjoy elite status without ever staying at that brand's properties or without any effort year after year.

Here are all the hotel programs offering opportunities to earn elite status quickly via status match or other shortcuts.

Best Western Rewards

If you're after Best Western elite status, you can snag it a few different ways, ranging from status match to holding an eligible credit card.

Status match

Best Western offers an ongoing status match program called “Status Match…No Catch.” All that's required to match your status from other hotel programs is to fill out a form, which you can access on the dedicated match page. If you match and reach a new elite tier in 2025, you'll keep your status through December 31, 2026.

You can also send an email to statusmatch@bestwestern.com with the following information:

• Full Name
• Full Address
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Best Western Rewards Member Number
• Proof of Elite status in another hotel program (screenshot or copy of your other program's loyalty card or account statement and must include your full name)

For European members, email Best Western at bwr.service@bestwestern.com with all of the same information above. And if you have any questions about the process, you can call Best Western at 800-444-7646.

Fast track

The Best Western program currently offers a couple of fast-track opportunities to elite status via its Best Western Business Advantage and Best Western Service Rewards programs.

Best Western Business Advantage program

Small business owners who join the Best Western Business Advantage program can get themselves (and their employees) fast-tracked to Best Western elite status.

If you qualify as a small business owner, you can be automatically elevated to Diamond status! Your employees, on the other hand, can only be elevated to Gold elite status — still pretty nifty. This program is an excellent way for you to get a high elite status level instantly while earning additional points for you and your employees.

Simply fill out this form to be on your way to Diamond status! If you're unsure if you qualify, you can send an email to businessadvantage@bestwestern.com or call 855-504-1079 (press option #2).

Best Western Service Rewards program

For the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country, Best Western is offering them a little token of their gratitude through its Best Western Service Rewards program.

Military service members, veterans, and even government employees may qualify for Gold elite status through this program — which allows you to save 10% on hotel room rates. It’s free to join the program online, and once you do, you'll get upgraded to Gold status right away!

Best Western elite status through credit cards

You can earn Best Western elite status by carrying a Best Western co-branded credit card. The Best Western Rewards^® Visa Signature^® Card offers automatic Gold Elite status, while the Best Western Rewards^® Premium Visa Signature^® Card rewards automatic Platinum Elite status.

Caesars Rewards

Matching your status to Caesars Rewards is a popular option in points and miles circles these days — and for good reason. Caesars Rewards comes with all kinds of great perks and benefits.

Status match

Caesars Rewards offers a status match from several casino loyalty programs. But there's a way to get Caesars Rewards elite status from travel elite status. You can match Wyndham Rewards status to Caesars Rewards.

To initiate the match, log into your Caesars Rewards account and enter your Wyndham Rewards number. You can access the form on Caesars' dedicated match page.

Just note that Caesars restricts status matches to those who actually earned the original elite status:

“You must have earned Tier Status with your current loyalty program in order for your status to be matched. Caesars Rewards will not grant status to WR members who came into the WR program from a tier match promotion with other programs or who previously had recent Caesars Rewards status that was about to expire, and vice versa.”

Fast track

The one fast-track opportunity for elite status promotion with Caesars is U.S. military servicemembers.

Caesars Rewards Salute Card

To show their appreciation to all active duty military personnel and veterans, Caesars Rewards has created a special card with benefits just for those who have sacrificed so much for the United States. The Caesars Rewards Salute Card allows those associated with the military to receive 10% off for online bookings, complimentary parking, pre-sale access for shows, discounts on select Norwegian Cruise Line vacations, and much more.

Caesars Rewards elite status through credit cards

You can earn status in the Caesars Rewards program by carrying one of the following credit cards:

• Caesars Rewards^® Visa^® Credit Card: Current members will be upgraded to Platinum status after making their first purchase within the first 90 days of approval. Additionally, you can maintain Platinum status each calendar year if you spend $5,000 on the card.
• Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card: This card offers Wyndham Diamond elite status. You can use this status to match to Caesars Rewards Diamond elite status through February 1, 2025.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner^® Plus Card: Get complimentary Wyndham Platinum elite status with card membership, which can be matched to Caesars Rewards Platinum elite status through February 1, 2025.

Related: Major Changes to Wyndham-Caesars Partnership: Credit Card Status Match and Transfer Limits Cut

Choice Privileges

To make your future stays at Choice properties more rewarding, it's worth exploring the several ways to achieve Choice Privileges elite status.

Status match

Choice Privileges offers a standard elite status match, but make sure you are ready to maximize it. Choice offers a status match for each member just once in a lifetime. While Choice doesn't provide specifics on how your elite status with other hotels will match to Choice Privileges' elite status, they do state that you can only status match up to Platinum Elite status — so you won't be able to match to their top-tier Diamond Elite status.

To apply, you'll need to send an email to status_match@choicehotels.com and include the following information:

• Full name
• Choice Privileges member number
• Proof of elite status in another hotel program — a photo or screenshot of your online status page, loyalty card, or loyalty account statement (make sure the expiration date is showing)

If Diamond Elite status is what you're after, you're in luck — as Choice's Diamond Elite Status Jump lets members qualify for Choice Privileges Diamond status when completing just one stay at a qualifying Cambria hotel. You'll still need to have elite status with a competing hotel loyalty program.

Just send an email to status_match@choicehotels.com and include the same information as above — plus the folio/receipt for a stay completed within the last 12 months at a Cambria property.

View from the Hotel Bolivar, a Choice Hotel located in the heart of Rome.

Fast track

Choice Privileges is currently offering one fast-track opportunity to receive elite status.

Elite status for U.S. military

Eligible military members, veterans, spouses, and dependents can receive complimentary lifetime Gold status. To apply, simply update the Military Status section in your Choice Privileges profile, and you'll see your status adjusted in 6-8 weeks.

Credit: Choice

Choice elite status through credit cards

Additionally, Choice has a short list of credit cards that offer elite status as a perk:

• Choice Privileges^® Mastercard^®: Complimentary Gold status
• Choice Privileges^® Select Mastercard^®: Complimentary Platinum status

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is probably the most generous of all the hotel programs in offering easy ways to elite status. And elite status with Hilton is worth having — even if you only spend a few nights per year at a Hilton property. Why? The savings can be substantial, and the perks are pretty good.

For example, mid-tier Hilton Gold and top-tier Diamond elites receive food and beverage credits in the U.S. and free breakfast overseas. This benefit alone can result in huge savings. Other elite perks include upgrades, bonus points on stays, and more.

Status match

Hilton offers a status match that grants complimentary Gold or Diamond elite status for 90 days when you match from another hotel program. Once you meet the stay requirements, you can enjoy your new status through March 31, 2026. Once registered, you'll need to complete the following requirements:

• Gold status: Stay eight nights within 90 days.
• Diamond status: Stay 14 nights within 90 days.

Hilton elite status through credit cards

If Hilton is your brand of choice, you might find value by carrying one of several American Express cards. The following cards offer Hilton status as a built-in perk:*

• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Complimentary Hilton Silver elite status. Upgrade to Gold status through the end of the following calendar year after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Complimentary Hilton Gold elite status. Upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the following calendar year after spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card: Complimentary Hilton Gold elite status. Upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the following calendar year after spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Complimentary Hilton Diamond elite status.

Additionally, two non-Hilton-branded cards offer Hilton status when you enroll to receive this benefit:*

• The Platinum Card^® from American Express: Enjoy Hilton Gold status while you hold this card.
• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express: Enjoy Hilton Gold status while you hold this card.

*Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.

IHG One Rewards

Compared to Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards offers limited ways to expedite your way to elite status. At present, holding an eligible credit card and enrolling in the InterContinental Ambassador program are the only ways you can upgrade your IHG One Rewards status.

Credit: Jeffrey Francisco/Unsplash

Status match

IHG is not currently offering any IHG status match opportunities for elites of other hotel programs.

IHG elite status through credit cards

Chase currently offers three U.S.-issued IHG co-branded credit cards with built-in One Rewards elite status:

• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Get complimentary IHG Silver Elite status with membership. Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year to earn Gold Elite status.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Get complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status. Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year to earn Diamond Elite status.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Get complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status. Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year to earn Diamond Elite status.

There is also one non-IHG-branded card on offer that lets IHG One Rewards members get Platinum Elite status:

• The New United Club℠ Card: Cardholders are eligible for complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.

Fast track

Outside of holding an eligible credit card, the only current option for upgrading your IHG One Rewards status is through the InterContinental Ambassador program. This pay-to-play program requires purchasing a one-year membership for either $225 or 45,000 IHG One Rewards points. Once enrolled in the program, you'll automatically get Platinum Elite status — which includes perks such as discounts, room upgrades, late checkout, and welcome amenities.

If you're going to go the route of spending money to achieve IHG One Rewards elite status, you're better off simply paying the $99 annual fee for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card — both of which come with Platinum Elite status.

That means this option is best for those who can't get U.S.-issued credit cards.

Marriott Bonvoy

For travelers interested in earning Marriott Bonvoy elite status, you have a few options to do so without hitting the road and earning conventional numbers of qualifying nights.

Status match

MGM Rewards

Marriott created a new partnership with MGM back in July 2023. As a result of this partnership, you'll now be able to status match to Marriott with MGM Rewards status. MGM Rewards Gold matches to Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, MGM Rewards Platinum to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, and MGM Rewards Noir to Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite status. Click here to dive into the perks and benefits of this new partnership — and learn how to match.

Singapore KrisFlyer

Marriott Bonvoy and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer are currently offering a status match promotion. Singapore Airlines PPS Club, Solitaire PPS Club, and KrisFlyer Elite Gold status members can instantly receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold status without any stay requirements. KrisFlyer Silver members can complete a challenge to match to Marriott Bonvoy Silver status by staying three qualifying nights.

Additionally, KrisFlyer members can opt for a status match opportunity to qualify for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status. All that's needed is for you to stay 10 eligible nights within six months to upgrade from Gold Elite to Platinum Elite.

W Philadelphia. Credit: Marriott

United MileagePlus

Marriott Bonvoy has a partnership with United Airlines' MileagePlus program known as RewardsPlus. If you hold Premier Gold status or higher with United MileagePlus, you can status match with Marriott and obtain Bonvoy Gold status. Marriott and United's partnership is a two-way street — if you have Titanium status or higher at Marriott, you can status match with United and get United MileagePlus Premier Silver status.

Air Canada Aeroplan

Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Aeroplan offer a reciprocal status match through their Preferred Partnership program. Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador and Titanium Elite members can match to Aeroplan 25K, while Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K, and 50K members can match to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Matches are valid for at least 12 months and can be initiated through the dedicated Marriott or Aeroplan website.

Fast track

Another option to earn Bonvoy elite status is by calling Marriott at 800-627-7468 and asking for a status challenge. Eligible members will have the remainder of the current month plus three months to finish the challenge. There are two options available:

• Gold elite challenge: Stay 8 eligible nights.
• Platinum elite challenge: Stay 16 eligible nights.

Note that only paid stays count for this challenge, but it is open to anyone — even current Bonvoy members who want to move to a higher status level.

Marriott Bonvoy elite status through credit cards

You can earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status without stepping foot in a Marriott property, thanks to carrying a co-branded credit card with complimentary status. Currently, Marriott has two cards on offer with Chase and four with American Express — including one business credit card.

Complimentary Marriott elite status is also offered as a perk on two non-co-branded American Express credit cards: the Amex Platinum and the Business Platinum Card. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.

MGM Rewards

There aren't many ways to earn MGM Rewards elite status via a status match or other shortcut — at least not without jumping through several hoops or signing up for a credit card.

Status match

It's possible to match your status from Caesars Rewards to Unity by Hard Rock. From there, match to Ocean Rewards and then to MGM. Alternatively, match from Caesars Rewards to Harrah's and then to Club Sycuan. You can use this to match to Club Barona, which matches to MGM.

There is also a Status Match Challenge with MGM, but this ended on September 30, 2024, and has yet to be extended. When it was available, all you needed to do is present your valid VIP loyalty card from any eligible competitor to a MGM Rewards desk to receive an instant upgrade to Gold or Platinum status for the next 90 days for free. You also had the chance to extend your status match upgrade past these initial 90 days if you complete the Status Match Challenge requirements.

MGM Rewards elite status through credit cards

Cardholders of the no-annual-fee MGM Rewards™ Mastercard^® are entitled to complimentary Pearl Status.

Omni Select Guest

Status match

Omni Select Guest doesn't offer any hotel status matches per se, but it does have a nice little partnership with FoundersCard that we feel is worth a quick shout.

Thanks to the StatusMatcher tool — essentially a forum for people to discuss different status matches — we discovered that FoundersCard members are actually eligible for Omni Select Guest Platinum elite status for one year.

A FoundersCard membership is pricey — ranging between $595 and $995 per year. But as an AwardWallet reader, you're actually eligible for a free 3-month trial of the FoundersCard! After the 3-month trial ends, you'll only need to pay $395 per year and have your activation fee waived if you use the code FCAWARD3MO.

Credit: Omni

World of Hyatt

There's a handful of ways you can earn Hyatt elite status outside of spending the conventionally requisite number of nights at Hyatt properties.

Status match

American Airlines

American Airlines and Hyatt offered a status-matching partnership. However, this offer is currently inactive — likely due to the recent changes to the AA-Hyatt partnership. However, as part of these changes, you can now get Hyatt status through the AAdvantage Loyalty Choice Rewards.

Credit: American Airlines

Related: Hyatt Status Match: What You Need to Know

Fast track

Corporate fast-track to elite status

Hyatt doesn't offer any status challenges publicly, but it occasionally offers elite status promotions for corporate partners. Eligible employees of these partners can request a status challenge and earn elite status with Hyatt after completing the following:

• Explorist: Awarded after completing 10 stays in 90 days.
• Globalist: Awarded after completing 20 stays in 90 days.

This offer is typically only open via registering your corporate email. But you can also attempt to request a match by reaching out to Hyatt directly.

Hyatt elite status through credit cards

Chase issues a personal and a small business card that grants Hyatt complimentary elite status for U.S. travelers:

• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Get complimentary Discoverist status with account membership. Cardholders also earn status through spending, earning two qualifying night credits each time they spend $5,000.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Cardholders and up to five employees can receive complimentary Discoverist status. Additionally, you can spend your way to Explorist or Globalist status. Earn five annual qualifying night credits for every $10,000 spent in a calendar year.

Related: The World of Hyatt Rewards Program — A Complete Guide

Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham offers a variety of ways you can match or fast-track to status. Additionally, status is also accessible by holding an eligible credit card.

Status match

Just as Wyndham Rewards status can be used to match to Caesars Rewards, you can match Caesars Rewards to the Wyndham Rewards program. To match into Wyndham, log in to your Wyndham account and enter your Caesars Rewards number. You can access the form on Wyndham's dedicated status match website. Just note that you may be ineligible if you match a status earned from a credit card.

Fast track

Wyndham brought back its status match/fast-track program and is currently offering status matches from many other programs, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Best Western, Choice Hotels, IHG, Radisson, and more. The matched status will be good for 90 days. To extend the status, you must complete the following qualifying nights after the status match within 90 days:

• Gold status: One qualifying night
• Platinum status: Four qualifying nights
• Diamond status: 10 qualifying nights

If you complete your challenge in January 2025 or later, you will receive status through December 31, 2026. You can access the Wyndham status match signup page here.

Wyndham elite status through credit cards

You can also earn complimentary Wyndham status by carrying a Wyndham credit card.

• Wyndham Rewards Earner^® Card: Complimentary Gold elite status.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner^® Plus Card: Complimentary Platinum elite status.
• Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card: Complimentary Diamond elite status.

Related: All About the Wyndham Rewards Loyalty Program

Bottom Line

Having elite status is by no means necessary, but many of the perks it comes with not only upgrade your travel experience but result in massive money savings. Getting free breakfast for your whole family each morning of a hotel stay is a valuable perk. The next time you plan on staying at a hotel, check to see if there's a quick or simple way to snag elite status, such as holding the right credit card or using a status match. Then, watch the savings stack up.

Which programs do you have elite status with, and what is your favorite perk? Let us know in the comments below!

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card (Rates & Fees), and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card (Rates & Fees)

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