How To Get Hotel Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

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They say you can't get something for nothing, but sometimes you can! In the world of rewards travel, chasing points and miles can result in an upgraded room or a seat at the front of the plane.

However, collecting points and miles is only part of the game. Earning elite status with a hotel chain or airline program can make travel much more comfortable and rewarding. Elite members get special treatment, freebies, upgrades, discounts, and earn a lot more points.

The traditional route to elite hotel status requires a major investment of time and money to meet minimum stay requirements. Thankfully, there are several ways for savvy travelers to get hotel elite status for free (or almost free). Here they are.

Best Western Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Best Western may not be the most popular rewards program, but it might be the simplest one for earning elite status. By using Best Western's Status Match…No Catch^® program, anyone with existing elite status in another hotel loyalty program can match their elite status to Best Western by sending a simple email.

Best Western Rockland, Massachusetts. Credit: Best Western

Provide Best Western 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, using acreenshot or copy of your other program's loyalty card or account statement, which must include your full name

Best Western will review the submission and match you within their rewards program up to Diamond Select Elite status.

U.S. members should send their information to: statusmatch@bestwestern.com.

European members should send their information to: bwr.service@bestwestern.com.

Credit cards

The Best Western Rewards^® Premium Mastercard^® (no longer available to new applicants) has an $89 annual fee and provides automatic Platinum status. However, the Best Western Rewards^® Mastercard^® has no annual fee and provides complimentary Gold status in Best Western Rewards.

Caesars Resorts Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Credit: Caesars

Love Las Vegas? Then this might be the loyalty program for you! With six levels of elite status and unique opportunities for earning status and redeeming rewards, this program is worth a close look if you plan to spend time in any of the 50+ Caesars properties worldwide.

Credit card

With no annual fee, the Caesars Rewards^® Visa^® Credit Card provides Platinum status for cardholders.

Also…

Ever heard of the FoundersCard? It's not a credit card; it's a membership service for entrepreneurs and business owners. Membership comes with a host of benefits, including complimentary Wynn Platinum status — which you may be able to match to Caesars Rewards.

Elite status match

Finally, Caesars has a reciprocal partnership with Wyndham Rewards. If you have status with Wyndham, link your Wyndham Rewards account with your Caesars Rewards account and your status will be matched — easy!

Choice Privileges Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Credit: Choice Hotels

The Choice Privileges rewards program includes 22 different brands with more than 7,000 properties worldwide. This includes the Radisson Hotels Americas brands that were brought into the program in the summer of 2023.

Choice Privileges has three levels of status: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Luckily, there are some quick ways to nab elite status for those looking to take advantage of benefits like late checkout or earning bonus points on upcoming stays.

Credit cards

Choice Privileges has two credit cards that each provide elite status as a core benefit.

Holding the no-annual-fee Choice Privileges^® Mastercard^® will grant cardholders complimentary Gold Elite status in the Choice Privileges program. Those looking for higher tier can secure Platinum status by opening the Choice Privileges^® Select Mastercard^®. With an annual fee of $95, this falls squarely in the “almost free” category if you can use even some of the benefits that come with the card.

Elite status match

If you have elite status with another hotel chain, there aren't a lot of hoops to jump through to secure a match with Choice Privileges. Simply create a free Choice Privileges member account. Once you have a member number, submit that along with your full name and proof of elite status with another hotel program and submit via their online form or appropriate email (depending on whether you are a U.S., European or Australian/New Zealand member).

Hilton Hotel Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Hilton Conrad Koh Samui in Thailand. Credit: Hilton

Hilton is one of the largest hotel companies worldwide. Its Hilton Honors program includes 7,000+ properties around the world, including iconic brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, Curio, and DoubleTree.

The Hilton Honors loyalty program has three levels of elite status above the basic Member level, earned after the following numbers of nights each year:

• Silver: 10+ nights
• Gold: 40+ nights
• Diamond: 60+ nights

There is a lot to love about the Hilton Honors program, and elite status comes with a host of perks.

Credit cards

Hilton currently offers four co-branded cards that provide elite status to cardholders.

• Diamond status via Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Gold status via Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card or The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Silver status via Hilton Honors American Express Card

Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.

In addition to the Hilton co-branded cards, The Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express cardmembers can enroll for Hilton Honors Gold status as one of the many benefits provided with each card.

That's a total of six cards that provide complimentary Hilton Honors elite status. However, most of these cards have an annual fee, and you should evaluate this against the benefits conferred by your “free” status to see if it's worth it in your eyes.

Related: Which Hilton Honors Credit Card Is Right for You?

Elite status match

If you already have elite status with another hotel loyalty program, you can request a Hilton Honors status match to Gold status and fast track to Diamond status.

An application requires proof of your existing status with another hotel loyalty program and proof of a stay within the last 12 months. So, if you have elite status through another program's credit card, you need to complete at least one stay before requesting a status match with Hilton.

The Hilton status match to Gold is granted for a “trial period” of 90 days. Once your status match application is approved, you have 90 days to stay eight nights to maintain Gold status through March 31, 2025. You can upgrade to top-tier Diamond status through March 31, 2025 if you stay 14 nights within that 90-day trial period.

Here's how to request a Hilton status match.

Elite status gifting

Do you know a Diamond member? Hilton Honors Diamond members can gift status to other Hilton Honors members. Diamond members who stay 60 nights in a calendar year can gift Gold status to someone. After 100 nights, members can gift Diamond status to a friend or family member. This may be the fastest free route to status if you know the right people.

IHG One Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

InterContinental San Diego. Credit: IHG

Compared to other major hotel rewards programs, IHG One Rewards doesn't hold quite the same appeal for rewards travelers chasing status with elite hotel brands. However, the IHG portfolio does include prestigious brands like InterContinental, Six Senses, Kimpton, and Mr & Mrs Smith properties. IHG One Rewards also can be a valuable program for budget-conscious travelers who want the simplicity of sticking with one loyalty program to earn and stay across a host of the IHG brands including Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites.

Credit cards

The easiest way to secure elite status through IHG is to open an IHG credit card. IHG currently has three different credit cards that offer elite status:

• Silver Elite status through the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
• Platinum Elite status through the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

In addition, IHG One Rewards Traveler Card cardholders can earn Gold Elite status with $20,000 in eligible spending each calendar year. Premier cardholders (both the business and the personal card) can earn top-tier IHG Rewards Diamond Elite status with $40,000 spent on qualifying purchases in a calendar year.

Finally, the The New United Club℠ Card provides all cardholders with complimentary Platinum Elite status in IHG One Rewards.

Status match

IHG sometimes offers status match opportunities, including the current offer to fast track to Platinum Elite status after just five nights by the end of 2023.

To learn more about offers like this, you can check out our resource on hotel status match opportunities.

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona. Credit: Marriott

With three dozne brands and more than 8,000 properties around the world, Marriott International has a huge global footprint. Marriott's Bonvoy program offers 5 elite tiers.

• Silver Elite: 10+ nights
• Gold Elite: 25+ nights
• Platinum Elite: 50+ nights
• Titanium Elite: 75+ nights
• Ambassador Elite: 100+ nights per year and $23,000 in eligible spending

Credit cards

Marriott has a ton of credit cards available, offering the following status perks:

• Silver Elite status through the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card, plus receive 5 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
• Silver Elite status through the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card, plus receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and earn 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 of spending on your card. Spend your way to Gold Elite status by making $35,000 in purchases in an account year.
• Gold Elite status through the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card, plus receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
• Platinum Elite status through the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, plus receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
• Gold Elite status through The Platinum Card^® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express after enrolling for this benefit.

If you hold both a business and personal Marriott co-branded card, you can receive up to 40 elite night credits each year. That boost should get any cardholder well on their way to maintaining and possibly elevating status each year.

Elite status challenge

While Marriott Bonvoy doesn't offer a status match to other hotel programs, there is an unpublished Status Challenge available. Bonvoy members should call 800-627-7468 to get information about the status challenge. Previously, there were multiple options but the only current option is:

• Platinum Elite Challenge: Stay 16 eligible nights

Once you start a challenge, you have three months in the same calendar year to complete it. If I start on January 1, 2024, I have three months to complete the challenge. However, if I were to start the challenge on November 1, 2024, I would need to complete the challenge by the end of December 2024 — only two months to make it happen.

Since the status match terms aren't published and do seem to change, it's important to call and walk through all of the details carefully before starting. Only paid stays count as eligible nights for the challenge.

RewardsPlus: United MileagePlus partnership

Marriott Bonvoy partners with United MileagePlus to allow for reciprocal earning and shared elite benefits. Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members can receive United MileagePlus Premier Silver elite status. Those with United Premier Gold status or higher can secure Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.

Elite status gifting

Ambassador Elites with Marriott can sometimes gift status to friends or family. Ambassador Elites may receive an Annual Choice benefit based on their Bonvoy account activity. These members can gift Silver Elite status upon achieving 50 elite night credits or Gold Elite status upon achieving 75 elite night credits.

Coming soon?

Soon after Hyatt and MGM ended their partnership, Marriott and MGM announced an impending partnership. Check back in early 2024 for possible status match details.

MGM Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Speaking of MGM, there is no need to wait for details on the Marriott partnership to be shared. Those looking for elite status with MGM Rewards can secure it right now. While the MGM name may bring up visions of the Vegas Strip, MGM Resorts has 30+ properties around the world, and elite membership in its rewards program can make a stay in any one of those properties more enjoyable.

MGM has five status tiers: Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and, by invitation only, NOIR. Let's take a look at securing the best bang for the buck with membership in this program.

Credit card

The MGM Rewards™ Mastercard^® has no annual fee and offers automatic Pearl status. This is only one rung up the elite ladder, but it's a start. Pearl members will enjoy perks such as free self-parking, a 10% discount at retail shops, and bonus slot dollars, among other benefits.

Promotions

While waiting for details on the new Marriott strategic partnership, check out MGM Rewards “Current Promotions” tab. We have seen status match and fast-track opportunities to earn Gold or Platinum status quickly in the past.

Radisson Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Radisson Blu Resort Maldives. Credit: Radisson

Radisson Rewards is the loyalty program for Radisson Hotels brands, including Country Inn & Suites and Park Plaza, as well as brands that have “Radisson” in the name. This program no longer has coverage in North or South America, but it has a substantial footprint throughout Northern Europe and the Middle East.

Credit cards

Radisson Rewards once offered members elite status through a co-branded credit card. However, that card was discontinued in early 2022.

Elite status match

Radisson Rewards does not offer an official status match program. However, travelers who send a polite request to statusmatch@radissonhotels.com have matched elite status through other hotel and airline programs.

Members can match up to Gold status with Radisson Rewards. Those seeking the highest level Platinum Elite Status must earn it through stays.

Sonesta Travel Pass Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Sonesta Travel Pass is an often-unheralded program, but its reach has grown significantly in recent years. Plus, attaining elite status for free in this program is relatively simple.

Credit card

Bank of America issues the Sonesta World Mastercard^®, which confers automatic Gold status.

Elite status match

Sonesta Travel Pass offers a generous status match from multiple programs. You can match to Silver, Gold, or Platinum status, depending on what status you hold in another program. Simply contact customer service with your Travel Pass membership number and proof of status in another hotel program.

World of Hyatt Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Hyatt Union Square. Credit: Hyatt

World of Hyatt remains a favorite program for many. While its lower status tiers don't offer anything jaw-dropping, its top tier (Globalist) has some excellent perks.

Credit cards

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is one way to fast-track your progress to World of Hyatt elite status. Cardholders automatically receive World of Hyatt Discoverist status (the lowest tier). Cardholders also get five elite nights each year, plus earn two elite qualifying nights for every $5,000 spent on the card in a calendar year.

If you have a small business, you can apply for the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card to get Discoverist status for yourself and up to five employees. Plus, earn five Tier-Qualifying night credits for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.

Meetings and events

It's also possible to qualify for status through meetings and events. Presently, this is based on the number of events you host with Hyatt. However, that's changing in 2024, and you'll now earn two elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on events. There's a maximum of $150,000 in annual spending here, which would give you 60 qualifying nights. That's what you need for top-tier Globalist status.

Status match

American Airlines Partnership: American Airlines AAdvantage and World of Hyatt launched a partnership in 2019, offering reciprocal benefits to elite members of each program. AAdvantage Concierge Key members can immediately receive World of Hyatt Globalist status by linking their AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts.

If you don't have the highest levels of elite status with either program, all is not lost. This partnership offers periodic fast-track opportunities for elite members to match between programs. The most recently available (now closed) offer allowed AAdvantage elite members to challenge for Explorist or Globalist status by earning just 10 or 20 elite qualifying nights over a 90-day period.

While this offer closed on November 30, 2023, it's worth keeping an eye out for future iterations.

Former MGM Rewards partnership: Hyatt has ended its partnership with MGM Rewards. Tier matching between the two programs ended in July of 2023, and the strategic relationship ended in September 2023.

Wyndham Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Wyndham San Diego Bayside. Credit: Wyndham

Wyndham Rewards is one of the larger hotel loyalty programs worldwide. It covers the Wyndham Hotel Group's 7,800 hotels across 66 countries, and its partnership with Caesars makes membership in the program even more interesting. The program offers three elite status tiers — Gold, Platinum, and Diamond — with several routes to earning status in short order.

Credit cards

Wyndham Rewards has three co-branded credit cards offering elite status in the loyalty program:

• The no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner^® Card provides holders with Gold-level elite status automatically.
• For those looking for Platinum status, the Wyndham Rewards Earner^® Plus Card offers it while charging a reasonable $75 annual fee.
• Diamond level status comes with the Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card. With an annual fee of only $95, that's a pretty efficient route to top-tier status.

Status match

We noted earlier that Wyndham Rewards and Caesars have a status-matching relationship. In addition to this, Wyndham offers status matching with a host of other hotel loyalty programs, as you can see in the chart below. You'll need to have a Wyndham Rewards account and then can submit a request once you are logged into your account. Take a look at the chart to see whether any existing elite status can help you quickly lock in Wyndham Rewards status as well.

Elite status gifting

Like Hilton and Marriott, Wyndham also allows its top-tier Diamond members to gift one Gold-level membership each year.

Final Thoughts

Elite status makes hotel stays more enjoyable. You can receive early check-in, late checkout, upgraded rooms, complimentary food and drinks, and more. Earning status without being a road warrior can make these benefits seem even sweeter.

Many (but not all!) of the credit cards mentioned above have an annual fee, so they are not technically free. However, take advantage of the airline, travel, TSA PreCheck credits, lounge access, free anniversary nights, and other benefits, and these cards can more than pay for themselves year after year.

Finally, there are two websites worth checking periodically:

• StatusMatcher.com: Not all status matches are publicly advertised. StatusMatcher uses reports submitted by other rewards club members and includes success and failure rates. It also gives information about how to apply for status matches.
• CardMatch: This site will ask for some personal information and run a quick check to see what special credit card offers you may qualify for.

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