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They say you can't get something for nothing, but sometimes it seems you can. In the world of reward 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's an overview of current options split up by hotel loyalty program.
Page Contents
- Best Western Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- Caesars Resorts Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- Choice Privileges Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- Hilton Hotel Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- IHG One Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- Marriott Bonvoy® Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- MGM Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- Sonesta Travel Pass Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- World of Hyatt Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- Wyndham Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
- Final Thoughts
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. You can find more than 4,300 Best Western Hotels in over 100 countries worldwide, so it has a bigger footprint than you might expect.
Best Western has four tiers of elite status beyond the basic member level — Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Diamond Select. You only need to spend five nights at a Best Western hotel before you reach Gold status, but it'll take a little longer to reach top-tier Diamond Select, which requires 25 nights.
Credit cards
Luckily, you can easily get elite status as a perk of being a cardholder. If you're looking for a no-annual-fee option, the Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card offers complimentary Gold status.
If you don't mind paying an annual fee, the Best Western Rewards® Premium Visa Signature® Card provides automatic Platinum status in exchange for an $89 annual fee.
Elite status match
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.
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 a screenshot or a 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. North American members should send their information to: statusmatch@bestwestern.com. Members outside North America should send their information to: bwr.service@bestwestern.com.
Related: Best Western Rewards Elite Status Requirements
Caesars Resorts Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
Love Las Vegas? Then Caesars Resorts 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-plus Caesars properties worldwide.
Credit cards
If you are a new cardholder of the Caesars Rewards Visa Signature® or the Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa Signature®, you can be upgraded to Platinum status after using your card within the first 90 days of approval. You'll keep the status for the remainder of the calendar year, so you'll want to time your card application wisely if you want Platinum status for as long as possible.
With both cards, you'll receive an annual bonus of 2,500 Tier Credits after spending $5,000 in purchases in a calendar year. That gets you halfway to Platinum status, which requires 5,000 Tier Credits. If you are a cardholder of the Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa Signature®, you can receive another 2,500 Tier Credits after spending $10,000 in a calendar year, and another 15,000 Tier Credits once you reach $50,000 in spending. That would easily get you to Diamond status, but it requires dedicating a lot of spending on a modestly rewarding card.
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. Note that you must have earned your Wyndham status through stays, so status earned as a credit card holder will not qualify.
Choice Privileges Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
The Choice Privileges rewards program includes 22 different brands with more than 7,400 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 a 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.
Rates & Fees
- 5x points on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases
- 3x points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and on phone plan services
- 1x points on other purchases
Rates & Fees
- 10x points on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases
- 5x points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and on phone plan services
- 1x points on other purchases
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 via their online form or appropriate email (depending on your country of residence).
Your matched elite status will remain valid for the rest of the calendar year if you match between January and June. If you match between July and December, it's valid for the rest of the calendar year and the entire next year.
Hilton Hotel Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
Hilton is one of the largest hotel companies worldwide. Its Hilton Honors program includes more than 9,000 properties around the world, including iconic brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, Curio, and DoubleTree.
There are currently three levels of elite status above the basic Member level, each earned based on your activity with Hilton — with a fourth debuting in 2026. There is a lot to love about the Hilton Honors program, and elite status comes with a host of perks.
| Status Tier | Requirements | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Sign up for Hilton Honors | Hilton Honors Discount Rate Earn points toward free nights & more No resort fees on reward stays Digital Check-in option and Digital Key Free WiFi |
| Silver Elite | 10 nights OR 4 stays OR $2,500 in annual spending | All Member benefits plus... 20% Bonus Points on stays (12 Honors points per $1 spent) Fifth night free on reward stays Two free bottles of water per stay |
| Gold Elite | 25 nights OR 15 stays OR $6,000 in annual spending | All Silver benefits plus... 80% Bonus Points on stays (18 Honors points per $1 spent) Space-available room upgrades, up to rooms on the executive level (at property discretion) Daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast at select brands (varies by hotel) Milestone Bonuses |
| Diamond Elite | 50 nights OR 25 stays OR 11,500 in annual spending | All Gold benefits plus... 100% Bonus Points on stays (20 Honors points per $1 spent) Space-available room upgrades, up to standard suites (at property discretion) Executive lounge access Diamond status extension Premium WiFi 48-hour room guarantee Elite status gifting |
| Diamond Reserve Elite | 80 nights OR 40 stays, AND $18,000 in annual spending | All Diamond benefits plus... 120% Bonus Points on stays (22 Honors points per $1 spent) 4:00 p.m. guaranteed late checkout Confirmable upgrade reward Exclusive customer service Premium club access |
Credit cards
Hilton currently offers four co-branded cards that provide elite status to cardholders.
- Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status via Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hilton Honors™ Gold Status via Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card or The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- Hilton Honors™ Silver Status via Hilton Honors American Express Card
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
In addition to the Hilton co-branded cards, American Express Platinum Card® or 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 weigh the benefits of your “free” status against the fee to see if it's worth it to you.
(Terms apply)
- 14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio
- 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly through select rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants
- 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card
(Terms Apply)
- 12X bonus points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio
- 6X bonus points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
- 4X bonus points on U.S online retail purchases
- 3X bonus points for all other eligible purchases on your card
(Terms apply)
- Earn 7X Points per dollar on eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands
- Earn 5X Points per dollar on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
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, 2027. You can upgrade to top-tier Diamond status through March 31, 2027, if you stay 14 nights within that 90-day trial period.
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.
Related: 16 Airlines and Hotels That Let You Share Elite Status
IHG One Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
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 includes prestigious brands such as InterContinental, Six Senses, Kimpton, and Mr & Mrs Smith properties. IHG One Rewards can also 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 IHG brands, including Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites.
IHG One Rewards has four levels of elite status that members can earn through stays, including:
- Silver Elite: 10 or more qualified nights
- Gold Elite: 20 or more qualified nights or 40,000 qualified points
- Platinum Elite: 40 or more qualified nights or 60,000 qualified points
- Diamond Elite: 70 or more qualified nights or 120,000 qualified points
Once you earn elite status, you'll enjoy a variety of perks.
| Benefit | Club Member | Silver Elite | Gold Elite | Platinum Elite | Diamond Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free internet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bonus points | N/A | 20% | 40% | 60% | 100% |
| Points don't expire | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rollover nights for next year's status | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Rewards night promotional discounts | Yes | Yes | |||
| Guaranteed room availability | 72 hours | 72 hours | |||
| Complimentary upgrades, based on availability at check-in | Yes | Yes | |||
| Welcome amenity at check-in | Yes | Yes | |||
| Early check-in, based on availability | Yes | Yes | |||
| Late checkout, based on availability | 2 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 2 p.m. |
| Dedicated Diamond support line | Yes | ||||
| Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® Status | Five Star | Five Star | President's Circle |
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, United Club℠ Card provides all cardholders with complimentary Platinum Elite status in IHG One Rewards.
- Earn up to 17X points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining, utilities, select streaming services, and at gas stations
- 2X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 5X points for being a IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Cardmember
- Earn up to 2X points from IHG® with Silver Elite Status, a benefit of this Card
- Earn up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® Rewards Club Member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
- Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn up to 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® One Rewards member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Elite status match
IHG sometimes offers status match opportunities, especially towards the end of a calendar year. It's typically a targeted offer that requires you to spend a certain number of qualifying nights at an IHG property to earn status for the following year.
Related: Hotel Elite Status Made Easy: Status Matches, Fast Tracks, and Credit Card Perks
Marriott Bonvoy® Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
With three dozen brands and 9,600 properties around the world, Marriott International has a huge global footprint. Whether you prefer to stay at luxury brands like the Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis, boutique hotels, or budget-friendly options with Moxy or TownePlace Suites, there's something for everyone.
Marriott's Bonvoy program offers 5 elite tiers:
- Silver Elite: 10 or more nights
- Gold Elite: 25 or more nights
- Platinum Elite: 50 or more nights
- Titanium Elite: 75 or more nights
- Ambassador Elite: 100 or more nights per year and $23,000 in eligible spending
Each tier comes with a variety of lucrative benefits.
| Benefits | Silver Elite | Gold Elite | Platinum Elite | Titanium Elite | Ambassador Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus points | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 75% |
| Late checkout | Priority late checkout | 2:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| Guaranteed welcome gift | Points | Points, Breakfast Offering, or Amenity | Points, Breakfast Offering, or Amenity | Points, Breakfast Offering, or Amenity | Points, Breakfast Offering, or Amenity |
| Enhanced Room Upgrade | Yes | Yes, including suites | Yes, including suites | Yes, including suites | |
| Dedicated elite support | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Annual choice benefit | Stay 50 Qualifying Nights | Stay 75 Qualifying Nights | |||
| 48-hour room guarantee | Yes | Yes | |||
| Your24™: Choose your check-in time and keep your room until that same time on your day of departure | Yes | ||||
| Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® | Fast track to Five Star | Five Star | President's Circle | ||
| United MileagePlus Benefits | Premier Silver status | Premier Silver status |
Credit cards
Marriott has several credit cards available, issued through Chase and American Express, offering the following status perks:
- Silver Elite status through the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), plus receive 5 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- Silver Elite status through the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), 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.
- Gold Elite status through American Express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express after enrolling for this benefit.
- Platinum Elite status through the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, plus receive 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
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.
- 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- 3X points for every $1 spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
(Terms Apply)
- 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 4X points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
(Terms Apply)
- 6X points on purchases at Marriott Properties
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
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.
Once you start a challenge, you typically have three months in the same calendar year to complete it. If I start on January 1, 2026, I have three months to complete the challenge. However, if I were to start the challenge on November 1, 2025, I would need to complete the challenge by the end of December 2025 — 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.
MGM Rewards tier matching
Marriott and MGM have a partnership that enables MGM elites to match into Bonvoy Elite status, as follows:
- MGM Rewards Pearl: Match to Bonvoy Silver Elite
- MGM Rewards Gold: Match to Bonvoy Gold Elite
- MGM Rewards Platinum: Match to Bonvoy Gold Elite
- MGM Rewards NOIR: Match to Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
You can link your accounts by signing into MGM Rewards and visiting the “My Rewards” page.
MGM Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
Speaking of MGM, those looking to secure elite status with MGM Rewards can do so right now. While the MGM name may bring to mind the Vegas Strip, MGM Resorts has 30-plus properties around the world, and elite membership in its rewards program can make a stay at any of them more enjoyable.
MGM has five status tiers: Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and, by invitation only, NOIR. Let's take a look at how to secure the best bang for the buck with membership in this program.
Credit cards
The MGM Rewards™ World Elite 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.
Elite status match
Unfortunately, although you can use your MGM status to match into Marriott Bonvoy, the benefits don't work the other way around. However, you can often find some MGM status match opportunities, especially if you hold elite status with a competitor.
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.
There are three tiers in Sonesta's elite status program: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. To earn status the traditional way, you'll need to meet the following requirements:
- Silver: 10 nights or 10,000 points
- Gold: 20 nights or 20,000 points
- Platinum: 40 nights or 40,000 points
All three tiers receive perks like an exclusive reservations line, early check-in and late checkout, a welcome gift, and complimentary room upgrades. Gold and Platinum members receive exclusive perks like a complimentary daily continental breakfast and preferred self-parking.
Credit cards
The Sonesta World Mastercard® confers automatic Gold status, but it is no longer accepting new applicants.
Elite status match
Sonesta Travel Pass offers a generous status match from multiple programs. You can match to Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum status, depending on what status you hold in another program. Simply email travelpass@sonesta.com with your Travel Pass membership number and proof of status in another hotel program.
World of Hyatt Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
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.
- Earn up to 5 free nights. Earn 3 free nights after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, 2 free nights after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.
- Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
- Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
- Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
- Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
- Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
- Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
- Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
- Member FDIC
- Up to 9X points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4X points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5X points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member
- 2X points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
- 1X point per $1 everywhere else
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.
Elite status match
American Airlines AAdvantage and World of Hyatt launched a partnership in 2019, offering reciprocal benefits to elite members of each program. Unfortunately, you can no longer earn Hyatt Globalist status through American Airlines. However, when you earn 100,000 Loyalty Points, you'll receive Hyatt Discoverist status. At 175,000 Loyalty Points and 250,000 Loyalty Points, you can choose World of Hyatt Explorist status as a benefit.
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 October 31, 2025, it's worth keeping an eye out for future iterations.
Meetings and events
You'll earn two elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on events. There's a maximum annual spending limit of $150,000, which would give you 60 qualifying nights. That's what you need for top-tier Globalist status.
Wyndham Rewards Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
Wyndham Rewards is one of the larger hotel loyalty programs worldwide. It covers Wyndham Hotel Group's 9,100 hotels across 95 countries, and its partnership with Caesars makes 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.
- 5X points on Hotels by Wyndham and gas purchases
- 2X points on eligible dining and grocery purchases (excluding Target® and Walmart®)
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham timeshare down payments)
- 6X points on Hotels by Wyndham and gas purchases
- 4X points on eligible dining and grocery purchases (excluding Target® and Walmart®)
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham timeshare down payments)
- 8X points on Hotels by Wyndham and gas purchases
- 5X points on marketing, advertising, and utility purchases
- 1X on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham timeshare down payments)
Elite status match
We noted earlier that Wyndham Rewards and Caesars have a status-matching relationship. In addition to this, Wyndham regularly offers status matching with a host of other hotel loyalty programs, as you can see in the chart below.
| Hotel Loyalty Program | Hotel Loyalty Program Status | Awarded Wyndham Rewards Member Level (the “Awarded Member Level”) |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy | Rewards Member | GOLD |
| Silver Elite | PLATINUM | |
| Gold Elite Platinum Elite Titanium Elite Ambassador Elite | DIAMOND | |
| Hilton Honors | Member | GOLD |
| Silver | PLATINUM |
|
| Gold Diamond | DIAMOND | |
| Choice Privileges | Member | GOLD |
| Gold Platinum | PLATINUM | |
| Diamond | DIAMOND | |
| Best Western Rewards | Blue | GOLD |
| Gold Platinum Diamond | PLATINUM | |
| Diamond Select | DIAMOND | |
| World of Hyatt | Member | GOLD |
| Discoverist Explorist | PLATINUM | |
| Globalist | DIAMOND | |
| IHG One Rewards | Club Member | GOLD |
| Silver Elite Gold Elite | PLATINUM | |
| Platinum Elite Diamond Elite | DIAMOND | |
| Radisson Rewards | Club | GOLD |
| Premium | PLATINUM | |
| VIP | DIAMOND |
|
| Omni Select Guest | Gold | GOLD |
| Platinum | PLATINUM | |
| Black | DIAMOND |
When status matching is available, you can submit a request after logging in to your account.
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.
It's also worth checking StatusMatcher.com periodically. Not all status matches are publicly advertised, so 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.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees), Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Rates & Fees), Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees), United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), and The World of Hyatt Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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Do they still make the ritz carlton card?
Chase does still offer this card! However, it’s only available by product changing an existing Marriott card. Data points note that you need to have had the Marriott card open for at least a year before you can upgrade it to the Ritz.
Unclear on New Bonvoy Brilliant benefit
Does Marriot cap Elite nights by holding a Bomvoy credit card at 15 persona card + 15 business card = 30
or 25 Brilliant persona card + 15 business card = 40 ?
40 would help with making Bnvoy Titanium now that every person who pays annual fee for Bovou Brilliant card is a Platinum – making status worthless in USA
You can earn up to 40 Elite Night Credits from credit cards – but only if you have a Brilliant + Bonvoy Business. Otherwise, you’re capped at 30 if you have the Bonvoy Business and a personal card.
IHG status may not be the most “valuable” of the big chains, but it’s the only chain that allows you to earn points for up to 9 rooms booked under your name concurrently (in North America) versus the max of 3 rooms for Marriott or 2 rooms for Hilton. It’s an interesting perk of the program.
Very useful information .. just discovered the blogs and they’re quite informative … thanks
It certainly is. If AW hasn’t thought of it already, a nice addition to their right sidebar, perhaps under “Page Contents” would be an up-to-date list of their most popular/valuable posts. You could measure popularity by visitors, # of comments, etc. But, it would be a great way to quickly show the potential value of many articles.
I agree that IHG isn’t the most awesome status but you can use points to “buy” Ambassador status which can be very valuable at IC hotels.
For the first time in 30+ years, I had zero air/hotel activity this year. I have both personal and business Marriott cards and lifetime gold status. Since the meeting backdoor is closed, what is the best way to quickly regain my Titanium status in 2021?
We’ve all been waiting to hear how Marriott is going to make earning elite status easier in 2021, but nothing has been shared yet. By having a personal and business card, you should be starting the year with 30 Elite Night Credits. That puts (at least) Platinum Elite in reach. And hopefully Marriott will do some sort of double elite night promotion or something to help us (me included!) get back to our typical status!
This is a good resource for keeping track of who and how in the status match arena. I have used a temporary status match to Hilton Diamond to piggyback onto other matches, et cetera, et cetera. Thank you for making this so convenient.
Agree that it’s really a great idea to get Hilton Diamond via Amex.
status match has been very common in hotel programs, but rare in airlines …
Great. but the free nights start at 5,000 points.
I have a question… New cardholders receive Discoverist Status with World of Hyatt. What happens if i have a Hyatt rewards program account? Can i use my account?
You sure can! Just list your World of Hyatt number when applying for the card and Chase/Hyatt will connect the new card with your existing World of Hyatt account.
Marriott Silver Elite status isn’t very high, but nonetheless, Marriott automatically granted it to AAA members upon request before the switchover to Bonvoy. Does Bonvoy have a similar program?
I looked into this for a bit, but I couldn’t find anything current. So, it seems that the program is no longer offered.
Very insightful, Thanks I’ve been meaning to give World of Hyatt a try this post definitely helps
The Hilton Honors Gold status is valuable and not to difficult to obtain.
Otherwise as I have Priority Pass I am not actively searching a status with some airlines. You need a minimum of organisation to obtain this and so not too easy to receive with little notice after a flight booking.
Another possibility I’m exploring is apply for some credit card which give me some benefits.
I’ve been more than happy with the status that comes from various hotel cards – bonus points, occasional upgrades and free breakfast. But I would suggest detailing how through reciprocal matching between World of Hyatt and M Life, you can get Explorist, not just Discoverist, status for free.
I remember around 5 years ago when Hilton gave me Gold status just for being a new member even though I had never even stayed with them before. And I didn’t have status with other hotels at the time either.
Those tricks are that helpful. Thanks for letting us know.
This was incredibly helpful and informative for such travelers/frequent flyers. Thank you so very much for this update!
Hotel elite status can really make for an extraordinary stay. Thanks for compiling all of this info in one place.
Great to use these status matches right before a stay or a vacation!
Q: Do these status tiers last forever once you get them and keep the card? Or do you have to hit a minimum spend each year to maintain/renew?
As long as you’re a cardmember you can re-up your status each year. If a status requires a spend, such as 75k on the Ritz Card for Platinum, then you’d need to do that each year.
To add to Howie’s response:
Some credit cards confer a certain automatic status as a permanent perq (e.g., IHG Select and IHG Premier MasterCard cardholders automatically receive Platinum status, with no stay or spend requirements). In contrast, upgraded status achieved through meeting requirements for stays, spending, challenges, and/or acquired via status-tier matching, is only applicable for a specified, limited timespan, and keeping that upgraded status means meeting the requirements again by a certain deadline.
Combining credit card status and matches seems like a powerful one-two punch.
On a recent trip to Japan the perks associated with Hilton and Marriott gold status gained through the Amex Platinum card were easily worth the card’s entire annual fee. These included upgrades to top floor suites in Tokyo and Nagoya, free breakfast buffets, free wifi, lounge access with open bars and snacks, and fast check-ins at the concierge desks.
I have diamond status with Hilton and have used that to match status with other chains whenever it it turns out that I must spend the night in a hotel other than a HIlton. I don’t always get a status match, but it often happens, and it is free to ask and worthwhile if you succeed.
Excellent technique. Leveraging status matches are a great way to try out other programs as well.
Great thread and really helpful post. Thanks
I see, seems get credit card can get points faster.
Nice to see all these options in one succinct post. Thanks for the info.
It is good that there are so many ways to get hotel status, but just a pity that there are no real short cuts to airline status.
I wish we traveled enough to automatically earn this status. But that is not us. We avoid credit cards with fees so that option is out as well. Maybe in the future we’ll travel more and make these levels.
I’d recommend revisiting your stance on credit cards with fees. Some of the most rewarding and best value credit cards come with a yearly fee – like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. The benefits significantly outweigh the cost.
Very this – I routinely get back way more than I spend on the fee on cards like the Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum
For room upgrade, etc., it’s definitely been worth it to me to continually hold a few of these cards.
I think Amex Platinum is the best for hotel status overall. Wish there were some airline status along with it too though.
Wow! The veil has been pulled back. I never knew you could do a status match, much less that there was a website that helped you to see which programs you could possibly match to. Thanks for this. Gonna save a lot more money this year.