What Is Hotel Status Match and Which Hotels Offer It?

Staying loyal to one hotel has finally paid off but now another hotel looks more appealing.

Hotel status match programs can help you enjoy elite benefits with other hotel loyalty programs for a limited time, or even in perpetuity if you switch programs. Dreamstime/TNS

By Holly D. Johnson Bankrate.com

The hotel industry is competitive, which is part of the reason hotel brands launch loyalty programs to lure in and reward frequent travelers. But there’s another tool hotel brands use to steal business travelers and jet-setters from other brands, and it’s known as a status match.

If you frequently stay with one hotel brand, and you have elite status to show for it, you’re probably busy enjoying hotel benefits like room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, and lounge access. But what happens if you want to change your preferred hotel brand?

Hotel status match programs can help you enjoy elite benefits with other hotel loyalty programs for a limited time, or even in perpetuity if you switch programs.

What Is a Status Match?

Status match is a tool that hotel loyalty programs use to snag frequent travelers from competing hotel chains. Essentially, these programs let elite members from another brand qualify for top-tier perks that they would normally have to earn through paid hotel stays or having a co-branded hotel credit card.

Whereas some status matches are offered automatically to those who sign up, others are offered in the form of a status “challenge.” When the latter applies, customers typically need to complete a specific number of paid stays or reach a specific spending threshold with the new hotel brand in order to qualify.

Which Hotels Offer Status Matches?

Here’s a rundown of which hotel brands are offering status matches right now.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors members who have not applied for a status match in the past and are a Silver tier or lower can apply for this benefit. Essentially, frequent travelers need to submit proof of elite status with another hotel brand upfront, at which point they’ll be upgraded to Hilton Gold status for 90 days. At that point, guests can do one of the following:

• Stay at least eight nights with Hilton within the 90-day trial period to keep Gold status through March 31, 2027.
• Stay an additional six nights (14 total nights) within the 90-day trial period to upgrade to Diamond status through March 31, 2027.

Also, be aware that several Hilton credit cards provide automatic elite status just for signing up. Some options to consider include:

• Hilton Honors American Express Card (comes with automatic Silver status)
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (comes with automatic Gold status)
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card* (comes with automatic Diamond status)
• The Platinum Card® from American Express (comes with automatic Hilton Gold status)
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (comes with automatic Hilton Gold status)

Marriott Bonvoy

At the moment, the Marriott Bonvoy program does not have an official status match offer you can apply for. However, the brand has an unpublished status challenge that you can call and request. The details include:

• Stay eight nights within three months of enrollment to get Marriott Bonvoy Gold status.
• Stay 16 nights within three months of enrollment to get Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status.

If you meet the requirements, you keep the status for the remainder of the current year, plus all of the following membership year. Unlike a status match, you don’t need existing status to apply. Note that only paid stays count, and you can’t request a challenge if you already have elite status with Marriott.

To enroll, call Marriott and request a status challenge. Because this is an “unofficial” offering, be sure to take note of any requirements you get from the representative.

There are also co-branded Marriott credit cards that offer automatic elite status. Consider the following cards if you want to get automatic elite status and earn rewards for your spending:

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card* (comes with automatic Silver Elite status)
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card* (comes with automatic Silver Elite status)
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card (comes with automatic Gold Elite status)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (comes with automatic Platinum Elite status)
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (comes with automatic Gold Elite status)
• The Platinum Card from American Express (comes with automatic Marriott Gold Elite status)
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express (comes with automatic Marriott Gold Elite status)

World of Hyatt

The World of Hyatt program doesn’t offer a status match program at the moment, and it has not had a public offer for status matches in the past. However, you can get automatic World of Hyatt elite status by signing up for the right World of Hyatt credit card:

• The World of Hyatt Credit Card* (comes with automatic Discoverist status for as long as the account stays open)
• The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card* (comes with automatic Discoverist status for the cardholder and up to five employees)

IHG One Rewards

IHG One Rewards is another hotel brand that is not offering a public status match challenge at the moment. It’s been quite a while since one was available. However, you can still get automatic elite hotel status with an eligible credit card:

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card* (comes with automatic Platinum Elite status)
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card* (comes with automatic Silver Elite status)
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card* (comes with automatic Platinum Elite status)

Keep in mind: If you have the New United Club℠ Card*, you can enroll for IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.

Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards offers the chance to match your status as of the time of publication. To qualify, you’ll send in proof of your existing hotel elite status with the chance to maintain a corresponding status level if you complete a minimum number of paid stays with the hotel brand within 90 days.

The new status you receive depends on the status you have. For example, Gold Elite status or higher with Marriott Bonvoy translates to Diamond status with Wyndham Rewards.

You can also get automatic Wyndham Rewards elite status with the following rewards credit cards:

• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card* (comes with automatic Gold status)
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card* (comes with automatic Platinum status)
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card* (comes with automatic Diamond status)

This is one of the easiest status matches to get, so if you have any Wyndham stays coming up, you might want to enroll.

Choice Privileges

Choice Privileges currently offers a status match. You can apply for a status match. by submitting proof of elite status with another hotel brand. You’ll email your full name, Choice Privileges member number and proof of status (such as a screenshot that shows your elite hotel status) to [email protected].

Within 30 days, you’ll automatically become an elite member with Choice Privileges. You’ll then be eligible for elite perks like bonus points on paid stays and a welcome gift at eligible properties in the U.S. and Canada.

Details are scant about how the match works, but there are three potential status tiers: Gold, Platinum and Diamond. You’ll likely be matched as closely as possible from your existing elite status.

You can also cut to the chase and get instant elite status with the right credit card:

• Choice Privileges® Mastercard® (comes with automatic Gold Elite status)
• Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® (comes with automatic Platinum Elite status)

Best Western Rewards

Best Western offers a program called Status Match…No Catch®, which lets you request a status match without much work required on your part.

This program requires you to email [email protected] with your name, contact information, Best Western loyalty number and proof of status in another hotel program.

Best Western says that new elite members will receive status through Dec. 31, 2026.

Should You Do a Hotel Status Match?

Using a status match program is a no-brainer if you already have elite status with a particular hotel brand, but you want to try out a new program. After all, most status match programs give you a higher tier of status just for proving your current status, and you may get to enjoy elite status perks for a year or longer.

That said, you can get automatic elite status through a number of top hotel credit cards, which might be even easier. Hotel credit cards even let you earn generous sign-up bonuses and hotel points on all your spending, and many offer a free award night each year (often after your cardmember anniversary). Plus, some of the best travel rewards cards offer hotel status for cardholders.

Mind the timing: It’s best to apply for a status match or challenge shortly before you stay with the new hotel chain. That gives you more time to complete any requirements and enjoy your newly minted status.

The Bottom Line

Status match programs tend to come and go over time, so you’ll want to frequently check the hotel programs you’re interested in to see which new status match offers have come along. By proving you have elite status and taking steps to have it matched, you can enjoy elite perks and try out a competing hotel brand before fully committing to a new brand.

*Information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase, The World of Hyatt Credit Card, World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card, New United Club℠ Card, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card and Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

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