Hotel elite status can unlock valuable perks like free breakfast, room upgrades and late checkout, but earning it the traditional way often requires dozens of nights or significant spending.
That’s where hotel status matches and challenges come in.
These programs allow travelers to leverage existing loyalty status to fast-track elite benefits, sometimes with little to no stay requirement.
Whether you’re looking to test out a new hotel brand or maximize perks for upcoming trips, understanding how status matches and challenges work can help you get more value from every stay.
Below, we break down the hotel loyalty programs currently offering status matches or challenges — and how to decide which ones are worth pursuing.
What is a hotel status match or challenge?
A hotel status match is when a hotel loyalty program grants you elite status based on your existing status with another hotel, airline or travel program. In most cases, you’ll need to submit proof of your current elite status, and the new program will award you a comparable tier for a limited time — sometimes with no stay requirements at all.
A status challenge, on the other hand, gives you temporary elite status with the opportunity to maintain it by completing a set number of qualifying nights within a defined period, usually 60 to 90 days.
Before opting in, it’s important to understand the fine print. Hotel programs typically verify submitted status, and not all elite tiers are eligible for matches or challenges. Most programs also limit how often you can participate, ranging from once every few years to once per lifetime, making timing especially important. Because these offers are temporary and requirements vary, status matches and challenges are best used strategically, ideally when you have upcoming stays that allow you to maximize benefits and meet the qualification thresholds.
Here’s a rundown of what you’ll currently find, but keep in mind that there are always exceptions.
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Best Western Rewards status match
Best Western Rewards offers one of the most generous and straightforward hotel status match opportunities through its Status Match…No Catch program.
If you have elite status with another hotel loyalty program, Best Western will match you to a comparable tier (including top-tier Diamond Select) with no stay requirement. Matched status is valid through Dec. 31 of the following year, so a match requested at any point in 2026 would remain active through Dec. 31, 2027.
Best Western doesn’t publish an official status-mapping chart, but higher-tier status with another hotel program generally results in a higher-tier Best Western match. Notably, this offer isn’t limited to once per lifetime; under current terms, members can request a status match multiple times.
To request a match, you’ll need to email statusmatch@bestwestern.com and provide your Best Western Rewards number and proof of elite status from another hotel program. Best Western doesn’t require proof of how that status was earned, which means elite status obtained through credit cards is typically eligible.
The trade-off is that Best Western Rewards elite benefits are relatively modest and largely subject to availability. Still, if you plan to stay at Best Western properties, it’s worth taking advantage of this easy no-strings-attached status match.
Choice Privileges status match
Choice Privileges offers a true status match, meaning you can receive elite status based on your existing status with another hotel loyalty program without completing any stays. Under the program’s current terms, Choice will generally match members up to Platinum Elite status. However, if you’ve completed a paid stay at a Cambria hotel within the past 12 months, you may be eligible for a Diamond Elite status match.
There are several important limitations to note. Choice Privileges status matches are allowed once per lifetime and only available to members in the U.S., Canada and Europe; plus, the length of validity depends on when you apply. Matches approved between January and June are valid through the end of that calendar year, while those approved between July and December are valid through the end of the following year — making late-year matches the most valuable from a timing perspective.
To request a status match, you’ll need to email Choice with your name, Choice Privileges number and proof of elite status from another hotel program. Choice doesn’t require proof of how that status was earned, so elite status obtained through credit cards is typically eligible.
While Choice Privileges elite benefits are modest, this remains a solid no-stay-required option if you have upcoming Choice stays planned.
Hilton Honors status match
Hilton consistently offers one of the most valuable shortcuts to hotel elite status through its status match and challenge program. Eligible travelers with elite status from another hotel loyalty program can receive Hilton Honors Gold status immediately for a 90-day trial period, then they can extend or upgrade that status by completing a set number of paid nights.
Under the current offer, staying six paid nights within 90 days allows you to keep Gold status through March 31, 2028. Meanwhile, staying 12 paid nights earns an upgrade to Diamond status through March 31, 2028. These requirements are notably lower than Hilton’s standard qualification thresholds and easier than in previous years.
To apply, you must be a Hilton Honors member and submit proof of elite status with another hotel program, along with evidence of a qualifying stay in the past 12 months. Only paid stays count toward the challenge, and members who have previously completed a Hilton status challenge are generally not eligible.
Hilton Honors Gold is widely considered one of the strongest mid-tier hotel statuses, thanks to perks like complimentary breakfast or food-and-beverage credits, as well as space-available upgrades. Diamond status adds executive lounge access and higher upgrade priority, making this challenge especially compelling for travelers with upcoming Hilton stays.
Related: The 21 best Hilton hotels in the world
IHG One Rewards status match
IHG One Rewards occasionally offers a status match opportunity up to its top-tier Diamond Elite status, though it’s not currently promoting one. Unlike Hilton or Best Western, IHG generally avoids open-ended matches and challenges, instead relying on targeted fast-track offers and alternative shortcuts to elite status.
That said, IHG does occasionally roll out targeted status challenges to select members, typically offering temporary Silver Elite status with the ability to earn Gold Elite or Platinum Elite status by completing a reduced number of paid nights within a set time frame. These promotions aren’t publicly advertised and vary by member, so eligibility is inconsistent and requires registration when available.
For most travelers, the fastest and most reliable path to IHG elite status is through other means. IHG cobranded credit cards offer automatic Platinum Elite status with no stays required, while the paid InterContinental Ambassador program ($200) provides instant Platinum Elite status plus guaranteed on-property benefits at InterContinental hotels.
While IHG lacks a traditional status match, earning elite status is still relatively easy through credit cards, paid membership or occasional targeted fast-track offers. This makes it one of the more accessible programs, even without a formal match.
Related: IHG elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Marriott Bonvoy status match
Marriott Bonvoy does not publicly offer a status match or challenge for members of other hotel loyalty programs. However, reports suggest that matches and challenges can occasionally be approved if you call Marriott directly. To try, you’ll need to enroll in Marriott Bonvoy, have your account number ready and ask a representative to request a status match or challenge. If approved, you may be given a short-term challenge — typically the remainder of the month plus three additional months — to complete the required number of paid stays for Gold Elite or Platinum Elite status. For example, eight nights can earn Gold Elite status, while 16 nights can earn Platinum Elite status.
Because these offers aren’t published, it’s important to document the challenge and follow up with Marriott to ensure it’s properly registered in your account. You can also request confirmation via email outlining the challenge terms, dates and required nights.
It’s also worth noting that United MileagePlus Premier Gold, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Likewise, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members receive a status match to low-tier United MileagePlus Premier Silver status.
Related: Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Omni Select Guest status match
While Omni does not offer status matches, FoundersCard members are eligible for Omni Select Guest Champion status for one year.
Those who hold JetBlue Mosaic status are eligible for a complimentary FoundersCard Blue membership, which they can use to status match to Omni Select Guest Champion elite status.
This is an example of how airline status can get you hotel status, even when an intermediary like the FoundersCard is involved.
The information for the FoundersCard credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
World of Hyatt status match
World of Hyatt does not generally offer public status matches or challenges. Most members earn elite status the traditional way: by staying a required number of nights or earning base points in a calendar year. Globalist, Hyatt’s top-tier status, requires 60 tier-qualifying nights or 100,000 base points (per calendar year), while lower tiers have correspondingly fewer requirements.
There are a few limited exceptions. Certain corporations may allow employees to participate in status challenges through their travel programs, and select American Airlines AAdvantage elite members can unlock Hyatt status based on Loyalty Point milestones. For example, earning 100,000 Loyalty Points can grant Discoverist status, 175,000 points can earn Explorist status and Concierge Key members may receive Globalist status.
You can also gain Hyatt status through credit card perks. Both the personal and business World of Hyatt credit cards provide complimentary Discoverist status and allow you to earn elite night credits based on annual spending. While these aren’t traditional status matches, they offer a shortcut to Hyatt elite status without the usual stays.
Related: World of Hyatt elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Wyndham Rewards status match
Wyndham Rewards offers a straightforward status match and challenge program that lets members match elite status from other major hotel loyalty programs — or even start at Gold without prior status. Depending on your current level, you can be matched to Gold, Platinum or Diamond, unlocking perks like late checkout, preferred room choice, bonus points, suite upgrades and welcome amenities.
After approval, the matched status is valid for 90 days. To extend it, members must complete a small number of qualifying stays: one night for Gold, four nights for Platinum and 10 nights for Diamond. Once completed, your status extends through Dec. 31 of the following calendar year, making it a fast track to enjoying elite benefits for more than a year.
Wyndham’s status match accepts proof of elite status from programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Choice Privileges and World of Hyatt. Travelers can submit an application via their Wyndham Rewards account, with verification usually taking five to seven days.
For travelers with upcoming stays, a Wyndham status match can be an easy way to unlock perks and bonus points across over 9,000 hotels worldwide.
Bottom line
Status matches and challenges can be a great way to score hotel elite benefits, but they’re not one-size-fits-all. Each program has different rules, eligibility requirements and participation limits, so use them strategically.
If you have upcoming trips, a match or challenge can unlock perks without the usual time or spending commitments, helping you maximize your stays and enjoy elite privileges sooner.
