There are plenty of faster ways to earn hotel loyalty status without staying the required number of nights. In this guide, we’re focusing on the fast-track ways to earn elite hotel status, such as credit cards, investments and status challenges and how you can use your existing hotel status to qualify for status with other hotel loyalty programmes (and even airlines).
Make sure you’ve also read our intro guide to ‘What is a status match‘ and guide to airline status matches.
A Note from Michelle:
“Status matches have served me well over the years, even the ones that have required payment or some nights or flights to reach the status match level and keep it for a full year. My Marriott status match involved a challenge to stay so many nights in a few months, which was a push. However, I am glad I did it now, as it allowed me to experience the benefits for a short period, which was enough to convince me that the late check-out and upgrades worked better for me than my Hilton status.
I have also recently done the Club Avolta match, which allows you to match almost any hotel or airline status to get top tier, which brings a decent discount at Duty Free and some other airport shops, and was low hassle to complete. I also did the Air France paid match to my BA Gold Guest List and was pleased to be awarded their equivalent top status – Ultimate, which has some great benefits and a more personal touch than GGL.
My main tip is to do your research before any matches that require a challenge. Even if you plan on staying at the chain, are there rooms within your budget where you want to go. For example, I once did a Hyatt status match challenge after Covid and found that nearly all the UK hotels were closed or due to open the week before the challenge closed. Hyatt refused to extend the period to stay, which I thought was very poor, and so I ended my loyalty with the chain.”
Here’s everything you need to know:
In this post:
Marriott Status Matches
With nearly 9,400 properties globally, including over 1,000 in Europe, Marriott’s 37 brands range from budget-friendly Moxy to ultra-luxurious options such as Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott.
Having Marriott status is incredibly useful. Depending on your status level, you’ll have benefits such as early check-in, late check-out, lounge access, room upgrades and welcome gifts.
Platinum Elite status is where the benefits really start, and you would usually need to stay 50 nights to reach this level.
With status matches and challenges, there are many faster ways to reach elite status without meeting the stay requirements. Marriott has more ways to fast-track status than most hotel loyalty programmes.
The Marriott Status Challenge
The Marriott status match isn’t heavily marketed. Once every 3 years, you can phone Marriott Bonvoy customer services to enrol in the challenge.
There are two challenges available:
Gold Challenge: Stay 8 paid nights in 90 days
Platinum Challenge: Stay 16 paid nights in 90 days
You must complete your stays within 3 months of enrolling, plus the remainder of the month in which you enrol. If you plan to stay 8 nights or more in 90 days, there’s no reason not to do this. Where you would usually not even reach Silver status, you can become a Gold member.
Airline Status Matches with Marriott Bonvoy
Several airlines have a partnership with Marriott. If you already have status with one of these airlines, you can match it to Marriott and vice versa:
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer:
- Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club, and KrisFlyer Elite Gold > Marriott Bonvoy Gold.
There are also two status match challenges:
- KrisFlyer Elite Silver > 3 qualifying nights in 6 months > Marriott Silver Elite.
- PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold > 10 qualifying nights in 6 months > Marriott Platinum Elite.
United MileagePlus: Premier Gold > Marriott Gold. To be eligible, you must have a flight booked and book your stay by clicking ‘book hotel’ below your flight. More info here.
Air Canada Aeroplan: Super Elite, 75K, and 50K > Marriott Gold. Your accounts must be linked. More info here.
Alternative Routes to Marriott Status
Marriott AMEX Card: £95 per year. Instant Silver Elite Status and Gold Status when you spend £15,000 on a card in a year. Comes with 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next Marriott Bonvoy Elite status + bonus Marriott points for signing up and meeting spending requirements. Discover the card here.
AMEX Platinum: £650 per year. Instant Marriott Gold Elite Status. You can read more about the card in our AMEX Platinum guide.
Concierge Benefits: We’ve previously seen Barclays Travel Plus Pack (starts at £22.50 per month) gift instant Silver Elite status. This isn’t a perk of the travel insurance, but rather an offer that may be repeated in the future.
Use Your Marriott Status to Get Airline Status and Alliance-Wide Recognition
Oneworld – Royal Jordanian Status Match: Marriott Silver Elite > Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby = equivalent to British Airways Bronze).
SkyTeam – Vietnam Airlines Status Match: Match Marriott Silver Elite/Gold Elite with LotusMiles Titanium (SkyTeam Elite). Match Ambassador, Titanium or Platinum with LotusMiles Gold (SkyTeam Elite).
Hilton Status Match
Hilton has thousands of properties worldwide, including over 1,000 in Europe and the Middle East. Once you reach Silver status, you’ll have priority late check-out and earn 20% bonus points.
Gold has even more benefits, including 80% bonus points, a complimentary continental breakfast or F&B credit (region-dependent), potential room upgrades, and a late check-out. Diamond comes with 100% bonus points, better room upgrades (even suites) and executive lounge access!
The Hilton Status Challenge
If you’ve got status with another hotel programme (like IHG or Marriott), Hilton’s status match challenge is another option. You will get complimentary Gold or Diamond elite status for 90 days. Then, you will need to meet the stay requirements of:
- Gold: 8 nights within 90 days for Gold
- Diamond Elite: 14 nights in 90 days
Your status will be honoured until 31st March 2027.
You can read more about this status match in our article here, and the terms are available here.
Alternative Routes to Hilton Status
AMEX Platinum: The AMEX Platinum card comes with Hilton Honors Gold status. Read more about this in our AMEX Platinum hotels guide.
Hilton Debit Cards: The Hilton Honours Debit Card is £60 per year, and you will receive instant Hilton Honours Silver status + a range of other bonuses, including low ATM withdrawal fees abroad, bonus points for meeting the minimum spend and Hilton points per £1 spent. The Hilton Honours Plus Debit card is £150 per year, and you will receive instant Hilton Honours Gold status. Discover the cards here.
British Airways Gold Guest List: Complimentary Hilton Diamond status.
Use Your Hilton Status
You can use your status to get status with Royal Jordanian and/or Vietnam Airlines as above.
- Silver/Gold > Vietnam Airlines LotusMiles Titanium (SkyTeam Elite) or Diamond to LotusMiles Diamond
- Silver Elite > Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby)
Radisson Rewards Status Match
While Radisson has a smaller footprint than brands such as Marriott and Hilton, there are still plenty of options.
While Radisson status is easier to earn than with most hotel loyalty programmes, there are still faster ways to status than 3-20 stays.
You can match Club Avolta Platinum with Radisson VIP. You can start this process under the Rewards tab of the Avolta app. Read more about this here or read our sign-up guide here.
Alternative Routes to Radisson Status
AMEX Platinum: Radisson Rewards Premium
Using Your Radisson Status
- Premium/VIP > Vietnam Airlines LotusMiles Titanium (SkyTeam Elite)
- Premium/VIP = Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby)
Wyndham Status Match
Wyndham has over 9,300+ hotels in 95 countries, including plenty of luxurious options.
You can easily match your status with major hotel loyalty programmes to Wyndham Rewards Gold, Platinum, or Diamond level for an initial 90-day trial. You can even match Gold if you have the baseline status level.
You’ll then need to complete a short stay requirement to keep that status through the end of the following year:
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Gold: 1 night
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Platinum: 4 nights
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Diamond: 10 nights
Hotel loyalty programmes matched include Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Choice Privileges, Best Western Rewards, Hyatt, Radisson, and Omni Select Guest.
Use Your Wyndham Status
- Gold/Platinum > Vietnam Airlines LotusMiles Titanium (SkyTeam Elite) or Diamond to LotusMiles Diamond
- Gold+ = Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby)
Accor Status Match
Accor has a strong presence with over 5,600 hotels, including more than 3,000 in Europe, ranging from luxurious options like Fairmont and Sofitel to budget options like Ibis.
You’ll earn increasing levels of bonus points as you move up the tiers. Silver status gets you a welcome drink and late check-out. Gold will earn you early check-in and room upgrades, where available, while Platinum and Diamond benefits include things like guaranteed room availability, lounge access
While Accor used to run regular status match promotions, none are currently available. However, it’s worth looking for an unofficial status match on statusmatcher.com by looking through the different Accor brands.
Alternative Routes to Accor Status
The Accor Shareholders Club: If you have a registered Accor share or 50 bearer shares, you can join the shareholders club and get an 18-month Gold membership.
Accor Plus Membership: The ALL Plus Voyager card, €199 per year, includes 20 night credits, which gives instant Silver status and 10 nights to Gold, plus exclusive stay discounts. There is also an ALL Plus Ibis card for €99, which comes with 10 status nights. I purchased one of these in 2023, then stayed 10 nights to reach Gold. I still have Silver status all this time later due to the soft landing policy.
Use Your Accor Status to Get Airline Status
- Silver+ = Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby)
- Accor Silver+ = Vietnam Airlines Titanium (SkyTeam Elite) or match Diamond or Platinum to Vietnam Airlines Gold (SkyTeam Elite).
Best Western Status Match
Best Western has over 4,000 hotels in nearly 100 countries, including more than 200 in the UK. Its portfolio covers a wide range of mid-range to luxury options, from classic Best Westerns to boutique-style Aiden and luxurious BW Premier Collection properties.
If you hold elite status with any other hotel programme, Best Western will match you to the equivalent tier in their Rewards scheme. You just need to fill in the form here.
You need to include your Best Western Rewards number and a screenshot of your status with another hotel loyalty programme showing your first and last name.
The status you will be matched to is not specified, but I imagine it will be a status level equivalent to your current status in the programme you’re matching to. Make sure you match with the programme in which you hold the highest status.
Use Your Best Western Status
If you’re looking to switch to a bigger programme, you can use your Best Western status as a stepping stone. Programmes like Wyndham and Radisson often accept Best Western elite levels for their own status match offers.
Choice Privileges Status Match
Choice Hotels has 7,500 properties worldwide, including over 400 across Europe, under brands such as Comfort, Quality, Clarion, and Ascend Hotel Collection.
Choice Privileges match status from most major hotel loyalty programmes. You just need to send an email with your full name, Choice Privileges number, a Screenshot or copy of your other program’s loyalty card (including the expiration date) or a screenshot or copy of the other program’s current statement or account status page.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so make sure to time it well!
WorldHotels Status Match
WorldHotels is a hand-picked collection of over 200 premium and luxury properties in 60 countries
Earning status through stays typically requires 5 to 25 nights, depending on the tier.
However, WorldHotels states that they will match your status with any other hotel loyalty programme. You just need to send an email to [email protected]. Read the details you need to include in your email here. If you match your status in 2025, your status will be retained until December 2026.
Hyatt Status Match
Hyatt operates over 1,300 properties in 76 countries, and has a strong luxury footprint through its brands, including Park Hyatt, Andaz, and Alila.
Hyatt’s elite tiers, particularly Globalist, are considered among the most rewarding in the industry, offering confirmed suite upgrades, access to the club lounge, and waived resort fees. Earning status typically requires 10 to 60 nights per year. Hyatt status is useful, but there are limited status challenge options:
Hyatt Status Matches and Challenges
Corporate status challenge: This challenge is valid for registrations up to 31 December 2025. By staying 10 nights, you can earn Explorist status for 90 days, and you can keep it until February 2027 by staying 10 more nights or Globalist for staying 20 more nights. There is a limited list of companies eligible for this (e.g. Apple/Netflix), but it’s worth checking.
A Potential Hyatt Status Challenge: There are quite a few reports on statusmatch.com of Hyatt status match challenges being offered. There is usually a requirement of 20 nights before you can start a challenge to reach Globalist status.
Use Your Hyatt Status
- Discoverist/Explorist > Vietnam Airlines LotusMiles Titanium (SkyTeam Elite) or Globalist to LotusMiles Diamond
- Discoverist/Explorist/Globalist = Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby)
Wondering whether Hyatt is right for you? Make sure you read our Hyatt loyalty programme guide.
Global Hotel Alliance Status Match
The Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) brings together 45 independent hotel brands under its Discovery loyalty scheme, including well-known luxury brands such as Kempinski.
GHA Discovery Status Match Options
Status promotions have run in the past, but there is no official promotion currently running.
Thanks to a loophole via Rotana Rewards, you can now status match from Marriott, Hilton, IHG, or Accor into Rotana Rewards Select, which is set to merge with GHA DISCOVERY later this year.
That means your status with Rotana could be converted into GHA elite status for 2026.
To apply, fill out the form here. You will need to provide a screenshot of your current account status or your membership card.
Using GHA Status
- Gold/Platinum/Titanium = Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby)
Faster Routes to IHG Status
IHG has previously offered status match challenges. The most recent challenge ended in 2024.
Alternative Routes to IHG Status
InterContinental Ambassador: This 12-month membership comes with instant Platinum Elite status.
Use Your IHG Status
- Silver Elite/Gold Elite > Vietnam Airlines LotusMiles Titanium (SkyTeam Elite) or Diamond Elite+to LotusMiles Diamond
- Silver Elite + = Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby)
Read more about hotel-airline status matches here >>>
Faster Routes to Meliá Status
Meliá Hotels International has over 350 properties in more than 40 countries, with a strong presence in Spain, Germany, and resort destinations across Europe. Its portfolio includes familiar brands like Meliá, INNSiDE, and Gran Meliá, with a mix of city hotels and beachfront resorts.
To earn status through stays, you would usually need:
Silver: 2 stays or 5 nights
Gold: 15 nights
Platinum: 35 nights
Alternative Routes to Meliá Status
AMEX Platinum: If you hold the UK-issued American Express Platinum card, you’ll receive complimentary Meliá Gold status as part of the travel benefits package
Shareholders Club: A little-known way to earn Meliá status is by owning Meliá shares. We’re not talking about huge amounts. You can achieve Silver MeliaRewards status if you hold at least one share and have maintained this holding for at least a year. You will be upgraded to Gold status with 1,000 shares and Platinum with 10,000 shares. You can sign up or read more about this here.
Final Words
The idea of status matching may seem complicated at first, but once you know which hotel status (or airline status) you’d like to match, there’s a good chance a match is available. If not, many hotel chains offer limited-time status matches, so keep an eye on our news articles for updates.
Remember that many status matches will limit you to a match every 5 years or so, or even once per lifetime. Only match your status if you’re planning to use it. If it’s a status challenge, wait until you have travel planned so you know you can meet the requirements. It’s also worth noting that status matches all have different rules, and some don’t allow you to match status you haven’t earned from stays. Read more about this in our status match guide.
Have you successfully matched hotel status lately? Share your experience in the comments. We’d love to know what worked for you:
