If you are
not on the road often, most likely it’s hard for you to gain Hotel Elite
status. I am not the person on the road often, however, I got some Elite status
by doing two things, Match and Challenge.
1. Why Elite?
Before we get into detail of how to gain Elite, let us take a look at an example benefits of Hyatt Elite Diamond. Below are a few benefits or privileges lured me most.
2. Match
Each hotel has different level of Elite, the above
example is the top level of Diamond and it is hard to get and match, but you can
email the hotel company with your other hotel elite status to see what level
they can offer you. Sometimes, it’s a surprise. for example, Club Carson matched me Gold with just an email and I gained 30% more points.
Go to each loyaty program to see the match results and you can search for the forum to see what they have to offer
http://milepoint.com/forums/categories/hotel-programs.17/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-programs-389/
3. Challenge
Some hotels, like SPG and Hyatt will not match your elite from other
hotels, instead they are willing to do a challenge.
I enrolled Hyatt trial for a 12 nights within 60 days to their top level Diamond and my elite reflected Diamond within 24 hours. I plan to complete the challenge as I do have a 12 nights in Sept in Tokyo, Japan on my radar. However, here is the trick, upon receiving Diamond status, you are entitled for 4 stays suite upgrade, some people can’t complete the challenge but they use this trial Diamond to get their Suite upgrade in that timeframe. I am not a big fan “abusing” it, but I don’t think Hyatt does care about it anyway.
1. Why Elite?
Before we get into detail of how to gain Elite, let us take a look at an example benefits of Hyatt Elite Diamond. Below are a few benefits or privileges lured me most.
§ Achieve rewards even faster with a 30% point bonus when
choosing points
§ Receive exclusive access to the Regency Club or Grand
Club lounge featuring complimentary continental breakfast and evening hors
d’oeuvres. Enjoy daily complimentary full breakfast in hotels without a club
lounge
§ Treat yourself to a suite upgrade at the time of reservation
four times annually on paid room nights
§ Stay connected with complimentary in-room Internet access
§ Expedite check-in at a dedicated area for elite members
§ Ensure a room is always available with our 48-hour
guarantee
§ Extend your stay until 4:00 p.m. with a late check out
request
And you are right, more points, free Internet/breakfast
and upgrade to suite. There are quite a lot of credit cards to get you instant
elite status as long as you hold the card, such as Citi/AMEX Hilton, Chase Priority
Club card, you can search in Million Mile secret here. Also, I gained my Hilton Gold status by the trick
below
2. Match
Each hotel has different level of Elite, the above
example is the top level of Diamond and it is hard to get and match, but you can
email the hotel company with your other hotel elite status to see what level
they can offer you. Sometimes, it’s a surprise. for example, Club Carson matched me Gold with just an email and I gained 30% more points. Go to each loyaty program to see the match results and you can search for the forum to see what they have to offer
http://milepoint.com/forums/categories/hotel-programs.17/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-programs-389/
3. Challenge
Some hotels, like SPG and Hyatt will not match your elite from other
hotels, instead they are willing to do a challenge. I enrolled Hyatt trial for a 12 nights within 60 days to their top level Diamond and my elite reflected Diamond within 24 hours. I plan to complete the challenge as I do have a 12 nights in Sept in Tokyo, Japan on my radar. However, here is the trick, upon receiving Diamond status, you are entitled for 4 stays suite upgrade, some people can’t complete the challenge but they use this trial Diamond to get their Suite upgrade in that timeframe. I am not a big fan “abusing” it, but I don’t think Hyatt does care about it anyway.
Call to action
If you like to become elite and enjoy those benefits, you don't have to be on the road quite often, follow the simple steps below
- Get Hilton Gold above #2
- email those hotels to match your Hilton Gold by sending them a screen shot
- complete the challenge if you could if the hotels can't match your Hilton elite. I will consider Mattress Run if it justifies the benefits.