The Guide to Best Western Status Matches

Hotel elite status can deliver some nice perks, including room upgrades, late checkout, free breakfast and even a welcome amenity.

Earning such benefits often requires staying frequently with a specific brand. However, a couple of fast-track methods can help you get elite status faster.

One is to pick up a credit card whose perks include hotel elite status. Another is to apply for a status match with a loyalty program. To qualify for a status match, you'll generally need to have elite status already with another hotel chain.

If you plan to stay frequently with Best Western and its long roster of international brands, Best Western’s “Status Match … No Catch” program is worth a closer look.

Here’s everything you need to know about a Best Western status match.

» Learn more: The NerdWallet guide to Best Western Rewards

Yes, Best Western does status matches — and they're among the easiest in the loyalty industry.

Hotel loyalty programs generally offer "trial" status matches, known as challenges, that require staying a certain number of nights over a short period of time to extend the status for a year or longer. But Best Western Rewards offers direct status matches that don't require additional stays to maintain it.

These include the following elite levels:

• Gold: Typically earned after 5 qualifying nights during the calendar year.

• Platinum: Typically earned after 7 qualifying nights in a calendar year.

• Diamond: Typically earned after 15 qualifying nights in a calendar year.

• Diamond Select: Typically awarded after 25 qualifying nights in a calendar year.

Those who register for a status match in 2023 will maintain that status through March 31, 2025.

» Learn more: What you need to know about Best Western status

It’s pretty straightforward. Both new and existing Best Western Rewards members can participate in a status match. Email [email protected] with the following details:

• Name.

• Current address.

• Email address.

• Phone number.

• Best Western Rewards number.

• Proof of elite status from another program. This can include a screenshot of your loyalty card or a recent statement that clearly shows your full name and status.

Best Western will match you to a status roughly equivalent to your current level with another program. The points you have won't be matched, only the elite status tier.

The higher your tier, the more perks you’ll get. Those perks include:

• For Gold members: 10% bonus on points earned during eligible stays, space-available room upgrades, bonus points and a bottle of water at check-in.

• Platinum: 15% bonus on points during eligible stays, early check-in and late checkout subject to availability, plus Gold benefits.

• Diamond: 30% bonus on points during eligible stays, plus Gold benefits.

• Diamond Select: 50% bonus on points during eligible stays, plus Gold benefits. 

» Learn more: How to spend your way to elite status

In a sense, yes: Some credit cards include hotel elite status, and you can match that status to Best Western. Plus, Best Western itself has two co-branded credit cards that offer status automatically. Here are a few other cards that come with hotel elite status:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express (annual fee: $695, see rates and fees): Cardholders receive both Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (annual fee: $99): This card comes with IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (annual fee: $550, see rates and fees): This card includes Hilton's top-tier Diamond status, which would get you to the top of the pack with Best Western, too. Terms apply.

• World of Hyatt Credit Card (annual fee: $95): This card comes with Discoverist status.

• Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Business Credit Card (annual fee: $95): With this card, you receive Wyndham Diamond elite status.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Additionally, some airlines offer the opportunity to fast-track your way to hotel elite status. For example, United has a partnership with Marriott Bonvoy that allows high-level elite members a direct status match. And ConciergeKey members of American Airlines' loyalty program can receive automatic Hyatt Globalist status, with occasional matching opportunities for other tiers offered as well.

Status matching is an easy way to secure better benefits for your next Best Western stay. All it takes is proving you have hotel elite status with another program, and you’re in for more than a year of status with Best Western Rewards.

It’s a generous offer, and since some credit cards come with hotel elite status, you might already have what you need to apply for the match.

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.