Best Western Rewards - Elite with Another Hotel Program? We'll Match It!

Status Match… No CatchSM
Terms and Conditions
Status Match… No CatchSM offer (“Offer”) is open to new and existing Best Western Rewards® members that reside in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean Islands (“Member”) that wish to upgrade their current or new Best Western Rewards tier/status level to a level equal to, but not higher than, their current elite tier/status level in any other competing hotel chain’s loyalty program (“Competitor Loyalty Program”). Customers must call Best Western International Inc.’s customer care department (“Customer Care”) at 800-444-7646, or email Statusmatch@bestwestern.com, and provide proof of Competitor Loyalty Program elite tier/status, to complete the Offer. The Member will be responsible for providing proof of their current Competitor Loyalty Program elite tier/status statement via fax to 623-780-6988, or alternative method, if available.
The Customer Care team will determine the equivalent Best Western Rewards Elite tier/status level that matches the Competitors Loyalty Program elite status, based upon a review of number of night stays required to meet the comparable elite tier/status levels. Elite tier/status levels available through Best Western Rewards are Gold Elite (awarded after 10 qualified nights in one (1) calendar year), Platinum Elite (awarded after 15 qualified nights in one (1) calendar year) and Diamond Elite (awarded after 30 qualified nights in one (1) calendar year). A “qualified night” is defined as one night at an individual Best Western® hotel at a rate eligible for Best Western Rewards. A new Elite Best Western Rewards card will be shipped to the Members profile address within 4 to 6 weeks following the status change. Only Elite tier/status level will be matched, competitor point levels will not be matched. All Best Western Rewards program rules apply. See www.bestwesternrewards.com for additional program terms and to learn more about the various Best Western Rewards’ Elite levels. Other restrictions may apply. Offer not valid with any other Offer or discount. Offer subject to cancellation or change without notice. Each Best Western® hotel is independently owned and operated. Best Western and the Best Western marks are service marks or registered service marks of Best Western International, Inc. ©2010 Best Western International, Inc. All rights reserved.

3/9/10 edit: substituted new BW email address from T&C with Statusmatch@bestwestern.com

Thank you for posting this. I emailed them a screen shot of my Hilton Gold status. I will report back if this is enough proof or if they will require me to fax them something.

Thank you for posting this. I emailed them a screen shot of my Hilton Gold status. I will report back if this is enough proof or if they will require me to fax them something.

I got status matched with them last year and they just required the card and didn't want the statement.

I assume this is a once-in-a-lifetime offer, with requalification through nights stayed being required this year.....or not?

Hello All-

I just spoke to Best Westerns customer service and there was a new email address published for the matching program-

StatusMatch@bestwestern.com

I sent in my forms for them to review, (statement for my Choice Privileges account or they asked for a copy of my elite card) the process takes only a couple of days and the new card for should arrive in 2-3 weeks.

Great program-Now I can start earning on an elite level from the very start!

But they won't match the benefits. Gold and Diamond at Marriott and Hilton provide much better benefits than Gold or Platnium at BW.

Has anyone actually gotten the match yet? I sent an e-mail with a screenshot of my PC plat status shortly after this deal appeared and have heard nothing from BW. I'll do a follow up this week I suppose.

Andyandy

Has anyone actually gotten the match yet? I sent an e-mail with a screenshot of my PC plat status shortly after this deal appeared and have heard nothing from BW. I'll do a follow up this week I suppose.

Andyandy

Same here. Heard nothing yet.

Same here. Heard nothing yet.

Moi aussi. Thinking about doing a follow-up. Hate spending the time to do so. :(

Please, be aware, that even the diamond elite status with BW (earned by staying in BW hotels) does not mean anything more than the bonus points. No perks, upgrades.
Lower your expectations, to avoid disappointment.

Your treatment is much more based on your loyalty to a specific BW hotel, not to the chain.

And seeing BW won't let you "double dip" like Hilton, if you chose miles, you get no benefits at all.

According to BW's site you are suppose to get upgrades, but the only time I see that is at the one BW I am a regular at and the staff knows me the minute I walk in the door, and I get upgrades if they are available regardless of my status.

With Hilton you get upgrades based on your status, you can get both miles and points, and if you are gold free breakfast, and if Diamond free access to the lounge even if you aren't upgraded.

BW is typically cheaper to stay at though, so I guess you get what you pay for.


Please, be aware, that even the diamond elite status with BW (earned by staying in BW hotels) does not mean anything more than the bonus points. No perks, upgrades.
Lower your expectations, to avoid disappointment.

Your treatment is much more based on your loyalty to a specific BW hotel, not to the chain.

The point of this thread is grab elite status with BW, for at least the bare minimum of garnering extra points on stays, if nothing else.

I agree that status* with BW generally doesn't amount to much, 'cept for the extra points.

*sliced and diced elsewhere in the BW forum

Thanks for posting Kohoutek^

And seeing BW won't let you "double dip" like Hilton, if you chose miles, you get no benefits at all.

According to BW's site you are suppose to get upgrades, but the only time I see that is at the one BW I am a regular at and the staff knows me the minute I walk in the door, and I get upgrades if they are available regardless of my status.

With Hilton you get upgrades based on your status, you can get both miles and points, and if you are gold free breakfast, and if Diamond free access to the lounge even if you aren't upgraded.

and at Hilton they just devalued their points. Hilton hasn't had a really good promo in ages, not like the good ole' stay 4 times get 50K HHonors & the latest "stay 4 get one free" doesn't come close to Hyatt's stay twice get a free night at any Hyatt property). As Hyatt Diamond I get free breakfast, free internet. So if Hilton works for you great but compared to other programs it really isn't a good one. As a long time HHonors Diamond member, I left years ago and have never regretted it.

BW is typically cheaper to stay at though, so I guess you get what you pay for.

BINGO !!

Wyndham snagged me last year with stay 3 times get 10k airline miles, now I've actually stayed at Wyndham properties as the cost was just so low compared to the normal chains I stay at. That said I'm still mostly a Hyatt guy but do have two future Wyndham stays booked.

I would also state that BW in the U.S. will have properties where a Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton won't. So if your travels take you to places where these guys aren't, BW may be your program of choice. BW also seemed to have decent amount of properties in Europe.

The point of this thread is grab elite status with BW, for at least the bare minimum of garnering extra points on stays, if nothing else.

I agree that status* with BW generally doesn't amount to much, 'cept for the extra points.

Lots of points is usually a good thing, as an example, through IHG promos I was able to very quickly accumulate PriorityClub points (which doesn't mean squat if you can't get some decent award(s) out of all the points one acquires), thankfully the points came in handy on a number of awards for us.


so what is the "big bang" (if any) when using points with BW?

does the # of points required decrease per award night for one's stay as it does with Marriott?

does BW have decreased point stay awards like Priority Club's pointbreaks properties or HHonors pointstretchers?

I would also state that BW in the U.S. will have properties where a Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton won't. So if your travels take you to places where these guys aren't, BW may be your program of choice. BW also seemed to have decent amount of properties in Europe.




BW could be a good choice in (big) cities, if you do not want anything else but a clean room. For example we always stay in BW hotels in San Diego during big events (marathon, comics con, etc.), when the prices of "elite" hotels are sky-high.

The amount of points you need to get a room depends on the level of the hotel you plan to stay in, and not on the amount of nights you stayed previously. In small places you can get a room for 8000 points, while in Chicago you need 32000.

Does being Hhonors Silver (usually qualified as lowly) do any good for this BW offer?

Sent in my stuff on the 5th. Today I am a BW Diamond. Woo hoo! Where's da par-tay? (Probably in my Starwood suite :D)

...I would also state that BW in the U.S. will have properties where a Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton won't. So if your travels take you to places where these guys aren't, BW may be your program of choice. BW also seemed to have decent amount of properties in Europe...

[1] so what is the "big bang" (if any) when using points with BW?

[2] does the # of points required decrease per award night for one's stay as it does with Marriott?

[3] does BW have decreased point stay awards like Priority Club's pointbreaks properties or HHonors pointstretchers?

BW has hotel awards starting at 8k points, moving up in 4k increments, to 36k in points, depending upon the property. AFAIK, the answer is "no" to your three questions. You can cash in points for things other than hotel stays, including 5k in points for 1k in airline miles, but I don't do that.

Sent in my stuff on the 5th. Today I am a BW Diamond. Woo hoo! Where's da par-tay? (Probably in my Starwood suite :D)

Up from being a nobody? ^

Our first winner.

Hello All-

I just spoke to Best Westerns customer service and there was a new email address published for the matching program-

StatusMatch@bestwestern.com

I sent in my forms for them to review, (statement for my Choice Privileges account or they asked for a copy of my elite card) the process takes only a couple of days and the new card for should arrive in 2-3 weeks.

Great program-Now I can start earning on an elite level from the very start!

I called BW today, to check on the status of my email sent to the old email address. The CSR didn't see it. :( I resubmitted my app to the new address, as confirmed by the rep.

I also edited the OP to reflect the new email address.
-----------------

3/9 update: just logged in to BW, shows me as DIAMOND ELITE

Per the website:
Diamond Elite Level
Diamond level is achieved after completing 30 qualified nights at any Best Western hotel worldwide during a calendar year. Diamond members are entitled to:

30% point bonus
Exclusive offers
Complimentary room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out privileges, upon availability
Purchase points for award redemption (1,000 points for $10)

They matched Marriott Platinum with Diamond Elite within a day of my email. We'll have to see if it does any good....

I got matched to BW Diamond from HH Gold the day of my email. We'll see if this gets me anything for my three day stay in Barcelona.

I used the original email address that the OP mentioned and kept waiting for the match or email from BW. Yesterday I noticed the new email address and sent my HH Diamond credentials via that email address and today I am BW Diamond. Anybody that used the old email should resend to the new one.

Did anyone NOT get upgraded to Diamond Elite?

And, if so, what particular status did you submit that apparently didn't fetch the coveted BW Diamond Elite status?

I got matched to BW Diamond from HH Gold the day of my email. We'll see if this gets me anything for my three day stay in Barcelona.

yes indeed, good test, please let the forum know how it worked out !!

Did anyone NOT get upgraded to Diamond Elite?

And, if so, what particular status did you submit that apparently didn't fetch the coveted BW Diamond Elite status?

I only got BW Platinum Elite, but I'm only SPG Gold, not Platinum, so I'm fine with that. I haven't seen the 5,000 pt bonus, but not in a rush since I just submitted last week.

Just curious why folks are bothering unless you plan to meet the requal criteria of 30 nights/year at BW, which I assume that few are.

Just curious why folks are bothering unless you plan to meet the requal criteria of 30 nights/year at BW, which I assume that few are.

We posters may be staying at BW this year, so we might as well be Diamond Elite under this promo. Whether we achieve Diamond for 2011 is another matter.

Just curious why folks are bothering unless you plan to meet the requal criteria of 30 nights/year at BW, which I assume that few are.

I definitely won't have 30 stays but status and its privileges for a year is better than having nothing. Plus 5,000 pts is decent for sending in a simple fax.

I only got BW Platinum Elite, but I'm only SPG Gold, not Platinum, so I'm fine with that. I haven't seen the 5,000 pt bonus, but not in a rush since I just submitted last week.

I definitely won't have 30 stays but status and its privileges for a year is better than having nothing. Plus 5,000 pts is decent for sending in a simple fax.

Where are you coming up with 5,000 points?

Thanks for taking the OP's survey.

Emailed in the morning and received confirmation in the afternoon!

Where are you coming up with 5,000 points?

Thanks for taking the OP's survey.

Just realized I don't get the 5,000 pts until my next stay... I can be patient.

"Are you an Elite member of another hotel loyalty program? We’ll match your ELITE status, FREE of charge.

We’ll also give you 5,000 bonus points on your next stay.

Status Match, No Catch—AND 5,000 bonus points!"

Just curious why folks are bothering unless you plan to meet the requal criteria of 30 nights/year at BW, which I assume that few are.

The same reason I always try the free samples at Costco...it's free and it's there.

The Link:
https://goldcrownclub.bestwestern.com/offers/statusmatch.asp
(also seen on www.bestwesternrewards.com or www.bestwestern.com home page with link to click to this).

Hi!

Best Western matched my IC Platinum Ambassador status to BW Diamond.

Fun thing is, I bought both Ambassador and the PriorityClub Platinum statuses ;-)

Pierre.

The Link:
https://goldcrownclub.bestwestern.com/offers/statusmatch.asp
(also seen on www.bestwesternrewards.com or www.bestwestern.com home page with link to click to this).

That doesn't look like the right link, I don't see the 5,000 points.

Sent them my PCR Gold, Marriott Gold, and SPG gold cards and I got BW Diamond.

Awesome thanks. Sent my priority club platinum membership info.

The OP recommends sending in a scan/copy of your elite card(s), and NOT a statement, possibly showing little stays. You may have earned your elite status in other programs through CC spending, or whatever.

<bows>

Another tip from your humble OP:

No hotel status anywhere? Radisson is giving away Silver. Grab that. After the status shows online (3 days, minus meenus) , send in a copy of the page after sign-in. It may show 0 (Zero) Rad points, so?

Worth a shot for BW Gold, at least. Mebbe Plat.

Edit 4/7/10: Radisson Silver should bag you BW Platinum. See NewfromMaryland post #40 worked for me--got matched to Platinum with this "give-away" Radisson Silver...

Another tip from your humble OP:
No hotel status anywhere? Radisson is giving away Silver. Grab that. After the status shows online (3 days, minus meenus) , send in a copy of the page after sign-in. It may show 0 (Zero) Rad points, so?

Worth a shot for BW Gold, at least. Mebbe Plat.

worked for me--got matched to Platinum with this "give-away" Radisson Silver. Here's what I wrote BW:
I currently have Silver Elite Status on Radisson Gold Points Plus. The Silver Elite requires:
Stay 15 nights in one calendar year to reach Silver Elite status. Info: https://www.goldpointsplus.com/fgp/memberbenefits/home.do

While there is no Silver Elite Status in Best Western, this looks the same as your Platinum Elite (awarded after 15 qualified nights in one (1) calendar year).

Attached is a screen shot of my goldpoints membership reflecting this status. Please update/match my Best Western account.

That doesn't look like the right link, I don't see the 5,000 points.

I don't see the 5K points either. Meanwhile, hotels in Alaska this June run from 28K to 36K points per night each.

Noticed today that my BW Diamond Elite account increased by 5,000 points for a 4/7/10 posting of "Status Match, No Catch Promo".

^

Received my Diamond card the other day.

Noticed today that my BW Diamond Elite account increased by 5,000 points for a 4/7/10 posting of "Status Match, No Catch Promo".

^

Received my Diamond card the other day.

I also recieved the 5,000 points. No card for me yet, however.

Noticed today that my BW Diamond Elite account increased by 5,000 points for a 4/7/10 posting of "Status Match, No Catch Promo".

^

Received my Diamond card the other day.

Ditto on both counts.

I got my new Diamond card today. I think it wins the award for cheapest looking elite card I've ever seen. Even my old FL Elite card from 2003 looked better. Still...it's not how it looks, it's what it does ;)

Noticed today that my BW Diamond Elite account increased by 5,000 points for a 4/7/10 posting of "Status Match, No Catch Promo".

^

Received my Diamond card the other day.

Did you guys actually stay or did the points just show up? I registered more recently through the status match + 5000 link and wonder if I should just sit tight ...

for some reason it just posted my comment twice ... deleting duplicate

Thanks for posting Kohoutek^
I would also state that BW in the U.S. will have properties where a Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton won't. So if your travels take you to places where these guys aren't, BW may be your program of choice. BW also seemed to have decent amount of properties in Europe.


I agree... as a CO-OP (ie. not for profit organisation created to the benefit of their members- the hoteliers), BW does attract a lot more smaller properties located outside big urban center while providing some sort of standards in their service delivery. And I stayed in a BW in Prague and this property was spotless and the quality of the service provided was above the one we have in Canada and US- I mean they had meat and eggs in the free breakfast! I would defintively recommand staying at a BW in Europe as the other big chains are just not worth it (look at the reviews of some Hilton properties in England) and the independant hotels can sometimes (in my opinion) be a bit dodgy unless someone make an extensive research of the property background.

But I will agree with other posters that they need to have a better and more uniform reward program: if they give upgrades, they need to give it to all the guests not just the one 'they know'. Furthermore, I would encourage the chain to go toward a tier separation as some hotels are at par with a Comfort Inn as some other are at par with a higher grade hotel. That would help the travelers to understand and guide themselves toward the numerous properties in the system.

Did you guys actually stay or did the points just show up? I registered more recently through the status match + 5000 link and wonder if I should just sit tight ...

It's the OP's understanding that the 5,000 Status Match bonus points promo is awarded for your next qualifying stay to 8/31/10, after promo registration.

It's the OP's understanding that the 5,000 Status Match bonus points promo is awarded for your next qualifying stay to 8/31/10, after promo registration.

That was my understanding as well. I just wondered about it when I read the couple of "dittos" that immediately followed your post about having received the points. Stranger things (and unexpected points/miles) have happened ;)

That was my understanding as well. I just wondered about it when I read the couple of "dittos" that immediately followed your post about having received the points. Stranger things (and unexpected points/miles) have happened ;)

The 5K points posted without a stay, but they then vanished just as quickly as they had appeared.

The 5K points posted without a stay, but they then vanished just as quickly as they had appeared.

hopefully before I posted my comment, otherwise I might have just learned my first lesson as a new FT member (if so, apologies)

hopefully before I posted my comment, otherwise I might have just learned my first lesson as a new FT member (if so, apologies)

Oh yes--they were gone within 24 hours.

Oh yes--they were gone within 24 hours.

Ahh, ok, good to know. I would have hated to have been a spoiler! And thanks again OP for the heads up on this promo. Data point - Hyatt Plat to BW Plat (Hyatt Plat from their recent free status promo)

...Data point - Hyatt Plat to BW Plat (Hyatt Plat from their recent free status promo)

I'd forgotten about the free Hyatt Platinum Status (for 180 days), so thanks for posting. Might be helpful for some.

As noted earlier, the free Radisson Silver offer gets BW Platinum.

Here's the Hyatt link: http://goldpassport.com/gp/en/aa/offer1.jsp?me02_mbr_src=TPL09

I'd forgotten about the free Hyatt Platinum Status (for 180 days), so thanks for posting. Might be helpful for some.

As noted earlier, the free Radisson Silver offer gets BW Platinum.
I sent them SPG Gold, Hyatt Platinum. I received BW Platinum. I have a BW stay coming up, and even just a late checkout might be nice.

Did anyone NOT get upgraded to Diamond Elite?

And, if so, what particular status did you submit that apparently didn't fetch the coveted BW Diamond Elite status?

I sent them SPG Gold, Hyatt Platinum. I received BW Platinum. I have a BW stay coming up, and even just a late checkout might be nice.

Bummer :(

Thanks for the post.

I don't see anything about 5k either, a lot of people have asked the same question but there's seems to be no answer...

I don't see anything about 5k either, a lot of people have asked the same question but there's seems to be no answer...

:rolleyes: (j/k) It was mentioned right here:

It's the OP's understanding that the 5,000 Status Match bonus points promo is awarded for your next qualifying stay to 8/31/10, after promo registration.

:rolleyes: (j/k) It was mentioned right here:

yeah, but where on BW's site does it say anything about 5k?

if it was mentioned in a targeted e-mail doesn't mean everyone will get 5k

Please, be aware, that even the diamond elite status with BW (earned by staying in BW hotels) does not mean anything more than the bonus points. No perks, upgrades.
Lower your expectations, to avoid disappointment.

Your treatment is much more based on your loyalty to a specific BW hotel, not to the chain.

I agree totally. I have diamond through a status match and did it just for the point bonus.

BW needs to change their loyalty program and they would get more stays out of me. The BW presidential is not even a block from the Hilton Garden I stay at in NYC, and the rooms are usually about $20 a night cheaper at the BW. But I will chose the HG just due to the perks and awards being worth more. At the HGI. I get 2 vouchers every day for a very nice breakfast, they will upgrade me to a corner room if it's available, and the point bonus for diamonds is 50% so I get 15 points per dollar spent, in addition to the 1/2 credit on southwest (I can either only get 13 points per $ spent at BW OR 1/2 credit on WN NOT both like Hilton). I also get 9 points per $ on my Hilton Am Ex card so it equates to a total of 24 points per $ spent in addition to the airline miles.

I realize BW doesn't have Exec. lounges, but the hilton properties that do give you access to that. They also have a 48 hour guarantee for diamonds on any hilton property.

There really isn't any motivation to stay at BW over any other chain.

Thank you for posting this. I emailed them a screen shot of my Hilton Gold status. I will report back if this is enough proof or if they will require me to fax them something.

I faxed over a screen shot showing my Hilton Diamond status and that worked and I have to say they upgraded me fast. I faxed it on monday and logged on to my account yesterday to check a future reservation and my status was already upgraded.

I realize BW doesn't have Exec. lounges, but the hilton properties that do give you access to that. They also have a 48 hour guarantee for diamonds on any hilton property.

There really isn't any motivation to stay at BW over any other chain.

That's not entirely true. http://www.bestwestern.co.jp/english/nagasaki/ Pretty nice place right? It's Best Western Premier! They have Exec Lounge and more. Not sure whether this brand of Best Western is in the USA but it's in Asia.

Does being Hhonors Silver (usually qualified as lowly) do any good for this BW offer?
Hi Rove-

To answer your question, Yes it does. You will be matched to Gold Elite status with Best Western Rewards allow the following:

-10 points for every U.S. dollar spent on qualified room rates, a half (0.5) Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® credit, 20 AIR MILES reward miles or at least 250 miles on qualified stays at over †4,000 Best Western hotels throughout North, Central & South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa

-Points that never expire

-One of the widest reward selections of any program
&
-Rewards offers and promotions with additional earning opportunities (For being a valued Elite Member)

Hope this information helps. Sorry if its a little too late.
You may always call Best Western Rewards at: 1(800) 237-8483

That's not entirely true. http://www.bestwestern.co.jp/english/nagasaki/ Pretty nice place right? It's Best Western Premier! They have Exec Lounge and more. Not sure whether this brand of Best Western is in the USA but it's in Asia.D

Very nice hotel. Do BW Diamonds get access to the exec. lounge and upgrades (if available) there?

D

Very nice hotel. Do BW Diamonds get access to the exec. lounge and upgrades (if available) there?

BW Asia have their own site here http://www.bwrewardsasia.com/elite/index.php and you can view the extra benefits in each hotel in each country at the bottom. I got a pamphlet outlining all these benefits with the welcome kit.

To answer your question regarding lounge access - Yes!

Nagasaki
Best Western Premier Hotel Nagasaki
Diamond / Platinum / Gold Elite card offers:
• Welcome drink
• Complimentary daily newspapers in room
Exclusively for Diamond:
• Access to executive lounge

I just got my second status match under the program. I first submitted my HH Gold status and was matched to Platinum. When I reached HH Diamond via a Q2 7 stay program I resubmitted and have now been matched to Diamond. Thank you BW! :D

I just got my second status match under the program. I first submitted my HH Gold status and was matched to Platinum. When I reached HH Diamond via a Q2 7 stay program I resubmitted and have now been matched to Diamond. Thank you BW! :D


The status match is nice. I wish Marriott would do it:) Now if BW would only offer the diamond force like hilton:)

I don't see this in the T&Cs nor have I spotted it in this thread: Until when is the "comped" elite status good for? The end of this calendar year (2010)? The end of next calendar year (2011)? Somewhere in between?

I don't see this in the T&Cs nor have I spotted it in this thread: Until when is the "comped" elite status good for? The end of this calendar year (2010)? The end of next calendar year (2011)? Somewhere in between?

My Diamond card indicates it expires 2/11.

Sent in my stuff on the 5th. Today I am a BW Diamond. Woo hoo! Where's da par-tay? (Probably in my Starwood suite :D)

Congrats :).

Was the status match based on your SPG PLAT status? I am wanting to do this as well.

Congrats :).

Was the status match based on your SPG PLAT status? I am wanting to do this as well.

If you fax the info over you should be made diamond that same day. I faxed over a screenprint out of my Hilton activity showing I was diamond in the morning and when I went to check the account that night I was upgraded from Platnium to Diamond at BW:) It really doesn't mean much though if you go for airline miles. If you go for points it will mean a few extra points. It's not like SPG, Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott where you can get guaranteed reservation at a sold out hotel (my favorite thing about being Diamond at Hilton). If a hotel is sold out and you call the property direct as a diamond they just put you on a waiting list. If nothing opens u p you are SOL. With Hilton you are guaranteed a room even if it's rack rates.

good thing i saw this thread, sent my priority club platinum ambassador card thru email yesterday and got my diamond elite status today. thanks!

Thanks for the heads up. It took about a day to get the match to Diamond and I went ahead and booked the BW on RT 17 in Mahwah, NJ for a night next week in a room hop scenario. I'm interested to see when the 5k points will post. When I'm in that area, I don't normally stay at BW, so their 'generosity' has already earned them some new business here.

I saw this thread and got upgraded without a problem. Thanks, OP!

It was very timely for me. I usually stay at Hilton or Marriott properties but this week I have a conference where the choice of hotels serviced by the shuttle bus is either a Best Western or a Drury Inn. The Best Western seemed like the better option by comparing the two hotel websites.

Perhaps Best Western has raised its game. It has been years since I last stayed in one. Mostly, my experience with this chain is memories of family road trips where the Best Western got selected because it had the best discount coupon in the coupon book picked up at the freeway rest stop. All of those hotels seemed to be exterior door rooms with "magic finger" beds and a pool in the parking lot.

The Best Western I am at now (Birmingham, AL Carlton Suites) has a free full breakfast, interior pool and exercise facility, manager's evening reception, free in-room wi-fi, etc. Not a true "suite" especially since there is just one tv, but the wi-fi speed seems to be great (unlike a lot of Hiltons and Marriotts). The breakfast was carb and protein heavy (it lacked yogurt and fresh fruit) and the room is a bit more worn around the edges than your typical Courtyard or HGI. But the AC is good and the room was quiet last night. So I have nothing to complain about.

Still available for those folks who are unaware

Status gained this year will carry through into early 2012.

Status gained this year will carry through into early 2012.

That's good news, especially as I already have a BW stay lined up ^

We posters may be staying at BW this year, so we might as well be Diamond Elite under this promo. Whether we achieve Diamond for 2011 is another matter.

* ...though a FT finagler never accepts this concept until they've heard it here. :)

So, to the question: It probably goes without saying that this has to be "once in a lifetime", no? Else someone would be able to do the same next year etc.

...If one waits until, say, February 2011, before one's current program status expires, to turn in the fix? Would it be "2013" instead of "2012"?

Status gained this year will carry through into early 2012.

Thank you, Kohoutek, for the great tips. :)

Dear Mr. ...

Thank you for contacting Best Western Rewards. Unfortunately it is not possible to upgrade your status because the Status Match No Catch promotion is not valid for European members. You can read the terms & conditions on https://goldcrownclub.bestwestern.com/offers/statusmatch-terms.pdf.


Best Regards,

Any solutions?

Well just my upgrade to Diamond based on PCR Platinum.... nice :) :)

Well just my upgrade to Diamond based on PCR Platinum.... nice :) :)

Welcome to Flyertalk and congratulations on your upgrade! Just don't expect too much from it ;)

Dear Mr. ...

Thank you for contacting Best Western Rewards. Unfortunately it is not possible to upgrade your status because the Status Match No Catch promotion is not valid for European members. You can read the terms & conditions on https://goldcrownclub.bestwestern.com/offers/statusmatch-terms.pdf.


Best Regards,

Any solutions?

change address to a friend's address in the US --> get the match --> change back to address in Europe

Welcome to Flyertalk and congratulations on your upgrade! Just don't expect too much from it ;)

got my match too ... maybe I get something from it, maybe not

I wrote to them a few days ago and haven't heard from them yet. How long did it take to get a reply from BW status match?

I wrote to them a few days ago and haven't heard from them yet. How long did it take to get a reply from BW status match?

Check you account online. Mine upgraded within 2 days ... a letter came 2 weeks later in the mail.

I wrote to them a few days ago and haven't heard from them yet. How long did it take to get a reply from BW status match?

I faxed over a printout of the screen from hiltons site showing I was a diamond and checked my account online later that day and it was already upgraded.

How long is the status match good for? There is no expiration date on the diamond card they mailed me last year.

On the website it is showing I need zero nights to the next tier.

Check you account online. Mine upgraded within 2 days ... a letter came 2 weeks later in the mail.

I did, mr. nacho used A-club plat and he only got gold.

I used my MR Gold and I got Diamond.

A-club is super worthless.

I did, mr. nacho used A-club plat and he only got gold.

I used my MR Gold and I got Diamond.

A-club is super worthless.

Just used my A-Club Gold and got Diamond...maybe try again/ask for consideration?

Just used my A-Club Gold and got Diamond...maybe try again/ask for consideration?

I have sent another request with my Marriott Rewards Gold. I ought to get Diamond since Mrs Nacho got hers with her MR Gold.

I have sent another request with my Marriott Rewards Gold. I ought to get Diamond since Mrs Nacho got hers with her MR Gold.

Are you suggesting they did match you even though that it is according to T&C limited to
is open to new and existing Best Western Rewards® members that reside in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean Islands?
Full text is here (https://goldcrownclub.bestwestern.com/offers/statusmatch-terms.pdf) and from your profiel I am guessing that you are in Denmark.

I tried sending them my GoldpointPlus Gold last Sunday and did not get even response yet...

Are you suggesting they did match you even though that it is according to T&C limited to

Full text is here (https://goldcrownclub.bestwestern.com/offers/statusmatch-terms.pdf) and from your profiel I am guessing that you are in Denmark.

I tried sending them my GoldpointPlus Gold last Sunday and did not get even response yet...

Of course I aware about their T&C :D That's why I use my friend's US address :D

I did, mr. nacho used A-club plat and he only got gold.

I used my MR Gold and I got Diamond.

A-club is super worthless.

MR Gold got you Diamond :eek: I told them I have HH Gold and MR Gold and only attached the HH Gold ... got Plat ... need to send another Email with MR Gold to see if they make me Diamond as well.

I sent my request in today to match to Hyatt Diamond. I am prepared to be underwhelmed.

sent my MR gold to match, but still remains gold :(

Do they still ask for the card even if you send a screenshot of the statement? I cant find my PC card, since we don't actually need it at all.

Do they still ask for the card even if you send a screenshot of the statement? I cant find my PC card, since we don't actually need it at all.

I didn't send in my card, just a screenshot for your elite membership. Mine's still gold :td:

I didn't send in my card, just a screenshot for your elite membership. Mine's still gold :td:



Thanks nacho, hopefully they don't give me gold for a PC plat account!

Maybe persistence will help if you encounter a nice representative?
All the best!

I sent in screenshots of emails from Hyatt Gold Passport showing my Diamond renewal for 2011 and Priority Club Platinum renewal email for 2011.

Emailed on Friday Jan 21 and status updated to Best Western Diamond on Monday Jan 24.

I just called customer service and told them I wanted a status match. The nice lady asked me what program I was matching from. I told her "Hyatt Diamond." She matched me to Diamond instantly. No proof needed. The change was reflect online within minutes.

Thanks nacho, hopefully they don't give me gold for a PC plat account!

Maybe persistence will help if you encounter a nice representative?
All the best!

In all honesty with BW the only difference with diamond is more points, and if you chose miles over points, there is NO difference at all.

In all honesty with BW the only difference with diamond is more points, and if you chose miles over points, there is NO difference at all.
The only difference with diamond relative to what?

Relative to platinum, probably yes. But the previous poster was talking about gold.

But I though there was a further distinction that occurs between platinum and gold, whereby there was some promo bonus last year that only applied to platinum and diamond, not gold? (There is no elite status promo bonus on the upcoming bonus that starts in Feb of this year, that I can tell, which is why I'm focusing on promos from last year.)

Furthermore, does anyone know if BW does soft landings? If so, then the further advantage of Diamond would be that it might take you more years of low activity to fall to your actual annual activity's elite level.

Priority Club Platinum, Radison Gold, Hyatt Diamond cards, I faxed to them and I got Diamond status as a result!!

The only difference with diamond relative to what?

Relative to platinum, probably yes. But the previous poster was talking about gold.

But I though there was a further distinction that occurs between platinum and gold, whereby there was some promo bonus last year that only applied to platinum and diamond, not gold? (There is no elite status promo bonus on the upcoming bonus that starts in Feb of this year, that I can tell, which is why I'm focusing on promos from last year.)

Furthermore, does anyone know if BW does soft landings? If so, then the further advantage of Diamond would be that it might take you more years of low activity to fall to your actual annual activity's elite level.


There may be promos that are only for higher level elites. If that is the case that could be an advantage as well if you stay at BW's a lot.

I was talking about with other hotel chains. BW will upgrade me at the hotel I stay at a lot if there is an upgrade available regardless of if I have no status or am diamond just because I am a frequent guest at that property and they know me. I became diamond last year due to a status match and found no difference in how I was treated (outside of the bonus points) than from when I was Gold.

At Hilton, the difference in treatment between a silver (equavalent to BW's gold) and diamond is like night and day. While thanks to NOR-1 the upgrades aren't what they used to be, I still get upgraded a lot or at least get better rooms and get breakfast and access to the Exec Lounge always if there is one. As has been noted here before, it appears diamond doesn't mean much to BW for upgrades in the US. I get free internet access if the property charges being a hilton diamond (silver pays). I can almost always get a 4 p.m. check out with hilton and access to the exec lounge all day (with silver it is usually 1 or 2 p.m. at the latest and no lounge access unless you are on that floor).

The really nice thing with being diamond with hilton (and I think a couple other chains offer this) is the diamond force. If you need a room and you give at least 48 hours notice, the diamond desk at hilton will usually get you into that hotel (even though you do pay rack rates). I have found this benefit very useful on reward stays. I stayed at the double tree in times square using points this past new years thanks to the diamond desk and the rack rate for new years was over $5k. I am going to miami next month and the property I want is over $600 a night and the diamond desk got me in using a certificate one night and 100K points for the other two nights, which was a great use of points.

I just don't see what BW offers in Diamond that would make it worth doing a matress run if you were only a couple nights away from that level.

There may be promos that are only for higher level elites. If that is the case that could be an advantage as well if you stay at BW's a lot.

I was talking about with other hotel chains. BW will upgrade me at the hotel I stay at a lot if there is an upgrade available regardless of if I have no status or am diamond just because I am a frequent guest at that property and they know me. I became diamond last year due to a status match and found no difference in how I was treated (outside of the bonus points) than from when I was Gold.

At Hilton, the difference in treatment between a silver (equavalent to BW's gold) and diamond is like night and day.
Well, yes, at Hilton. But not all other hotel chains. And I don't just mean lower-end hotel chains (I find similar treatment at Choice despite Diamond there, and WyndhamRewards doesn't even have an elite level).

Priority Club is very hit or miss about upgrades and such, even for Platinums (PC's topmost tier other than at ICs). Only a fraction of their properties give a Platinum perk, and at many of those it's simply a welcome gift not unlike the one that BW is supposed to be giving now (though in actuality BW's welcome gift is very hit or miss too so far!).

I just don't see what BW offers in Diamond that would make it worth doing a matress run if you were only a couple nights away from that level.
Indeed, although it was nice to be status-matched to it, I'd not work for anything above Platinum at BW, given that other than those points bonuses the benefits of Platinum and Diamond seem to be very similar. I might, however, work to get to Platinum rather than just Gold, if promos do turn out to be richer for Platinum than Gold.

(I was, as a matter of fact, Platinum at least once before this status match, tho I had let it lapse. But in the past, I only achieved Platinum due to a bug they had for a long time where they credited each stay as two stays, if you earned a bonus that posted on another day.)

WyndhamRewards doesn't even have an elite level).

I agre eit was nice beiong made diamond via the status match for the bonus points but it is something I would never go out of my way to get like with Hilton.

I only stay at an actual Wyndham property once or twice a year but have to say I love how they treat me as a by-request member, especially since I have two stays max a year with them. Much better than any other chain does. I always get free internet and my room always has 2 diet cokes (sometimes there are 2 airline bottles of wine or baileys) and a plate with fruit and cheese. I could see it for a guest that would stay there as much as a hilton or marriott diamond with actual stays, but that it is really going out of there way for an infrequent guest.

I agre eit was nice beiong made diamond via the status match for the bonus points but it is something I would never go out of my way to get like with Hilton.

I only stay at an actual Wyndham property once or twice a year but have to say I love how they treat me as a by-request member, especially since I have two stays max a year with them. Much better than any other chain does.
But that's a special case: Wyndham By-Request (which only works at Wyndham proper), not WyndhamRewards, which was what I was talking about. WyndhamRewards is a points program that works across all the brands in their family (like HHonors works across all the brands in the Hilton Worldwide family), but what you're talking about doesn't work at any of the brands in WyndhamRewards except Wyndham itself.

Not that the average Super 8, Days Inn, Travelodge, etc, has any rooms to upgrade to anyway! :)

I take it a lot of your hotel stays are business travel paid for by your employer? You seem to keep comparing BW (which on average is more in the "budget" space) with full-price hotels while not mentioning the big price differences. As someone who pays for all my hotel stays on my own dime, I don't care that a Hampton next door would treat me better than the BW, when the BW is $72+ I can afford that, when the Hampton next door is $126+, I just can't afford/justify that. A few bucks more, sure, but when it's that huge a difference, forget it.

And while it sure may be nice to be pampered with a suite on a one-night stay when you're traveling by yourself, it's not that I really can make that much use of it in that circumstance. Most if not all of the value of the suite is "wasted" on me.

What I do value about HHonors Gold or above is the free breakfast and free internet. But then most BWs have a free breakfast and free internet anyway!
So I don't see much that BW could offer me in at-hotel perks as a Diamond at the kinds of BW properties I can afford to stay at.

Now, when I travel to Europe, the BWs there tend to be more traditional "hotels" (as opposed to motels in the US), and the rooms tend to be smaller, so that's where upgrades would be nice. Supposedly one should be able to get them once in a while as a BW elite, but reports in this forum make it seem like it works "miss & miss" (ie, never a "hit"!).

(But, like I said, I have the same problem with Priority Club. And at some overseas locations, people in the HHonors forum report having a similar problem with HHonors even!)

But that's a special case: Wyndham By-Request (which only works at Wyndham proper), not WyndhamRewards, which was what I was talking about. WyndhamRewards is a points program that works across all the brands in their family (like HHonors works across all the brands in the Hilton Worldwide family), but what you're talking about doesn't work at any of the brands in WyndhamRewards except Wyndham itself.

Not that the average Super 8, Days Inn, Travelodge, etc, has any rooms to upgrade to anyway! :)

I take it a lot of your hotel stays are business travel paid for by your employer? You seem to keep comparing BW (which on average is more in the "budget" space) with full-price hotels while not mentioning the big price differences. As someone who pays for all my hotel stays on my own dime, I don't care that a Hampton next door would treat me better than the BW, when the BW is $72+ I can afford that, when the Hampton next door is $126+, I just can't afford/justify that. A few bucks more, sure, but when it's that huge a difference, forget it.

And while it sure may be nice to be pampered with a suite on a one-night stay when you're traveling by yourself, it's not that I really can make that much use of it in that circumstance. Most if not all of the value of the suite is "wasted" on me.

What I do value about HHonors Gold or above is the free breakfast and free internet. But then most BWs have a free breakfast and free internet anyway!
So I don't see much that BW could offer me in at-hotel perks as a Diamond at the kinds of BW properties I can afford to stay at.

Now, when I travel to Europe, the BWs there tend to be more traditional "hotels" (as opposed to motels in the US), and the rooms tend to be smaller, so that's where upgrades would be nice. Supposedly one should be able to get them once in a while as a BW elite, but reports in this forum make it seem like it works "miss & miss" (ie, never a "hit"!).

(But, like I said, I have the same problem with Priority Club. And at some overseas locations, people in the HHonors forum report having a similar problem with HHonors even!)

That's a good summary. However, plenty of the Best Westerns I stay at do NOT have a free breakfast. One thing they could offer me as a Diamond is that breakfast for free.

After almost two years as Best Western Diamond they dropped me to Platinum. I don't mind, it's not like I get upgrades anyway and I only stayed about 5 nights last year. Oh well.

I mailed a copy of my PriorityClub Platinum card to request a status match, just logged into my BW Rewards and saw that I am now Diamond Elite! (Of course, I rarely ever stay at BW...so don't know if I'll really benefit from this or not.)

Has anyone actually gotten the match yet? I sent an e-mail with a screenshot of my PC plat status shortly after this deal appeared and have heard nothing from BW. I'll do a follow up this week I suppose.

Andyandy

I sent in a screen shot of my Hilton Gold status last week and received a letter a few days later letting me know they were status matching me to Diamond Elite! I got my new card in the mail today. If nothing else it's a free way to grab the 30% bonus points on stays, any maybe an early check in/late check out once in a while.

I mailed a copy of my PriorityClub Platinum card to request a status match, just logged into my BW Rewards and saw that I am now Diamond Elite! (Of course, I rarely ever stay at BW...so don't know if I'll really benefit from this or not.)

Same here. Received Diamond Elite as a status match for Priority Club platinum.

Have a long stay at a Best Western and enjoy the 30% bonus.

Otherwise, no perks or upgrades.

Within 24 hours of faxing Hilton Diamond got BW status - was in Berlin and hotel gave me free breakfast and food discount and coupons

If you don't get your elite benefits, go to http://www.bwrewards4me.com/ and let them know. Looks like it only is guaranteed for North American properties.

I'm PC Plat and and have been pretty loyal to both them and Wyndham (UK) properties. However, I've a BW stay coming up and thought I should knuckle-down and join (I've 'wasted' a couple of stays in the past).

Joining was easy and the 'gold' card arrived through the post within about 10 days

Anyway, as PC Plat I thought I would try for a status match. I printed the form, scanned it, and eMailed to the rewards...com address as the rear of the form states...Non-delivery receipt received.

Then looked at the site which gives a rewards...co.uk address. Fowarded PC eMail statement with scanned .pdf of status match form attached. 2 weeks later nothing heard and website still shows gold.

Tried again yesterday. Delivery receipt received but with message "the server does not give read receipts". I'll give it one more week.

I've no access to a fax machine these days, which I realise may be the best way to send the form off. But I have to say I'm unimpressed so far; Having sufferred IHGs IT over the last couple of years, can any fellow FTs assure me that BW(UK) are in fact a slick operation and I have been unlucky?

Further to previous post, another fortnight passed since second eMail to the .co.uk address (delivery receipt received). Nothing heard. So yesterday I hunted out a fax machine and faxed. Voila - was Diamond today.

I was waiting for the status match before making a particular booking after an experience with Priority Club/IHG when I was only Gold. I made a booking way in advance and became Plat in the meantime before the stay. On arrival, I was asked to sign-in as gold and received no Plat benefits (such as they are).

As a result of that experience I was holding off making a particular BW booking until the status match was granted....but after the months delay the hotel is now full for the nights I want!

Anyway, I now believe eMailing Best Western will be pointless as they are stuck in some early 1990s timewarp where the fax machine still rules..

More info about status match here:
https://goldcrownclub.bestwestern.com/offers/statusmatch.asp

Emailed my status match request form + copies of Hilton Gold and Accor Platinum cards, and less than 24h later, I was matched to BW Diamond!
I have a 2 nights stay next week, booked in the lowest room category, so we'll see what it brings!

I have a 2 nights stay next week, booked in the lowest room category, so we'll see what it brings!

Check your expectations at the door is my best suggestion to you. Two years at Diamond and I never saw an upgrade. The only "benefit" I ever got was an early check-in once. Still, points bonuses are nice, right?

Check your expectations at the door is my best suggestion to you. Two years at Diamond and I never saw an upgrade. The only "benefit" I ever got was an early check-in once. Still, points bonuses are nice, right?

+1 Hilton gold is much more valuable than BW Diamond. I think even Hilton Silver is

Check your expectations at the door is my best suggestion to you. Two years at Diamond and I never saw an upgrade. The only "benefit" I ever got was an early check-in once. Still, points bonuses are nice, right?

+1 Hilton gold is much more valuable than BW Diamond. I think even Hilton Silver is

My expectations are low. OTOH, since I booked a BW anyway, I thought it would be stupid not to get the free status match...

Just did a status match. At first they replied that I was upgraded but my online account did not show any upgrade. Called in and have it correctly immediately. So far so good.

Matched from Carlson Gold to Best Western Diamond. In my initial email I "reminded" them that Carlson Gold takes 35 nights (while Best Western Diamond requires 30 nights).

When should I request a status match to maximize the length of validity?

When should I request a status match to maximize the length of validly?

I'm not sure it matters. I got my diamond status match in January, 2011. I stayed 15 nights during 2011 (30 are required for diamond status), and three nights during 2012, but I am still diamond, and my account information online indicates that I have 0 additional nights required to maintain diamond status.

I'm not sure it matters. I got my diamond status match in January, 2011. I stayed 15 nights during 2011 (30 are required for diamond status), and three nights during 2012, but I am still diamond, and my account information online indicates that I have 0 additional nights required to maintain diamond status.

Thanks, Voodoo Daddy. That's generous!