Originally posted by Tranman:
Thanks nan358 & tulane85! Just did what you guys outlined and everything worked like a charm. This is what I love about FT. Now I'm both a Hilton and Starwood gold, with only 8 stays between the two, over the past 2 years. 
Sigh.... people are addicted to status, silver, gold, platinum, etc. It is no wonder that all reward programs (CC, airlines, gas) keep coming up with all these new levels of status with no real benefits.
Let me ask you... if you hardly stay in starwood or hilton hotels, what is the point of getting a gold status?
When you look at it... you will see how hard people put themselves through to get a plastic with different color, for no good real reason. I am sure you feel very special now... like a royal noble family member? Part of gold group?
Big deal for an occasional traveller. Maybe you should frame that piece of gold plastic to satisfy your ego.