SAKSFIRST customers accelerated status to Premier level, with any three-night stay.
Saw this yesterday:
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksF...?bmUID=iPLQ.8j
Looks like the fine print states that you have to spend > $1000k on your SAKS card to qualify for SAKSFIRST, and stay 3 nights at a Fairmont to get Premier status. OR if you qualify for the Saks Fifth Avenue World Elite MasterCard®, you get SAKSFIRST status without having to buy anything.