As a companion to
the Status Match Master Thread (for airlines), here's the beginning of a Hotel Status Match Master Thread.
Starwood
Per Starwood Lurker
If you are seeking a complimentary status upgrade to Platinum in Starwood Preferred Guest, please note: if you have ever been Platinum in Starwood Preferred Guest previously, your request will be denied. Starwood Preferred Guest considers these types of requests from Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, and Hilton Diamond members only. No other frequent stay programs are considered. Neither does Starwood Preferred Guest consider complimentary status upgrades for the Gold level in the program.
If you qualify and wish to be considered for a complimentary status upgrade to Platinum in Starwood Preferred Guest, send your request via fax to Platinum Concierge at 512-997-9046. Please include a copy of your membership card (front & back) and a copy of your latest statement (online version is okay) with one of the three competing frequent stay programs referenced above. Allow up to three weeks for your request and documentation to be approved. Lack of documentation required will result in a delay in fulfilling your request.
You can receive 'Preferred Plus' status (which is more or less Gold without the 50% bonus on in-hotel earning) by obtaining the Starwood American Express or even joining AAA IIRC. Gold status comes complimentary with the Platinum American Express card (the expensive one, not the co-branded airline or hotel cards).
Hilton
Hilton will sometimes offer a match. Frequently they will offer a challenge (x stays in y days) for Diamond:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494970
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459827
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443854
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369105
The Hilton Visa or Hilton American Express will get you Silver status (which is enough to qualify to use the elite-only awards). $20,000 in spending in a year on the Hilton Amex gets you Gold status. There are some reports of Hilton Amex spending getting you Diamond status, but this isn't an official or published program that would necessarily apply to everyone.
Hyatt
If you can demonstrate elite status with another chain and 10 stays or 30 nights within the past 12 months, Hyatt will comp you to Diamond status.
Send a fax with a copy of your elite statement (online statement is fine) and elite card to the Hyatt Account Services Desk (402-593-9449).
Marriott
Marriott does not match easily. Some people
get told yes and
others get told no. Some additional mixed experiences are
here and
here.
You can receive Silver status by obtaining a Marriott Visa.
Priority Club / Intercontinental Hotels
This thread suggests it's possible to get a match to Priority Club Platinum -- even from Hilton Gold.
This thread suggests it's very difficult to get a match to Royal Ambassador status.
You can
purchase Gold status. With the various promos it's easy to make Platinum as only 60k points -- from any source, including points transferred into the program -- are necessary. With the recent offer of 30k points for credit card signup you'd be halfway there (and could then even sign up for a business credit card too for points, and a Netbank checking account...)
For info on these levels and the differences between them, here's
a FAQ from the hotel forum here on Flyertalk.
Radisson
Here and
here are discussions of elite matches with Radisson. Reply if you have more/better information.
5/10/07: Additional discussion in
this thread.
Loews
This thread discusses obtaining a status match in the Loews First program.
Fairmont apparently does not match according to this thread, though
this older thread suggests they do.
Shangri-La Golden Circle
does not match (though this info is old).
Flyertalkers have
had mixed experiences obtaining status matches with
Omni Hotels. (Info is old.)
This thread is a work in progress. Please reply with any better factual information that you may have. If it can be verified I'll attempt to add it to this post.