I've searched on this, but it turns out that keywords "elite" and "hotel" show up in a lot of different contexts on this forum.

I usually have little control over my hotels when I travel, but this year it's likely I'll have discretion over 15-20 nights in low-end business hotels (e.g., Hilton Garden Inn, Comfort Suites, Springhill Suites, Homestead Suites), and I'm trying to decide to whom to give my business. Someplace that would give me status early, and have some measurable benefit for that status, would be a good. I've seen rumors on other FT threads that hotel chains sometimes recognize higher status levels on airlines, but couldn't find any for UA (I'm 1P). Any adivce?