For SPG it's March 1, gets you pretty much 2 full years of status.

Yes, this was the case. I checked and it was tied to my AA Plat status.

I recently (10 days ago) asked Priority Club (via customer service email address) to match my Starwood Platinum status. Often I stay in smaller cities/towns where there is no Starwood, but there probably is some sort of Holiday Inn.

PC asked for proof in a fax or email. I emailed my "recent activity" and cut and pasted my summary from SPG.com. THAT was the hardest part--here's a hint, cut and paste, and then change the font color to black to see what you've pasted.

A week later my request was granted for the rest of 2007. BUT, to qualify for 2008, I must start from zero and have to make the same requirements as a person that signed up for PC on 1/1/2007. I have a pending request to grant my status through 2008 or to cancel the original request. We'll see what happens.

Actually, I just received a status match to Gold from HH Gold. All I did was send an e-mail stating that I was HH Gold and that I was requesting a status match. I asked SPG to let me know what documentation they would require (they ended up matching status without requesting any documentation). See below:

Dear wnielsen1,

Thank you for your recent message to Starwood Preferred Guest. I welcome this opportunity to assist you.

We do offer a status match to encourage members to switch to our program. As requested I have upgraded your Starwood Preferred Guest account to the Gold Elite status. I have ordered a replacement card for you that will show you as a Gold member. Please allow six to eight weeks for this to be received. If the address on your account is not a valid address please send the updated information to me.

While updating your Starwood Preferred Guest account I noticed that you recently had a stay at...

I was able to get a diamond challenge for HH from PC IC Plat Royal Ambassador. My RA status was gifted but I had several IC stay records for this year. My HH Diamond Challenge was given for three months with 10 stay or 20 night requirement.

How did that work? I am Exec Plat on AA and did not get any hotel status

Not sure entirely, they just sent it to me. Maybe they were targetting Plats only

The request was denied. I would have had to qualify in these last months of 2007 to have status in 2008.

How long do Hyatt status matches normally take?

I just faxed over my Hilton credentials to PC. Hopefully, my fax machine transmitted properly so this can get done as soon as possible. I called about an hour ago requesting a status match and the representative was well aware of what I was talking about. Unfortunately, the match will only last until the end of the year but with 40,000 points to go, the 50% bonus from Platinum, and the great promotions by ICHG, requalifying shouldn't be a problem. I'll keep you good folks updated.

Update at 8:48 PM CST:
I just checked my account and I've been upgraded to Platinum Status. Holy cow, that was fast!!!!

Same thing happened to me recently. I emailed PC about matching my SPG Platinum status and they asked for recent activities. A couple of days later, I was given PC Platinum but ONLY for the remainder of 2007.

"Consider checking out my blog on miles and points"

Just wanted to be one that took time to tell you thank you for all the info you have on your blog. I refer to it often.

Nancy

It took me 2 business days to get Hyatt Diamond comped from my Hilton HHonors Diamond. They asked for a copy of my card (I have not carried a card in years), but a few screenprints from the HH Website sufficed.

As a longtime Hhonors Diamond, I have to say that Hyatt Place has quite a nice standard room (no upgrades from what I have seen).

It took me 2 business days to get Hyatt Diamond comped from my Hilton HHonors Diamond. They asked for a copy of my card (I have not carried a card in years), but a few screenprints from the HH Website sufficed.

As a longtime Hhonors Diamond, I have to say that Hyatt Place has quite a nice standard room (no upgrades from what I have seen).

Same here once i got through to them. Initially the faxes wouldn't go through to their number - it was constantly busy

Then I emailed them, they emailed back and I replied with scans of the card and HH statement. The next day the match specialist contacted me and told me I had been upgraded to Diamond till feb 09 ^ Thanks to all here for the helpful info.