Best Western Matches Other Hotels’ Elite Status

Got status? If you’re a silver, gold, or platinum elite member of another hotel frequent-stay program, Best Western will accord you equivalent status in its Best Western Rewards program.

Status-matching is a common if unpublicized practice among airlines, but is less of a fixture in the hotel arena. And it’s rarely if ever widely and openly promoted, as is being done in this case.

While Best Western’s press release doesn’t mention other hotel chains by name, it includes the following: “Road warriors who face devalued loyalty programs at other chains will benefit from their Best Western Rewards Elite status by earning special benefits even faster at our hotels … ” The reference to devalued programs would suggest that this marketing initiative is implicitly directed at Hilton HHonors members, whose points recently lost value when Hilton increased award prices at many hotels. But it’s open to elites in any and all hotel programs.

Deal or No Deal

Status Match…No Catch, Best Western’s catchy name for the promotion, is rightly so-called. According to the terms and conditions, Best Western will match any elite level from any other hotel program. Fax proof of your status in another program and you’ll immediately receive comparable Best Western status and associated benefits.

The elite perks themselves are modest. There’s an earning bonus of 10, 15, or 30 percent, depending on the member’s tier. And members who have reached one of the top two Rewards tiers receive “complimentary room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out privileges, upon availability.”

Still, with more than 4,000 locations in 80 countries, Best Western is among the world’s largest hotel networks—a significant plus when it comes to ready opportunities to both earn and redeem points.

If Rewards is rewarding, elite-level Rewards will be more rewarding still.