Status match alert! Here's your chance to add another top-tier loyalty card to your collection and enjoy added perks when you're on the road.
Best Western is now running a status match deal that can land you Gold, Platinum or Diamond status in the group's Best Western Rewards scheme, based on your status level in any other hotel's loyalty program.
The 'Status Match... No Catch' promotion is open to current and newly-joined Best Western Rewards members living in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
You can sign up for the status match online (at www.bestwestern.com.au/hotel-rewards/statusmatch) or simply flash your best piece of hotel plastic when you check in to a Best Western Australasia hotel for an on-the-spot upgrade.
Either way, Best Western will bump you up to Gold, Platinum or Diamond status based on the equivalent tier level in your current hotel scheme.
The entry-level Best Western Rewards Gold carries no real weight but Platinum should be a snap for most frequent travellers to pick up.
Awarded after 15 'qualified nights' in one calendar year, Best Western Rewards Platinum offers a free room upgrade, early checkin and late checkout (all subject to availability) plus 10% bonus Best Western Rewards points.
So if you've got any status with another hotel group which requires 15 nights per year, you're good for Best Western Rewards Platinum.
The Best Western Rewards Diamond tier, available after 30 nights, differs only by offering 15% bonus points. if you can get it, of course, then go for it – but we'd rate Best Western Rewards Platinum as the sweet spot in this status match deal.
As always, Australian Business Traveller recommends taking advantage of this status match deal even if you have no plans to stay at a Best Western property – it's a handy 'just in case' measure.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
Interesting, seems like BW wants to ramp up their customer base. From what I have heard is that BW will match Accor le Club status, which is great as who does not have Platinum status with Accor (thanks to the frequent free Platinum sign onoffer). Not sure if BW Diamond is really useful, but hey, if it is free!
Accor recently boosted their perks and are now on par with some of the other chains. Offering free internet, room upgrades and lounge access it is a great pice of plastic to have.
I inquired with Marriott and IHG recently to get a status match being an Accor Platinum, however it seems that these two chains exclude Accor status from matching (Marriott offered me a Gold challenge). Not surprised since half the world will have probably obtained the Accor top status, hence it would be costly for another chain to match.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1378
Hmm.
They have perenially had this offer in the US, but I was rejected 18mths ago. Mind you made it via nights thanks to some long term stays,
In any event don't seem to be a huge number of benefits.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Dec 2012
Total posts 170
Hi David,
You wrote:
"The Best Western Rewards Diamond tier, available after 30 nights, differs only by offering 15% bonus points. if you can get it, of course, then go for it – but we'd rate Best Western Rewards Diamond as the sweet spot in this status match deal."
Did you intend to rate the Platinum level instead of Diamond, for its 10% Bonus and reasonable 15 night re-qualifying stays?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
Hey SaltyJ - good pick-up, yeah, I meant that Platinum is the sweet spot, compared to Diamond.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
Did anybody have any success in getting status matched? I filled out the form on the website three days ago but have not heard back.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Yes, KG, I managed to get my Hilton Honors Diamond matched. It look a few days - less than a week.
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