Best Western is currently running a "Status Match ... No Catch" program, offering elite status matches through January 31, 2018. And, as we found, there truly is no catch.
The process is straightforward: All you need to do is fill in a simple form (caution: PDF link) and provide a copy of your current hotel statement (showing status) or your current hotel elite card. Email, mail or fax this form and status proof to the address/number noted on the form to submit.
While this process is simple, we found that there's an even easier way to submit the status match that's not noted on the website: matching over the phone.
Here's my experience matching: I called the support phone number (1-800-444-7646) to inquire how long the match was good through and what level IHG Platinum Elite would match to at Best Western. The very helpful agent confirmed that the status match was good through January 31, 2018 and that IHG Platinum Elite would match to Best Western Diamond.
She followed that up by asking if I wanted to go through with the match. Well, sure. Since I didn't yet have a Best Western account, she quickly set me up with one. Then, she completed the match right over the phone.
Remember, there are plenty of credit cards that grant hotel status. So, you might have hotel status and not even realize it — like automatic Starwood Preferred Guest Gold and Hilton HHonors Gold status from the Platinum Card from American Express. Though I've only stayed a handful of times at IHG, I was able to match to Best Western Diamond through the IHG Platinum Elite status from the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card.
H/T: Doctor Of Credit
