Skip to content

Instant Best Western Elite Status Valid Through January 31, 2018

Nov. 11, 2016
2 min read
Best Western Posada Royale hotel featured
Instant Best Western Elite Status Valid Through January 31, 2018
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here: IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card

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.

I had a remarkably easy time matching my IHG Platinum status.

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.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Just for having status through a credit card, you can match to Best Western for these benefits.

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

TPG featured card

4 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
1XChoose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee
2XEarn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status + $300 of Bilt Cash
Annual fee
$495
Regular APR
26.74 - 34.74% variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Good Credit, Excellent Credit

Pros

  • Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
  • Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
  • $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
  • $200 Bilt Cash annually
  • Priority Pass membership
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Moderate annual fee
  • Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
  • Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
  • Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
  • 2X points on everyday spend
  • $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
  • $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
  • Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
  • Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
  • Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.