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Here's How You Can Register for SPG's Status Challenge

March 16, 2017
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3 min read
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Here's How You Can Register for SPG's Status Challenge
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Update 4/17/17: Starwood has published a landing page detailing its latest status challenge. You'll find a summary of the requirements below — full details are here.

Whereas you can link your Marriott Rewards status with Starwood Preferred Guest for reciprocal status, that's as far as your options go when looking to accelerate to SPG status through a match-like option. But while there is no official status match option, you can register to partake in a status challenge to earn SPG Gold or Platinum status.

To register, call SPG customer service (1-888-625-4988) or email platinum.liaison@starwoodhotels.com to request the challenge. Once you're registered, you'll have to complete the required number of nights (18 for Platinum or 9 for Gold) between a three-month period. The designated three-month periods are as follows:

  • February 1 to April 30, 2017
  • March 1 to May 31, 2017
  • April 1 to June 30, 2017

Note that the first two periods have already begun, so if you choose one of them, you'll have a shorter amount of time to meet your night requirements. Note that in order to successfully challenge to SPG Platinum status, you'll have to complete 18 paid nights, and if you're looking to get Gold status, you'll have to complete nine paid nights. If you successfully complete the challenge, you'll have the status until February 28, 2019.

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If you want to challenge for Gold status, you're not eligible to register if you've had Gold or Platinum status since 2012, and you're only eligible for the Platinum status challenge if you haven't had Platinum status since 2012. In addition, if you've ever completed an SPG status challenge in the past, you're not eligible to participate in this challenge. Only paid stays are eligible for this challenge — award stays do not count. You can read the full terms and conditions of the status challenge here.

If you're interested in getting SPG Gold or Platinum status, this status challenge could be a great opportunity to get it, as SPG Gold status usually requires 10 stays or 25 nights, and Platinum status usually requires 25 stays or 50 nights. Keep in mind that you can also get complimentary SPG Gold status from the Amex Platinum Card and avoid the stay and night requirements altogether.

Also, remember that once you get SPG status, you can then instantly link it to your Marriott account. So, if you were to status challenge to Gold or Platinum status, you could then match it to also get Gold or Platinum status, respectively with Marriott.

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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.