Questions and Answers

lucky
I was a day too late for the Hyatt status match last fall, since I’m spg gold ($30k in spg Amex spend), Hyatt only matched me to platinum status which I already was because of my chase Hyatt card. I was a Hilton diamond, but haven’t done anything with them since their 2014’devaluation, so I’m not sure why I’m still a Hilton gold, but not complaining. Therefore, I’m Hilton gold, Hyatt platinum, and spg gold. I dont spend more than 20 nights a year in a hotel, and due to ski destinations, our vacation goals, etc, my stays are generally split relatively equally between the majors and others.
With the new Hyatt promotion starting, and already 4 nights with Hyatt, and two more planned during the promotion, I was toying with mattress running to get Hyatt diamond figuring it would cost me a little over $1200 plus about 40k in points (net after the promotion). My vacation plans anticipated for this Christmas at a Hyatt will make it a break even proposition. On the other hand, I just spent three nights at a Starwood, combined with my nights given to me for my spg Amex card, I either have 3 stays or 8 nights so far. I guess if I get the personal spg Amex, even if I don’t get the sign-up bonus, Having the card would automatically would further increase my night/stay totals. I believe I can mattress run with spg solely on points to get me what I need for platinum with spg (which would be great for my ski trip next February in beaver creek (plus other Starwood stays). My understanding is that once I am spg platinum, I can simply status match to both Hyatt diamond and Hilton diamond. What are your thoughts as to the best strategy, or should I just remain a mid-level elite (which equals “not much”). Also, my understanding that spg “fast track to platinum” only counts paid stays (not c&p or points only stays)

I think these status matches are once per person so unless you’re planning to maintain status long term you would drop back to mid tier status

[USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] tagged for merge with [URL]http://asklucky.onemileatatime.com/threads/mattress-run-for-elite-status.6029/[/URL]

Honestly, I think if you only spend 20 nights a year in hotels you shouldn’t mess with status. You can do better as a free agent.

Keep the Hilton Gold — that gives you breakfast and the occasional upgrade overseas, and that will cover a lot of your random hotel nights.

Otherwise I think you are better off shopping rates with Virtuoso and FHR for nicer stays, and accruing points through bonuses and spend for the others. Just my two cents though.