{"id":1398,"date":"2014-03-25T21:41:41","date_gmt":"2014-03-26T01:41:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.guruoftravel.com\/?p=1398"},"modified":"2014-04-28T22:54:16","modified_gmt":"2014-04-29T02:54:16","slug":"starwood-hotels-status-challenge-what-why-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.guruoftravel.com\/blog\/2014\/03\/25\/starwood-hotels-status-challenge-what-why-how\/","title":{"rendered":"Starwood Hotel Status Challenges: What, Why, and How"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Hotel<\/a>
Living Room in Upgraded Suite at The Manhattan Times Square Hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A relatively under-advertised offer that some hotel chains provide is a “challenge” in order for guests to earn elite status in an accelerated timeframe.  Some airlines will offer these challenges as well.  The challenges are usually geared to earn loyalty from frequent travelers who might be looking to switch their preferred hotel\/airline.  For example, if your current job has you frequently flying on one airline, but a new job will have you flying frequently on a different airline, that second airline may offer a challenge as an accelerated track for you to reach elite status in order to improve their attractiveness to you.  This guide is specifically about the Starwood Hotel<\/a> Status Challenge program…<\/p>\n

How does a Status Challenge Work?<\/strong>
\nTypically, you might need to stay 50 or 75 nights with a hotel chain in a calendar year in order to earn top elite status.  Starwood Hotels (which include Sheraton, Westin, W, Aloft, and other hotel brands) requires you to stay for 25 nights in a year in order to earn Gold Status, or 50 nights in a year for Platinum Status.  With their Status Challenge program, however, you can fast-track your way to elite status, offering benefits like late check out and upgraded rooms, like the picture above where the Mrs. Guru and I stayed recently in New York City.<\/p>\n

Why would you complete a Status Challenge?<\/strong>
\nIf you know that you have several hotel stays in a short period of time, you can earn status much more quickly.  I likely won’t be spending over 50 nights (the normal requirement for earning Platinum Status) in Starwood Hotels this year, but I knew that I had a few trips in March, April, and May so I recently started a Platinum Challenge with Starwood Hotels.  Even though I don’t expect my travels to continue at 18+ nights every 3 months, I picked the 3 month period when I would be staying at least 18 nights, which will allow me a fast track to Platinum Status.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What are the Starwood Hotel Challenge Requirements?<\/strong>
\n Gold Challenge:<\/span><\/em>  Stay 12 nights within 3 months to Earn Gold Status
\nPlatinum Challenge:<\/span><\/em>  Stay 18 nights within 3 months to Earn Platinum Status<\/p>\n

General Challenge Requirements (apply to both Gold and Platinum Challenges):<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n