If you have elite status with any hotel loyalty program, you could be eligible for a free status match with Best Western Rewards.
Best Western may not be the most exciting hotel chain, but it has coverage in many regional locations across Australia where the larger hotel brands do not. There are well over 100 Best Western hotels and motels in Australia and New Zealand alone, and over 4,000 properties worldwide. Many of these located in country towns, although there are an increasing number of hotels in larger cities – many of which are rather nice.
How to get a Best Western status match
Getting a free Best Western status match is surprisingly easy. All you need to do is enrol in the Best Western Rewards program and complete a short online form. This form simply asks for your contact details and your existing elite status level with a competitor hotel’s loyalty program.
Best Western Rewards will then match your existing status to an equivalent tier in their own loyalty program. This is determined by comparing the number of points, nights or stays that would be required to earn status in the competing program. So, for example, IHG Rewards Club Gold status would match to Best Western Gold elite status as both are earned for staying 10 nights per year.
After completing the form, it takes just 1-2 days for the status match to be processed. You’ll receive a physical membership card in the mail within 4-6 weeks.
More details about this offer are available on the Best Western website.
Benefits of Best Western Rewards status
Best Western Rewards status is based on the number of nights, stays or points earned in any calendar year. The program has 4 elite status tiers…
Gold (7 stays, 10 nights or 10,000 points) benefits:
- 10% bonus points
- Free points transfers to other members
- Dedicated phone service
Platinum (10 stays, 15 nights or 15,000 points) additional benefits:
- 15% bonus points
- Free bottle of water or 250 bonus points at check-in
- Free room upgrades (subject to availability)
Diamond (20 stays, 30 nights or 30,000 points) additional benefits:
- 30% bonus points
Diamond Elite (40 stays, 50 nights or 50,000 points) additional benefits:
- 50% bonus points
As you can see, these benefits are hardly worth going out of your way for. The top-tier benefits are particularly underwhelming, as discovered by several AFF members who have used the Best Western status match…
Did the match as well (I think from HH diamond). Had no impact on my one stay – they only had one type of room anyway IIRC
I did this before I went to Bendigo in March. I’m not sure it was that useful, but it’s something. They did say at check-in because I had the level of status I didn’t need to put down the usual deposit, hah!
Yeah, they didn’t even notice I had Diamond Select when I checked in and didn’t get my welcome gift. Oh well, was a one off stay as I ended up back in India again so cancelled the other bookings I had anyway!
Best Western Rewards may not be the most exciting loyalty program out there. But if you’re staying at a Best Western property anyway, and you’re eligible for the status match, there’s no harm in using it.
Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Best Western Rewards Status Match
