It’s not too late to register for the 2018 Starwood Preferred Guest status challenge. In 2011, Starwood eliminated the option to status match to one of its elite status levels. But last year they offered the SPG status challenge to members and this year it’s open again.
Register now, for the latest SPG Challenge for Gold or Platinum!
To complete the challenge you’ll have to register by June 30, 2018. There are several ways you can register. Either call the Australia SPG customer service number 1800 072 525 or you can email to [email protected] and ask to be registered for the ‘SPG Status Challenge’. Either way, make sure you have your Starwood Preferred Guest number ready with you.
Once you’re registered, you’ll need to complete the paid number of nights (9 for Gold and 18 for platinum) between a three-month period. There are three schedules for a three-month period you can choose from to complete this challenge.
- January 1 – March 31, 2018
- February 28 to April 30, 2018
- March 31 to May 31, 2018
Bearing in mind that you’ll need to determine which schedule you want to use to complete the ‘night’ requirement. So for example, if you decide you want to do it this month (April), you should ask for the February – April or March to May period.
Take note that, if you book your nights using the SPG Starpoints, it will not contribute to this challenge. Although these bookings ‘earn’ nights under the SPG program, it still won’t be counted for this challenge. So you’ll need to pay for the nights in full.
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Eligibility key points to take note of:
Keep in mind that you’ll only be able to choose to participate in either SPG Gold or SPG Platinum and not both at the same time.
If at any time in the past five years (2013 onwards) you’ve held an SPG Gold or SPG Platinum status, you are not eligible to enter this challenge.
But get this, you will only be disqualified from SPG Platinum challenge if you hold an SPG Platinum status in that past 5 years. Which means if in the past 5 years you’ve only held SPG Gold status, you are still eligible to enter the SPG Platinum challenge.
Status validity
So if you complete and fulfill all the challenge requirements on or before February 2018, your status will be valid until February 28, 2019, but if you complete and fulfill all requirements on or after March 1, 2018, your status will be valid until February 29, 2020 (that’s an extra year to enjoy the perks).
Now would be the right time to take up the challenge!
Spend 9 or 18 nights at any Starwood hotels
All you need to do once you are registered is spend 9 or 18 nights on any Starwood hotels below:
- St. Regis
- The Luxury Collection,
- W Hotels
- Westin
- Sheraton,
- Le Meridien
- Tribute Portfolio
- Design Hotels
- Aloft
- Four Points by Sheraton
- Element hotels
When you make bookings, be sure to also book your nights directly through the SPG hotels website, SPG app, reservation lines, or reception desks because if you book through sites like Expedia and the likes, you won’t be eligible to earn any Starpoints and earn the nights you need for this challenge.
Boost your SPG Status with your American Express Platinum charge card
You should also know that you can opt-in via the AMEX website to get these benefits. The card, however, does carry $1,200 annual fee but you won’t need to stay at any Starwood hotels to activate the benefits. Which means you can earn the Gold status from your very first stay.
Get instant status with Marriot
The good news is Mariot and Starwood merged. This is a good opportunity for you to link your Starwood Preferred guest membership with Marriot’s Rewards Program. Which means instant Marriot status for you on top of your spanking new SPG card.
