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German travel blog TravelWithMassi posted yesterday about a new Starwood Preferred Guest / Marriott status challenge.

I need to say straight off that I have no idea if this will actually work (I haven’t been able to test it personally and haven’t seen it reported elsewhere), but it’s potentially so good that it’s well worth sharing – and there is a definite backup option that isn’t too bad anyway.

Massi reports that an acquaintance who asked SPG to match their Hilton Gold status was offered SPG Gold if they completed just two stays. Stays can be just one night each (or you can actually get stay credits for two rooms with SPG, so two rooms for 1 night would also work).

To apply, all you have to do is a send an email to [email protected] requesting the challenge. I would also include screenshots of your existing elite status with other hotel loyalty programmes.

SPG Gold benefits are decent, but not amazing: 50% Starpoints bonus, 4pm check-out, upgrade to an ‘enhanced room’ and a choice of welcome gift  – either a drink voucher or some bonus Starpoints (250 at most brands, 125 at Aloft, Element and Four Points).

SPG Gold = Marriott Gold

The real reason you want SPG Gold though is because, since the merger, it also gets you Marriott Rewards Gold – which is probably the best mid-tier status around (and usually requires 50 nights!). The benefits include:

• 4pm checkout
• Lounge access
• Breakfast
• Upgrade

What if this doesn’t work?

Well, obviously there’s no harm in asking!

If the two stay challenge isn’t offered though, you should still get the standard nine stay challenge. I wouldn’t go out of my way to spend nine nights at Starwood hotels just for SPG Gold, but for Marriott Gold it’s worth considering – it’s certainly a lot better than fifty nights!

You can read more about the standard SPG Gold and (18 stay) Platinum status challenges here.

Bottom line

This two stay SPG/ Marriott status challenge is speculative, but certainly worth giving a spin if you think you would benefit from SPG or Marriott status.

I’ve had Marriott Rewards Gold status (via SPG Gold) for a few months now and rate it very highly.