Gold. The word alone evokes thoughts and images of wealth, prosperity, fortune, and luxury. It’s also a common elite tier at just about every major airline or hotel chain. So, when I realized how close I was to achieving Starwood Hotel’s SPG Gold status, I knew I had to “Go for the Gold!” So I did, and within months, had achieved gold status. The best part of SPG Gold status, the hotel chain’s entry level status, is just how attainable Gold status truly is. Unlike American’s AAdvantage program or Delta’s SkyMile’s program, obtaining SPG Gold is very straightforward and can be done for as little as $700. That’s right, elite status is achievable for as little as $700.
After just 10 separate stays, I managed to obtain SPG Gold status. Here’s how I did it.
Simple as 1, 2, 10
There are two ways to meet the minimum requirements to achieve SPG Gold status. You can either book 10 separate reservations (so, essentially, 10 nights) or stay 25 nights. My preferred method will become apparent fairly quick.
As previously mentioned, SPG Gold status can be obtained for as little as $700. How so? In smaller cities or cities that SPG doesn’t market as a resort/luxury market, you can often find Aloft Hotels or Four Points that go for $65 a night, maybe even less. That means that for roughly $70, booked over ten different reservations, you’d reach SPG Gold for either a little under or a little over $700. Or you could stay 25 nights and spend $1750. It’s your choice, a choice that should be fairly obvious.
Tip: Always go for the minimum stay requirement.
You can fast-track your status, even when staying consecutive nights at the same property by booking each night as a separate reservation. This method of achieving an elite tier at SPG Hotels is completely legal. It might look odd if you stay five nights at the same hotel under five different reservations but it’s completely in-line with SPG policy. The two times I’ve done this, the hotel staff actually puts a note in their system marking the reservations as a single stay. Hotels will often allow you to stay in the same room too.
My List of Stays in 2016;
- Aloft Broomfield, CO (3 Nights; Did not book as three different stays as I didn’t recognize the requirements at the time)
- Aloft San Francisco Airport (1 Night)
- Westin Bonaventure (1 Night)
- Aloft Las Colinas (1 Night)
- Aloft Jacksonville (1 Night)
- Sheraton Suites Alexandria (1 Night)
- Westin Alexandria (1 Night)
- Le Meridien Tampa (2 Nights; 2 Reservations)
- Aloft Miami Doral (1 Night)
- =Ten Total Stays=Gold Status
The only drawback to booking almost entirely Aloft properties is, due to the fact that Aloft properties charge very low rates, I never earn more than a few hundred points. However, at the moment, I’m more into just meeting elite requirements.
Why Go For the Gold?
The main reason I urge anyone on the fence about trying to get to SPG Gold is the increased earning rate. Probably the least luxurious of all the benefits–the increased earning rate might not look like much on paper but in the long run, it’s very rewarding. Instead of earning a measly 2 Starpoints for each $1 USD spent at SPG properties, you’ll earn 3 Starpoints–a 50% bonus compared to preferred.
Additional benefits include;
- Complimentary room upgrades (may or may not include standard suites; varies from property to property)
- 4 PM late checkout
- Welcome gift at check-in
- SPG Gold Card–so everyone knows you’re special!
From the upgraded rooms to the 50% bonus earning rate, Starwood Preferred Gold status comes in handy the second you obtain it.
Overall
At Starwood Hotels, SPG Gold is the entry level elite status. Many travelers don’t even care to make it a point to attempt to obtain their airline’s or hotel’s status having the common misconception that elite status is unattainable. In reality entry level tiers, especially at hotels, are quite easy to reach. As long as you manage to book and stay on ten separate reservations, you’ve made it to SPG Gold. That’s ten business trips, ten vacations, or any combination of the two. Regardless, it’s easily obtainable. Unlike at most airlines, SPG Gold status does not require you to spend a certain amount over a calendar year. Simply completing ten reservations will give you SPG Gold. That’s really it. Earning elite status at Starwood Hotels is as easy as 1, 2, 10.
we like the jax,fl aloft and stay there when early traveling We have the plat amex but some of the hotels(westin alex.Va) do not understand that there is a spg relationship with amex and do not upgrade or acknowledge???
Silly question, but did you get your SPG account upgraded to Gold first?
Even then, a SPG Gold upgrade = “enhanced” room (i.e. upper floor, better location, etc) and not necessarily suite or club level. Although on two occasions, I did get a two bedroom upgrade paying a one bedroom at Element in Las Vegas but that was luck as Elements are excluded from the SPG Gold upgrades.
Depending on the hotel, SPG Gold members will often get upgraded to suites. That is, however, only if there aren’t any “enhanced rooms”. The Aloft, Element, and Four Points are three brands that you’d be most likely to get a suite at even if you aren’t SPG Platinum. Brands like the W, Westin, and Sheraton are hotels that you’d most likely just receive an enhanced room. Never hurts to ask for a suite!
-Max
I believe that, once approved for Platinum, you can then link your Amex account to your SPG account over the phone. Once linked, it should display “SPG Gold”. You shouldn’t even have to show your Amex Platinum at check-in, just your SPG Gold card. Glad you liked the JAX Aloft, I did too!
-Max
linked account but this hotel did not recognize it??
Good Post! Not everyone packs in or will qualify for an Amex Plat card so this post is definitely pertinent to large cohort of readers. And the key here is the title ‘HOW I EARNED’ – hope your posts inspire a few more readers to take up travel and explore the world. Cheers.
Thanks Bling! Glad someone else recognized that this post was about EARNING and not buying status! -Max
Let’s hope gold status means something going forward with SPG
Yep, I’ll be the first to admit that the benefits are menial. However, Gold members do earn 50% more points than standard members. That’s something I can get into! -Max
SPG Gold status is really just a “silver” status, and pretty much useless. I can’t imagine anyone getting so excited about obtaining it.
If you had gone through this much trouble, you might as well obtain Platinum status via Platinum status challenge, which only takes 18 nights and you don’t have hotel hop.
Also, according to SPG rules, consecutive nights at the same hotel are considered one stay, no matter how many times you check in or check out. I don’t see how the hotel staff could post each night as a separate stay.
I almost thought this entire post was just a joke..
I’m excited about my status. Sorry, I’m 17 so I’m kind of new to the game. Wish it could have been a joke 🙁
I’ve been doing this game since I was 14 or 15. If you’ve actually earned the status through stays and not just status and you’re not even 18 yet, then great job!.
Or, you could just get the Amex Platinum card, pay $450, and get the status immediately. Thus enjoying the benefits on stay 1 vs. stay 10.
+1, but the poster is a minor and cannot get such cards on his own. However he could become an authorized user/additional card holder on a parent’s Amex Platinum card at the age of 15 and get status this way.
What I wonder, though is how he can check-into a hotel as a minor unless he’s staying with parents and crediting under his account and what kind of card is being used at check-in unless he’s doing cash deposits.
These are good poins. When I read the headline I thought, “Yeah, that’s easy. Just enroll via Amex …”
Okay, I have to pay a whole lot more than just $450, the Amex Platinum sets me back 600 euros a year. But still the process is quite easy to ‘earn’ SGP gold status 😉
Yep, pretty much the purpose of this post. Just meet the stay requirements and forget trying to reach the nights needed. $700 for EARNED status is not bad in my opinion.
-Max
I’ve been staying in hotels since I was 16. Now, 17 (almost 18), I don’t even worry about not being allowed to check-in. I’ll use my US Bank debit card, Amex Gold (authorized user), or Alaska Visa (authorized user). Essentially, I’m checking in like any other guest.
I’ve been bugging my dad to upgrade to the Platinum card, however, he’s pretty much the opposite of me when it comes to cards. He doesn’t see the benefits, he sees an additional $300 a year!
-Max
I had to convince my dad who was also very anti-annual fee to get a Diners Club (yes a Diners Club) card. After a few lounge visits covered by the card and mileage point transfers which triggered awards, he was convinced to keep it.
$450<$700… though good tip on booking single nights to qualify for hotel status in general.
True, true. I’m 17 so I’d have to piggy-back off my parents’ but, my dad says he’s happy with his Gold card (even though we’ve been pre-approved). Still, there are some people who won’t qualify for the card.