Whether you practically live in hotels or stay in one only a couple of times a year, having elite status in a hotel loyalty program can increase the value you get out of your stays and add to your comfort. It’s often the key to benefits like upgraded rooms, complimentary breakfast and additional points earned on stays. And a status match can be a great way to access these perks.

If you’re thinking about trying to get Hilton elite status, a status match is one way to do it. Here's how Hilton status match works, what benefits you receive and what other ways exist to reach Gold or Diamond status.

1. How Hilton status match works

Hilton’s status match is both a status match and a status challenge. Upon approval, you will receive Hilton Gold status for 90 days, but if you meet stay requirements within your 90-day trial period, you can keep your status until March 31, 2024.

To apply for a status match, go to Hilton’s status match page and submit evidence of your status with a competing program. You will also need to provide proof of a recent hotel stay credited to that program.

2. Most hotel loyalty programs are eligible

If you currently hold hotel elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, IHG Rewards Club, World of Hyatt, Best Western Rewards or Choice Privileges, you are eligible to apply for a status match.

You must be able to upload proof of your status with an eligible competing program as well as evidence of a recent stay, which Hilton defines as within the past 24 months. Proof of status can include a screenshot of your current membership level and a screenshot of your account summary page from the website of the loyalty program.

The status match website also allows you to select “Other” when choosing your elite status membership, so you may be able to use your status from another hotel chain not mentioned above.

3. You can only status match once — period

Currently, Hilton status matches are granted only once per lifetime. Additionally, eligible applicants must hold either base or Silver status with Hilton — those who are already Gold or Diamond elites aren't eligible to request a match.

4. Status matches aren't instant

Hilton estimates that it can take seven to 12 business days to review your status match application and process your request. In cases where Hilton requires additional verification, a decision might take an additional seven to 12 business days.

5. You can use your benefits immediately upon approval

Once your status match is granted, you will be upgraded to Gold status with Hilton Honors for 90 days. Gold status grants you the following benefits beyond what is available to base Hilton Honors members:

80% point-earning bonus on stays.

Space-available room upgrades, up to executive floor rooms.

Daily food and beverage credit (U.S. hotels) or continental breakfast (non-U.S. hotels).

Free bottled water.

Elite rollover nights.

Fifth night free.

If you stay at least 12 nights within your trial period, Hilton will upgrade you to Diamond elite status, which includes the following benefits:

100% point-earning bonus on stays.

Space-available room upgrades, including one-bedroom suites.

Executive lounge access.

Diamond status extension.

Premium WiFi.

48-hour room guarantee.

Elite status gifting.

6. You can extend your status match

To extend your Gold status past the trial period, you must stay at least seven nights at Hilton properties during the 90 days following your status match approval. Once you’ve done so, you’ll hold Gold status through March 31, 2024.

To reach Diamond status, you need to stay 12 nights during your 90-day trial period, following which you’ll keep your Diamond status through March 31, 2024.

7. Not all stays qualify

Your 90-day trial period starts once you are approved for a status match. Any stays used toward the status challenge must occur within this period. Hilton will not credit any stays that occurred before your approval date, so make sure you submit your request well in advance of any upcoming trips.

Additionally, only paid stays count toward your status challenge. Hilton doesn’t count reward stays toward the seven nights needed to retain Gold status or the 12 nights needed to earn Diamond.

Other ways to get Gold or Diamond status

If you aren't ready to do a Hilton status challenge or want to save the once-per-lifetime opportunity for another time, there are other ways you can earn Gold or Diamond elite status.

Earn status through Hilton stays

The most obvious way to earn Hilton status is by staying at hotels within Hilton’s family of brands. You won’t get the same immediate upgrade you’d get with a match, but you’ll be able to save your one-time status match for later.

Here’s what you need to do for each status tier:

Silver status: Complete 7 nights, 3 stays or earn 17,500 base points.

Gold status: Complete 28 nights, 14 stays or earn 52,500 base points.

Diamond status: Complete 42 nights, 21 stays or earn 84,000 base points.

Receive status from a Hilton Honors credit card

Hilton offers several co-branded credit cards in partnership with American Express, and holding one of these cards can be your ticket to elite status without a status match. Even Hilton’s no-annual-fee card offers cardmembers a path to earn Gold status.

Here are the details on the status tiers available with each card:

Terms apply.

Receive status from an AmEx Platinum-branded card

If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you have an additional avenue to getting status with Hilton. Complimentary Gold status is a benefit of both cards. To receive Gold status as a Platinum card holder, simply request the benefit from the American Express website. Terms apply.

If you’re interested in a Hilton status match

Like many other hotels, Hilton offers a status match to those wanting to obtain elite status. This can be useful if you have elite status with another hotel chain but are planning a trip and specifically want to stay at a Hilton hotel. A Hilton status match can also be a faster way for you to reach Diamond status.

Keep in mind, though, that you can request a Hilton status match only once, so if you prefer to keep the possibility open for the future, you can achieve elite status through other means, like staying at Hilton properties or holding a co-branded Hilton Honors credit card.

Photo courtesy of Hilton.

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.