Members of other loyalty programs who want Starwood Preferred Guest to match their elite status with SPG Platinum will now have to follow slightly different rules in order to satisfy the status match requirements. Previously, Starwood would offer Platinum status to eligible members who stayed 15 paid nights within any 90 day period. Now, aspiring Platinums will need to complete 18 paid nights within three months, effective on the first day of the month in which they enrolled in the Stay Challenge. Award stays and cash and points stays will not count towards the 15 paid nights. To request a Platinum Challenge, contact [email protected].

Bottom line: Before April of this year, SPG members did not have to take part in a challenge to have their membership tier matched–simply showing proof of status in another program was enough. Now, the challenge rules have become more strict.