Guides

Hotel elite status, explained

• What is a mattress run? Costs, risks & alternativesA mattress run is a hotel stay booked only to earn elite nights or status. Here is what it costs, how hotel programs treat it, and the faster alternatives.Updated 2026-10-08
• Marriott Platinum challenge: how it works (2026)How the Marriott Bonvoy Platinum challenge works: get Platinum Elite now, complete 8 paid nights, and keep it through February 2028. Costs and options compared.Updated 2026-10-08
• Instant status vs. status challenge: which to buy?Instant status puts a hotel tier on your account with no stays; a status challenge is cheaper but requires paid nights. Compare costs and pick the right one.Updated 2026-10-08