How To Status Match Hilton To Sonesta Travel Pass Elite

If you’re a Hilton Honors Gold or Diamond member, you can status match to Sonesta Travel Pass Elite, their highest membership tier. In this guide, I’ll show you how to complete the status match, I’ll break down the benefits of Sonesta Elite, explain point redemptions and answer your FAQs.

Related: How To Match Hilton To…Radisson Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, National Executive Elite, Choice Platinum, Jurys Inn Floor 3, I Prefer Elite and HotMiles Gold

How To Match Hilton Gold or Diamond To Sonesta Elite

First, sign up for a free Sonesta Travel Pass account if you aren’t already a member. You’ll be granted ‘Member’ status, their base membership level. Next, login to your Sonesta Travel Pass account and take note of your membership number. You can find it in your account dashboard.

Next, head to your Hilton Honors account page and take a screenshot of your Hilton Gold or Diamond status. You’ll need this as evidence of your current Hilton status.

Now that you’ve got your evidence of your Hilton Status and your Sonesta membership number, that’s all you need to complete the status match. Email travelpass@sonesta.com using the following email template:

Subject: Status Match

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to request a status match from my Hilton Honors [Gold/Diamond] Status to Sonesta Travel Pass Elite. I’ve included all of the information you would need below, along with proof of my Hilton status.

Full Name: [Insert Full Name Here]

Sonesta Travel Pass Membership Number: [Insert Number From Your Sonesta Account]

[Screenshot of Your Hilton Gold or Diamond Status From Your Hilton Honors Account Page]

Kind Regards,

[Insert Name Here]

I received a response within 36 hours but everyone’s experience will likely differ based on the time and day you send the status match request.

Once Sonesta confirm your status match from Hilton Gold or Diamond to Sonesta Elite, you can check it’s official by viewing the dashboard of your Sonesta Travel Pass account.

The Benefits of Sonesta Travel Pass Elite

Sonesta Travel Pass has 3 status levels. Usually, you have to stay a certain number of nights per calendar year to qualify for the upper tiers. The levels are: Member (0-5 Nights/Year), Preferred (6-11 Nights/Year) and Elite (12+ Nights/Year).

In this case, the nights don’t matter since you’re using your Hilton Gold or Diamond membership to grant you free Sonesta Elite status, their top tier. Here are all of the benefits you’ll receive as an Elite member:

  • Free Breakfast Club Lounge Access - Royal Sonesta & Sonesta Hotels Only (Elite Only)

  • 50% Off Suite Upgrades (Elite Only)

  • Welcome Amenity (Elite Only)

  • 15% Off Dining & Resort Amenities (Elite Only)

  • $15 Sip ‘n Snack Credit (Elite Only)

  • Free Non-Alcoholic Drink (Elite Only)

  • Free Room Upgrade (Elite & Preferred)

  • Priority Self Parking (Elite Only)

  • Early Check In (Preferred & Elite)

  • Late Check Out (Preferred & Elite)

  • Guaranteed Room Type (Preferred & Elite)

  • Priority Reservations Line (Preferred & Elite)

  • Express Check-In/Check-Out (All Tiers)

  • 5% Off Bookings (All Tiers)

  • Free Upgraded WiFi (All Tiers)

  • Earn Reward Points (All Tiers)

What Can You Do With Sonesta Points?

You usually earn 10 Sonesta Points/$1 USD spent. If you spend in a different currency, you’ll earn points based on the USD equivalent and if you book a stay at Sonesta Simply Suites, you’ll earn 5 Points/$1 spent.

Points can only be used to book Reward Stays but unlike other Hotel loyalty programmes, like Hilton Honors, you can’t make the booking yourself. You complete a points redemption form on Sonesta’s website selecting your chosen hotel, number of nights and desired check in date. There are no blackout dates.

Each hotel has a fixed point cost per night which ranges from 10,000 points/night (Tier 1 Hotels) to 50,000 points/night (Tier 11 Hotels). Here’s a breakdown of the Hotel Tiers, including the brands of hotels they include:

  • Tier 1-2 (10,000-12,5000 Points) - Sonesta Suites

  • Tier 3-6 (15,000-22,500 Points) - Sonesta Select, Hotels and Suites

  • Tier 7-8 (25,000-27,500 Points) - Royal Sonesta, Select, Hotels and Suites

  • Tier 9 (30,000 Points) - Royal Sonesta

  • Tier 10 (40,000 Points) - Sonesta Resort St Maarten & Royal Sonesta Lihue

  • Tier 11 (50,000 Points) - Sonesta Ocean Point Resort St Maarten

Find specific hotels, their tier and point cost on the full list here.

FAQs

When Will The Sonesta Elite Status Expire?

Whether you earn Sonesta status or you’re matched from Hilton, you’ll retain Elite membership until the end of the next calendar year (eg. Match on January 1st 2022 - Elite membership ends on 31st December 2023).

As long as you remain a Hilton Gold or Diamond member, you can continue to match to Sonesta Elite.

Do Sonesta Travel Pass Points Expire?

Yes, Sonesta points will expire if you’ve neither earned nor redeemed points in the last 24 months.

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