A lot of cardholders seem to love the Starwood Preferred Guest program and SPG points because of their flexibility and redemption options make them a top point of earning. And now, some guests actually revealed some other ways to earn Elite status without actually staying a night at Starwood Hotels.

According to Frugal Travel Guy, Elite status within the SPG program that best earns SPG points is composed of two separate basic levels: the Gold and the Platinum. In the Platinum program, there are some advantages provided for anyone who spends 75+ or 100+ nights per year, but the core benefits are offered at either 25 stays or 50 nights per year.

A few credit cards also offer the ability to obtain Gold status with Starwood, and if clients have status with Delta, they would actually get some Gold-like benefits provided that they follow requirements on how  to get elite status with Starwood without having to meet the standard stay or night requirements.

One method is through having the Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express Gold status within the SPG program, which has been a staple benefit of the Platinum Card. To get the elite status, simply call up American Express and provide the SPG member number. They'll either call Starwood directly and have them apply the upgrade for their clients or will confer  in Starwood and confirm the identity and eligibility of the users. A representative from Starwood will instantly apply the upgrade and the client can now check the SPG Member Benefits from Starwood Hotels.

Another way is via Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express and Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express. Cardholders  will just have to spend $30,000 on either one within a calendar year to be upgraded to SPG Gold status. For most credit cards, a lot of users would not suggest the idea of spending $30,000 on a card that earns a client only a first-tier elite status level, but the SPG cards are different. Regardless of the status one earns, 30,000 SPG points are valuable.

You can also gain the Elite status through Delta/Starwood Crossover Rewards Program. Cardholders of Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion could register via Delta official website for the Crossover Rewards program and effectively get the Gold elite status. Late checkout, free Internet access and room upgrades based on availability, are the benefits of just linking your profile on the card. Users won't have to pay anything for these advantages. But while clients won't get the 100% bonus points that the Gold SPG members get, the perks are almost on the same level.

While there are a few options to get SPG status without having to meet the night or stay requirements for status, cardholders suggest that one must first start registering on cards offering these great deals. And while none of them will get you top-tier status, Gold with SPG seems to be not that bad for cardholders after all.