SPG Suite Nights

[ValleyGirl]

Just saw this in our SPG account. "10 Suite night awards" We are SPG Platinum fro life via 5* Elite but did not stay 50 nights during 2012. Yet there are 10 Suite night awards good from 1/1/13 through 12/31/2014.
I dont want to ask SPG for fear of an "Oops - we'll fix that and remove them!":ignore:

Has anyone else seen this in their account?

 

[pathways25]

Just saw this in our SPG account. "10 Suite night awards" We are SPG Platinum fro life via 5* Elite but did not stay 50 nights during 2012. Yet there are 10 Suite night awards good from 1/1/13 through 12/31/2014.
I dont want to ask SPG for fear of an "Oops - we'll fix that and remove them!":ignore:

Has anyone else seen this in their account?

I just remarked about this in another thread a couple of days ago. I also have SPG Platinum from SVN and no 2012 hotel stays, but we got the 10 Suite Night awards and my account also shows a checkmark by the SPG 75 level with the Your24 perk.

I'm also afraid to ask, lest they take it all away...

 

[jerseygirl]

Which begs the question, why is this being discussed on a website we know Starwood reads?

Personally, I think the 5-Star elites got ripped off when this uber platinum level was announced. Maybe Starwood is doing the right thing and automatically bumping all 5-Stars to the new level? One can only hope ...

 

[ValleyGirl]

Which begs the question, why is this being discussed on a website we know Starwood reads?

Good Pt

While in London & Paris in December (on SPs) we received room upgrades and full complimentary breakfast for 2.

The shorter your stay the more likely there will be a Jr suite or better available.

We could have moved mid stay to a better room, but declined.

 

[jarta]

Personally, I think the 5-Star elites got ripped off when this uber platinum level was announced. Maybe Starwood is doing the right thing and automatically bumping all 5-Stars to the new level? One can only hope ...

Those who are, know; those who aren't, just guess.

I am 5 Star and also have 10 Suite Award nights now listed in my SPG Plat. account. I had only 2 stays in 2012, both upgraded from an ordinary room reserved with Starpoints (2-br suite at W LA - Westwood for 2 nights; largest room on the Club Floor at Omaha Sheraton for 3 nights).

Do you have any actual information about rip-offs of 5 Star Elites during 2012? From the posts here from actual 5 Star Elites, obviously they feel they did not get ripped off at all, even without the Suite Award nights. They received the upgrades and free breakfasts as Plat. SPG guests.

W - Santiago, Chile and Sheraton, Iguassu Falls coming up in Feb.-Mar. of 2013.

BTW, I don't think Starwood cares enough about what is posted here to monitor this forum, although Starwood employees might visit here for yuks and entertainment every now and then. (See, I can guess, too; but I have some actual information to back up my conclusion.) Salty

 

[DeniseM]

BTW, I don't think Starwood cares enough about what is posted here to monitor this forum, although Starwood employees might visit here for yuks and entertainment every now and then. (See, I can guess, too; but I have some actual information to back up my conclusion.) Salty

This is 100% wrong - Starwood monitors this site on a daily basis (remember - I can see IP addresses) and they sometimes even call me directly, to ask questions about issues that they want to look into.

 

[jarta]

This is 100% wrong - Starwood monitors this site on a daily basis (remember - I can see IP addresses) and they sometimes even call me directly, to ask questions about issues that they want to look into.

Sounds like your earlier claim about me knowing nothing about renting timeshares. Ooops! Silly me! I should know better than to correct a misconception about 5 Stars getting ripped off by other Plat. SPGs swooping up all the upgradeable rooms.

I said visiting TUG happens. Keep checking those IP addresses in your search for Starwood lurkers! lol! When it happens, it is not monitoring. It is for the purpose of entertainment about what the latest Starwood misinformation or flap or uninformed rumor on TUG might be.

Ever wonder why Starwood has an official employee that monitors and gladly answers Starwood questions on FlyerTalk, but snubs TUG? What company wants to assign a monitor to explain official policy and the correct answer when the TUG Starwood forum Moderator can consistently and relentlessly give an anti-Starwood answer?

Starwood (sometimes) calls you back directly when you call it (or email it) directly and ask it to have someone look into your issues and get back to you. It's part of Starwood's well-developed customer service. Moderators on TUG are not the only ones to benefit from such a direct response. I've received calls back, too, when I've raised issues Starwood considers important. Salty

 

[DeniseM]

jarta - I only respond to your posts, to correct the misinformation that you continue to post on TUG. I have no intention of discussing this, or anything else with you - it's pointless. But feel free to continue to argue with yourself.

 

[oneohana]

Those who are, know; those who aren't, just guess.

I am 5 Star and also have 10 Suite Award nights now listed in my SPG Plat. account. I had only 2 stays in 2012, both upgraded from an ordinary room reserved with Starpoints (2-br suite at W LA - Westwood for 2 nights; largest room on the Club Floor at Omaha Sheraton for 3 nights).

Do you have any actual information about rip-offs of 5 Star Elites during 2012? From the posts here from actual 5 Star Elites, obviously they feel they did not get ripped off at all, even without the Suite Award nights. They received the upgrades and free breakfasts as Plat. SPG guests. Salty

Jarta,

We only have 2 stays in 2012 also. SPG shows the 10 SAN. And I can't remember the last time we didn't get upgraded to a suite. Not that we stay at the hotels that much.

I called the Platinum Concierge and she looked up my account. I told her that we are platinum through the timeshares. It showed 75 nights on her side, so it appears that we do in fact get the 10 SAN. I don't have any reservations pending so I couldn't check.

 

[TDS]

Just saw this in our SPG account. "10 Suite night awards" We are SPG Platinum fro life via 5* Elite but did not stay 50 nights during 2012. Yet there are 10 Suite night awards good from 1/1/13 through 12/31/2014.
I dont want to ask SPG for fear of an "Oops - we'll fix that and remove them!":ignore:

Has anyone else seen this in their account?

Did your stay total reach this level if you counted SVN stays? Is there a chance that these nights are being counted for the Suite Nights Awards? I'm SPG Platinum via SVN and I don't see awards in my account, but I didn't hit 50 nights even counting my SVN stays because most of my weeks were either traded in II or rented.

 

[Ken555]

Did your stay total reach this level if you counted SVN stays? Is there a chance that these nights are being counted for the Suite Nights Awards? I'm SPG Platinum via SVN and I don't see awards in my account, but I didn't hit 50 nights even counting my SVN stays because most of my weeks were either traded in II or rented.

SVN nights do not count toward SPG Platinum.

 

[Ken555]

Just saw this in our SPG account. "10 Suite night awards" We are SPG Platinum fro life via 5* Elite but did not stay 50 nights during 2012. Yet there are 10 Suite night awards good from 1/1/13 through 12/31/2014.
I dont want to ask SPG for fear of an "Oops - we'll fix that and remove them!":ignore:

Has anyone else seen this in their account?

FWIW, my suite nights (earned via SPG stays in 2012) expire 12/31/2013, so it seems you qualified for something else. I'm also curious how this happened, and wish SPG/SVN would have clearly defined rules and policies on this matter, since this shouldn't be happening per their published policies.

 

[jerseygirl]

Originally Posted by jarta
Those who are, know; those who aren't, just guess.

I am 5 Star and also have 10 Suite Award nights now listed in my SPG Plat. account. I had only 2 stays in 2012, both upgraded from an ordinary room reserved with Starpoints (2-br suite at W LA - Westwood for 2 nights; largest room on the Club Floor at Omaha Sheraton for 3 nights).

Do you have any actual information about rip-offs of 5 Star Elites during 2012? From the posts here from actual 5 Star Elites, obviously they feel they did not get ripped off at all, even without the Suite Award nights. They received the upgrades and free breakfasts as Plat. SPG guests. Salty

*********************************
I hate when people quote you as it makes it impossible to avoid those posts ...

I can only assume this was directed at me ... and you can spin it any way you want, but Starwood created a platinum plus and left the SVN 5-Stars out. If the recent activity means they've now decided to include the 5-Star elites, I would be thrilled (not for you, of course, but for the other, sane and rational, 5-Stars here on TUG).

 

[pointsjunkie]

after 50 stays you qualify for the 10 suite awards, are you saying that they upped the 5* to 75 night category? that has extra benefits that i will have to look up. i am not knowledgeable on that level because i knew i would never have that many nights in a hotel, but i am certainly going to check out what all the other benefits are.

 

[YYJMSP]

Maybe Starwood is doing the right thing and automatically bumping all 5-Stars to the new level? One can only hope ...

Well, I'm one of those 5-Star's, and I didn't get an extra 10 SNA's in my account. I only got the 10 that I expected based on my 2012 stays (more than 50).

The OP in the other thread mentioned that they also saw a checkmark beside the SPG 75 Nights Benefit section under My Benefits. I definitely don't see that, which is as expected based on my 2012 stays (less than 75).

I think SPG's IT bunnies messed somethign up again...

 

[YYJMSP]

FWIW, my suite nights (earned via SPG stays in 2012) expire 12/31/2013, so it seems you qualified for something else. I'm also curious how this happened, and wish SPG/SVN would have clearly defined rules and policies on this matter, since this shouldn't be happening per their published policies.

I think that I'm in the same boat -- 2012 ended with more than 50 nights, and got 10 SNA's that expire Dec 31, 2013 posted to my account right after the 50th night was posted...

I don't understand what promotion would have bumped some people to Plat50 and some to Plat75 with essentially no stays

I don't see anything on FlyerTalk that corresponds to this "issue", so I'm curious how widespread this is amongst the 5-Star Elites?

 

[jarta]

Originally Posted by jarta
Those who are, know; those who aren't, just guess.

I am 5 Star and also have 10 Suite Award nights now listed in my SPG Plat. account. I had only 2 stays in 2012, both upgraded from an ordinary room reserved with Starpoints (2-br suite at W LA - Westwood for 2 nights; largest room on the Club Floor at Omaha Sheraton for 3 nights).

Do you have any actual information about rip-offs of 5 Star Elites during 2012? From the posts here from actual 5 Star Elites, obviously they feel they did not get ripped off at all, even without the Suite Award nights. They received the upgrades and free breakfasts as Plat. SPG guests. Salty

*********************************
I hate when people quote you as it makes it impossible to avoid those posts ...

I can only assume this was directed at me ... and you can spin it any way you want, but Starwood created a platinum plus and left the SVN 5-Stars out. If the recent activity means they've now decided to include the 5-Star elites, I would be thrilled (not for you, of course, but for the other, sane and rational, 5-Stars here on TUG).

Sorry, that "Ignore" did not work for you because a poster decided to quote me.

BTW, there is no platinum plus level of SPG Elite. All SPG Plats. are SPG Plats. The term, platinum plus, is something you dreamed up to argue that SPG Plats. who achieve that degree of SPG Elite by being 5 Stars were getting screwed by Starwood.

The argument was that by awarding Suite Award Nights, all the suites would be gobbled up by CEO hotel stay SPG Plats. (the platinum plus class) and mere timeshare SPG Plats. wouldn't get upgraded to suites any more (like in 2013 and subsequent years). Not so. I call that anti-Starwood wishful thinking and misinformation on TUG that, even now, persists. Salty

 

[Sea Six]

jarta - I only respond to your posts, to correct the misinformation that you continue to post on TUG. I have no intention of discussing this, or anything else with you - it's pointless. But feel free to continue to argue with yourself.

Just when I thought the wave meant a ticket to banned camp.

 

[YYJMSP]

BTW, there is no platinum plus level of SPG Elite. All SPG Plats. are SPG Plats. The term, platinum plus, is something you dreamed up to argue that SPG Plats. who achieve that degree of SPG Elite by being 5 Stars were getting screwed by Starwood.

The argument was that by awarding Suite Award Nights, all the suites would be gobbled up by CEO hotel stay SPG Plats. (the platinum plus class) and mere timeshare SPG Plats. wouldn't get upgraded to suites any more (like in 2013 and subsequent years). Not so. I call that anti-Starwood wishful thinking and misinformation on TUG that, even now, persists. Salty

My personal experience last year, when I didn't qualify for Platinum on my hotel stays and only got it through Five-Star Elite status, was only two properties in North America upgraded us to a suite during the entire year. Previously, we got upgrades the vast majority of the time.

We were routinely informed that all of the available suites had already been given as upgrades, etc., or that they did not give upgrades to full suites any more.

To me, this was an indication that we were lower on the upgrade totem pole than before...

 

[Henry M.]

I think I only stayed at a US Starwood property twice last year and got upgraded to a suite both times. Both stays were with cash and points and only for one nigh each, if I remember correctly. I was only passing through, so the main benefit was really the use of the club lounge, rather than the large room.

I also got upgraded in London and Paris for longer stays with my family, also with C&P, and those were really nice. I get upgraded in Frankfurt several times a year, but there I choose to stay in a Tower Room, rather than trek to the other wing where most of the suites are. I'm usually just staying one night on my way back to the US and easy lounge access is much more important to me than a big room to sleep in by myself. I've gotten the suite in the Towers building too, but it would be totally wasted on me so I don't take it even when offered. The actual bedroom is not any different than the other Tower rooms. I have no need for a board-room sized table in a dining room.

I haven't seen much change in my upgrade rate since the Suite Night awards were introduced.

I only qualify for Platinum through SVN. I just checked and also have the 10 Suite Night awards, along with 4 stay credits and 10 night credits (I haven't stayed at any Starwood property yet this year). I had the option for a Your24 stay for an upcoming reservation, so I guess I must have the SPG75 benefits. I should call and see if I have my own Ambassador, an SPG100 benefit.

Starwood has treated me very well over the years. I've paid dearly for it, but something has come back to me.

 

[Cornhusker]

My personal experience last year, when I didn't qualify for Platinum on my hotel stays and only got it through Five-Star Elite status, was only two properties in North America upgraded us to a suite during the entire year. Previously, we got upgrades the vast majority of the time.

We were routinely informed that all of the available suites had already been given as upgrades, etc., or that they did not give upgrades to full suites any more.

To me, this was an indication that we were lower on the upgrade totem pole than before...

I am SPG plat from business travel rather than SVN. I have noticed fewer upgrades in recent years and they really have clamped down on Gold upgrades IMO. As for suite upgrades they are more common on short stays during the work week. Suites are of little use to me while working and I would much rather have an executive deluxe which is available at a lot of properties. The bigger work area is more important to me when on business travel. I use the suite awards when on weekend trips with my wife usually using points. These must be used at the time of booking and not at check-in.

When working I would much rather have the club lounge access and the free internet which is automatic to plats rather than a suite upgrade. I think most business travellers would agree. I highly doubt SVN plats are given any different status than SPG plats. IMO longer stays and weekends will have fewer suite upgrades available. I have talked to many desk agents and am constantly amazed at the number of plats they have in their properties on any given day. Personally I never expect a room upgrade, never ask for one and try to be appreciative when one is received by offering a platinum "thank you" card or by mentioning the agent by name in a property review. Also, I suggest booking through the platinum concierge number found on the SPG site. They have been great for me in the past if I had a specific request and did not want to leave an upgrade to chance.

 

[Mauiwmn]

We also have the 10 suite nights and 24 hr check in benefit on our SVN platinum account. We only had 6 stays & 15 nights last year above the yearly credits they automatically add to the account. So we did not qualify for the additional benefits based on the SPG criteria. We are happy to have these benefits though!

It appears from previous posts that the SVN platinums that also qualified for the SPG platinum of 50 nights/25 stays did not receive these added benefits. Maybe the system can't recognize both or one cancels out the other in the system?

We have been hit or miss with US platinum upgrades. We haven't travelled internationally yet as platinum. Better chance during the week, non resorts, shorter stay and non peak seasons for us.

For 2012: No suite upgrades at Westin Swan-Disney in July or at St Regis Bal Harbor end of December. We did receive deluxe views. Both properties were sold out. We were upgraded to a parlor suite at Westin Kierland resort for our one night stay in March and suite at Westin-Liberty Boston for 2 nights in April.

In previous years, we have received suite upgrades at Westin Mission Hills, Sheraton San Diego and St Regis Princeville during shoulder seasons that come to mind.

I hope this is a permanant benefit for SVN plat and not a programming mistake.

-Kathleen

 

[pointsjunkie]

Well, I'm one of those 5-Star's, and I didn't get an extra 10 SNA's in my account. I only got the 10 that I expected based on my 2012 stays (more than 50).

The OP in the other thread mentioned that they also saw a checkmark beside the SPG 75 Nights Benefit section under My Benefits. I definitely don't see that, which is as expected based on my 2012 stays (less than 75).

I think SPG's IT bunnies messed somethign up again...

If you made plat 50 from staying in hotels and you are also plat from svo5* switch the svo5* to your partner's account so you will both be platinum and then you should see the spg75.

 

[TDS]

It seems that everyone who has posted to this thread who is SPG Platinum via 5* Elite/SVN reports having 10 Suite Night awards in their account. Where is this information found? I'm SPG Platinum via SVN and had ~20 nights in SPG hotels this year. I've looked under "My Account," "My Benefits" and "My Earned Awards" and I don't see any Suite Night Awards. It seems that the award has not been granted to all SVN Platinums who are shy of the 50 night threshold.

 

[sjuhawk_jd]

...When it happens, it is not monitoring. It is for the purpose of entertainment about what the latest Starwood misinformation or flap or uninformed rumor on TUG might be...

And you know this for fact since after getting entertained here, starwood reps generally hangs out with you over drinks etc. :rofl: