Is one year of SPG Platinum Status worth $1184.69?

[pointsjunkie]

Hi Gang,

Armed with my shinny new Platinum SPG status, we just finished a one night stay at the Seattle–Westin. Sure Seattle is only a 3 hour drive from Portland, and I could have driven up and returned for my 1 PM meeting in a day. But, with the weather being so screwy lately, I thought it best to get there the day before . . . . plus I really wanted to check out the SPG Platinum benefits I’ve heard so much about.

So this is what we got for being SPG Platinum members: Brace yourself . . . . We got complementary 1 PM Check-Out.

No upgrade to a nicer room, no free welcome gift, no concierge floor with free food, blah, blah, blah, and not even 4 PM late check-out or a free bottle of water (which are SPG gold benefits no less). The room itself was fine. No complaints, but nothing special either.

Upon further inquiry about this whole SPG platinum thing, the check-in clerk reluctantly agreed to give us the courtesy 1 PM check-out, but only if we would first watch her roll her eyes while acting annoyed at us for asking. Deal.

I know, I know, some of you may suggest that we could have gotten all “Norma Rae,” but it was just an overnight, and I was really just trying to learn the SPG Platinum ropes. Hey all you SPG Platinums for life, is it typical to have to do battle with the Starwood hotel staff to obtain platinum benefits? If not, what’s the secret to actually getting them?

On the plus side, if you ever wondered what it would feel like to live in a slice of pie, the Seattle, Westin, with its twin circular towers, is the place to stay to find out. The first thing you learn is that the bathroom in a slice of pie is really small, but I digress . . ...

We’re 0 for 1 with SPG Platinum.

-nodge

once they didn't give you any upgrades, didn't you ask for it? call starwood and make sure you get the 500 starpoints in your account, that is not an option.if you don't get,ask.

did they have a club floor, and was it open? they HAVE to give you that. are you sure the platinum level was in the starwood system yet? did they say welcome, we see you are at the platinum level?

 

[LisaRex]

So this is what we got for being SPG Platinum members: Brace yourself . . . . We got complementary 1 PM Check-Out.

Wow!!! If that isn't worth $1100, I don't know what is.

Acc. to FlyerTalkers, the best SPG rewards are found overseas where it's not unusual to get comped to a suite, etc. Domestically the awards are hit and miss.

And, yes, there are definitely people who report that unless they are asked, they don't receive their (welcome gift/upgrade, etc).

A big problem with reward programs, IMO, is the false expectations that they set up. Instead of customers being delighted with upgrades, etc., they come to expect them and are disappointed and angry when they don't get them.

 

[nodge]

once they didn't give you any upgrades, didn't you ask for it? [...] did they have a club floor, and was it open? they HAVE to give you that. are you sure the platinum level was in the starwood system yet? did they say welcome, we see you are at the platinum level?

I think they were running a contest among the check-in clerks to see who could say the least number of words to a guest on check-in. If the clerk would have said "[w]elcome, we see you are at the platinum level," she would have doubled her word total on the transaction and lost the contest.

On check-in, we asked if they had my SPG number on file, and if it was showing as platinum status yet. "Yes"

Upon being presented with the key, the clerk mumbled a few words about the room being considered an upgrade because it was on a high floor. Then we negotiated the 1 PM check-out. Apparently, “upgraded” rooms don’t qualify for the guaranteed 4 PM check out SPG gold deal.

I'm not sure if the Seattle Westin has a club floor. The option to stay on it didn't appear when I initially booked the room, so I suspect that it doesn't. There is definitely a club floor at the Sheraton down the street, but we picked the Westin because it still has self-parking (notice how I didn’t say that the Westin has affordable self-parking - Ouch), whereas the Sheraton dumped its self-parking when it recently added its new tower.

We could have stayed anywhere in Seattle, but chose to stay at the Westin because of the SPG Platinum benefits. Now, I think we'll stay where we want, and if it happens to be a Starwood property, so be it. I'm certainly not going to seek out Starwood properties on future trips just for an off chance of receiving these benefits, except maybe in Europe.

I'm not angry or upset, and I'm certainly not going to start demanding free stuff like a $2 bottle of water at a hotel. I'm just reporting my $1100 data point to the team.

-nodge

 

[califgal]

I wonder if what you experienced is typical treatment of plats at that property? Like Lisa said you can check it out on flyertalk. I know upgrades greatly vary between properties. The clerks attitude alone was unacceptable with the eye rolling and all, no one should be treated that way.

 

[stevens397]

Upgrades might be better and more reliable in Europe, but don't give up yet!!! You finally reached Platinum status. Trust me - try a few more places before deciding anything. You might have gotten a lousy hotel. You might have simply gotten a lousy desk agent at a good hotel. Let's see what happens - and get back to us, hopefully with good news.

 

[LisaRex]

They have a thread devoted to upgrades on Flyertalk. It dates back to '00, I think. Here's page 28, which takes us to '06.


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174474&page=28

 

[arlene22]

Were you staying on points or on cash? I think some properties are stingy with the elite bennies if you are staying on points. Not that eye-rolling is ever okay!

 

[pointsjunkie]

I wonder if what you experienced is typical treatment of plats at that property? Like Lisa said you can check it out on flyertalk. I know upgrades greatly vary between properties. The clerks attitude alone was unacceptable with the eye rolling and all, no one should be treated that way.

i was there when i was gold and i got a 2 room suite upgrade,it was huge.

 

[nodge]

i was there when i was gold and i got a 2 room suite upgrade,it was huge.

Oh sure 2 Bedroom suites are nice and all, but was it on a high floor, and did they give you 1 PM late check-out? I understand that's what all the extra-special cool Plats are getting.

We booked our room with "points and cash," so I bet that was a factor in our less than impressive SPG Plat benefits package.

-nodge

 

[Ken555]

A big problem with reward programs, IMO, is the false expectations that they set up. Instead of customers being delighted with upgrades, etc., they come to expect them and are disappointed and angry when they don't get them.

Exactly! Give me my parking lot view any day of the week! I'm happy with running water and a clean room. (And if you just happen to have the obstructed ocean view instead...)

 

[LisaRex]

Exactly! Give me my parking lot view any day of the week! I'm happy with running water and a clean room. (And if you just happen to have the obstructed ocean view instead...)

Ocean view? Pflltt. I'm amazed at the anger expressed over missing bottled water. "Platinum here. Checked in and NO BOTTLED WATER." Thank goodness Peanut M&M aren't part of the Platinum package. I swear, there'd be bloodshed.

 

[pointsjunkie]

Oh sure 2 Bedroom suites are nice and all, but was it on a high floor, and did they give you 1 PM late check-out? I understand that's what all the extra-special cool Plats are getting.

We booked our room with "points and cash," so I bet that was a factor in our less than impressive SPG Plat benefits package.

-nodge

you are so funny, when i was reading your posts i was LOL ,my husband kept saying what's so funny. LOL

hate to tell you but that upgrade i had was a high floor and used with points.i guess they think gold has higher status than platinum!!!

i am going to westin diplomat in a few weeks, i'll keep you posted with the upgrade i get ot don't get.

 

[Henry M.]

The front desk agent is probably a TUG lurker and wanted to see another one of nodge's hilarious posts so she decided to needle him. :rofl:

I've had good luck with upgrades perhaps 2/3 or 3/4 of the time. They don't always happen and sometimes you do have to nudge the agent into looking a little harder for the suites, but it is usually a painless process. In the past couple of years I've had suite upgrades at Walt Disney World Dolphin, Sheraton Maui, Sheraton Frankfurt, Le Meridien Munich, Sheraton (now Westin) Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Bogenhausen (Munich), Sheraton (now Westin) Grand Munich, Westin Paris and others.

 

[Pedro]

Platinum is certainly worth the expense. My younguest daugther and I just checked this morning at the Sheraton Towers at the Frankfurt airport. They allowed us to check in at 7:00 am (great to take a short snooze):zzz: , we got a room in the tower floor (includes free full breakfast, open bar, evening heavy snacks, and welcome present). That breakfast is normally 34 euros per person and you get it for free being platinum. We are using starpoints at 10,000 points per night, and I would say it is well worth!

 

[DeniseM]

We are using starpoints at 10,000 points per night, and I would say it is well worth!

That is a great deal. Amazing how much better the Starpoint deals are in Europe than in the US!

Are you on vacation? How old is your daughter?

 

[Pedro]

That is a great deal. Amazing how much better the Starpoint deals are in Europe than in the US!

Are you on vacation? How old is your daughter?

We are on a very short vacation - we'll be back home on Monday. We found a very cheap fare on AA and got a free upgrade to Business class both ways. My daughter is 11 years old and she will be missing classes on Monday.
We had the whole weekend planned. We are going to the Brothers Grimm town today, and then we'll do some hiking. My sister lives 20 miles from Frankfurt and they'll take us around today. It helps not having to rent a car and getting lost around the town

 

[Henry M.]

I stay at the Sheraton Frankfurt several times a year. They also have a pretty decent spread in the evening, with small sandwiches, salads, a variety of cheeses, wine, beer, open bar, soft drinks, etc. You could pretty much have a light dinner and drinks for free in the lounge. Platinum status definitely has its perks.

 

[folashade]

i am going to westin diplomat in a few weeks, i'll keep you posted with the upgrade i get ot don't get.

We booked our room with "points and cash," so I bet that was a factor in our less than impressive SPG Plat benefits package.

Regardless if you booked with cash and points you still get plat benifits. Did you get your amenity? If not call the plat desk and they will add 500pts to your account. Ptsjunkie you will like the upgrade at the Diplomat. They generally give 1 bedroom suites (it's rare they don't have any available) The lounge has awesome views

 

[nodge]

Cooool. We just got our first SPG Platinum benefits, and let me just say that when you get ‘em, they are well worth the price of admission.

We had an early flight out of Portland, Airport so spent the night at the PDX Airport Sheraton for free thanks to a few SPG points I had lying around.

On check-in, no eye rolling or hassles from the desk agent. She was nice, and polite, and asked me right off what amenity I wanted as my welcome gift. I asked her what were my choices and she pulled out a printed menu that included: 1) 500 SPG points; 2) free in-room movie; 3) $10 mini-bar credit and maybe one or two other things that I can’t remember now. I took the SPG points.

She then clicked around on her computer and said that she had a suite available on the 3rd floor. Cool. She then told me that the club lounge was on the 4th floor, and would be open to 9 PM. Cool.

We first checked out the room. It was nicely updated and huge. It featured a dining room table with seating for six, full living room with sofa, big comfy chairs, large TV, half bath, mini-fridge, the works. French doors led to the huge bedroom, which had its own bathroom, TV, etc. Very, very nice.

After snooping around the room, we then checked out the club lounge on the 4th floor. It turns out that the entire club lounge on the 4th floor was the exact same suite we had all to ourselves on the 3rd floor. We picked up our free drinks and light chow and headed back to the suite.

SPG Platinum rules.

We’re now 1 for 2 with SPG Platinum.

-nodge

 

[pointsjunkie]

that is great, have a great time!!!

 

[Pedro]

After snooping around the room, we then checked out the club lounge on the 4th floor. It turns out that the entire club lounge on the 4th floor was the exact same suite we had all to ourselves on the 3rd floor. We picked up our free drinks and light chow and headed back to the suite.

SPG Platinum rules.

We’re now 1 for 2 with SPG Platinum.

-nodge

Was that the MacKenzie suite you stayed at? That is my favorite at the Sheraton PDX.

 

[nodge]

Was that the MacKenzie suite you stayed at? That is my favorite at the Sheraton PDX.

Possibly, we entered and exited through the bedroom (Room 329), and never really got a good look at the living room entrance where the suite name may have been posted. It was definitely worthy of a fancy-pants name though.

-nodge

 

[stevens397]

Many people on this board would be thrilled with a .500 average in the US Starwoods! Glad you stuck with it (like you had any choice!).

Now find a way to get to Europe and see what real luxury is!!!

 

[Pedro]

I spent Monday night at the Sheraton Cleveland Airport (big difference between Sheraton Frankfurt and Sheraton Cleveland!). Got an upgrade to a nice room in the Club floor, although not a suite. I was too tired after flying all day (10 and a half hours to DFW, plus 4 hours layover, and two more to Cleveland) and cold (7 degrees outside) and I just wanted to go to sleep so I didn't even ask for an upgrade to a suite.

My plan was to get back home on Monday, but I found out I had a meeting in Cleveland the next morning and there were no flights from Orlando that would get me there on time. I ended up sending my 11-year old daughter home as an "unaccompained minor" from DFW to MCO, and I bought a ticket to Cleveland and caught the next flight there. That was enough travel for a day !

 

[nodge]

Two Very Powerful Words: "Status Match"

Well the good folks at flyertalk.com have once again sparked me to action.

This time they figured out that if you make the top status tier with one hotel chain's loyalty program, there is probably another hotel chain that would do darn near anything to induce you to jump ship. Turns out that some of these chains even have formal programs that will allow you to match your loyalty program status at one hotel chain with the other hotel's loyalty program without actually making any qualifying stays at the other chain's hotels. Just for fun, I thought I'd give it a try with Hyatt and Hilton.

Here are my results:

Hyatt: Full status match to Hyatt Diamond 4 days after request submitted. (Hyatt required me to fax them proof of at least 10 Starwood stays in the last year)

Hilton: No dice, but offered a reduced stay requirement (10 stays instead of 28 stays, but those 10 stays must be within next 90 days) to make Hilton Diamond. (Hilton wanted me to fax them my last SPG statement, but offered no guidance as to what they were looking for (other than SPG Platinum status) in order to qualify for this offer.

Here is my confirming email from Hyatt:

-----Original Message-----
From: GPCS <gpcs@hyatt.com>
To: [nodge]
Sent: Fri, 15 Feb 2008
Subject: Hyatt Gold Passport Tier Match Request

Dear [nodge]:

On behalf of Hyatt Gold Passport®, I am pleased to inform you that your
account has been upgraded to Diamond membership through February 2009.
As a member of our most elite tier, you will be instantly recognized as
one of our most valued guests at any Hyatt worldwide.

Diamond membership entitles you to the very best services and benefits
at Hyatt, including free upgrades to Regency®/Grand® Club or
complimentary Continental Breakfast where there is no Regency/ Grand
Club. In addition, you will receive a 30% point bonus on your stays and
enjoy the convenience of 72-hour guaranteed room availability at
non-resort Properties.

As such, we will only be able to extend this invitation to join the
Diamond tier under these special circumstances one time. In order to
continue to receive exclusive Diamond membership benefits, simply
complete 25 stays or 50 nights at any Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide
during the course of the calendar year.

Thank you for choosing Hyatt, and we hope you enjoy the privileges of
Diamond membership when staying at any Hyatt worldwide.

Kindest regards,

[name redacted]
Hyatt Gold Passport


Here is Hilton's response to my request:

>>> Priority Letter <Priority_Letter@hilton.com> 2/14/2008 >>>
February 14, 2008

Dear [nodge]:

Thank you for your request regarding an upgrade to the Diamond VIP Level.

In order to effectively manage program costs specifically associated with
current Diamond VIP benefits, the Diamond VIP level must be earned by
meeting the published criteria of 28 stays / 60 nights or 100,000 base
points in any consecutive 12 month period. Based on the documentation you
have provided, we are happy to extend a special one-time offer to fast track
to the Diamond VIP level. If within the next 90 days, from today's date,
you record 10 eligible stays or 20 eligible nights at any participating
HHonors hotels, your account will be automatically upgraded to the Diamond
VIP tier status through March 31, 2009.

We look forward to your meeting the challenge through continued activity
with the Hilton Family hotels. Should you require further assistance please
contact the Hilton Customer Service Center at the address or telephone
number listed below. Any HHonors Customer Service Representative will be
happy to assist you. Thank you for your continuing support of the Hilton
Family and the HHonors guest reward program.

Sincerely,

[name redacted]

Member Services Supervisor

Hilton Customer Care

Apparently Hyatt is more interested in the jumping ship folks than Hilton.

FYI,
-nodge