SPG gold and platinum difference in room upgrades?

[abdibile]

I do not really get what the difference in the "you get a room upgrade" is between gold and platinum status with Starwood Preferred Guest program.

Is it only a room on a higher floor, corner or something like that, but NO bigger room for gold members?

Whereas a platium member gets an upgrade to a bigger room or even the smallest suite?

What does that difference practically mean?

Did you really get much better rooms when booking a hotel using StarPoints with a platinum status compared to gold status?

How "great" where these upgraded rooms?

Thanks a lot for your input!

 

[Ken555]

Many, many threads on this topic at FlyerTalk - suggest you look over there.

But in brief, yes there is a significant difference, though results vary greatly and depending on where and which hotel you visit.

 

[SDKath]

I'd like to know too. If you go over to flyertalk, let me know what you learn. Judging from the lack of 5* upgrades for people like nodge, I am concerned that in reality there is not going to be much of a difference as no one is gonna be upgraded much these days!

Katherine

 

[tomandrobin]

From what I have learned/read is that you need to be proactive with your reservations. Call ahead of time to verify your reservation, mention your platinum membership. Use the 800 number if there is a problem with check-in.

Also, don't expect upgrades on every trip, especially peak times.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil!

 

[Ken555]

Also keep in mind that most people only post about their bad experiences, that's why the comprehensive posts at FlyerTalk are much more relevant for you to find out what others think (you should take a look over there too, Kath!).

For myself, even if I don't get an upgrade as a Gold, I do find sometimes the staff are (more) courteous and the management even more so. I had an issue last week in San Diego - I had to be moved to a new room because the carpet was "wet" - and the manager was extremely helpful (when the initial staff weren't at all), made the appropriate arrangements and then waived all kinds of fees from my bill (and he knew I was Gold). Unlike others, I've had good results from Gold - including a great suite in Savannah recently and various other upgrades. But, I don't see any of the fabulous suites the Platinum's get now and then. From what I hear, Platinum is much more worthwhile in Europe.

 

[DeniseM]

There are so many Gold SPG members out there that the Gold membership is nearly useless. Starwood passes it out like bubblegum, so the likelyhood of getting any significant value out of it on a regular basis is marginal. They discuss this ad nauseum on Flyertalk.com and those people know how to milk the program. SPG Gold is right up there with Starwood luggage tags in my book - another pretty but useless "perk."

 

[Ken555]

There are so many Gold SPG members out there that the Gold membership is nearly useless. Starwood passes it out like bubblegum, so the likelyhood of getting any significant value out of it on a regular basis is marginal. They discuss this ad nauseum on Flyertalk.com and those people know how to milk the program. SPG Gold is right up there with Starwood luggage tags in my book - another pretty but useless "perk."

Denise,

Have you used your Gold membership at a SPG property in the last year? It's true that it's usually not worth much, but there are exceptions... and when you get one of those exceptions, it's definitely worthwhile.

 

[DeniseM]

I have given up on it - I can use Priceline to stay at Starwood properties for less than $100 a night and get the same room....I would rather have the money in my pocket than pay twice that much and hope for an upgrade which I'm unlikely to get.

 

[Ken555]

I have given up on it - I can use Priceline to stay at Starwood properties for less than $100 a night and get the same room....I would rather have the money in my pocket than pay twice that much and hope for an upgrade which I'm unlikely to get.

That's completely understandable! And I suppose they won't honor status when purchased via Priceline, right? I haven't done that in a while and don't recall.

As for my stays, I haven't paid for a stay in a long time. I use StarPoints (from AMEX ), and they honor the Gold status each time, though they don't always provide me with an upgrade.

 

[Henry M.]

I'm platinum and I have gotten several suite upgrades in Hawaii (Westin Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Maui, Sheraton Keauhou) and in Germany (several Starwood properties in Frankfurt and Munich). I'm probably batting better than 50% suite upgrades and 100% floor upgrades and lounge access. The status is definitely worth something to me. I don't use Starwood much in the US mainland (they're not usually the most convenient where I travel) so I'm not sure how good the upgrades are here.

Several months ago I visited with someone at Starwood and saw some statistics on SPG membership. I forget the exact numbers, but something like 10% were Gold, and less than 1% were Platinum. If I remember right there were about 8 million members.

 

[islandguy]

Great Upgrade Last Weekend

I'm SPG plat and I stay about 10 times (mostely on points) a year in Starwood Properties. I receive an upgrade to a suite about 80% of the time. If I don't get a suite I always receive a room with a great view.

Plus I always get access to the club room (even if not upgraded) -- breakfast, free or reduced drinks, snacks, deserts etc. and sometimes dinner. Some places give me meal coupons also.

This past weekend in CLT (NC) I was upgraded to the Presidential Suite (living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and a bathroom biger than most hotel rooms) with a check in of 2PM and checkout of 4PM. Most places (except resorts) I get the early/late check out.

The service provided to the plat is second to none in addition to the upgrades. One hotel (Westin Diplomat) even wrote me that they normally take care of their plats and were going to full (valentines day) and would I like to pay a few more points for a suite (2,000 more). The room I got was a corner suite with Bedroom, living room, dining area and large balcony with an ocean view. And their club room is great. Another time in downtown Sydney got a 1 bedroom suite for 7 days with a great club room -- free liquor also.

Over the 4th I went to Niagara Falls and received a suite with a great view of the falls. I go to Niagara Falls once a year and only once had a special room (not considered a suite) but an upgrade with a view.

I enjoy the treatment of plat and the perks that starwood provides us.

 

[spuppy]

Gold upgrades should still apply if you obtain a reservation on priceline, right?

I have given up on it - I can use Priceline to stay at Starwood properties for less than $100 a night and get the same room....I would rather have the money in my pocket than pay twice that much and hope for an upgrade which I'm unlikely to get.

 

[DeniseM]

Gold upgrades should still apply if you obtain a reservation on priceline, right?

No, Priceline does not recognize any Hotel membership status - it's in their terms.


*Edited for clarification:
Regarding the posts about Plat upgrades - I agree that Plat has real value, but I don't want the OP to think you can get the same thing with GOLD status, although by reading the SPG terms, you would be led to believe that Gold members get upgraded all the time - it just ain't so...

 

[spuppy]

Not sure I understand your comment, "And the OP is asking about GOLD status, which cannot possibly be compared to Plat status". My comment/question was specifically about gold status.

No, Priceline does not recognize any Hotel membership status - it's in their terms.

And the OP is asking about GOLD status, which cannot possibly be compared to Plat status.

 

[DeniseM]

spuppy - sorry for the confusion, I was addressing that comment to previous posts - I will fix it!

 

[Lulubelle]

The only exception to "no upgrades" to gold members would be at some hotels that have an "SPG Floor". The Sheraton Park in Anaheim has a floor just for members and it offers the best views, bigger balconies, etc. We have stayed at a couple of places like that. They also gave us free breakfast vouchers once but the next time we stayed I inquired about them and the clerk looked at me like I was nuts stating "there's nothing about receiving a free breakfast in your reservation, sorry." So, we take what we get and appreciate it . We have never been upgrades to a suite with gold status.

 

[pointsjunkie]

when i was gold, i received club floor at westin diplomat a few times,OV and corner rooms.

in nyc i received club floor,and corner rooms and high floors.

in atlanta we got the club floor.

we had quite a few perks. but i had to ask for most of them.

 

[ctbt]

Gold upgrades

For what it's worth, I've had good experiences upgrading even as a gold member. Last month we tried to check into the Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast in Australia at 10 AM after about 28 hours of travel. Our basic garden room wasn't ready at that hour, of course, and we were told to leave our luggage and hang out for a few hours. But when the manager heard that I was a gold member, he upgraded us to a vacant room with a balcony on the lagoon. I have even gotten upgrades when using award stays. Phil

 

[DavidnRobin]

As a SPG Gold - We stayed at the Petaluma Sheraton over the weekend - and while we did not get a room upgrade - we did get a late 4PM check-out (which was great... especially to store the wine we bought while we were out and about - instead of having to keep it in the warm/hot car).

I had already used 1500 extra SPs for a room upgrade to the Club Section - which was no big deal and we did not take advantage of - but it was on the top floor and had a continental breakfast and use of the business center - oh, and free bottled water.

Staying in the Sheraton did make us realize how nice our Westin TSs are (in comparison) - it was not bad, but we have gotten spoiled.

It was beautiful in Sonoma County...