Starwood changed 5* Qualification without notice

[LisaRex]

I'm here to confirm that SVO management do not care about what you all think here...

Yup. Welcome to the club of Cynics. Kind of a shame because we should be the ambassadors.

I do think Starwood timeshares are nicer than the average timeshare. However, when I stay in a hotel, it's usually a Marriott or Hilton. I've actually received stellar service and upgrades as a mere silver Hilton. If I were to buy another timeshare, I'd seriously consider either, esp since the Starwood locations are so limited.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I'm here to confirm that SVO management do not care about what you all think here...

I think most here already know this...
but keep up the good fight (or windmill tilting...)

 

[DeniseM]

I'm here to confirm that SVO management do not care about what you all think here...

Yep - sadly enough, that's the conclusion that most of us have come to, as well, but glad to have you along for the ride!

 

[Troopers]

I'm here to confirm that SVO management do not care about what you all think here...

Why do you think they monitor this board?

 

[LisaRex]

Why do you think they monitor this board?

Because they contacted SDKath twice and asked her to retract or edit something she posted here.

Because when I posted that Starwood still had the old number of StarOptions listed on MyStarCentral.com, it was changed with a few minutes of my post.

Because nodge posted a link on her "oranges" thread which linked to internal sales files and within a day or so, Starwood disabled the link.

Because Starwood changed the *5 StarOptions needed right before a few Tuggers were going to close on their last properties following SDKath's "5* the cheapest way" system that she posted here.

 

[StarwoodCanadafan]

Yes but.. I've been Platinum many many years.. (I think 12) in a row on the hotel

side.

You would think they would care a little bit.. just a little bit about me based on my history?

Do any of you know anyone else who has paid hotel Platinum status for 12 years running?

If they do not care about my status, who would they care about? I feel quite cheated here regarding the long long relationship and money I have sent their way.

I am not saying I should be any better treated then any of you here.. a good customer is a good customer.. just boggles my mind that they haven't stepped up here to reach out to me about this.

I am definately left holding a bag here..

I guess I should send something to the hotel side to let them know. Just thought I would let the SVO people do the right thing.. which they clearly are not going to do.

SP

Yup. Welcome to the club of Cynics. Kind of a shame because we should be the ambassadors.

I do think Starwood timeshares are nicer than the average timeshare. However, when I stay in a hotel, it's usually a Marriott or Hilton. I've actually received stellar service and upgrades as a mere silver Hilton. If I were to buy another timeshare, I'd seriously consider either, esp since the Starwood locations are so limited.

 

[SDKath]

Because they contacted SDKath twice and asked her to retract or edit something she posted here.

Yup. They did. I made the change the first time but refused to the second time and told them they needed to get their own person on here if they don't agree with what we write. K

 

[duke]

That said, I think everyone saw something like this coming. The Platinum benefits have been diluted and people like Duke and David here on the boards have been saying for the last 6 months that Starwood is close to their arbitrary "cap" of 2000 PFL members.

Come on......Every time any of us has met with an SVO salesperson they ALWAYS said "hurry, buy now, SVO will remove the SPG Platinum for Life benefit when they reach 2000 and they can change the benefits of 5*ELITE anytime". Most dismissed this as Sales Talk to sell the timeshare. SO,who was wrong here?

The fact that SVO is keeping the SPG Platinum for Life benefit is great and it IS fair that those who had already reached 5*ELITE keep (559,000) the benefit for LIFE too.

I am not happy that SVO removed the UPGRADE benefit because we were promised that when we became 5*ELITE. They should have grandfathered that benefit in same as this.

I wouldn't be surprised if SVO discontinued allowing resales to be requalified at some time in the future - without warning. NOTE: You have been warned - AGAIN.

So, take advantage of whatever rules exist that let you attain the ELITE status you want.....but do it quickly.

 

[StarwoodCanadafan]

DUke... aren't you worried about about them changing the rules for you too?

...ie 5* Plat exists for no one?

Come on......Every time any of us has met with an SVO salesperson they ALWAYS said "hurry, buy now, SVO will remove the SPG Platinum for Life benefit when they reach 2000 and they can change the benefits of 5*ELITE anytime". Most dismissed this as Sales Talk to sell the timeshare. SO,who was wrong here?

The fact that SVO is keeping the SPG Platinum for Life benefit is great and it IS fair that those who had already reached 5*ELITE keep (559,000) the benefit for LIFE too.

I am not happy that SVO removed the UPGRADE benefit because we were promised that when we became 5*ELITE. They should have grandfathered that benefit in same as this.

I wouldn't be surprised if SVO discontinued allowing resales to be requalified at some time in the future - without warning. NOTE: You have been warned - AGAIN.

So, take advantage of whatever rules exist that let you attain the ELITE status you want.....but do it quickly.

 

[tomandrobin]

...ie 5* Plat exists for no one?

The Platinum status is on the SPG side, the hotels, not SVO. So Starwood would have to eliminate the reward program on the hotel side. That would be a PR disaster for business travelers. Besides, why would Starwood do away with one of the best hotel reward programs, if not the best, in the industry.

 

[StarwoodCanadafan]

Hi, I was referring to taking away SVO's 5* elite ...

.. Not the hotel program, which I agree with you 100%

The Platinum status is on the SPG side, the hotels, not SVO. So Starwood would have to eliminate the reward program on the hotel side. That would be a PR disaster for business travelers. Besides, why would Starwood do away with one of the best hotel reward programs, if not the best, in the industry.

 

[LisaRex]

side.
If they do not care about my status, who would they care about? I feel quite cheated here regarding the long long relationship and money I have sent their way.

The biggest problem you have is that if they grandfather you in now, they'd have to grandfather everyone else in, too. And they don't want to do that. Something was driving this decision, and I have a sneaking suspicion it was vindictiveness towards SDKath for writing her manual as to how to get to 5* so cheaply.

I agree with Duke that I doubt we'll see requalifications qualify for elite status in the future. They've seen what hoops people will hop over in order to achieve the coveted PFL status. And they decided to capitalize on it because it's the only thing they have going for them now.

Still sucks for Canada and SDKath, but I sincerely doubt either of you will ever get satisfaction out of your complaints. After all, we're Tuggers who are the first to encourage people to rescind. We're fools if we think Starwood has the warm and fuzzies towards any of us.

 

[StarwoodCanadafan]

Grandfather..

Hi LisaRex,

I can't believe that anyone at Starwood VO would be holding a grudge against anyone here. The good sales folks are trying to make a living in a tough market, just like everyone else. If something else is at play, I suspect it would be something at the very high end.. and we can speculate on what that might be. I don't agree that it could be anything personal against SDKath. She has been such an advocate for SVO, which has helped the sales folks I suspect. My sales person Heather Carr has been terrific.. is very knowledgeable, friendly and kind. What is going on is beyond her scope of control unfortunately, or, I truly believe she would help. MY issue remains a change without notice to the program, of which I was midstream.

My nic remains StarwoodCanadafan for a reason. I am a long time Plat member on the hotel side, and they have treated me terrifically there. Unfortunately, senior MGMT on the SVO side no so much!

The biggest problem you have is that if they grandfather you in now, they'd have to grandfather everyone else in, too. And they don't want to do that. Something was driving this decision, and I have a sneaking suspicion it was vindictiveness towards SDKath for writing her manual as to how to get to 5* so cheaply.

I agree with Duke that I doubt we'll see requalifications qualify for elite status in the future. They've seen what hoops people will hop over in order to achieve the coveted PFL status. And they decided to capitalize on it because it's the only thing they have going for them now.

Still sucks for Canada and SDKath, but I sincerely doubt either of you will ever get satisfaction out of your complaints. After all, we're Tuggers who are the first to encourage people to rescind. We're fools if we think Starwood has the warm and fuzzies towards any of us.

 

[Ken555]

My nic remains StarwoodCanadafan for a reason. I am a long time Plat member on the hotel side, and they have treated me terrifically there. Unfortunately, senior MGMT on the SVO side no so much!

The sad fact is that SPG and SVN are two different companies, with two different goals. If SVN had the same management style I expect life would be a lot different for us. Unfortunately, one is selling product a la used cars and the other caters to your experience and on-going loyalty. These are, sadly, mutually exclusive when it comes to Starwood.

 

[myip]

Why would they do anything for Canada and SDKATH? I was in the middle of getting 5* last years and they change the rules to $20K. I have email confirmation from salesperson. Many people caught in the rule changes. I filed BBB and nothing happen. It comes back with contract is contract. It wasn't written down in the contract. There is a risk of going to requalify SVN. It has been warned many times that SVN changes the rules all the time. You have to catch it before it changes again.

 

[LisaRex]

You have to catch it before it changes again.

Or decide not to do business with a company that changes the rules all the time without allowing even people who are in current negotiations to be grandfathered in.

 

[Ken555]

Or decide not to do business with a company that changes the rules all the time without allowing even people who are in current negotiations to be grandfathered in.

SVN is a bureaucratic mess. We know this. They don't care about their customers post-sale. That's why I'm very pleased with my resale purchases - which I consider (even at today's prices) a 'value' buy.

I suspect I will avoid all future owner's updates at Starwood and enjoy my time at the resorts from now on. Who needs the pain?

I admit that I'm partly hopeful that SVN gets in some serious financial trouble and ends up being bought by another player. It can't really get any worse for new buyers. Then again, I'm happy with the way it is - it's the new buyers or those of you buying direct/requalifying that have all the trouble. You've got my sympathy.

 

[Troopers]

Because Starwood changed the *5 StarOptions needed right before a few Tuggers were going to close on their last properties following SDKath's "5* the cheapest way" system that she posted here.

I highly doubt Starwood changed the 5* criteria because of a few tuggers. If SDKath's method is so compelling that she basically had Starwood change a policy, my vote is for her to be president.

 

[Troopers]

They don't care about their customers post-sale.

As I said before, I think they do care. If they didn't care, decisions would be made without customer consideration, which I think is far from the truth. There's no way to satisfy ALL their customers. Certainly someone's going to be unhappy about any decision made.

 

[Troopers]

My nic remains StarwoodCanadafan for a reason. I am a long time Plat member on the hotel side, and they have treated me terrifically there. Unfortunately, senior MGMT on the SVO side no so much!

My suggestion is to infiltrate Flyertalk and get some feedback. Lurker I or II might be of some help.

 

[DeniseM]

My suggestion is to infiltrate Flyertalk and get some feedback. Lurker I or II might be of some help.

The hotel division and the TS division of Starwood are two completely separate entities. Starwood Lurker has no connection to the TS side.

 

[DeniseM]

As I said before, I think they do care. If they didn't care, decisions would be made without customer consideration, which I think is far from the truth. There's no way to satisfy ALL their customers. Certainly someone's going to be unhappy about any decision made.

What customer consideration? Please give an example!

Have you read the other posts in this thread? This is not just a matter of some customers not being satisfied - most of the Starwood owners on TUG are NOT happy with Starwood Mgmt.

 

[LisaRex]

Was this always on the MSC Elite program T&Cs or is this new?

4. Only authorized SVN Resorts may offer and enroll SVN Members into SVN Elite. Starwood VOIs purchased through an unauthorized third party broker or on the resale market do not qualify for SVN Elite Membership.

8. Except as specifically provided in these Terms and Conditions, all SVN Rules apply to SVN Elite Members. SVN Elite, including eligibility criteria and each feature and benefit of SVN Elite, are subject to additions, modifications and/or termination at any time. While it is anticipated that the SVN Operator will continue to operate SVN Elite, any decisions to purchase a VOI or Week should be based primarily on the use of the VOI or Week, and not the continued availability of SVN Elite and its benefits.

 

[DeniseM]

If these are new rules, exactly how does rule #4 effect resales?

 

[DavidnRobin]

If these are new rules, exactly how does rule #4 effect resales?

resale = "third party" Therefore, it is saying that unless you buy from SVO that the SOs do not qualify for Elite status - which is true unless you 'requal' the unit (which they do not discuss) AND IMPORTANTLY you have the proper documents that states actually your Elite status that is part if the requal AND IMPORTANTLY everything is documented and not a verbal agreement with a salesperson (per contract text - the 'negma' clause).