Starwood Preferred Guest - Ridiculous Status Match policy

Recently, Hyatt diamond members which they got from free Diamond Trial (which has been a big issue in Hyatt forum) did status match to SPG PLAT. It means they got starwood platinum as well as Hyatt Diamond without any stay at both chain hotels. Even though I recognize status match is offered only once, that's too easy way.. If so, who wants to stat 25/50night a year.

If someone never stays at Starwood hotels, they can't be taking anything away from you. And if they're going to stay a lot and become a good customer, it's in Starwood's interest to court them.

Same argument about giving away free Gold.

If someone got the status the easy way without qualifying nights, the chances of them staying much is pretty slim.

If someone never stays at Starwood hotels, they can't be taking anything away from you. And if they're going to stay a lot and become a good customer, it's in Starwood's interest to court them.

Basically, I know what you mean. Also, I agree normal Hyatt Diamond members surely can be status matched.. However, without any stay at both hotels (Hyatt/SPG), starting with a highest tier is not fair. When I became a PLAT five years ago, it was much harder than now.. In this year, there are many big promotions.. :)

Same argument about giving away free Gold.

If someone got the status the easy way without qualifying nights, the chances of them staying much is pretty slim.

I agree with you. Even though they get SPG PLAT this year and next yeat, it looks not easy to maintain 25 stays/50 nights next year.. Thanks for your opinion.

If they burn their one lifetime status match when they're not staying, and they can't get PLT in the future when they actually will be staying at SPG properties a lot, then they won't challenge current PLTs for upgrades in the future. Sounds like a positive to those who earn it every year.

Are you very depressed because they get to carry around the magic SPG PLT card which impacts us somehow?

Frankly, IMHO not very bright on their side if they are using this up when they aren't using it.

From a practical standpoint, how would SPG be able to determine how the status being matched was earned? Does the Hyatt card/statement say **Trial Status** on it? I would be a bit surprised if they did match a status when they knew it wasn't earned through business.

When I became a PLAT five years ago, it was much harder than now.
That sure sounds like the old "slam the door after storming the castle" argument (sometimes stated as "If it was hard for me, it should be hard for everyone."). Life and business cycles change. Sometimes we have to ride along with them even if they may seem unfair.

I feel very depressed with this status match policy..

We're still talking about hotel status... right?

Many of my colleagues did status match from Hyatt Diamond which they got from free Diamond Trial (which has been a big issue in Hyatt forum). It means they got starwood platinum as well as Hyatt Diamond without any stay at both chain hotels.

I don't believe this. I doubt SPG is giving Platinum status based on someone's Hyatt Diamond card only. SPG asks for proof of stays from the last 12 months. It was NOT good enough to show show the Diamond card. The match is granted after the noting the # stays.

It is a business decision. They would not bother with someone who is cannot prove they are capable of earning top status.

Same argument about giving away free Gold.

If someone got the status the easy way without qualifying nights, the chances of them staying much is pretty slim.
Even though I got my first Gold free, then went on to earn & maintain Platinum, I agree with this.

I have subsequently received free status in from two other loyalty programs - which I have used once for one, and never for the other. Quite frankly, I am too focused on enjoying my SPG Platinum benefits to stay elsewhere, I unless I have no choice.

Cheers,

1. If someone feels depressed because of SPG status match policy then read this great analysis by CPRich:

If they burn their one lifetime status match when they're not staying, and they can't get PLT in the future when they actually will be staying at SPG properties a lot, then they won't challenge current PLTs for upgrades in the future. Sounds like a positive to those who earn it every year.

2. If this hasn't solved your depression, read it again to see that those people have burned their once in a lifetime opportunity for a status match.

3. If this still hasn't helped, seek professional treatment.

2. If this hasn't solved your depression, read it again to see that those people have burned their once in a lifetime opportunity for a status match.


Once in a lifetime at one address. I am sure that there are people that match year after year using various friends/family addresses.

I don't believe this. I doubt SPG is giving Platinum status based on someone's Hyatt Diamond card only. SPG asks for proof of stays from the last 12 months. It was NOT good enough to show show the Diamond card. The match is granted after the noting the # stays.

It is a business decision. They would not bother with someone who is cannot prove they are capable of earning top status.

+1

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Around 2001, Hyatt offered me a Diamond challenge. (Probably because I was a Delta Platinum Medallion member.) I completed the necessary 2 or 3 stays and started enjoying my status.

Upon my request, SPG offered me a status match to Platinum. I took it and switched several thousand dollars of stays to the nearby Sheraton and Westin hotels. I've requalified for SPG Plat every year since. My Hyatt Diamond status died away because there were very few affordable Hyatts in the cities of my later projects. (This was well before Hyatt Place.)

I'm pretty sure that SPG did not ask to see a history of my Hyatt stays. If they had, it wouldn't have amounted to much. Up to that point, my stays were inconsistent. I was Gold with Marriott Rewards and with Priority Club.

Hyatt gave me Diamond status because they thought that I could become a valuable customer. Hyatt was correct. But SPG trusted Hyatt's judgment of my value and stole me away with a simple status match. IMO, SPG was correct to trust Hyatt's judgment. It's good business to win over customers from your closest competition.

If I had failed to requalify with SPG, then I wouldn't have interfered with many upgrades for other Plats. Since I didn't requalify for Diamond, I didn't interfere with many upgrades for existing Diamond members.

I don't know anything about the relationship between the OP and his colleagues, but for many years, I've wished that more of my colleagues had status in the SPG program. When we tried to stay at the same hotel on a project, most of my colleagues were wanting Courtyards, Marriotts, and Hampton Inns. Staying at Starwoods for team projects was always easier when my colleagues also had SPG elite status -- no matter how they earned it.

I don't believe this. I doubt SPG is giving Platinum status based on someone's Hyatt Diamond card only. SPG asks for proof of stays from the last 12 months. It was NOT good enough to show show the Diamond card. The match is granted after the noting the # stays.

It is a business decision. They would not bother with someone who is cannot prove they are capable of earning top status.

I can't believe it either. But, it happens now.. :) They're my close friends, so I could check it because I let them know DMtrial and status match to SPG.


Similarily, it happens in airlines status match. Showing Delta Platinum guarantees Continental Platinum.. :)

That sure sounds like the old "slam the door after storming the castle" argument (sometimes stated as "If it was hard for me, it should be hard for everyone."). Life and business cycles change. Sometimes we have to ride along with them even if they may seem unfair.

You're absolutely right, and I agree with you. I'm just grumbling about strange SM policy of SPG. :(

Fret now, everyone.

I shall bring this up to mighty powers and seek their audience to this issue.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

We're still talking about hotel status... right?

+1

I'm totally lost. What's the point of this discussion? What's the desired outcome?

Why on earth would you bring this up for public discussion? Isn't it best handled in a private message to someone who can actually do something about it rather than planting ideas into other peoples heads who may not have considered your idea until you suggested it??!?!?!

What's completely ridiculous is that you can be a Royal Ambassador member with InterContinental and have 300 qualifiying nights a year, but you can't get a status match from Starwood. I understand that Royal Ambassador status can be gifted, but shouldn't your stay history count for something (everything)?

This is by far Starwood's stupidest policy.

What's completely ridiculous is that you can be a Royal Ambassador member with InterContinental and have 300 qualifiying nights a year, but you can't get a status match from Starwood. I understand that Royal Ambassador status can be gifted, but shouldn't your stay history count for something (everything)?

This is by far Starwood's stupidest policy.

Actually, RA could be done only with 30~40 nights if you become a RA once. Just FYI.. :)

Actually, RA could be done only with 30~40 nights if you become a RA once. Just FYI.. :)

I was just giving an extreme example. Of course, you would be stupid to stay 300 nights with one program. Spread the love around...

This is nonsense, and I can speak from personal experience. I joined Hyatt GP last year on the Diamond trial and was refused a status match to SPG Plat, and I was SPG gold at the time. SPG requested a copy of stays for the previous 12 months. The email from SPG referred to the Diamond trial and said it didn't qualify for a status match.

It was only after qualifying for Diamond status with Hyatt that SPG approved my status match.

This is nonsense, and I can speak from personal experience. I joined Hyatt GP last year on the Diamond trial and was refused a status match to SPG Plat, and I was SPG gold at the time. SPG requested a copy of stays for the previous 12 months. The email from SPG referred to the Diamond trial and said it didn't qualify for a status match.

It was only after qualifying for Diamond status with Hyatt that SPG approved my status match.

That's what I can't believe either. I introduced DMtrial so many guys became a hyatt diamond. And I also suggested them if they have at least 25stays, they could be matched to SPG plat. But, they just tried to do SM without any stay or 2~3 stays.. They got SPG Platinum..

I agree if they continues staying 25stays next year, and keep their status, it was right decision to make them SPG PLAT. I respect SPG's business decision. But, anyway, this is very funny situation.

Actually, RA could be done only with 30~40 nights if you become a RA once. Just FYI.. :)

Would you mind explaining how this works? Mrs. chinatrvl and a whole lot of people would be interested (who fail to requalify after 55-60 nights). Here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/intercontinental-hotels-priority-club-inter-continental-ambassador/962051-new-ra-qualifiying-limits-june-1st-2009-a-34.html

Thanks.

Anyway, those plats that can't maintain status won't take away anything from you, will they? All others will give good business to Starwood. Also, consider that SPG Plat status is very easy to reach due to the 25 stays rule. Don't see an issue...

i also got the free trial diamond and loved it, i was spg gold at the time, and they didnt give me a status match

i also got the free trial diamond and loved it, i was spg gold at the time, and they didnt give me a status match

If you can try now, you'll get it. Yesterday, two of my friends got SPG plat with 2 stay trial diamond.. :)

If you can try now, you'll get it. Yesterday, two of my friends got SPG plat with 2 stay trial diamond.. :)

If this is correct (and I don't see why you would make it up) I'm completely bewildered by SPG marketing.

At the same time some long-term Plats are being told they are not entitled to a small end year gift because they were not targeted, Platinum status is being given out with only a couple of stays at Hyatt? I just can't see the wisdom in disappointing guests with a proven record of multiple nights/stays yet encouraging new guests with no real indication of potential.

SPG (from this thread and others) is obviously changing the way it markets Elite status this year. Perhaps they are trialing different methods but IMO the risks outweigh the potential gains.

Let me clarify this is not personal sour grapes, I got the end year gift and I doubt new Plats with limited stay potential will impact much on me...I just question the reasoning behind it.

If this is correct (and I don't see why you would make it up) I'm completely bewildered by SPG marketing.

At the same time some long-term Plats are being told they are not entitled to a small end year gift because they were not targeted, Platinum status is being given out with only a couple of stays at Hyatt? I just can't see the wisdom in disappointing guests with a proven record of multiple nights/stays yet encouraging new guests with no real indication of potential.

SPG (from this thread and others) is obviously changing the way it markets Elite status this year. Perhaps they are trialing different methods but IMO the risks outweigh the potential gains.

Let me clarify this is not personal sour grapes, I got the end year gift and I doubt new Plats with limited stay potential will impact much on me...I just question the reasoning behind it.

It's it so blindly obvious why they status matched them. It's because they want their business.

Lets look at this as a whole.

SPG status matches someone - that person either chooses to stay with SPG and either re-qualifies or doesn't re-qualify for Platinum. That person doesn't stay with SPG thus doesn't effect anyone.

What's the likely hood that many of these people who get matched only status a couple of times a year? Probably not many and if they do they stay so little that it doesn't effect anyone else to any degree.

I don't see Hyatt making the same mistake again of matching anyone to Diamond so lets just call this a one off mistake on everyones behalf and call it a day.

I recommend we lock this waste of time thread as it's encouraging people to cheat the system.

Guys- Thanks for all opinions. I appreciate you guys' feedback. Actually, this matter is already spread out in my country's internet club. Yesterday, at least 5 people got matched with DMtrial hyatt diamond account. I and real platinum members can't observe this kind of abuse.. So, we deiced to contact Starwood directly for this matter. I'll update soon..