Starwood Preferred Guest - Platinum Concierge - need a new one

So... most unfortunately, my concierge has been transferred to another Starwood area and will no longer be able to help me out. This is really sad as she was absolutely the best, I will miss her dearly.

In any event, I have to move on. I had asked her to referr me to one of her colleaues, but she said that it was company policy not to referr concierges. Therefore, Im wondering if some of you frecuent concierge users are kind enough to help me in my choice of a new one...?

I know that when you call its sometimes hard to get your personal concierge on the line, but its great to have someone you can email with those little things you want to get done, that knows your account, etc..

Any ideas/suggestions? Please dont post names or emails in this thread, but do let me know if you have a suggestion and please email me... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Thanks!!

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Gaucho100K

I miss her dearly also.....

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

i would love a good PC, also.

A me too post from me as well. I assume we are all talking about JM?

She still takes overflow calls - I was surprised to get her on the phone last week.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MikeFly:
I assume we are all talking about JM?
</font>

Shhhhh.....

We miss you kiddo!!!!

They must be promoting Platinum Concierges right and left. Mine has not been "JM" and she, too, was recently promoted. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

This is probably why they try to downplay personal concierges these days. Once you get attached to one and really into a groove, up the ladder they move.

or they will hopefully be supervisors who spawm off multiple good concirges below them

Mine has been promoted too http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MikeFly:
A me too post from me as well. I assume we are all talking about JM?

She still takes overflow calls - I was surprised to get her on the phone last week.

</font>

Yes.... looks like we are all in the same boat... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

So, Ive just checked my mail. I see we are all still mourning our loss... but then, hasnt anybody found a permanent replacement yet??!!!

Do I need a Platinum Concierge? I have been a (comped from Hilton) Platinum for all of a week and a half, so I don't have one yet. Would that mean that I wouldn't have to futz with SPG.com?

All I remember is that all the Concierges that drove down to the 2000 FT gathering in San Antonio were really cool and I lamented the fact that my travel at the time was almost all to a city that didn't have any Starwoods in it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

And I thought I was the only one mourning JM's promotion and my loss. Perhaps we can start a support group, because I doubt any other concierge can be as great as she was.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Yes, a support group would be in order. I think Starwood should set us up in some resort for a long weekend of counselling, all expenses comped of course... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

My only comfort here is that I think its clear that she was promoted. Very well deserved, as she was a great ambassador for the Starwood cause in her contact role with customers.

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Gaucho100K

I've said it before and I'll say it again...the best way to meet a personal Platinum Concierge is to call up Premier Services and make a friend when you find one you like.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Yes yes, William... you've said it many times.

While I dont disagree your method is a good one, whats wrong with asking some of the resident Starwood experts to give me a little recommendation...?

Brief stupid question -

What would I get from using the plat concierge? I have never used one and since I have three stays in three separate St. Regis proprietys next week perhaps now is the time.

For ordinary reservations, most any Plat agent will support you just fine. But for special circumstances (especially when award stays are involved) having someone who will fight for you with the property and someone who knows your tastes is almost invaluable.

Plus JM was just great to talk to on the phone. I recall giving her tips on her own Italian vacation one time. I was very happy to return a little bit of assistance since she gave me so much.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by B Watson:
Brief stupid question -

What would I get from using the plat concierge? I have never used one and since I have three stays in three separate St. Regis proprietys next week perhaps now is the time. </font>

Concierges are great to take care of special requests with reservations, handle issues with your SPG account. Ive also used (with great experiences) concierges to send chocolates, flowers and obtain theater & show tickets. Barton, I think you have all those bases covered with your personal assistant, so perhaps this service is not that important for you.

When she called to say "goodbye" it was one of those "oh no" calls - this was the second great concierge I've had (the first was one from SLC). [And no, the reason I have yet to have a 2004 stay has nothing to do with her departure...]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Yes yes, William... you've said it many times.

While I dont disagree your method is a good one, whats wrong with asking some of the resident Starwood experts to give me a little recommendation...?</font>

nail...head. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Interestingly, my Cork-based platinum concierge also transferred to another area recently. Has there been a purge?

She did refer me to another individual, but the service levels have dropped accordingly. I guess, I have to build the relationship up again from the ground.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Yes yes, William... you've said it many times.

While I dont disagree your method is a good one, whats wrong with asking some of the resident Starwood experts to give me a little recommendation...?

</font>

Sorry. I don't do that. It's not my responsibility to make introductions on behalf of members to Premier Services associates.

Your best option is to call and find one you like.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Mr. Sanders, please forgive my bad use of the English language. By resident experts, I was referring to the Starwood customers. Im saying that other loyal Platinums that are frequent posters here may have a recommendation for me.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Mr. Sanders, please forgive my bad use of the English language. By resident experts, I was referring to the Starwood customers. Im saying that other loyal Platinums that are frequent posters here may have a recommendation for me.</font>

No apology necessary, especially considering my recent mangling of Spanish. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

This would probably be a viable option, but still may not solve your problem. What if you and the prospective Concierge cannot come to terms? Then, you will be back to square one, but not necessarily any worse off.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I am disappointed by the loss of 'my' Concierge and the reluctance to allocate a new one to me. I refuse to speak to the staff in Ireland as they have no idea what they are doing and to ask non-US members to call the US on several occasions in order to agree on Plat Concierge makes another service from Starwood useless.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Markie:
I am disappointed by the loss of 'my' Concierge and the reluctance to allocate a new one to me. I refuse to speak to the staff in Ireland as they have no idea what they are doing and to ask non-US members to call the US on several occasions in order to agree on Plat Concierge makes another service from Starwood useless.</font>

May I join your club? Im based in Buenos Aires and Jakarta now... so I guess I will have to call Starwood in the USA to get a new concierge?