Starwood Preferred Guest - Does booking with an SPG50 affect SPG Platinum upgrades?

Title kind of says it all. Thanks! ^

I've often received better upgrades with free nights and 50% off coupons than full corporate rate nights.

Perhaps when SPG50's are available the hotel is less full, so more upgrade chances??

Though I don't know from experience, but if you go to this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174042) and look at milepost #6-8 that should answer your question.

I'm at the Western Cape Hotel and Spa at the moment on an SPG50 rate and can confirm that they do indeed observe ALL Platinum priveleges with this rate (which is only fair as half price is still about $250/night :eek: ).

BTW, this place is AMAZING -- can't say enough nice things about the room and the service! ^ ^

In my experience it makes no difference whether you are paying full rack rate, corporate, AAA, SPG50 or a Starpoint award. Some of my very best upgrades have come on award stays. A couple, in Italy for example, of have come on SPG50's. Depends upon the country, the hotel, their overall upgrade philosophy, their occupancy levels and, perhaps, the alignment of the stars and moon. Rate doesn't generally seem to matter.

In my experience it makes no difference whether you are paying full rack rate, corporate, AAA, SPG50 or a Starpoint award. Some of my very best upgrades have come on award stays. A couple, in Italy for example, of have come on SPG50's. Depends upon the country, the hotel, their overall upgrade philosophy, their occupancy levels and, perhaps, the alignment of the stars and moon. Rate doesn't generally seem to matter.


Can confirm that statement, rate doesn't matter as long as you don't book through booking channels such as Expedia, Priceline or Travelocity etc. Here the member rules have changed and it is explicitely said that your Platinum privileges are not honoured.

Aside from that it doesn't matter if it is a free night or paid night.

No effect in my experience. Most recently, two weeks ago I enjoyed four nights at the Sheraton Grande in Bangkok in a truly wonderful suite with all the Platinum bells and whistles. ^ ^

makes no difference!

Also, FWIW, this thread alone should serve to counter the nay-sayers out there who love to tell us that SPG50s are neither available nor useful. Sounds like plenty of us out there are finding good use for SPG50 rates!

Makes no difference, and it shouldn't.

However, I have experienced situations where the front desk clerk/manager, etc. are ignorant of the rules and I don't get my upgrade because they claim I'm on a prepaid rate or a reward stay. I'd like to slap them upside the head for being lame a$$ retards, but a simple call to the Platinum Concierge number usually does the trick :D