Starwood Preferred Guest - Base, Gold, Plat, "Plus" & "Business Level"... What's the point of these two?

I'm a AAA-CAA Member and since I'm also a SPG member I was given a SPG Preferred Plus Membership. I know what it is and what it gives me. The question is what should I expect at a SPG hotel and what and how should I ask for it at check-in... since most SPG employee are not aware of the Preferred Plus level. They know the Base level, the Gold and Plat. Does anyone have "experiences" receiving those PLUS level benefits at a hotel when they checked in? Or is it just a scam to lure AAA and CAA members? Am I the only one with a Preferred "Plus" level? Also, on my account on the SPG website, I'm classified as a Preferred Business Guest. What is that about? All of this is confusing, Base Level, Gold Level, Plat Level... and then Business Level and Plus level. What is the point of those 2 new categories!? Is it confusing on purpose?

I'm a AAA-CAA Member and since I'm also a SPG member I was given a SPG Preferred Plus Membership. I know what it is and what it gives me. The question is what should I expect at a SPG hotel and what and how should I ask for it at check-in... since most SPG employee are not aware of the Preferred Plus level. They know the Base level, the Gold and Plat. Does anyone have "experiences" receiving those PLUS level benefits at a hotel when they checked in? Or is it just a scam to lure AAA and CAA members? Am I the only one with a Preferred "Plus" level? Also, on my account on the SPG website, I'm classified as a Preferred Business Guest. What is that about? All of this is confusing, Base Level, Gold Level, Plat Level... and then Business Level and Plus level. What is the point of those 2 new categories!? Is it confusing on purpose?

You're correct; it is somewhat confusing but you're not alone...I too, am a Preferred Plus member. How a hotel seems to receive you is very much location-specific. The card does say, "Upgrade to a Preferred Room at check-in" subject to availability but that typically means different things to different hotels depending on how they are configured. I've always received a late check-out (4 p.m.) but then I ask for it if I know I'm going to need it. As for the "Preferred Room" upgrade, I've been offered nothing at some properties (probably dependent on availability and I had already booked a fairly high level of room) and have been cited that only Plats get that treatment. At other properties, it meant going from a standard room to one with a King-size bed and sofa bed (I'm not sure that this was much of an upgrade). On rare occasions, the upgrade meant moving from a regular room to Club level. A good portion of my stays tend to be on weekends so properties may not feel as pressured at those times. I'm on my way to Gold this year (I know, 'whoopee' some would say) and I'm fairly ambivalent about it as I've been fairly satisfied with the Preferred Plus level and people who are Gold don't seem to rave about their upgrade potential. The only tangible Gold benefit I'm looking forward to is the three *Points per eligible U.S. dollar spent.
I look at it like this, for "Preferred Plus" status, very little was required (ie: being a AAA/CAA member) so any benefits I get (such as marginally better rates at certain properties or the occasional upgrade) are a bonus. I choose to stay at SPG properties because I generally like the product they provide. If I want Club-level, I'll pay for it and occasionally, the AAA/CAA rate for Club level can be better than conference rates for standard rooms. Having said that, if I happen to get upgraded to Club level, that's terrific and provides me with another reason to stay with SPG.

Signed,

A fellow pleb :D

I'm a AAA-CAA Member and since I'm also a SPG member I was given a SPG Preferred Plus Membership. I know what it is and what it gives me. The question is what should I expect at a SPG hotel and what and how should I ask for it at check-in... since most SPG employee are not aware of the Preferred Plus level. They know the Base level, the Gold and Plat. Does anyone have "experiences" receiving those PLUS level benefits at a hotel when they checked in? Or is it just a scam to lure AAA and CAA members? Am I the only one with a Preferred "Plus" level? Also, on my account on the SPG website, I'm classified as a Preferred Business Guest. What is that about? All of this is confusing, Base Level, Gold Level, Plat Level... and then Business Level and Plus level. What is the point of those 2 new categories!? Is it confusing on purpose?

"Preferred Plus" is basically the same as Gold without the 50% point bonus. Since I don't travel a lot (only a leisure traveler) most of my points come from SPG Amex. I wouldn't get that much from the 50% bonus anyway.

I have often gotten upgrades to higher floors or club level.

"Preferred Plus" is basically the same as Gold without the 50% point bonus. Since I don't travel a lot (only a leisure traveler) most of my points come from SPG Amex. I wouldn't get that much from the 50% bonus anyway.

I have often gotten upgrades to higher floors or club level.

Did you get you upgrade of club level by "asking" the front desk clerk or was it "offered" by the clerk. Did they recognized you "Plus" Level. Was it a hassle to get the upgrade or club level?

Did you get you upgrade of club level by "asking" the front desk clerk or was it "offered" by the clerk. Did they recognized you "Plus" Level. Was it a hassle to get the upgrade or club level?

FYI, even us Platinum members have to ask for our upgrade benefits often, if not most of the time.

It all depends on the hotel and the individual employee. With that in mind, it can never hurt to ask if they don't offer or mention it.

"Preferred Plus" is basically the same as Gold without the 50% point bonus . . . I have often gotten upgrades to higher floors or club level.
Yep. My company has a deal with SPG, wherein I automatically had a preferred plus account. Unfortunately, as my points began to accumulate - like a drug, I was hooked and have since become a Platinum member. I suppose that it's better than nothing, but I never really saw much of a benefit from the "preferred" status. I don't recall ever being upgraded until I had gold.

I am a Gold member, and I oftentimes call either the SPG Gold line, or call the hotel directly several days (even weeks) before arriving at the destination, in order to ask them to block out a room on either the preferred floor, or to book a corner room or what not.

This year I've been 100% successful in receiving 'preferred' rooms...the worst was probably at the W in San Francisco when I was given a 'corner room' which was a preferred room, but smaller than the center rooms.

Always call ahead and request the upgrade!!

Did you get you upgrade of club level by "asking" the front desk clerk or was it "offered" by the clerk. Did they recognized you "Plus" Level. Was it a hassle to get the upgrade or club level?

They were just given to me when I checked in. However, the hotels I stayed at were not anywhere near full occupancy when I stayed. Several of them were on weekends at "business" oriented hotels.

With "Preferred Plus" I don't think you can expect an upgrade (unlike Platinums). Also, don't expect upgrades to suites, deluxe rooms etc.

With "Preferred Plus" I don't think you can expect an upgrade (unlike Platinums). Also, don't expect upgrades to suites, deluxe rooms etc.[/QUOTE]

Well... I should at least expect what is stated on the back of my card and on my membership documents... don't you think?

- 2 Starpoints per U.S.$ spent
- Upgrade to a Preferred Room
- 4pm late checkout
- Complimentary Newspaper

Well... I should at least expect what is stated on the back of my card and on my membership documents... don't you think?

- 2 Starpoints per U.S.$ spent
- Upgrade to a Preferred Room
- 4pm late checkout
- Complimentary Newspaper

2 points per dollar is what the base level SPG member gets. The room upgrade is only when available (and I think the same applies to the late checkout). They aren't the best benefits, but those of us that don't travel that much can't complain.

The upgrades may depend on each hotel and how full they are, but at least you get the upgrade periodically. I think of it as a pleasant surprise.

The room upgrade is only when available (and I think the same applies to the late checkout).

The same goes for Gold Members; Room upgrade and late checkout is only available when available. So it's the same difference...

The room upgrade is only when available (and I think the same applies to the late checkout).

The same goes for Gold Members; Room upgrade and late checkout is only available when available. So it's the same difference...

I got the Preferred Plus from the credit card and got 1000K points for each of my first 3 days.

The room upgrade is only when available (and I think the same applies to the late checkout).

The same goes for Gold Members; Room upgrade and late checkout is only available when available. So it's the same difference...

...at time of check-in.

so it seems that Gold doesn't provide much of a benefit over preferred...or am i missing something. my account is supposed to be upgraded to Gold for the 30k spend on my SPG Amex, but i don't really see what that's going to get me.

so it seems that Gold doesn't provide much of a benefit over preferred...or am i missing something. my account is supposed to be upgraded to Gold for the 30k spend on my SPG Amex, but i don't really see what that's going to get me.

So can we keep the extra Starpoint elite member bonus you would get as a Gold member? :D How about the walk policy points if you should be unfortunate enough to be walked from a participating property? Can we keep those as well? ;)

Best regards,

William

How about the walk policy points if you should be unfortunate enough to be walked from a participating property? Can we keep those as well? ;)

There's an SPG walk policy??? Is this in the T&Cs? What is the policy? Do most hotel and resort properties participate?

Only once in my life have I been walked by a hotel. Marriott sent me a $100 check for the inconvenience and paid for my night in a Doubletree.

There's an SPG walk policy??? Is this in the T&Cs? What is the policy? Do most hotel and resort properties participate?

Only once in my life have I been walked by a hotel. Marriott sent me a $100 check for the inconvenience and paid for my night in a Doubletree.

Yes. There is a walk policy for Gold and Platinum members. It is not in the T&C's, but it is in the Program Guide for all participating properties and we've discussed it here before.

Once I get back into the office, I can post the details about it. Otherwise, a search might turn it up.

Best regards,

William

SPG walk policy (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5367086&postcount=10).

I was wondering the same thing as the OP -- what's the meaning of "Preferred Business Guest"? I remember starting out as Preferred Plus with the SPG AmEx, and then at some point I noticed this other level on my account.

I was wondering the same thing as the OP -- what's the meaning of "Preferred Business Guest"? I remember starting out as Preferred Plus with the SPG AmEx, and then at some point I noticed this other level on my account.

You have a SET code associated with your account.

Thanks for the post about the walk policy. I never knew that Plats got the extra spg point bonus.