Starwood Preferred Guest - Achieving Platinum when starting late in the year

I was offered Starwood Gold so I've just moved my business to Starwood yet I noticed they require 40 nights by end of year, regardless of starting in January or December :confused:

Any suggestion whether there's someone to ask for a reduction on nights through 4 months or any 'challenge' as in other programs to become top-tier for those who started late in the year ?

I don't believe reasonable for Starwood to ask me 10 nights/month to accrue 40 nights by December... all your suggestions and input is welcome.

Thanks.

You can also achieve platinum status based on stays too. You would need 25 stays. If you live in a city where there are multiple Starwood options then this can be achieved quite easily through a mattress run which involves changing Starwood properties every night :)

You can also achieve platinum status based on stays too. You would need 25 stays. If you live in a city where there are multiple Starwood options then this can be achieved quite easily through a mattress run which involves changing Starwood properties every night :)

Hmmm...sounds like fun and a good way for me to get to Platinum too!! If nothing else, its a good excuse to check into a nice hotel, watch TV and order "room service" while lounging around the room in my underwear! Glad I thought of it!! :D

I was offered Starwood Gold so I've just moved my business to Starwood yet I noticed they require 40 nights by end of year, regardless of starting in January or December :confused:

Any suggestion whether there's someone to ask for a reduction on nights through 4 months or any 'challenge' as in other programs to become top-tier for those who started late in the year ?

I don't believe reasonable for Starwood to ask me 10 nights/month to accrue 40 nights by December... all your suggestions and input is welcome.

Thanks.

40 nights? Unless the program has changed, it's either 25 stays or 50 nights - or for some of us, both. :D

40 nights? Unless the program has changed, it's either 25 stays or 50 nights - or for some of us, both. :D

I've just read the T&C and you're right: 25 stays/50 nights.

I'm starting to believe I should have sticked with HHonors... :(

Making 50 nights in 4 months or 25 stays in such a short period of time seems unreasonable... :rolleyes:

I'm not sure I understand the "issue" here. . .you're trying for Platinum and don't like the terms or requirements? Then why not just try next January instead and have 12 months as you desire? :confused:

How much business have you "moved" to *wood that it is causing such consternation?

The SPG program, as most programs, are calendar year based, and those are the terms. The HHonors program has become a rolling year program. I'm sure it was in response to people with concerns such as yours. However, as of yet, the % of programs with such a program, are, well, low (and may just be one). I'm sure other programs are looking at the HHonors model, seeing if it is worthwhile to compete, or not.

If you show them that you would have qualified if the term was Sept - March (as an example) they will comp you to Platinum. they did this for me as I had 28 stays in that period.

I think the rolling year makes sense. In reality, why not? Does it really matter if the business comes in Jan-Dec or June-May? IMO is more of an administrative problem than anything. Getting the staff and computer systems to work with a rolling year requires more effort. This year I am Gold and should make Plat, but last year I gave up because my stays started late in the year and I would not have made it by Dec.