Starwood Preferred Guest - FAQ: SPG gold benefits - what are they?

I just booked a night at the Sheraton Montreal and chose a Club Floor room, which includes breakfast and hors d'oeuvres. It was $12 more than the cheapest, non-refundable internet rate available on SPG.com. If I cancel and re-book at the cheaper rate, will I get upgraded to the Club Floor room and get the same "extras"? Or should I keep the current rate and expect (hope) to be upgraded to an even better room?

Gold members should never expect a Club upgrade.
Gold members should never expect free breakfast.

I just booked a night at the Sheraton Montreal and chose a Club Floor room, which includes breakfast and hors d'oeuvres. It was $12 more than the cheapest, non-refundable internet rate available on SPG.com. If I cancel and re-book at the cheaper rate, will I get upgraded to the Club Floor room and get the same "extras"? Or should I keep the current rate and expect (hope) to be upgraded to an even better room?
In my experience, when I was Starwood Gold I might get a slight upgrade (renovated vs. unrenovated room, for example), but I NEVER got upgraded to the Club Floor.

Of course, the individual hotel, as a courtesy, might give you a Club Floor upgrade, but I wouldn't count on it.

If the Club Floor benefits are important to you, I would suggest you keep your existing reservation. It can be worth the extra $12, and perhaps more importantly, you will NOT experience the risks associated with the nonrefundable rate you mention!

Two words. Not much...Ok, five words. Not much & some bonus points.

My philosophy is "Expect nothing and you will not be disappointed; expect something and you might be." Then when something nice does happen, you are pleasantly surprised and appreciative.

But then, I don't travel as much as some of you.

SPG Plats have enough problems getting what is entitled to them; ie, never expect any kind of upgrade, you're simply setting yourself up for disappointment.

I just booked a night at the Sheraton Montreal and chose a Club Floor room, which includes breakfast and hors d'oeuvres. It was $12 more than the cheapest, non-refundable internet rate available on SPG.com. If I cancel and re-book at the cheaper rate, will I get upgraded to the Club Floor room and get the same "extras"? Or should I keep the current rate and expect (hope) to be upgraded to an even better room?
Be glad to have booked the club room.
As a gold, you should expect your reservation will be honored- anything more and you are in for a disappointment. My speculation is SPG has as many gold as regular members now- everyone is gold.

My philosophy is "Expect nothing and you will not be disappointed; expect something and you might be." Then when something nice does happen, you are pleasantly surprised and appreciative.

But then, I don't travel as much as some of you.

I think this is a wise approach and the approach I take when travelling.

SPG Plats have enough problems getting what is entitled to them; ie, never expect any kind of upgrade, you're simply setting yourself up for disappointment.

Upgrades are not an absolute entitlement -- upgrades are offered to select rooms based upon one's status and other factors (luck has a lot to do with this, repeat guest, high volume/value guest, a VIP, etc) IF available. If one views upgrades as entitlement one may be disappointed more often than not.

I have found SPG to be very stingy with any beneifits to Gold. Keep what you have

As a gold member, which I was for a few years via the AMEX Platinum Card, I don't believe I was ever aware of receiving any specific room/upgrade benefit at a hotel. While, as others have said, I may have unknowingly received a renovated vs. un-renovated room, or perhaps a room on a higher floor, I know for a fact I did not receive a Club Floor room, Club Floor benefits, free breakfast, or anything of the sort.

I agree with those who say, "expect nothing." If the breakfast and lounge benefits are of interest to you, stay with the reservation you have, especially at that price difference.

In SPG, Platinum is definitely where it's at. The difference between it and Gold is enormous.

Everyone above is correct, but you will probably be upgraded anyway.

Pay the $12, and be sure.

IMHO, as a Gold, you most likely will not be upgraded. When I want to be on the Club Floor, I pay the extra.

We booked the smallest room they have on a discount rate over labor day weekend. They only have like 5 of these in the whole hotel and so I assumed we'd get at least a standard room as Gold. Not so. Enjoy your club room :)

Be glad to have booked the club room.


Heh

As a SPG Gold, I've been in club level rooms 3 times this year.

The first time was at the Sheraton Boston......it was an upgrade.

The 2nd time was at the Sheraton Inner Harbor.....it was also an upgrade on a reservation made using a SPG50 award.

The 3rd time was last night at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel in San Antonio.......

This was the only time that I specifically booked a club level room (something I will be more cautious about in the future...read on)

I even e-mailed the hotel to ask if the level/lounge would be open since Sheraton's website for said hotel had previously said that the club level would be undergoing renervations during that time.....yet was informed that the renevations were being delayed until a later date and that "the club level Lounge and floor will be open".

Note: If the lounge wasn't going to be open during my stay, I would have rebooked at a lower rate.

Imagine my surprise to find out after I checked in that the lounge was closed...... since it's always closed all day Saturday and Sunday morning.

I think there should have been some indication that the lounge would not be open...... either before or even while booking my reservation.......let alone in the e-mail response from the hotel to my inquiry about this specific aspect of my stay. :(

A.J.

Others are right to say not to expect anything when you check in. Having said that, I've been upgraded to Club level or equivalent twice in 3 stays since I became Gold. But then most of them were on weekends, with lounge being closed. As Preferred Plus member, I was upgraded about 3 times in 10 stays to Club or equivalent (not counting "Preferred" rooms).

YMMV, but I probably wouldn't have as much luck if I was staying during the week.

BTW, I don't think everyone is Gold, but I'll agree that Gold isn't that special except for the bonus points.

Ok, I did a search. I still dont understand this upgrade thing a Starwood. I'm SPG gold.

I'm staying at the Sheration Centre in Toronto this weekend. When I checked in, I asked can I get a club floor upgrade? The front desk clerk says "yes, for 40.00 per night". I told her "I tought as a gold I would get an upgrade due to availability.. you have them available since you want to charge me 40.00 so why don't i get the upgrade?"

She smiled and said- only Plats get upgraded at this hotel.

No newspaper / no turn down ... why do they do this?

Ok, I did a search. I still dont understand this upgrade thing a Starwood. I'm SPG gold.

I'm staying at the Sheration Centre in Toronto this weekend. When I checked in, I asked can I get a club floor upgrade? The front desk clerk says "yes, for 40.00 per night". I told her "I tought as a gold I would get an upgrade due to availability.. you have them available since you want to charge me 40.00 so why don't i get the upgrade?"

She smiled and said- only Plats get upgraded at this hotel.

No newspaper / no turn down ... why do they do this?

I have been Gold for two years and almost always get at least upgraded to the SPG floor. In some hotels in both Canada and the US I have recieved upgrades to Club/Executive floors. Anytime I have been upgraded, it has been without asking.

Not getting a newspaper seems a little strange. I stayed last week at Sheraton Gateway YYZ and did receive a paper. During this stay I was upgraded without request to the SPG floor.

From the SPG Terms and Conditions:
In addition to the benefits of Preferred Guest membership, Gold Preferred Guests receive the following benefits:
b. Upgrades to a Preferred Room at Participating Properties at the time of check-in based upon room availability for your entire stay. Preferred Rooms are identified by each property and are superior standard rooms that may include rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, or rooms with preferred views. The upgrade benefit is available for one room for the personal use of the Member only, regardless of the number of additional rooms purchased by the Member.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/terms_conditions.html#6
Some hotels do upgrade Golds to Executive Level rooms, but they by no means have to.

So... thats like having status with the airlines, getting notified you have recieved a upgrade... getting on the plane and finding out you have not been upgraded to 1st or business class but have been given a isle seat rather then a middles seat? I thought the upgrades were bad at Marriott...

From the SPG web site under Gold benefits:

Automatic Room Upgrades¹: As an elite member, you don't need to redeem Starpoints for a room upgrade --- you'll automatically be given a Preferred Room at check-in when available.

¹Preferred Rooms are identified by each property and are superior standard rooms that may include rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, or rooms with preferred views.

I guess the footnote should also say this benefit is arbitrary and completely at the individual hotel's discretion. That would be an honest description of the benefit. At least then budding SPG members could make an informed decision prior to committing to the program.

Welcome to SPG Gold, where Gold means more Starpoints, but that's it. ;)

As a Gold, I have always expected the room I reserve and have never been disappointed. Sometimes, I have been given noticable upgrades, particularly outside the U.S.

As a Plat, I had higher expectations and almost always was satisfied.

Ok, I did a search. I still dont understand this upgrade thing a Starwood. I'm SPG gold.

I'm staying at the Sheration Centre in Toronto this weekend. When I checked in, I asked can I get a club floor upgrade? The front desk clerk says "yes, for 40.00 per night". I told her "I tought as a gold I would get an upgrade due to availability.. you have them available since you want to charge me 40.00 so why don't i get the upgrade?"

She smiled and said- only Plats get upgraded at this hotel.

No newspaper / no turn down ... why do they do this?


I stayed there last week. I'm a gold and asked for an upgrade. I was told that they were almost completely sold-out, so they had only smoking club-floor rooms, which they offered to me without charge. I declined. I was given a corner room, which seemed larger than the other rooms on my floor (judging by the floorplan on the back of my door).

Did you check in at the special gold/platinum desk or the regular check-in counter?

As a Gold, I have gotten upgraded at times, including twice to suites in the last year, so it does happen.

In general though, I think all Starwood is promising is that you won't get the worst room in the hotel. (unless its the only one left!)

If you adopt the attitude of expecting nothing, you'll be pleasantly surprised from time to time :p

If you adopt the attitude of expecting nothing, you'll be pleasantly surprised from time to time :p

If you want to believe the marketing hype, your visits will be full of confusion and disappointment...

(just days shy of Plat, two years running, not a single upgrade as gold, north american or asia props...)

As a Gold, I experienced nothing more than extra points. True that I had the "Preferred Plus" status that comes free from the Amex card before making Gold. It seems that I got upgrades to club or preferred rooms as both PP and Gold, but never suites. I only got a suite upgrade after making Platinum.

I am a SPG gold member, have been so for the last 3 years, before that I have been Platinum for about 2 years but seem to always be about 5 nights short of Platinum, which is o.k.

Yesterday I checked in at the 4P Sheraton in Edmonton. I had booked a suite, which is small and not expensive as one might think. $ 30.00 more compared to a regular room.

When I got to my room I was given a room right next to the elevator.
In my profile it says "away from elevator". The hotel was only about 60% occupied. I had also asked for a high floor and was told 5 (out of 7) was the highest I could get, I was o.k. with that.
I went downstairs and asked for another room and was told that I could get a room on the Starwood Preferred Guest floor which was on the 7th floor.
I asked:"Don't I automatically get a room on the Starwood Preferred guest floor as gold?"
She just said "no". If the hotel is full and I am getting one of the last rooms I understand but hotel was quite "empty" that night.

Having stayed in different properties including, Thailand, Korea and all over Canada I have not found anykind of advantage to being gold excpet the extra points.
I guess we can't expect to much, after all for Gold only 10 stays are needed.
Is there another program that is a little more generous and consistant when achiving Gold?

I am a SPG gold member, have been so for the last 3 years, before that I have been Platinum for about 2 years but seem to always be about 5 nights short of Platinum, which is o.k.

Yesterday I checked in at the 4P Sheraton in Edmonton. I had booked a suite, which is small and not expensive as one might think. $ 30.00 more compared to a regular room.

When I got to my room I was given a room right next to the elevator.
In my profile it says "away from elevator". The hotel was only about 60% occupied. I had also asked for a high floor and was told 5 (out of 7) was the highest I could get, I was o.k. with that.
I went downstairs and asked for another room and was told that I could get a room on the Starwood Preferred Guest floor which was on the 7th floor.
I asked:"Don't I automatically get a room on the Starwood Preferred guest floor as gold?"
She just said "no". If the hotel is full and I am getting one of the last rooms I understand but hotel was quite "empty" that night.

Having stayed in different properties including, Thailand, Korea and all over Canada I have not found anykind of advantage to being gold excpet the extra points.
I guess we can't expect to much, after all for Gold only 10 stays are needed.
Is there another program that is a little more generous and consistant when achiving Gold?

HHonors Gold is the best mid-level status among all hotel programs. Here is the link (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/benefits/levels.jhtml#gold_vip_membership).

HHonors Gold is the best mid-level status among all hotel programs. Here is the link (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/benefits/levels.jhtml#gold_vip_membership).

I actually have HHonors Gold, got it comped by Air Canada last year.
I did use them a few times during the first few month of this year and you are right IIRC, they gave me breakfast vouchers and always rooms on a higher floor or better room because I was Gold, even in Hilton Garden Inn's.
For some reason I focused in SPG as I was hoping to make Platinum this year and spend a quite a few nights in Starwood properties in Asia.
I should have probably stayed with HHonors and get Diamond there.

One benefit is that you have the option of using the Gold/Platinum check-in lines which sometimes can be much shorter than the regular line.

I found no real benefit in NA for SPG Gold, other than the 50% bonus points. Recognition seems to be a little better in Europe.

I found no real benefit in NA for SPG Gold, other than the 50% bonus points.

And the extra point per dollar IS the sole real benefit of SPG Gold. Everything else (upgrade and 4 PM checkout) you get automatically with Preferred Plus (AKA Preferred Business). You get Plus status automatically with your Starwood Amex card.

I agree that the point bonus is the best feature of gold. Now, it also does depend a bit on the hotels you are staying at. For example, I get a pretty good room at the Aladdin in Las Vegas and I know that in BKK they will upgrade golds to the jr. suite but when ask about golds being upgraded to the club floor they said they didnt do that there. So, just like any program there are properties that try to give a little more to the mid-tier and those that dont.

I hate to make this into a Hilton vs. SPG thread but I noticed quite a difference several years ago when I made gold for the first time with Hilton but most of the time I dont see much recognition of my status with SPG but again it could just be the properties I am staying at......not much they can give you at a cheap 4PTS airport location.

I'm not sure that citing the 4Pts YXD is the best selection for determining whether SPG Gold is worth it. The hotel is "relatively" new to the *Wood brand and the staff, at least in my experience, isn't exactly "up-to-speed" with the program. Also, is it possible that even though the hotel wasn't full, that the SPG floor was already occupied ? I don't stay there any longer but choose to take my business to the Westin YXD. It's actually quite a bit cheaper on a government rate than the 4 Pts. I consistently have had exemplary service at the hotel and have been upgraded on every one of my stays (but I also spend 15-35 nights there annually). If you would like some addresses of the guest services coordinator at the Westin, PM me.
Another example is the Sheraton Cavalier in YYC which gives both Gold and Plats access to the Club lounge automatically. On my last stay, instead of me working on them to get access, the front desk staff told me of this new policy change. Having said all of that, YMMV - as mine has depending on what property is being referenced.

I am a SPG gold member, have been so for the last 3 years, before that I have been Platinum for about 2 years but seem to always be about 5 nights short of Platinum, which is o.k.

Yesterday I checked in at the 4P Sheraton in Edmonton. I had booked a suite, which is small and not expensive as one might think. $ 30.00 more compared to a regular room.

When I got to my room I was given a room right next to the elevator.
In my profile it says "away from elevator". The hotel was only about 60% occupied. I had also asked for a high floor and was told 5 (out of 7) was the highest I could get, I was o.k. with that.
I went downstairs and asked for another room and was told that I could get a room on the Starwood Preferred Guest floor which was on the 7th floor.
I asked:"Don't I automatically get a room on the Starwood Preferred guest floor as gold?"
She just said "no". If the hotel is full and I am getting one of the last rooms I understand but hotel was quite "empty" that night.

Having stayed in different properties including, Thailand, Korea and all over Canada I have not found anykind of advantage to being gold excpet the extra points.
I guess we can't expect to much, after all for Gold only 10 stays are needed.
Is there another program that is a little more generous and consistant when achiving Gold?

Big advantage of Gold is point earning bonus. 4 normal with Starwood card, 6 if double, 8 if triple (promos)

My experiences so far as Gold:

- LM Orchard SIN: Priority check in/check out desk. Helped when checking out as there was a tour group crowding around the regular check in desk, and the priority one had no queues. I also got a room on the top floor, although it didn't seem any different to a regular room.

- LM HKG - Huge corner room, welcome tea set, free fruit platter.

- 4P SYD - SPG floor (although I couldn't work out how that's different to regular floors), upgrade to harbor view room.

Pretty happy thus far. :)

I recently got Butler room upgrade on award stay at Sheraton Park Tower in London. (Luck, but status can only help)

Also Corner "Suite" upgrade at Dom Hotel in Cologne.

While "Preferred Plus" is supposed to have the same upgrade benefit as Gold, I'll bet that hotels do give higher preference or whatever to Golds.

While "Preferred Plus" is supposed to have the same upgrade benefit as Gold, I'll bet that hotels do give higher preference or whatever to Golds.

What proof do you have? I am currently Preferred Plus and was formerly Gold. I have received the same types of upgrades since the change in status (7 stays in 2006). I have also asked the hotel front desk in each hotel and they confirmed that they treat SPG P+ and Gold the same for upgraded rooms. So I believe the quoted statement is not true.

I've had drastically different experiences as an SPG Gold.

Some hotels flat out don't notice and give me whatever is left and yell at me when I want to check out at 3.

Here are some notable Gold recognitions I've received:

1. An upgrade to those cool bi-level suites at the SFO 4 Points (very nice!). This happened 2/3 times staying there.
2. A cool corner room with a lounge area at the Bay Bridge 4 Points.
3. A nice club floor room at the University City Sheraton (PHL).
4. A high level room with a welcome gift at the St. Regis DC.
5. A club level room at the Sheraton Roma West

So yeah - the rule of thumb as a Gold is don't expect anything, but don't be too surprised when you do get something. :-)

I had a similar experience at Sheraton Bellevue. No free gold upgrade (even though hotel not full) but for $30 extra I got a room on the SPG level and free breakfasts. So much for taking care of Golds (by contrast as Hilton Gold I routinely get upgrades and access to free breakfast in lounge on priceline stays!) Also don't count on 4pm checkout at resorts - lucky to get 2pm.

Now to be fair I did receive a nice upgrade on a free stay in Maui. But the general rule is don't expect much unless you are Plat.

What proof do you have? I am currently Preferred Plus and was formerly Gold. I have received the same types of upgrades since the change in status (7 stays in 2006). I have also asked the hotel front desk in each hotel and they confirmed that they treat SPG P+ and Gold the same for upgraded rooms. So I believe the quoted statement is not true.

My experience was the same as yours. As a Gold, the only difference I ever experienced as opposed to Preferred Plus was the extra point per dollar. And if there is a double or triple point promo, the extra point is not multiplied. I would think that they would have some promos that multiply this extra point to highlight the benefits of Gold.

As a Platinum, I have received better upgrades. I find suite upgrades to be rare, but I almost always received some kind of upgrade. Sometimes it was the seemingly meaningless club floor (that I got as Preferred Plus) but often a good ugprade.

The moral to the story is that if you want better treatment other than the extra point per dollar, you probably have to make Platinum.

I found no real benefit in NA for SPG Gold, other than the 50% bonus points. Recognition seems to be a little better in Europe.

Got to agree with you on this. I've always received an upgrade in Europe in the two years I've had a gold card. This is based on around 15 stays in Europe at a mixture of Sheraton and Luxury Collection properties. In NA the gold card appears to have little to no status at most properties I have visited.

The bonus points have made a big difference though, so thanks to Starwood my anniversary trips are usually on them.

Question - Do you bring your Starwood Gold card and flash it at checking? Or does having the number set in your reservation automatically tell them whether you're pref. plus, gold, or platinum - and you don't need to show them the card?

I have a SPG Amex and I always use that to pay, but I'm going to be Gold soon and started wondering what I need to do to get the occasional perk from it. I'd rather not carry the membership card unless i need to - it bulks up the wallet, etc.

Question - Do you bring your Starwood Gold card and flash it at checking? Or does having the number set in your reservation automatically tell them whether you're pref. plus, gold, or platinum - and you don't need to show them the card?

I have a SPG Amex and I always use that to pay, but I'm going to be Gold soon and started wondering what I need to do to get the occasional perk from it. I'd rather not carry the membership card unless i need to - it bulks up the wallet, etc.

If you book with your number, they will know. In fact, the first letter of your number indicates your status (B=Preferred Plus, G=Gold, P=Platinum). I have usually not had to produce the card, but there may be exceptions.

I've been a Gold for a year or two, and my experience has been pretty much the same as those here -- don't expect much, at least in North America.

When I was in driving around Europe this summer I had lots of upgrades and other benefits. At the Le Meridien in Rimini, Italy, the manager had a welcome letter and bottle of real balsamic vinegar waiting for me in my room. That was pretty neat. ;)

On the flip side, I was traveling with some friends who have SPG Platinum, and we always compared rooms and amenities. Their upgrades and welcome gifts were always a cut above mine. Always better rooms, always better fruit platters, bigger bottles of vinegar, etc. That's one of the reasons I'm going to try for platinum this year, especially with the double credits promo.

Ok, I stand corrected about Starwood properties seldomly upgrading Gold members in North America.

I'm staying at the W Silicon Valley this evening and had booked a Wonderful Suite, which is the lowest grade room. On check-in I've been upgraded up the full 4 room levels to a Wow Suite which is really nice.

Now I know the hotel isn't busy and I'm only here on a short stay, but the upgrade has very much been appreciated and noted. I'll be leaving Starwood in North America on a very positive note ^

I just spent 6 nights at three European Starwood's (2 Westin, 1 Le Meridien), and noticed not one bit of difference by being gold (other than the bonus points and the newspaper in the morning).

At the Westin Excelsor Rome, I stayed there twice over a week (had a side trip in return) and the seoncd room I got for the same price was smaller than the first visit - smaller room, smaller bed, etc.

And I flash my SPG Gold card at check-in everytime and confirm the number is in the system, but it rarely seems tyo matter.

The Leading Hotels of the World's "Club," is a different story - always upgrading, and if they can't then they have reduced my rate to reflect a lower level class room. And I love their welcome gifts (fruit, water), which is a nice touch when you are in a foreign city and don't feel like spending $10 on a bottle of water from the minibar.

...Having stayed in different properties including, Thailand, Korea and all over Canada I have not found anykind of advantage to being gold excpet the extra points......and using the preferred check-in/out desks.

Back when I was gold I found recognition to be significantly better in South America.

...however I have been upgraded as Gold quite a few times in my nearly 2 years of being Gold. But the vast majority of my stays has been over weekends, when business is usually slower. And when upgraded, the lounge is always closed, and really the freebies I get are just free bottled water and bathrobe. All of my stays has been within USA so far.

I wasn't going to bother renewing my Gold status, until SPG came out with the 8K/4 stays promo, so may as well as go for it.

I've been Gold for 2 years and sometimes get upgraded but not too often. I do appreciate the expedited check in line. That's a big perk for me.

Out of my 14 stays as Gold this year, I have had very good experiences in upgrades on 12 stays. My stay in Sheraton Towers NY and second stay in Le Meridien Changgi Village had not been upgraded due to full bookings at the hotel. Other than that, I've been upgraded to delux room (or equiv. of one grade below suite) when booking cheapest room, or one bedroom suites on several stays. I have to say that my best experience was in Warsaw where I got upgraded to one bedroom suite @ Le Royal Meridien Bristol. :)

My first post here. Do SPG Gold members get complimentary breakfast when staying in Starwood Group hotels?

My first post here. Do SPG Gold members get complimentary breakfast when staying in Starwood Group hotels?

No..... Not even Plats get comp b'fast ( unless you get Club Lounge access).

My first post here. Do SPG Gold members get complimentary breakfast when staying in Starwood Group hotels?
Nope. You are not going to get much with Gold.

Higher floor.
50% bonus points.
Maybe 4PM check out.

That's all you are going to get.

If you want more, you need platinum

I believe it depends. When being assigned to a Club Floor (with Lounge) on a weekend when the Lounge is closed, I have been offered a complimentary breakfast buffet or continental breakfast (with buffet upcharge).

In recent memory, I had this benefit at the Sheraton EWR and Sheraton Studio City Orlando. At a Sheraton in suburban Boston, I was told only Plats received the comp breakfast when the Lounge was closed.

It's rare - so not something you should count on.

Never had a free breakfast as a gold. Only a slightly larger room. :(

SPG gold isnt great, I use it because i get it free with my plat amex ... I dont travel enough to make platinum, most of my travel is leisurely in which case i dont mind paying for nicer rooms anyway so I dont need the upgrades.

SPG Gold in Europe has been pretty kind to me - probably get a suite 50% of the time (including speciality suites above standard ones) and at least a decent upgrade 9 times out of 10.

Benefits in North America have been a lot more hit and miss, probably nearer 25% upgrade to suite and 50% for a decent upgrade.

That said, a lot of my Starwood travel is leisure travel, so I usually book rates with breakfast included. I'm pushing for Plat next year, but I have to say that Gold status has been very good to me so far.

Never had a free breakfast as a gold. Only a slightly larger room. :(

I'm Gold, and stayed at the Sheraton Suites Market Center in Dallas last week. When I checked in I received a letter from the hotel GM apologizing for the fact that the club lounge was closed, that I would not be able to get the breakfast or evening snacks. The envelope contained certificates for reduced rate meals in the hotel restaurant to make up for this.

Perhaps it depends on whether or not you get the complimentary breakfast depends on whether or not there is a club lounge at the hotel.

I've gotten the free breakfast when the club was closed on the weekend... It was a nice touch.

It's funny that this comes up every once in a while, and so many people feel this is a make or break issue. I've never really cared whether I got free food or not...

This year, I have worked diligently to make gold through stays. I will make it with at least 15. I have a choice where I stay since the money spent is entirely mine. Why should I book which Starwood since often www.priceline.com, www.asiarooms.com, www.agoda.com, www.venere.com, and others will get me a Starwood property at a considerable savings over booking on the web-site and, at least in Asia with the exception of Priceline, throw in two free breakfasts, taxes and service charges.

This year, I decided to compare SPG gold with Hilton gold and will qualify with both on stays. A stay at the Kota Kinabalu Le Meridien (as a gold walk in) and one at the former Sheraton Langkawi Resort and Spa (now rebranded as a Westin) (as a SPG basic member) convinced me that perhaps there was value in the program. In fact, a Starwood American Express card has joined my credit card collection, but perhaps only for the free year.

Now it is time for reconsideration. Hilton has its problems, but most of the time I end up with a club room, breakfast for two, water and possibly a candy bar. Sunday, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn CMH Airport. They asked if I would be there for breakfast, since I was departing before there breakfast hours they attempted to get me my "my-way" 750 points. They handed me two cold bottles of water, had free cookies at night and even provided a free comb. There was a letter in the room that asked for comments to guest relations if "anything" was less than a 10 and they meant it. They even had my choice of pillows per my profile and I checked in at 11a.m. BTW Hilton Garden Inn is probably the equivalent of a 4 Points.

This year, especially at Sheraton-branded properties has been an eye-opener. Although the Le Meridien Singapore is not IMO a good Asian property and not at all service oriented, at least when a problem is encountered, it is fixed by the customer service manager.

This appears to be not true in North and South America. Although we had excellent stays at the Sheraton Salta and Sheraton Santiago Conference Center. Even the so-called Luxury Collection, Patios de Cafayete while it is not lux albeit extremely overpriced for what it offers was ok.

The construction and check-out problems at the Sheraton Libertador have been described in this forum. Satisfactory resolution was reached.

Why does one have to fight for promised benefits and in particular for Starpoints? It is great the Starwood Lurker is here, but most of the problems encountered with Starwood properties would not become problems at all if people just did their jobs and computer systems just worked. Thus William might be out of a job. Frankly the offered benefits for a Gold are just not enough to have me spend more money to get what I basically get with the blind booking companies.

Promotions are great, Starwood has some of the best, but!! 45 minutes in the lobby of the the Portland, ME South Portland Sheraton to get a stay credit for the stay 3 and get 4000 starpoints promotion is not really worth it. Starwood, you own the hotel, do not tell me a prepaid visit booked on www.spg.com is not an eligible stay, do not tell me to prove it, and finally do not tell me that you must manually post a prepaid stay after making me stay around for 45 minutes. I paid twice as much for the one night for stay credit than I could have on Priceline. Should I have chosen also to stay next Friday at the Columbus, Ohio Airport Sheraton, and (next month) 1 night at the Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, 1 night at the Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, 4 nights at the Sheraton Krabi and 5 nights at the Le Meridien Khao Lak because of the promotion? Should I have chosen to spend my money somewhere else? I guess the next 5 stays will tell the tale.

Fighting for starpoints that do not post is a waste of time for Starwood, the hotels, and especially me the customer who chose your company in the first place. Let's count this one years fight.

1. No credit at Langkawi because you considered the rate to be SPG50 despite it being rebooked at a lower qualifying rate.
2. William's intervention to get the stays at Salta and Cafayate to post.
3. William's intervention to get the stays at Libertador to post.
4. The 45 minutes at South Portland mentioned above.
5. The ongoing problem with Amex to get bonus points for Salta and Cafayate to post because they bill as another company in Salta and Amex does not know that Cafayate is a Luxury Collection property. Today I got a postcard from Amex that stated they posted "XXX" total number of points for the year and therefore the posting is correct, this is despite my sending a letter by snail mail and all portfolios.

What is an upgraded room, when available. At Starwood properties it seems to be a normal room sometimes on the "spg floor", many times not. There seems to be no distinction except perhaps a sign on the floor, if one is lucky enough to get upgraded. At the Sheraton Maui, an upgraded "garden view" is, as pointed out by the desk clerk, the same room one floor higher.

Since when is two doubles a reserved king? In South Portland, Maine and at the Sheraton Maui. Oh yes, the Sheraton Maui desk clerk insisted that in order to move, we must have our bags packed at 11 a.m. in order to check totally out and we could come back at 4 to check into our new room. They magnanimously would store our baggage for the 5 hours. This took the intervention of the front end manager to rectify.

Starwood, I have choices. I'm a FTer and know how to get good deals and still be loyal. Should you be in my portfolio?

There are a hundred thousand posts on benefits one should expect as a Gold.

Your experience my vary - and I can see why you're questioning sticking around (I would as well if I had the year you had).

However - I've been a Gold for about 3 years now (jury is still out on whether I'll hit plat this year).

While I've learned not to expect upgrades, I've gotten some AMAZING upgrades including a top floor completely renovated gorgeous suite for 3 nights at the LM Barcelona, a great junior suite for an entire week at the Sheraton Commander and many more. I'd say at least 50% of the time (I'm underestimating) I get at least some form of upgrade, be it club floor access (which you aren't entitled to as a Gold) to a nicer corner room to a fabulous suite.

I've only had one problem in the past 3 years with my points not posting correctly. I all of a sudden got a 4K point credit that I didn't deserve (there's a posting about it somewhere). After a large ethical discussion on this forum, I did notify SPG, and they only took 3K of them back. ^ So that's more of a bank error in my favor than a real problem.

AMEX points and bonuses always post accurately as well. As do SPG bonuses (which are AMAZING - I love staying at a hotel, getting like 500 points for the stay, and then randomly a 3000 bonus and then a 1000 bonus for things I've long since forgotten I registered for).

You seem to stay in SPG properties on an international scale, I do not (I've only stayed at 2 non-US SPG properties since I hit Gold). That could be the difference as perhaps more international properties can't quite follow the rules (or have more IT difficulties) than US properties.

For me Gold (though not platinum) has been completely satisfactory and delivered as promised.

I think you're more likely to get an upgrade as gold when staying at an old-style hotel that has lots of different room types and standards. At a cookie-cutter hotel like the Westin Galleria Dallas where there are really only regular rooms and suites, I wouldn't expect anything. At something like the Grand Bretagne in Athens or Le Meridien Piccadilly, I would expect to not get stuck with the smallest room overlooking an exhaust fan, and perhaps get one with either a view or a slightly larger size.

Beyond that, I find the 4pm late check-out a great benefit, I don't think HHonors offers that. Although I do (did) like the free breakfast with HHonors gold.

Well thought out OP, consistent with tons of other posts (including a few of mine a few years ago). Net net, the only predictable and value-able Gold benefit is the triple Starpoints; everything else (especially in NA) is a joke. All too often, Platinum benefits are becoming less consistently available although, as others no doubt will point out, there are some amazing upgrades to be had when you hit the jackpot (especially in Europe, or at the Sheraton Boston). Conversely, Hilton Gold is worth quite a bit more than SPG Gold, and almost as much as Hilton Diamond. So, different programs for different purposes: redemption on SPG is good, sometimes great, but routine treatment of status guests is probably better at HH. YMMV, of course - not intending to start yet another HH/SPG flame war.

Been Gold for 2 years now, and like posters above I've been the recipient of some upgrades. Most of my stays are non-US, as you can probably tell from my profile - most of my stays are in places like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Singapore etc. As for the properties that do not know rules - that can work both ways; in my case it's resulted in nice suite upgrades. ^ :D If I don't get upgraded at all, I can be assured that I wouldn't get the worst rooms either - many a times I've got rooms on very high floors, large corner rooms, rooms with nice views (ok I don't really care about views but it's the thought that counts hey).

Making PLT for the first time by the end of this year - 4 more stays! Just in time for my RTW trip next year. :D

At the end of the day, it's the quality of brands that matter more to me than the merits of different frequent stay programs. Whilst I'm Miles and More SEN and AAdvantage PLAT without actually flying much of LH or AA due to this age of airline alliances, the same cannot be done for hotels - I can't earn Priority Club or HH points by staying at W hotels. So I do have to admit my bias towards SPG is influenced more by hotel quality than the features of Starwood Preferred Guest - although I have to say so far I've been impressed by SPG's customer service, especially from our very own Starwood Lurker. :D

Interesting, but I personally have not had all the hassles the OP has had (and I've been at all levels -- sometimes Plat, sometimes Gold, sometimes general member), so my opinion is different. I think SPG Gold has value. I agree that HHonors Gold is in some ways more valuable, but let's face it, it's nice to have choices of where to stay. My HHonors Gold card doesn't do me any good if I'm staying at a Starwood property. @:-)

By the way, SPG50 rates DO qualify for stay and points credit, at least in my experience.

Been Gold for 2 years now, and like posters above I've been the recipient of some upgrades. Most of my stays are non-US, as you can probably tell from my profile - most of my stays are in places like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Singapore etc. As for the properties that do not know rules - that can work both ways; in my case it's resulted in nice suite upgrades. ^ :D If I don't get upgraded at all, I can be assured that I wouldn't get the worst rooms either - many a times I've got rooms on very high floors, large corner rooms, rooms with nice views (ok I don't really care about views but it's the thought that counts hey).

Making PLT for the first time by the end of this year - 4 more stays! Just in time for my RTW trip next year. :D

At the end of the day, it's the quality of brands that matter more to me than the merits of different frequent stay programs. Whilst I'm Miles and More SEN and AAdvantage PLAT without actually flying much of LH or AA due to this age of airline alliances, the same cannot be done for hotels - I can't earn Priority Club or HH points by staying at W hotels. So I do have to admit my bias towards SPG is influenced more by hotel quality than the features of Starwood Frequent Guest - although I have to say so far I've been impressed by SPG's customer service, especially from our very own Starwood Lurker. :D

Here Here, QF 009.
I have been gold for 3 years now and will make Plat for the first time in 2 weeks. The patience has been worth it and the SPG program is more valuable to me than any other. Yes I am HH Gold but a last resort use in places like Adelaide where no SPG properties exist.

Well worth the wait op!

I've been a chronic SPG gold for a few years now (hopefully that will change to plat this year, since I'm making the effort) as well as Hilton gold.

Of the two, my personal experience is that Hilton gold has been siginificantly more beneficial to me than SPG gold. Although I haven't had the problems the OP has had, I certainly haven't had any upgrades that I would consider an upgrade, except for the faux "SPG Floor" upgrade. However, if you examine the T&C's, golds are only supposed to get a "preferred room" anyway. I have also been consistently denied the 4 PM checkout (you will note that there is a footnote that says "when available" in the SPG T&Cs)

With Hilton, however, I always get breakfast at the very least, along with an apology if they can't offer me a real upgrade. At non-Hilton properties I always get the little extra golds get as a part of the T&Cs. If you look at the T&Cs for golds for both programs, you will see that the Hilton terms are far clearer with less wiggle room for a property to not give you the benefit. for example, Hilton T&Cs specify that golds will get an upgrade, and, lacking upgrade availability, executive lounge access or breakfast. IME, a good majority of the time you get all 3. This is far clearer and more beneficial than the promise of a "preferred room" (:rolleyes:) than SPG.

I personally see the only benefit of SPG gold to be the extra point bonus. On the other hand, I know that I will get at least something, plus recognition when I stay at a Hilton. If I were able to choose only one, I'd go for Hilton.

To be fair, however, SPG gold is the lowest SPG "elite" status and requires only 15 hotel nights. Hilton gold is the second tier status that requires 36 nights, so one really shouldn't expect them to be equal. The two programs also have different elite sweet spots. For SPG it is Plat, where the benefits are really more-or-less spelled out and received, for Hilton, it is gold, since Diamonds don't seem to get much more than a gold.

My 2 cents based on my own personal experience. YMMV.

I have also been consistently denied the 4 PM checkout (you will note that there is a footnote that says "when available" in the SPG T&Cs)


The 'when available' disclaimer for the 4pm late check out benefit only applies for resort or convention centre hotels. It is compulsory for properties that do not fall into either categories to honour late check out requests from Golds and Plats. FWIW I've never been denied the 4pm late check out perk whenever I've needed to use it.

My only peeve is the lack of priority check in - or rather, lack of enforcement at a lot of properties. I was even told by the front desk staff at the Westin Kuala Lumpur that they were only required by SPG to display the sign, instead of actually enforcing priority check in. :confused:

My only peeve is the lack of priority check in - or rather, lack of enforcement at a lot of properties. I was even told by the front desk staff at the Westin Kuala Lumpur that they were only required by SPG to display the sign, instead of actually enforcing priority check in. :confused: (Underlining Mine)

How true. At the Sheraton SJU not only was I told the Priority Line was not used when the front desk is busy, I was told so in a rude and dismissive manner.

I was debating this issue as well. Then last week stayed at Westin Copley Place in Boston. Got a suite. Called Mr. CheapSk8 and said "forget my whining -- I got a great upgrade!" and went on and on about how my obsessing about points and stays finally paid off, etc., etc.

Fast forward to the next morning. My co-worker is in the lobby and asks how my room was. I tell him how great it was, how he should join SPG, blah blah blah. Then he asked what room I had been in. I told him. His response, "I had the same room, just 3 floors higher." Evidently when he checked in (2 hours after I did) they told him they only had suites left. So much for my first upgrade of the year, after (I'm guesstimating here) about 14 nights in about 7 different stays this year.

I think Hilton gold is very valuable for HGIs, and gets you much more. Particularly on personal travel (when I can't get reimbursed for breakfast), HGIs can be a great value when you're gold.

On the other hand, I've had much, much better luck with redeeming points for free stays at SPG on shorter notice, and the beds (at least at properties with Sweet Sleepers and Heavenly beds) are consistently better. On yet another hand (foot?), Hilton gave me the best week of my life with the SAF8 award, so I think they'll always have a soft spot in my heart, and a guaranteed slot in my wallet.

I lookd around a lot on the SPG website with no luck. Can someone give me a link to the stated benefits of being Gold?

Thanks.

I lookd around a lot on the SPG website with no luck. Can someone give me a link to the stated benefits of being Gold?

Thanks.

Link (https://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/legal/spg_terms.html#6) to SPG T&Cs.

I have been Gold for several years now and I find its rewards fair. I never expect to be upgraded to a suite, but always wind up with a better room than I paid for. Even on cash/point rewards or a pre-paid Costco Travel stay my room has been improved significantly. Recent stay in Tenerife at the Sheraton was also upgrade to a Club Level room which made our stay absolutely perfect - great buffet and lounge access all day and night. I have found Gold to be quite rewarding and am glad to know that if I ever make Platinum, the real rewards (ie. suite upgrades) are saved for them.

Try the Search function - many prior threads on the mediocre treatment of SPG Golds. As previously noted, SPG Gold is not worth the plastic it takes to mold the card. Hilton Gold offers consistently better perks. Howewever, the tradeoff (as OP notes) is that SPG often has excellent promos, perhaps second only to Hyatt FFN (and SPG has a far greater range of properties).

IMO, it is not worth spending a dime on mattress runs (or diverting your business) for anything below Diamond in any program. Most take good care of Diamonds, and status below that level can often be obtained through credit cards, promos or comp matches.

Agree, Gold and below is just nice to earn and redeem points and get occassional surprise; Plat you should expect serious benefits.

I have found Gold to be quite rewarding and am glad to know that if I ever make Platinum, the real rewards (ie. suite upgrades) are saved for them.

I don't want to burst your bubble, but for many Platinums here (myself included) the suite upgrades are few and far between. The main improvement is that the regular room upgrades are provided more consistently than is the case for Gold.

I've been gold for more than 10 years and noticed a constant decline in gold amenities. When it still was ITT Sheraton Gold, I received an automatic upgrade to a club level room almost every time, and when the program became SPG, I still had no trouble to upgrade, but in the last few years that changed! First, the club room upgrade became an upgrade to a bigger or better view room (and not always) and the 4pm check-out became harder to secure. Now the Starwood Lurker told me: "A Gold member Preferred Room upgrade is to the best available room in the same classification that you booked originally". This means only a better view or higher floor, but not from superior to deluxe, deluxe to grand deluxe or grand deluxe to club. This is in contrast with HHonors Gold where an executive room upgrade is guaranteed (if available, otherwise you get free breakfast): "You will be upgraded to an Executive Floor room (where/when available) at time of check-in. If an Executive Floor room is unavailable, you will be upgraded to the next best available room from the room type booked. Upgrades exclude suites, villas and specialty accommodations. At hotels with Executive Floor lounges, if an Executive Floor room upgrade is available, you will also receive access to the lounge. In addition you will receive complimentary Continental breakfast for you and up to one additional registered hotel guest each day of your stay"...

Just back from a trip to Venice where we were upgraded to a very nice room with a large deck overlooking Venice at the Westin Europa and Regina. Also nice bottle of Champagne, a bowl of fruit and large vase of roses. We had told them in advance it was our anniversary. We also scored Lounge access on an over night stay at the Sheraton CDG.

Good enough for me.

Cheers

The one and ONLY difference between SPG Preferred Plus (free with SPG Amex) and SPG Gold is 3 points instead of 2 points per dollar charged. PERIOD.

If you want guaranteed club access and an automatic upgrade to select suites (subject to availability) you need to EARN SPG Platinum by staying 25 times OR 50 nights per year.

DCBob is technically correct. However, I've found that I get upgraded more often, and to better room categories, as Gold than I did when I was Preferred Plus. Could just be luck, but I'm happy with the extra points and occasional upgrade beyond the booked room category.

This is how I described upgrades while Gold ...

"Don't expect one - but don't be shocked when you get one."

As a Gold I got some fantastic upgrades - including a master suite at the LM Barcelona overlooking Las Ramblas.

I don't travel as much as some folks but I've never received an upgrade in the States since I became Gold. I always ask and I'm always told there's nothing available. Got some nice amenities and upgrades in Rome and Florence, though.

This is how I described upgrades while Gold ...

"Don't expect one - but don't be shocked when you get one."

As a Gold I got some fantastic upgrades - including a master suite at the LM Barcelona overlooking Las Ramblas.

Lucky you. I think nice upgrades are more an exception than a rule nowadays with SPG. I am leaving for Portugal next week (1 week at LM Penina, Algarve). I first reserved a classic, mountain view room, but when I found out there was no balcony, I asked if there was a chance to be upgraded to a superior room with balcony. They replied that they could upgrade me for 30euro/night, so I rebooked the room to superior for 15euro/night on the SPG website...

DCBob is technically correct. However, I've found that I get upgraded more often, and to better room categories, as Gold than I did when I was Preferred Plus. Could just be luck, but I'm happy with the extra points and occasional upgrade beyond the booked room category.

I have had a similar experience, going back and forth between Gold and Corporate Preferred (same as Preferred Plus) during the past few years. As a Gold, I am frequently pre-blocked into a higher room category, which is rarely the case with Corporate Preferred.

I have been a Gold for 3 years now and do see a difference some times. I received a nice upgrade at the Westin Bonaventure, the W in Dallas, and a few nice upgrade in Europe last year (of course it was my 10 yr anniversary so that helped :)

SacFitz

SPG Gold is pretty is to hit with the 30K spend on my AMX

Dear Fellow Gold's :cool:,
I am a Gold and probably will never reach Plat status due to the fact that I (as well as a lot of other Gold's) Travel for leisure with an 80%: 20% Business ratio while most Plat's are the opposite. However there is a trick to upgrade's (and it doesn't involve a dead President)... DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE ARRIVING by checking the property's availability!! & most importantly use "GOOD OL' CHARM & PERSONALITY upon check in!!!

Trust me, you can easily get the same upgrades as a Plat 70% of the time with that and all right there at the check in counter. ;)

I somehow started off as a SPG Gold (possibly due to corporate stays at Starwood hotels near the office, but not sure). I always seem to get upgraded to the Club floor, even though I am unlikely to achieve Platinum.

This may just be due to availability in this particular Sheraton hotel - not sure!

As one who spent an extensive amount of time both as Preferred Plus and Gold, all I ever got under either status was an upgraded room (higher floor or corner room) but NEVER a suite. When I made Platinum in January, I began to receive much better upgrades, including plenty of junior suites, and I ALWAYS get the club floor or club access (if there is a club). This is what you are SUPPOSED to get under the program rules, so be realistic and make your decision on selecting a hotel based on the actual rules and not based on someone else's "charm" or good fortune.

As one who spent an extensive amount of time both as Preferred Plus and Gold, all I ever got under either status was an upgraded room (higher floor or corner room) but NEVER a suite. When I made Platinum in January, I began to receive much better upgrades, including plenty of junior suites, and I ALWAYS get the club floor or club access (if there is a club). This is what you are SUPPOSED to get under the program rules, so be realistic and make your decision on selecting a hotel based on the actual rules and not based on someone else's "charm" or good fortune.

First of all, thanks to everyone on this site! Flyertalk and it's members have made my Starwood experience a thousand times better. I've been a lurker(not William of course) on this site and just decided to join and start providing some feedback. As far as my Gold experiences, I've been routinely upgraded to corner rooms and even received a bottle of wine, snacks, and a handwritten note from the Manager at the St Louis Sheraton Chalet. Something I didn't think I would get as a lowly gold! Anyways, my point is that being nice and friendly on check in doesn't hurt. I typically chat it up with the front desk on check in and politely ask if there are any upgrades available. The most recent at the Sheraton Chicago which on upon asking the clerk she said they were at full occupancy. I then asked nicely if it was possible to get club lounge access which she kindly replied, sure no problem! So I wholeheartedly encourage you to be gracious to the folks checking you in... doesn't hurt. Anyways, only a few more stays to Platinum. I'll have that by the end of the month.

I guess this question really depends on your own individual experience.

For me, I really value the 4pm late check out for which I've never been refused and of course 3 points instead of 2 is welcome.

As far as upgrades, I've had some great ones, including 2 nights to the Le Royal Club floor at Le Meridien, Kochin this month. It was an award stay as well :D

I always get the SPG floor, which is better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick :)

Plat is better, but I've gotten a lot of value of out Gold. You have to recognize that it's pretty easy to qualify (even the old fashioned way) compared to other programs. Sometimes the "upgraded" rooms are pretty useless (I had to ask one time after a stay exactly what the upgrade was -- they made a big deal at the front desk that I was getting upgrade -- and they said that my room had a refrigerator) and sometimes you get surprised with a really nice room.


The one and ONLY difference between SPG Preferred Plus (free with SPG Amex) and SPG Gold is 3 points instead of 2 points per dollar charged. PERIOD.

Are you sure? It's my experience that an SPG Preferred Plus member cannot use the VIP check-in lines. (I even saw one tossed out of the line at Planet Hollywood.) These can be huge time savers at certain hotels.

First of all, thanks to everyone on this site! Flyertalk and it's members have made my Starwood experience a thousand times better. I've been a lurker(not William of course) on this site and just decided to join and start providing some feedback. As far as my Gold experiences, I've been routinely upgraded to corner rooms and even received a bottle of wine, snacks, and a handwritten note from the Manager at the St Louis Sheraton Chalet. Something I didn't think I would get as a lowly gold! Anyways, my point is that being nice and friendly on check in doesn't hurt. I typically chat it up with the front desk on check in and politely ask if there are any upgrades available. The most recent at the Sheraton Chicago which on upon asking the clerk she said they were at full occupancy. I then asked nicely if it was possible to get club lounge access which she kindly replied, sure no problem! So I wholeheartedly encourage you to be gracious to the folks checking you in... doesn't hurt. Anyways, only a few more stays to Platinum. I'll have that by the end of the month.

Welcome to the active side of FT, SleepDoc! I agree with you, when I was Gold the main benefit was getting a slightly better room. So far I never needed the priority line that much but I guess this will change when I'm in Vegas later in the year.
However, if you can get to Gold level at one chain, I think you will be better off at Hilton which just give more benefits. If you can make it to Platinum, then SPG rocks.

Are you sure? It's my experience that an SPG Preferred Plus member cannot use the VIP check-in lines. (I even saw one tossed out of the line at Planet Hollywood.) These can be huge time savers at certain hotels.

That's not an "official benefit" of the SPG Program, but you are indeed correct that most hotels limit the SPG Elite check-in lines to Gold and Platinum members. In most hotels (notable exception Planet Hollywood), it does not seem to make an appreciable difference in time savings.

...Also nice bottle of Champagne, a bowl of fruit and large vase of roses. We had told them in advance it was our anniversary....

Good enough for me.

Cheers
I've stayed at Westin LAX several times over the years and my last stay not only got me upgraded, but a nice bottle of champagne along with a plate of chocolate covered strawberries (and it wasn't even my anniversary!!) that included a handwritten note from the GM thanking me for staying with them again. Talk about customer service!!
Gold has its place....and quite often (at least for me) it's more than I expect.

My wife is SPG Gold strictly through Amex CC spending. She stays maybe 3 nights a year in Starwood Hotels otherwise.

Last week we spent one night via "$60 cash & 4000 points" at the Seattle Sheraton and got upgraded to Lounge access and a little better room; furthermore, my son got a welcome gift of a box of chocolates and a small hardcover picture book on Seattle.

So we got something out of Gold status.

Sinfonia; What I mean by "doing your homework" is, right before check-in call the Hotel and ask for the rates/room availability as if you were now going to book so upon your arrival (maybee a couple hours later) you could some how kind of have an idea if better room's are available. It seems to work. ;)

ps. & it's always the Plat's that say don't rely on your charm or don't look for an easy come up because they don't have to. We do!!, so you got to do what ever it takes if your looking for better rooms for a cheaper price. Or just pay for one which I would rather not (MY ECONOMY IS DOWN) :(

That's not an "official benefit" of the SPG Program, but you are indeed correct that most hotels limit the SPG Elite check-in lines to Gold and Platinum members. In most hotels (notable exception Planet Hollywood), it does not seem to make an appreciable difference in time savings.

I personally don't know what "Preferred Plus" is (an incentive from AMEX Plat?), but concerning the elite check-in, I find them frequently unmanned or the clerk is helping the "regular" check-in because of the length of the line. Furthermore, in my experience, chances of upgrade depends a lot on the property itself. As an example, I stayed at the NY Sheraton H&T for a week almost every year and rarely got upgraded, but I am always upgraded to a Grand Deluxe ocean front room at the Westin Diplomat...

As a newly reminted Gold, I had a points+cash reservation for the Plaza Athenee Royal Meridien Bangkok, chosen due to its proximity to the U S Embassy.

As a back up, I had a res at the new Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok, a little further away.

Upon arrival at the Plaza Athenee, I was shown a very ordinary room but informed of an upsell to a exec level room for an extra $65. I declined and found myself in the new Courtyard which would be nudging 5 stars in NYC or Chicago.
The rate there was $110 including breakfast with $100 bonus bucks thrown in.

Really a shame as I have been treated exceptionally well by SPG in other countries.

As a newly reminted Gold, I had a points+cash reservation for the Plaza Athenee Royal Meridien Bangkok, chosen due to its proximity to the U S Embassy.

As a back up, I had a res at the new Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok, a little further away.

Upon arrival at the Plaza Athenee, I was shown a very ordinary room but informed of an upsell to a exec level room for an extra $65. I declined and found myself in the new Courtyard which would be nudging 5 stars in NYC or Chicago.
The rate there was $110 including breakfast with $100 bonus bucks thrown in.

Really a shame as I have been treated exceptionally well by SPG in other countries.

I've stayed at the Plaza Athenee Bangkok 3 times in the past 2 years. I'm also SPG Gold, and I have found that at this property, when one asks for their gold upgrades you get them, but ONLY when you make it clear that you know you are entitled to them if available. In those 3 stays, they gave me the gold upgrade without my asking the first time, and the other 2 times, they initially offerred me standard rooms, and tried to sell me the upgrades to the exec level. When I pressed the issue, I did get the gold upgrades - along with a BS apology about how the Meridien staff was not that familiar with the SPG program since they were acquired.

The gold floors are noticeably nicer and the amenity kits are better as well. I also had no problem getting the 4 PM check-out on 2 of the 3 stays. The 3rd stay, they said that they could only give me an extension to 2 PM due to being sold out the next night, which was fine for me, as I had a 4:45 PM flight to Chiang Mai.

I have recently received comp'ed SPG Gold and wonder if it really will be useful for upgrades at this level.

I read the SPG Platinum thread and it seems quite effective for upgrades.

It absolutely helps get slightly better rooms and very quick check-in. I've received club level rooms, corner rooms etc. when I was a gold member.

Welcome to the Starwood forum, bobblevins. It's nice to see another San Diegan here.

I've just merged some useful threads from the past 3 years dealing with what you can and cannot expect from Starwood gold. I'll add this to the master thread for ease in future searches.

As for myself, in the years I was Starwood gold, I'd see little difference from Starwood nothing. Then, perhaps once a year, I'd get an amazing upgrade, such as a suite at the Vienna Bristol. My advice is expect little and now and again, you'll get a pleasant surprise.

I have hit SPG gold for the first time this year (and Hyatt Plat, fwiw), and I am wondering what the published benefits mean for me in real life. I am already Corporate Preferred because an arrangement my employer has, so get upgraded to club level on every stay. Does gold really mean much for me?

Thanks in advance, BHB

I have hit SPG gold for the first time this year (and Hyatt Plat, fwiw), and I am wondering what the published benefits mean for me in real life. I am already Corporate Preferred because an arrangement my employer has, so get upgraded to club level on every stay. Does gold really mean much for me?

Thanks in advance, BHB

Here's a link to your question... you can find most of the commonly asked questions in the Starwood Forum FAQ link. Gold Benefits - what are they? (http://http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=855378)

Here's a link to your question... you can find most of the commonly asked questions in the Starwood Forum FAQ link. Gold Benefits - what are they? (http://http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=855378)

Awesome, thank you, I will check it out.

Awesome, thank you, I will check it out.

OK, so it sounds like the answer is "not much."

OK, so it sounds like the answer is "not much."


Exactly. Beyond the extra points, I don't think there is anything of substantive difference between Corporate Preferred. Starwood really needs to increase perks to the Gold program to make it more desirable.

I have just reached Gold SPG status but i wasn't informed how long this status is valid for. Is it:

a- for one year from date of reaching gold
b- till the end of this calendar year
c- till the end of next calendar year
d- indefinitely

I have just reached Gold SPG status but i wasn't informed how long this status is valid for. Is it:

a- for one year from date of reaching gold
b- till the end of this calendar year
c- till the end of next calendar year
d- indefinitely

Once your account changes to "gold elite", your status will be for the remainder of this year '09, all of '10 and the first two months of '11.

See this thread: Everything you want to know about status at SPG (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/7747595-post30.html)