Starwood Preferred Guest - On the cusp of Platinum

So when does Platinum status actually kick in? Is it when checking in for your 25th stay, checking out, or when the points post? As it stands (unless I book another stay), I have the following booked:

Stay 25: Nice 22 November (3 nights)
Stay 26: Monte Carlo 25 November (1 night)
Stay 27: Nice 26 November (3 nights)

Since the points for stay 25 probably won't post until after we check in for stay 26, will I actaully get Platinum benefits for stay 26? Is there anything I could do to ensure them?

Pretty sure it kicks in after the 25th stay.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. As soon as I checked in for my 25th, I called Platinium Concierge to ensure I would be recognized as a Plat on my 26th stay, and I was.

Points generally "post" (in our accounts) the day after check out. But I would think SPG would have it in their records even before that.

Now, my case was North American properties - Westins. No idea whether travelling in Europe - time changes, overseas properties, etc... - would affect anything.

Welcome to the club!

Cheers,

Interesting, let's think it this way. If you checked out and checked in on the second day of your first stay. Then, you should be recognized as plt on your third day of your first stay. If you were lucky enough, you should be upgraded and treated as a plt on the third day. While you are staying in that hotel, you can rush the hotel to do the posting.:D But, 25th stay is still 25th stay. I think it's not against spg's rule. It's just a slightly faster non posted way to earn your plt status.:D

Now, my case was North American properties - Westins. No idea whether travelling in Europe - time changes, overseas properties, etc... - would affect anything.


I got hosed by this exact scenario.

I made my 25th stay in Auckland NZ and was on my way to Hawaii the next day. It seems to go through 1-2 days after your stay is complete and it seems to be on US dates and processes overnight US time. I incurred an extra day of waiting crossing the international date line waiting for that stay to post on that date in the US. Needless to say, no platinum upgrade in Hawaii.

You gain PLT status when your 25th stay posts - typically 1-2 days after your stay. They certainly won't be in place for stay 26, and possibly/probably not even for stay 27. I don't think there's anything you can do to "ensure" you get them as, per the operations of the program, you haven't. You can bring along a statement and copy of your 25th stay folio if it's important. Then it's up to the individual property.

This seems like a situation where you should do a mattress run stay now, especially if you are in a city with a sheraton or 4-points. Grab a one night weekend stay and relieve yourself of all the worries, and possibly get a plat upgrade in Nice.

FYI - I was in a similar situation 2 years ago. I checked out of my 25 stay in Chicago and into my 26th stay in Cancun. I called the plat desk to update status and reservation but it still got messed up, although they did manage to figure it out at the hotel with a little prodding.

Even if you get plat now, make sure to call plat desk and have them update your existing reservations so it shows plat.

Even if you get plat now, make sure to call plat desk and have them update your existing reservations so it shows plat.

I can only emphazise the importance of doing this. When I made plat a few years ago, I had pretty much the same problem. Ask the plat desk to ensure your reservations are updated and also make sure the hotel updates their info in their system upon check-in.

I think that you should call Starwood (or you can PM me for the Platinum line number) and explain your situation and ask for their guidance.

I think that they can note your account so that you may be able to get your Platinum benefits in Nice.

This seems like a situation where you should do a mattress run stay now, especially if you are in a city with a sheraton or 4-points. Grab a one night weekend stay and relieve yourself of all the worries, and possibly get a plat upgrade in Nice.

FYI - I was in a similar situation 2 years ago. I checked out of my 25 stay in Chicago and into my 26th stay in Cancun. I called the plat desk to update status and reservation but it still got messed up, although they did manage to figure it out at the hotel with a little prodding.

Even if you get plat now, make sure to call plat desk and have them update your existing reservations so it shows plat.

This is a perfect advice. I would do the same if I were you.

I would totally do a very small mattress run of one night/stay before November

Then you're for sure plat before you even checkin on the first stay in Nice.

...I think it's not against spg's rule...

Think again.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

1 stay before November should be easy (and cheap in the US!)

I took a look at the Bay area, and there is a Sheraton for $89 a Saturday night. Not sure about your financial situation and also don't have experience with the Nice/Monte Carlo properties, but Platinum treatment on a European vacation and the chance of an upgrade is a good gamble for $100. Especially if you are taking someone with you, it can make a vacation extra special.

It's very likely I'll book something in October or early November (which is why I put the "unless I book another stay" caveat in my OP), but it's still always nice to know just how the program works.

If we're going to stay in a hotel, we'll probably go somewhere to do it. Well, that's except for next weekend at the SF St. Regis using a couple of free weekend nights, and our quarterly trips to Sonoma to go to wine tastings and pick up wine club shipments...

Also, until we know what the Q3 promo is, there's no need to jump the gun because there's always the possibility of a stay multiplier.

Too bad Starwood has no presence in Santa Barbara, so we have to use the Best Western there in October...

It's very likely I'll book something in October or early November (which is why I put the "unless I book another stay" caveat in my OP), but it's still always nice to know just how the program works.

If we're going to stay in a hotel, we'll probably go somewhere to do it. Well, that's except for next weekend at the SF St. Regis using a couple of free weekend nights, and our quarterly trips to Sonoma to go to wine tastings and pick up wine club shipments...

Also, until we know what the Q3 promo is, there's no need to jump the gun because there's always the possibility of a stay multiplier.

Too bad Starwood has no presence in Santa Barbara, so we have to use the Best Western there in October...

I figured that you would make sure that you're Plat before hitting Nice and Monaco.

I highly recommend staying at the Petaluma Sheraton for your Sonoma wine tasting. It's not the most convenient to wineries, but the hotel is nice and they usually have a wine tasting special rate which includes a bottle of wine and cheese plate. The bottle I got when I stayed there was a pretty nice Pinot Noir. The lounge also usually has some decent wines in the evening. Petaluma Sheraton is on the list of participating hotels for the Q3 promo.

I highly recommend staying at the Petaluma Sheraton for your Sonoma wine tasting.
That's where we always stay. We were there for Valentine's Day and Memorial Day already this year. Plus, they participate in the birthday promo!