New Benefit for SPG Members - Award Nights Count Toward Status

Starwood Lurker · Sep 28, 11, 3:03 pm

This news was just too good to be kept a secret! We’re pleased to confirm that starting this Saturday, October 1, 2011, all SPG Award stays and eligible nights will now count toward elite Gold and Platinum status qualification. It’s a change to the program for SPG Award stays and eligible nights on or after October 1 and includes Free Night Awards, Cash & Points Awards and Awards earned during promotions (e.g. a Free Resort Night earned during the SPG Getaway Free promotion).

There’s also an FAQs page to check out if you have any questions around the new SPG member benefit: SPG.com/awardnightscount.

Best regards and happy redeeming,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

spgchampion@starwoodhotels.com

Thunderroad · Sep 28, 11, 3:07 pm

Nice news!

cln · Sep 28, 11, 3:07 pm

Very much appreciated...

Thank you.

( I guess we will soon see a higher level than platinum or increased stay/night value )

chanp · Sep 28, 11, 3:08 pm

Just saw that on FB now. Getting pretty easy now to requal.

OneWorldTraveller · Sep 28, 11, 3:08 pm

I'm not sure this will be plus or minus to spg. I think starwood platinum is the most competitive among loyalty program. But, this can make spg like hilton's crappy loyalty program..

Rather I would like free breakfast to platinum..

PS) at least, it should start from the next year.. (I already re-qual this year..

)

toddml · Sep 28, 11, 3:10 pm

While I realise it brings it inline with other programs and the fact there does not seem to be a nights count double promotion I do feel it is another devaluation of Plat and simply means there will be more Plats around. Maybe it is time for a new level aimed at 75 or 100 nights a year.

I am sure there will be plenty who disagree with this but the easier it is get get the status the less the status is worth!

OneWorldTraveller · Sep 28, 11, 3:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddml

While I realise it brings it inline with other programs and the fact there does not seem to be a nights count double promotion I do feel it is another devaluation of Plat and simply means there will be more Plats around. Maybe it is time for a new level aimed at 75 or 100 nights a year.

I am sure there will be plenty who disagree with this but the easier it is get get the status the less the status is worth!

Totally agree.. platinum challenge (15night for 90days) and such a counting method will definitely degrade spg plat's value..

dtremit · Sep 28, 11, 3:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderroad

Nice news!

Indeed! Thanks for the heads up, William.

I am assuming that there is no change in points earning -- and that the cash portion of C&P stays will not earn points? Either way, that might be a good thing to put in the FAQ.

Sulley · Sep 28, 11, 3:16 pm

Hmm, this will definitely increase the number of Platinums out there. Perhaps it is time for a Diamond level above Platinum?

bostonbali · Sep 28, 11, 3:28 pm

Read this earlier on Gleff's blog. Great news - as a person who requalifies each year on my own dime, I appreciate it!

famtravlworld · Sep 28, 11, 3:43 pm

Thanks so much. I agree with you Bostonbali. I too travel and qualify on my own dime and this is an added benefit is very much appreciated.

JFKSFOLAX_friend · Sep 28, 11, 3:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker

This news was just too good to be kept a secret!

William - You clearly didn't write this as I can't imagine you saying: "This news was just too good to be kept a secret!"

I kept trying to imagine those exact words coming out of your mouth and -- well -- it just didn't work.

mreed911 · Sep 28, 11, 4:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sulley

Hmm, this will definitely increase the number of Platinums out there. Perhaps it is time for a Diamond level above Platinum?

I'm not sure it'll be that many folks. This just makes it easier to re-qualify, and gives folks an incentive to burn points on more routine stays vs. saving them all for large vacations.

Braindrain · Sep 28, 11, 4:23 pm

Great news!

I'm not so sure about the claims of dilution, etc. People still need to stay in hotels and 25 stays/50 nights is still a lot of time to spend.

JimLtravels · Sep 28, 11, 4:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddml

While I realise it brings it inline with other programs and the fact there does not seem to be a nights count double promotion I do feel it is another devaluation of Plat and simply means there will be more Plats around. Maybe it is time for a new level aimed at 75 or 100 nights a year.

I am sure there will be plenty who disagree with this but the easier it is get get the status the less the status is worth!

+1. Just like more dollars chasing fewer goods, sounds like inflation to me. Maybe next year there is a new level or the bar gets moved to 30 stays and 60 nights for platinum.