How to get Platinum?
Nov 29, 2011, 4:19 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,522
That's because A|Club is perhaps the worst hotel loyalty program. As for the rest of your comment, where to begin?!
Nov 29, 2011, 6:19 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,163
Nov 29, 2011, 9:34 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Miles&More Blue, SPG Silver
Posts: 3,376
You do not necessarly need the full number of stays to become platinum. If you just joined SPG and race through the gold status and it is end of the year and you are missing a few stays to become a platinum SPG might send you a nice christmas present. Happend to me.
Nov 29, 2011, 9:53 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: YUL-YQB-BTV
Programs: SPG-Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,345
Why one would need Plat status if he's not staying at an SPG property? To show around and do an pale imitation of George Clooney in Up in the Air?
Seriously, you can't compare SPG and Accor, unless you're staying at major center cities in North America. Otherwise the Accor properties in smalltowns, USA are Motel 6, which the last time I checked was not yet to par with 4P by SPG...
Seriously, you can't compare SPG and Accor, unless you're staying at major center cities in North America. Otherwise the Accor properties in smalltowns, USA are Motel 6, which the last time I checked was not yet to par with 4P by SPG...
Nov 29, 2011, 12:02 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,309
For your use of the card, American Express is purchasing Starwood points.
Accor's platinum status is nothing close to SPG's.
Nov 29, 2011, 12:42 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IND
Programs: SPG Plat, WN CP, Many Others
Posts: 538
Nov 29, 2011, 12:49 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Starwood Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 159
The only way to get Platinum status without the normal stays/nights is to enroll in the Platinum Challenge. This requires 18 nights in 3 months. It will then give you status for the remaining year plus the following calendar year. Status actually expires in February, so if you earned your 18th night January 2, 2012, you would keep your platinum status until February 2014. Only paid stays count.
You can read my prior blog post for more details on enrolling: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/dealsw...num-challenge/
You can read my prior blog post for more details on enrolling: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/dealsw...num-challenge/
Nov 29, 2011, 1:02 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AC SE, SPG Lifetime Plat, ACMM
Posts: 3,535
If you spend so much money on the card, why do you need Platinum Status? You can get all the benefits by paying a bit more.
Nov 29, 2011, 1:45 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Plat, Emerald Exec., PC Plat, AA, CO, DL, UBS Charter Card, Palladium Card, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,694
Nov 29, 2011, 2:17 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: Co-branded credit card status moocher
Posts: 137
Well, it gives you "Preferred Plus" status, which I believe is basically the same as Gold, minus the 3 Starpoints/dollar spent.
Nov 29, 2011, 5:57 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Plat, Emerald Exec., PC Plat, AA, CO, DL, UBS Charter Card, Palladium Card, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,694
Nov 29, 2011, 7:13 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 208
If you really want to be SPG Platinum, it will require actual stays, whether through a challenge or the appropriate number of stays for a year, but other than that no other shortcuts or cards will do it. Most of us think it is worth it. YMMV.
Dec 6, 2011, 4:33 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,670
If you really have that much spend on your Starwood card, you can afford the 23 award stays (or 45 award nights).