“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
Tell that to the 4 people that had been waiting longer. Truth is there is nothing wrong w expecting extra, above & beyond regulator plat benefits. There are a few hotels I "expect" something extra but it has NOTHING to do w SPG or your/my status. It has to do w how many nights you spend in THAT hotel. If I am spending 1-3 stays a year in a hotel, they owe me NOTHING more for my LT PLAT then any other plat. But a hotel I spend 50+ nights in a year (W Doha), I do expect something extra & they have NEVER let me down
Don't have patience to quote, but someone here said he understands asking the hotel, but not expecting. I always feel uncomfortable when visibly passing others via priority lines, especially when there aren't two lines and just walk straight to the front. However, ultimately, for someone who buys First class and pays for suites, theres nothing status will help besides better treatment. I'd say priority handling would be the biggest benefit. Just because by UA it's a guaranteed, published benefit, and by SPG it's not, doesn't mean its a crazy request. The hotel has discretion to give the room to whoever they choose. I would definitely expect the GM to prioritize a LTPLT. Obviously, OP wouldn't be 100% ENTITLED to it, but I think it's fair to expect the hotel to accommodate him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chinatraderjmr
Tell that to the 4 people that had been waiting longer. Truth is there is nothing wrong w expecting extra, above & beyond regulator plat benefits. There are a few hotels I "expect" something extra but it has NOTHING to do w SPG or your/my status. It has to do w how many nights you spend in THAT hotel. If I am spending 1-3 stays a year in a hotel, they owe me NOTHING more for my LT PLAT then any other plat. But a hotel I spend 50+ nights in a year (W Doha), I do expect something extra & they have NEVER let me down
Part of the idea of belonging to the SPG network is that this personalized attitude should be across the chain. Obviously nothing beats a personal relationship, be it a GA, FA, or GM. But the hotel SHOULD officially treat someone who stays in any SPG hotel for 50 nights the same.
Programs: AA EXP(.74MM), AMEX Platinum, United Premier Gold, Delta Gold, SPG Platinum 50, Hilton Gold VIP
Posts: 1,559
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigshaker
For those that this email appeared as a shock, you've obviously been the ones who waited in the Sheraton Towers NY lobby for 3 hours, arriving at 3pm exactly and waiting until the 4pm guests have left and getting your high floor room at 6pm, instead of just taking the first available room and having a glass or wine at the steak house well the rest of you are still waiting...all the better for me checking in when I arrive, you all just keep following the rules exactly as they are written.
I agree with you.. I never pay attention to the check in time at 3pm or sometimes 4pm. I always get to the hotel early around 11am because I know rooms are available. People DO check out at 4am to catch their 6am flight. Housekeeping personnel do come in early to clean those rooms. I've been as brave as e-mailing the hotel letting them know that I will arrive at 8am because of an early flight and they are always accommodating to a Platinum guest.
One time I've even arrived at 1am local time having booked a hotel for the same night and it was my mistake. The hotel told me that I should've booked for 2 nights (i just wasn't thinking), but the hotel let me check in without paying an extra night which was a nice gesture! At that time, I was a Gold.
As you might notice from my profile, I am a Bates Motel Platinum. I am always greeted nicely by the old woman in her rocking chair at the top of the stairs.
However, I have noticed that when other Plats tried the DYKWIA bit, she sent her son to their rooms while they were taking showers. I don't know what happened there as I never managed to find one of these Plats to ask.
Well it seems unanimous, guess my expectation was wrong
For all those who actually wait until 3pm for check in at a hotel, I guess you follow all the rules, drive the speed limit, don't pack extras bags on the airplane etc...thats really surprising to hear. I sure hope you don't check the hotel or airfare mistake fares here on Flyertalk, that wouldn't be right!
FYI, I don't think I've ever considered the check in time (unless it was 6am) and never had an issue that I can recall whether it's a early or late arrival.
We all see housekeeping starting to clean rooms in the early am...I'll guarantee you there are rooms ready in a hotel starting early am. I'm not saying an upgraded room, or a special room I'm saying any room.
Do I feel entitled as a Lifetime Platinum, absolutely. After 700 nights I've earned the right to expect extras from SPG hotels and SPG Hotels deliver the majority of the time! I have no issue with SPG at all.
For those that this email appeared as a shock, you've obviously been the ones who waited in the Sheraton Towers NY lobby for 3 hours, arriving at 3pm exactly and waiting until the 4pm guests have left and getting your high floor room at 6pm, instead of just taking the first available room and having a glass or wine at the steak house well the rest of you are still waiting...all the better for me checking in when I arrive, you all just keep following the rules exactly as they are written.
For those that wonder, I carry my card on a chain around my neck so I can whip it out when needed..Lol..
Only THE DADDY seemed to get the point here..there was no incident, no arguing, no other guests waiting behind me, it was a simple question asked to the FD person if my Lifetime Platinum status would move me up the waitlist. Their answer was no so my answer was to take my business to a different hotel that could meet my needs for that stay which required a room right away. Since I knowingly had a rate with a 4pm day of cancellation policy this wasn't a problem.
For those that don't feel entitled, that's your choice, keep waiting in line...that will surely get you where you want to be, just late.
For all those who actually wait until 3pm for check in at a hotel, I guess you follow all the rules, drive the speed limit, don't pack extras bags on the airplane etc...thats really surprising to hear. I sure hope you don't check the hotel or airfare mistake fares here on Flyertalk, that wouldn't be right!
For those that don't feel entitled, that's your choice, keep waiting in line...that will surely get you where you want to be, just late.
What does being ALLOWED unpublished benefits have to do with DEMANDING unpublished benefits.
Sure I speed occasionally but if I get pulled over I take my punishment like a man. If the cop lets me go, great. Sure I arrive at hotels before the listed check-in time and ask if there is a room available. If so, great. If not, I store my luggage and find something to do.
There are numerous threads about those who have to wait for rooms but get vouchers for food and other benefits. The issue here is your attitude. You aren't a customer who asks for things that may be above and beyond the scope of what is available, but you demand it. After demanding it, you make it worse by complaining about benefits you were never entitled to.
Why not treat people with respect? Your loyalty to the program entitles you the benefits that are listed. Yes you are allowed your opinions and feelings on aspects of the program that frustrate you. So why not approach it positively and engage the community/reps in a discussion for future benefits.
