Once you're a plat what happens for the rest of the year?

2kind · Nov 9, 12, 8:19 pm

Sorry if the questions have been answered before I tried to search the forum but I couldn't find specifics.
I just completed the plat challenge 2 weeks ago so I understand this is through Feb 2014? Now I have several stays for the remainder of the year so will they count to anything for next year? Or does the program reset at the end of the year? If the stays I have left for dec don't count (paid and cash and points/free nights) then I would consider moving the stays over to Hilton as I would be close to making diamond
Thanks for any advice or re direct to other threads
Cheers
2kind

Braindrain · Nov 9, 12, 9:07 pm

Once you've made Plat, any more stays don't count for next year's requal. However, it does count towards your lifetime Plat count.

In the past, there were promos that counted extra Q4 stays into next year's requal but that hasn't happened for a while.

MSPeconomist · Nov 10, 12, 8:42 am

Before free nights counted toward status, there was an incentive to book award stays after having requalified for the next year, but now that award nights are counted, the OP's instinct to consider staying and crediting hotel nights to another program is a valid point. Of course, it depends on what properties are available where you are going, the available rates, and the perks you would receive from the respective programs, including any likely upgrades in the circumstances.

RogerD408 · Nov 10, 12, 8:47 am

Don't forget about the different Plat levels. If you want any of the other benefits, you need to get the nights booked to reach the tier desired. So unless your challenge required 100 nights, there is more to earn.

But if Plat is all you're looking for and don't care about lifetime or any of the other benefits then yes, go for another program.

cxn · Nov 10, 12, 9:23 am

The question is, do you want to focus on getting to the 50/75/100 level. Do you want to get status at a different chain. I can say that I really dont like staying at a hotel I dont have status. You can really see the difference. Just like flying on a airline where you dont have status.

I have status with another Hotel chain where I use that when there is no *wood or they have a better bonus/promo going on. I have an upcoming trip where both hotel chains dont have a hotel so I am stuck just trying to find a decent room at a decent price.

3544quebec · Nov 10, 12, 9:29 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2kind

Once you're a plat what happens for the rest of the year?

You sit back and bask in the glory fighting off the untold numbers of SPG functionaries fawning over you

Flying Lawyer · Nov 10, 12, 9:40 am

Once you are plat you can enjoy tHe benefits of being Plat.

MSPeconomist · Nov 10, 12, 10:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by cxn

The question is, do you want to focus on getting to the 50/75/100 level. Do you want to get status at a different chain. I can say that I really dont like staying at a hotel I dont have status. You can really see the difference. Just like flying on a airline where you dont have status.

I have status with another Hotel chain where I use that when there is no *wood or they have a better bonus/promo going on. I have an upcoming trip where both hotel chains dont have a hotel so I am stuck just trying to find a decent room at a decent price.

The OP made Plat via a challenge, so I would assume that he/she has significantly fewer than 25 nights so far this year. It would to tough to reach higher levels of Plat unless the OP is willing to stay in a Starwood almost every night between now and NYE or pay for multiple rooms per night. Since the OP probably is still now very far from even Plat50, the tradeoff is between enjoying Starwood hotels and his/her recently earned Plat benefits while getting nothing but those advantages, points, and lifetime night credits--not stays or nights that matter for status--versus cementing status in another hotel family where the OP might already hold lower status or be in the position that requalification for next year isn't clear.

PointWeasel · Nov 10, 12, 10:41 am

I am sitting at almost 120 nights and have strayed to other chains or independents...which has been liberating.

I have had a chance here in Mexico to try some amazing properties that are part of grupohabita.mx as well as a brand new Marriott which was fantastic.

That being said, I had an unusual request for the front desk staff at the newly rebranded Le Meridien Mexico City and the staff we absolutely wonderful. Once she knew I was SPG Platinum, she honoured my unusual request and I am truly appreciative.

druid · Nov 10, 12, 12:18 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cxn

The question is, do you want to focus on getting to the 50/75/100 level. Do you want to get status at a different chain. I can say that I really dont like staying at a hotel I dont have status. You can really see the difference. Just like flying on a airline where you dont have status.

I am in this exact situation right now. I am on the road more than I want this year, so I am trying to decide between going for P100 or keeping my Gold status at Hilton... any thoughts?

RogerD408 · Nov 10, 12, 2:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by druid

I am in this exact situation right now. I am on the road more than I want this year, so I am trying to decide between going for P100 or keeping my Gold status at Hilton... any thoughts?

If you expect your travel to remain high next year, you might find having an assigned ambassador to come in handy, if not for business travel then for the rare leisure travel.

Gold at HH is a breeze so you can pull that off anytime next year.

Just my opinion...

druid · Nov 10, 12, 2:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerD408

Gold at HH is a breeze so you can pull that off anytime next year.

That's true, thanks, i didn't think about that. i was considering changing my second group to something else away from Hilton anyways. i guess that is the curse of being on the road so much...

The_Daddy · Nov 10, 12, 5:28 pm

Once you're a plat what happens for the rest of the year?

The rest of the year you get upset because they do not upgrade you and keep thinking about how wonderful was life when you didn't had to care about promises not delivered.

MSPeconomist · Nov 10, 12, 7:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by druid

I am in this exact situation right now. I am on the road more than I want this year, so I am trying to decide between going for P100 or keeping my Gold status at Hilton... any thoughts?

If Starwood's footprint and properties work for you, go for Plat100, aka first class Plat, and get yourself a good Ambassador. That seems increasingly to be the key to getting impressive treatment and upgrades.