So I'll appreciate the 10,000 point bonus over 10 stays but won't go out of my way to step up unless there are other local incentives - which I suspect there will be, the properties also have marketing and promotion budgets.
It does not matter when these reservations are made as long as the nights fall within the promotion period and the stay is credited to your SPG account as being eligible.
This promotion is also retroactive as far as enrollment is concerned, so you could conceivably register anytime before Midnight U. S. Eastern time on March 31, 2009 and be credited for any nights that fall within the promotion period.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Programs: SPG Plat, AA Gold, NW Silver, Marriott Silver, Amtrak Select Plus, Avis First
Posts: 157
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Understand that this is me speaking and not Starwood or SPG, but if you want my personal observations, then here they are: With the economy in the shape it is currently (and has been for some time), I would not make any assumptions regarding the frequency of SPG promotions or size/generosity thereof past April 30, 2009. Every department/subsidy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide works on a budget and when that budget is exhausted, the carrot dries up. I understand that it is expected for Starwood/SPG to run promotions non-stop and on a so wildly expensive basis as to literally force you into a hotel bed, but at some point along the way, one reaches a point where there are diminishing returns on that kind of investmen
Wouldn't Starwood want to increase promotions in a down economy? How much do the promotions cost the department/subsidies of SPG? Do they have to pay for the points that are given out by a particular region (e.g., a North America bonus points promotion) or do they only pay when a hotel gets paid for a customer's point redemption?
It just seems to me that Starwood would have more promotions in a down period, not fewer.
Programs: Severals Golds (BA, BD, AB and LH), Highest tier with HH, SPG and ICRA, lawyer, sometimes a nice guy
Posts: 4,933
Quote:
Originally Posted by MAN Flyer
Personally the part I enjoy most about these promos is reading people complaining about them.
It's great fun.
For the most it is not complaining about the promo as such but asking what drives Starwood to make this offerbut not a better one encourging to give Starwood a bigger piece of the business cake or even generate extra business. Q4 was such an offer, Q1 is not.
__________________
Do not feel offended by my posts - remember, I am a simple minded litigation lawyer.
Overall, it's hard to complain about any promo. Something is better than nothing. But, entering 1Q, I see SPG's promo as a bit better than IHG's promo, but weaker than the Hyatt and Marriott promos.
Programs: National Executive, SPG Platinum, FPC Platinum
Posts: 366
It's definitely not as lucrative as the 4th quarter promotion but hopefully one can combine this promotion for local promotions such as the 3rd quarter promo in Chicago to earn up to 25K or the Atlanta promo for the same. I for one won't complain too much about earning another 10K.
For the most it is not complaining about the promo as such but asking what drives Starwood to make this offerbut not a better one encourging to give Starwood a bigger piece of the business cake or even generate extra business. Q4 was such an offer, Q1 is not.
Points and point promotions are one (well, OK, two) of the criteria I look at when selecting a hotel. IMO, Starwood service (most of my stays are in Asia properties) is excellent, and this is far more important to me than points. Actually, for my purposes, Starwood hits the sweet spot, balancing physical facilities, service and price. Sure, I could stay at the Pen or MO in Bangkok, and they may be a bit better located or historied (MO, anyway), but with prices starting at double the SGS, the value just isn't there for me, even if they did offer points.
Personally, I am grateful for this promotion as well as any others which Starwood may offer. I already had sixteen nights booked for January (and not starting until the 10th), hoping to make PLT this year for the first time, and this will just boost my SPG account a bit more than I had expected.
