Bye-bye SPG, it's been a great 10+ years!
Apr 7, 2011, 2:21 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
Programs: Marriott/Lifetime Titanium Hyatt/Explorist, Hilton/Silver, IHG Spire,UA Gold
Posts: 17,832
Apr 7, 2011, 4:34 pm
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
Apr 7, 2011, 5:17 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
how long till the OP comes a crawling back
OP in case U dont know it if you dont get an Upgrade to the so called Exec floor as a Gold then there is no Lounge Access! Only a Diamond can get into the Lounge, but good luck finding a hotel with a Lounge. Embassys dont have clubs nor DTs nor HGIs nor Homewood, so you are betting on a few Hiltons and most Resorts dont have them either
Bout the Only 2 things I know that HH has over SPG is a TON of lower end propertys Hamptons that are located off Interstates and are all around the US. And the Diamond force where even if there is no avaialbility for a paid stay most likely as a Diamond they can get you a res using your pts
But if I had to amke a choice and pick only 1 of the 2 programs SPG wins hands down. (FYI Im Plat with *W and Diamond with HH, and Plat with Marriott) and no way would I give up my *W status especially for Hilton
Now if a person will be staying where there arent any *W Hotels that would be something else. Besides for $20k in spending on the HH Amex CC you are Gold and if you miss HHs mark you will find out the hard way that they too wont let you slide even if you are short by 1 Stay credit
So OP I wish you luck, since ALL the programs are about the same when it comes to ending up short what is needed to requalify
OP in case U dont know it if you dont get an Upgrade to the so called Exec floor as a Gold then there is no Lounge Access! Only a Diamond can get into the Lounge, but good luck finding a hotel with a Lounge. Embassys dont have clubs nor DTs nor HGIs nor Homewood, so you are betting on a few Hiltons and most Resorts dont have them either
Bout the Only 2 things I know that HH has over SPG is a TON of lower end propertys Hamptons that are located off Interstates and are all around the US. And the Diamond force where even if there is no avaialbility for a paid stay most likely as a Diamond they can get you a res using your pts
But if I had to amke a choice and pick only 1 of the 2 programs SPG wins hands down. (FYI Im Plat with *W and Diamond with HH, and Plat with Marriott) and no way would I give up my *W status especially for Hilton
Now if a person will be staying where there arent any *W Hotels that would be something else. Besides for $20k in spending on the HH Amex CC you are Gold and if you miss HHs mark you will find out the hard way that they too wont let you slide even if you are short by 1 Stay credit
So OP I wish you luck, since ALL the programs are about the same when it comes to ending up short what is needed to requalify
Last edited by craz; Apr 7, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Apr 7, 2011, 6:18 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,771
Buh bye.
And as others have pointed out, there was a "Stays count as double" promo in the last quarter last year.
And as others have pointed out, there was a "Stays count as double" promo in the last quarter last year.
Apr 8, 2011, 2:42 am
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 39
Actually, not really true given the OP is now a Gold elite and seems to refer to the fact that that was as high as they could get with their new travel pattern. Suite upgrades are not the norm for Golds.
The OP does bring out the benefits around having multiple programs to choose from. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and over time our travel patterns (and wants/desires) may change. With those changes, it may behoove us to periodically look at our primary (and even secondary) programs to see if we may be better suited with a different program (as was the case for the OP.)
The OP does bring out the benefits around having multiple programs to choose from. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and over time our travel patterns (and wants/desires) may change. With those changes, it may behoove us to periodically look at our primary (and even secondary) programs to see if we may be better suited with a different program (as was the case for the OP.)
Apr 8, 2011, 2:47 am
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 39
Apr 8, 2011, 2:52 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 39
agree that Plat is great.
I get a complimentary Hilton gold with one of my airline programs (forgot which) and it is not worth much apart from the free internet which I mist admit is one of the best features of SPG plat.
Never been given free breakfast and if the Hilton rooms I get are upgrade then avoid the basic rooms !
SPG is still the best.
I get a complimentary Hilton gold with one of my airline programs (forgot which) and it is not worth much apart from the free internet which I mist admit is one of the best features of SPG plat.
Never been given free breakfast and if the Hilton rooms I get are upgrade then avoid the basic rooms !
SPG is still the best.
Apr 8, 2011, 2:55 am
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 39
Have you tried at least to plea your case with CS? There is an e-mail you can send to ask for an exception/status match/comp status, etc. Strange by itself though -- long time Plat members are usually offered a complimantary Plat status when they fall a bit short in a given year -- happened to me in 2010, to my friend 2011. Unless you were already given one in previous years -- you cannot it two years in a row.
Apr 8, 2011, 2:58 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 39
I love your tag line (Do not feel offended by my posts - remember, I am a simple minded litigation lawyer). Maybe Zurich Flyer could get one too!
Apr 8, 2011, 3:01 am
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 39
Apr 8, 2011, 5:30 am
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
Apr 8, 2011, 12:42 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,386
I agree *W is best for Plats, but does not appear to be best for Gold.
<digression>
That being said, it does appear that Hilton is handing out Silver and Gold if you can fog a mirror, more so than SPG does: United MP members can be immediately comped Silver and get Gold within 4 stays. (I'm doing a 3 night mattress run in a couple of weeks in LA to grab HHonors Gold, since I need to spend a night in the Valley away from LAX anyway, and SPG's properties are more expensive away from LAX, plus a 4th room rental my ex and I will split for a daughter's slumber/pool party the following week).
So there may be competition for those HHonors Gold bennies...
</digression>
Apr 8, 2011, 12:44 pm
#43
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,134
Apr 8, 2011, 1:11 pm
#44
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,386
Every program has its plusses and minuses. Not every program is good for everyone, so choose the one that fits your patterns best.
Apr 8, 2011, 1:26 pm
#45
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
Hm? Not really agree with that? Isn't it better to have the top tier status in all programs?
no, not mid-level. top level has to be