Keyser

at the end of the day the t&c indicate that it is subject to availability so we can argue all we want, it won't change the fact that this benefit is guaranteed if there is availability....

UA-NYC

I'm with you - kind of like how SWUs are a "guaranteed" upgrade on UA, but of course subject to availability

I guess the first reports will start coming in on 3/1, and we'll have new lists, by key hotels, of 1) your24 availability, 2) what suites are made available and at what level, and 3) what the continental breakfast is composed of

murphyUA

Something will have to give:

SPG Site: Caims it is guaranteed and mentions nothing about being based on availability.

This thread: Claims it is based on availability and mentions nothing about a guarantee.

Edit: I found the FAQ on the SPG site, so there is some talk of it being based on availability on the site. However, it only says the requested check in time is based on availability. If I request 8am, and am rejected, and then check in at 8pm, I should be able to check out at 8pm without any questions (at least how I interpret the rules).

Keyser

correct....so once again, based on availability....not an ideal situation but it is what it is....

KSA_USA

i think thats correct. otherwise it would make no sense.

KSA_USA

i agree with you. the wording make no sense no matter how it could be explained. Guarantee is a Guarantee. the 4 pm check-out is a Guaranteed benefit ( Exception: resort/ conference center then its based on availability). 72 hours room availability is a Guarantee benefit for platinum members ( Exception : blackout date). the restrictions are very well defined.

your24 restrictions is not well defined, which makes it more based on availability rather than a guaranteed benefit.

Starwood Lurker II

Yes.

[email protected]

Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

pointy

Correct, it acts as a dilution of benefits for a SPG plat
Both Mrs. Pointy and I are SPG plats. we travel together some 95% of the time and each have around 55 nights each credited for 2011.
Our suite upgrades are henceforth harder to obtain than before this program change was instigated and we run the risk of becoming roominants© as 75-nighters pre-grab suites

yosithezet

I think you mean as other 50-nighters, like yourselves, pre-grab suites, no?

saleenxp8

I was worried about this because it used to say that this benefit was "guaranteed" yet "subject to availability at resorts and conference centers."

Recently I stayed at a Sheraton who refused to offer a check out past 1PM and told me that this benefit was no longer guaranteed and was instead always "subject to availability."

Starwood Lurker

If it wasn't a resort or conference/convention center hotel, I hope you took the opportunity to report it to Corporate Customer Service.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

cur

Your24 has to be the greatest benefit that I would ever want, beating the 4pm check out. I hope this changes how hotels are run and not just for elite guests. It really sucks when a non-elite shows up to a hotel at 1 or 2am and non plats have to be out by 1100. But then they can check in at 2pm and still be out by 1100. I always found that peculiar and thought how that would be a great idea for a hotel chain (ie, a budget hotel in a hugely popular area with tourists, like Shibuya or Manhattan), and whether it would affect the industry as a whole

I know some hotels, particularly airport hotels, have this for everyone, and I hope it spreads.

This happened to me at a suburban sheraton in the US. Wouldn't give me late check out at checkin and passed the buck by telling me to call the night auditor. I call the night auditor a few hours later at 11pm, he gives the "subject to availability" and "we have a LOT of guests checking in early tomorrow" lines. Never happened to me as a gold or platinum before. And he knew I was a plat.

The 4pm check out was for a 6pm flight, but while leaving the hotel at noon would be inconvenient, it wouldn't be a horrific burden that I couldn't overcome. Plus the possibility of getting points as compensation for my complaint would certainly offset the issue. So I didn't press it.

Then at 11:30pm, he called, apologized, and said he would be delighted to have me out at 4pm. Damnit. No points.

scienm

There is nothing 'guaranteed'. SPG loves 'upon avaliability' for everything.
They just want to avoid any noise with their hotels.
I've never seen like this in any other chain.
As you guys know Hyatt guarantee suite upgrade four times even for 25 staying guests and InterContinental Royal Ambassador is always guaranteed for everything.

Even these changes and benefits are brilliant, it sucks because of 'upon availability'.

I stayed 75+ last year, but it feels me awkward.
They should've made new tier above platinum. There is not many people who can stay 75+ nights so it won't be a problem even for regular platinum members but I think spg was just afraid of all of platinums and hotels.
4 Starpoints per $ and Your24 are clearly new tier benefits. It's really funny they divide platinum into three types.

I'll look into it in this year.
If it is not adequate, I'll do only 25 stays and move to hyatt.
It's better to have both Hyatt Diamond and SPG Plats than single SPG Plat 75+.

cur

Probably because introducing a new tier would cost $$$, and I think they are experimenting with this tier. Gives them flexibility?

I 40

excellent additions, will have to rethink my status attainment strategy among the chains.