Is Plat Guaranteed Room Availability really guaranteed, or just a marketing gimmick ?
Nov 28, 2012, 3:02 pm
#46
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
The Westin Palo Alto has a 10-night MLOS for arrivals on December 5th.
The Sheraton Palo Alto is not allowing arrivals on December 5th. They are allowing for one night stays to arrive on December 3rd and for a 3-night MLOS on December 6th, but December 4th is completely sold out.
The Sheraton Sunnyvale is allowing 1-night MLOS on December 7th.
The Four Points San Jose is selling suites only for December 5th.
From what I can tell, every hotel in the area is sold out otherwise and they have probably all iinstituted a black out date for this time frame. Regardless, whatever MLOS may be in place also apply to Platinum overides.
The Sheraton Palo Alto is not allowing arrivals on December 5th. They are allowing for one night stays to arrive on December 3rd and for a 3-night MLOS on December 6th, but December 4th is completely sold out.
The Sheraton Sunnyvale is allowing 1-night MLOS on December 7th.
The Four Points San Jose is selling suites only for December 5th.
From what I can tell, every hotel in the area is sold out otherwise and they have probably all iinstituted a black out date for this time frame. Regardless, whatever MLOS may be in place also apply to Platinum overides.
It also looks like I received incorrect information about not being able to use this benefit at conference center hotels? Although it certainly seems like these hotels can do blackout dates and adjust MLOS whenever they want. That kinda defeats the purpose of a "guaranteed" ability to override.
Nov 28, 2012, 3:09 pm
#47
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Nov 28, 2012, 3:38 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
Does it matter if they are classified as a conference center hotel? All three of these hotels aren't on one of your recent conference center hotel list although all three have implemented blackout dates. I assume it doesn't matter and besides resorts any other hotel can have blackout dates.
Nov 28, 2012, 4:31 pm
#49
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Sorry to ask another question.
Does it matter if they are classified as a conference center hotel? All three of these hotels aren't on one of your recent conference center hotel list although all three have implemented blackout dates. I assume it doesn't matter and besides resorts any other hotel can have blackout dates.
Does it matter if they are classified as a conference center hotel? All three of these hotels aren't on one of your recent conference center hotel list although all three have implemented blackout dates. I assume it doesn't matter and besides resorts any other hotel can have blackout dates.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Nov 28, 2012, 7:33 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,561
Yet another reason why this "benefit" is of little value.
Mar 15, 2013, 1:26 pm
#51
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
These are some important caveats to consider:
Guaranteed room availability when your room is booked by 3 p.m., 72+ hours prior to arrival. 3
3. Applicable to one standard room booked by 3 p.m. local time 72+ hours before day of arrival at participating hotels. Member must pay regular RACK rate. Black out dates apply. Not available at resorts. Room upgrade and Free Night Award redemption do not apply when this benefit is utilized. Minimum length-of-stay requirement must be met.
Guaranteed room availability when your room is booked by 3 p.m., 72+ hours prior to arrival. 3
3. Applicable to one standard room booked by 3 p.m. local time 72+ hours before day of arrival at participating hotels. Member must pay regular RACK rate. Black out dates apply. Not available at resorts. Room upgrade and Free Night Award redemption do not apply when this benefit is utilized. Minimum length-of-stay requirement must be met.
I'm trying to book a one-night weekday stay at a sold-out Sheraton. It's a non-resort/non-conference property and it's not during any major holiday or blackout date. The Platinum desk is telling me there's a standard 4 night minimum stay requirement (even though there's no minimum for other available weeknights near the date).
-FlyerBeek
Mar 15, 2013, 1:40 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Who determines the minimum length-of-stay requirement? Starwood or the hotel? Is there a standard length-of-stay requirement to invoke the guaranteed availability?
I'm trying to book a one-night weekday stay at a sold-out Sheraton. It's a non-resort/non-conference property and it's not during any major holiday or blackout date. The Platinum desk is telling me there's a standard 4 night minimum stay requirement (even though there's no minimum for other available weeknights near the date).
-FlyerBeek
I'm trying to book a one-night weekday stay at a sold-out Sheraton. It's a non-resort/non-conference property and it's not during any major holiday or blackout date. The Platinum desk is telling me there's a standard 4 night minimum stay requirement (even though there's no minimum for other available weeknights near the date).
-FlyerBeek
You might try calling the property directly and see if they are willing to override the rules they have loaded into the system. The worst they could say is no and you'll need to book elsewhere.
Mar 15, 2013, 2:54 pm
#53
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: PHL
Posts: 656
FYI since this I had my first experience with this yesterday. I called to force availability for the last night of a multi-day stay next month. They would book it, but at the rack rate. I expected that, but the rack rate is $450 and the rest of the week I'm paying $139. Over three times as much for that one night? No thanks.
Mar 15, 2013, 10:37 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
The benefit is of no value. I tried to use it at aLoft Brooklyn and was told they were sold out. I said, right that's why I want to use my GUARANTEED availability as a Platinum member. I understand I'll have to pay the rack rate. They called the hotel and the hotel said sorry, they were sold out and an exception couldn't be made. So basically any time a hotel is sold out, they Opt-out of this benefit or just don't honor it. It's pointless and misleading and should be removed as a benefit of achieving Platinum status.
Mar 15, 2013, 10:46 pm
#55
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AA 1MM Gold, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 189
There's a reason why I still keep my Diamond Hilton active....now if they only bring back points on the guarantee.
Mar 21, 2013, 1:53 pm
#56
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
The benefit is of no value. I tried to use it at aLoft Brooklyn and was told they were sold out. I said, right that's why I want to use my GUARANTEED availability as a Platinum member. I understand I'll have to pay the rack rate. They called the hotel and the hotel said sorry, they were sold out and an exception couldn't be made...
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Mar 22, 2013, 9:13 am
#57
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SNA, LAX, PHL, NYC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 663
Is it possible to get an understanding of how the blackout days are determined for the Center City Philadelphia property? It seems like every time a convention comes through that hotel is sold out and unwilling to accommodate the guaranteed platinum availabilty while the Westin, Le Meridien and University City Sheraton are - I just end up "shopping" the rates those three properties will give me, but it is interesting that the Center City property has NOT ONE TIME said they can do the platinum guaranteed availability for those same dates.
Mar 22, 2013, 9:53 am
#58
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Is it possible to get an understanding of how the blackout days are determined for the Center City Philadelphia property? It seems like every time a convention comes through that hotel is sold out and unwilling to accommodate the guaranteed platinum availabilty while the Westin, Le Meridien and University City Sheraton are - I just end up "shopping" the rates those three properties will give me, but it is interesting that the Center City property has NOT ONE TIME said they can do the platinum guaranteed availability for those same dates.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Mar 27, 2013, 12:39 pm
#59
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SNA, LAX, PHL, NYC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 663
The next time this happens, let me know and I'll check to see if they have officially requested a black-out date from SPG or not.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Mar 27, 2013, 8:52 pm
#60
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Just another data point: I have been denied of the platinum guarantee because the property is at +5 oversold, and this was not a resort property. This was requested via the platinum concierge. Was this property out of policy then?