TravelinSperry

You are all so funny. Go back to the double points promo threads from this year... everyone complaining about all the properties that didn't participate. And so, Starwood gives you a promo that includes them all. Of course, to entice all the properties, the deal has to be worse. And now you're all complaining again. I for one appreciate the fact that they listened to us - and gave us a promo without exceptions.

TheTourVan

I can tell you for fact I never complained about exclusions. Nor would I. What I am confused about is the constant defense as if someone not liking the promo is insulting to you in someway.

Its clear regardless of whether or not they devalue by 900% that you love the brand and will continue to support them. Others do not have blind allegiance and choose to support which give them the best bang for their buck.

TravelinSperry

Wow, OK. It's obvious you feel attacked. That was not my intention - in fact, I have no idea who you are or what you posted. I was simply reading through all the posts - and got a general feeling of people moaning about this promo. And I also read the old threads about the take two promos and saw the opposite (people moaning about non participating properties). So I made a comment.

Now, I'm not sure why you consider me to have blind allegiance. 900% (perhaps a slight exaggeration eh?) Maybe for effect? You believe that my prior post in this thread suggests I like anything Starwood does? Why is it OK for you to complain but not OK for me to say I like the promo? Why does your complaint not make you someone who is never happy and always looking for more? Same as suggesting your belief that my liking it makes me a blind allegiance fellow. The answer is, it doesn't (in either of our cases).

There are things I like about SPG and things I don't like. And your name calling doesn't put me in a box, even though it appears you need to do that to make your position warranted. The reality is, this is a blog - and not everyone will agree. That's part of why we read it... to learn, to provide our opinion, and to share. We are all one community. Attacking personally doesn't help us achieve anything.

pricesquire

This post made me smile. It's obvious we're cut from the same cloth. I'll just say this: I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said.

I especially agree with this sentiment: As a consumer, I will never understand defense/loyalty. I love the properties compared to others, but if they all of the sudden made the reward redemptions double what they are now...Guess what, I would go elsewhere.

TheTourVan

Its the same thing all the time on message boards. Give someone a voice and they are quiet, give them a keyboard and they pound their chest. And then as soon as you disagree with them, they play the martyr card.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Look above and see what I am speaking about.

This is not a promo for any other reason than to say "We have a promo". This is about as much a promotion as the "Pay Your Age" thing they ran. Sounded like a great deal until you realized that the cost per night was jacked up on the first two compared to when you just tried to book without promo code.

I love the program they have here. I think it is the most stable and stability for my long term commitment is a good thing. It is not the easiest and not the most lucrative, but it has merit and stability.

Apparently it also has blind faith and an army to defend against anybody that says they do not like something about the program.

wedotravel

I like the advance notice which is good for SPG and for me. It will give SPG more revenue and me advance info I like. I do not travel in the US much so the opt out in previous promo's did not affect me much. What I do not like, again we have a 20 days gap between old promo ending Dec. 15th 2013 and this one starting Jan. 5th, 2014. Marriott has the "stay twice get one category 5 free night" during this time so I will make sure I get that one for me and other family members. I will also max out the IHG big win promo till end of 2013. So overall even though the latest SPG promo falls short it is some bonus points. But I will NOT move stays around, its not worth it as there are no double points, no extra points for booking on the SPG app.

supatight80

This will be one promo period where ill be using all my points for nights instead of paying for those nights..

uxb

Actually, I've saved quite a few bucks with "pay your age" despite being born toward the end of the last century. It's not anywhere close to 100% of the time, but that's part of being a good consumer - knowing the best deal for the location you intend to visit. This may be in the form of a BDAY rate, a BRG rate, an SPG50 rate (which is laughable), their published rates, or (dare I say) a competitor. Can't blame an entire programme for your perceived inability to find a good deal. Having said that, not every promotion is going to be for everyone. Further, not all companies feel the need to run onerous promotions that have the unintended effect of causing point devaluation. In short, deal with it.

P. S. I'm not defending any hotel chain. Just the other day, I cancelled my stay in SF at Fisherman's Wharf for the Marriott Marquis because I got it for $50 cheaper and it was more centrally located to the Bay Bridge.

charder

The promotion is nothing special. Why can't we get back something like the good old days, e.g. 5 stays get you one night at a 1-6cat. hotel.

I'm also fine if this only counts for platinum people.

UA-NYC

We could get that - but of course the tradeoff would that the economy would have to be in the crapper a la 2009. What would you prefer?

pricesquire

I just don't believe there's a line in the sand....bad economy and good promos verses better economy and bad promos...

Loyalty goes both ways, in good times and bad. If SPG is doing so well, throw something our way substantial. Guarantee they'd see business go from "Great" to "Excellent"

UA-NYC

Of course, it's a continuum - it's gone from great to decent (2011 let's say) to medicore more recently...but that's inversely proportional to the ADRs received by these hotels, and the strength of the overall economy. Such is life.

If none of the other major chains are offering you anything of great value either, that's telling.

fireworksboy

Maybe not as good as ffn of the past but Hyatt has had some pretty decent promos during the last year. Just earned an extra 50k of their points - which I value 1=1 with Starwood although I'm sure others have different points of view. That's a good mess of points on top of typical earnings.

CPRich

I suspect the business folks - financial analysts, marketing professionals, etc. - disagree with this conclusion.

Curious how you are going to "guarantee" this.

TravelinSperry

I sometimes find deals via SPG50, although always outside the US. I've stayed 3 times on the rate so far this year (1x in Europe and 2x in SE Asia). All 3 times the SPG50 rates were almost the same as the BAR rate - but had better cancellation policies (up to 6pm same day), which I prefer in case I need to change plans. It's certainly not 50% off... but even matching BAR with better cancellation terms has some benefit.