Made Platinum now what?
Oct 30, 2014, 4:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, UA-Premier Silver, AA EXP, Hilton Gold, SPG Plat.
Posts: 191
Made Platinum now what?
I just made SPG Plat. what does that really get me? Not sure its any different from GOLD. Am I missing something?
Oct 30, 2014, 4:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: British Airways Gold
Posts: 2,636
Yeah it's underwhelming.
Theoretically gets you upgrades to suites..... except you'll find every hotel you check into tries to avoid giving you a suite unless you make an uncomfortable scene where you have to pull out your phone to show they're still selling suites and insist you should be given one of those per the program's advertised benefits.
You do get a (better) welcome gift AND free internet rather than either/or.
Theoretically gets you upgrades to suites..... except you'll find every hotel you check into tries to avoid giving you a suite unless you make an uncomfortable scene where you have to pull out your phone to show they're still selling suites and insist you should be given one of those per the program's advertised benefits.
You do get a (better) welcome gift AND free internet rather than either/or.
Oct 30, 2014, 5:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Oct 30, 2014, 5:49 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ECP
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 1,658
now what? profit
Oct 30, 2014, 7:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite (100K) / PR*Elite / AY*Platinum (OWE) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium (LTT)
Posts: 2,272
Theoretically gets you upgrades to suites..... except you'll find every hotel you check into tries to avoid giving you a suite unless you make an uncomfortable scene where you have to pull out your phone to show they're still selling suites and insist you should be given one of those per the program's advertised benefits.
Not including LM Cyberport where theres only 2 suites in the hotel, my ytd success rate is 78.57% and no i dont make a scene. Plat upgrades are pre-upgraded a day prior or prior to check-in anyhow.
Last edited by supatight80; Oct 30, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Oct 30, 2014, 7:51 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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: 52,140
Even in the US and Canada, my suite upgrade rate has been quite good. And I've never pulled the DYKWIA card.
Oct 30, 2014, 10:36 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 8
I agree the platinum suite upgrade is non-existent at best anymore. Even properties such as the Westin Diplomat in Fort Lauderdale have given up on the perk. SPG platinum has steadily declined over the past several years. Jumping ship to Marriott. More properties, upgrades, etc.
Oct 30, 2014, 11:56 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Liftime Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 1,752
In Asia my suite upgrade is 100% for about 50 hotel stays.
Oct 31, 2014, 12:53 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: europe
Programs: EX²-*wood platinum, EX-hyatt diamond, sixt platinum, hilton silver, leaders club, esselunga verde...
Posts: 2,048
I agree the platinum suite upgrade is non-existent at best anymore. Even properties such as the Westin Diplomat in Fort Lauderdale have given up on the perk. SPG platinum has steadily declined over the past several years. Jumping ship to Marriott. More properties, upgrades, etc.
My upgrade rate in Europe is 100 %.
Oct 31, 2014, 5:15 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
- auto upgrades (e-mail ahead if you want to re-assure);
- auto bonus points;
- Plat amenity with each stay;
- complimentary calls;
- guaranteed late check-out/early check-in;
- guaranteed room availability.
As others have said, do your homework and you will figure it out. I now have a hard time justifying FP Plat and HH Gold, given what Starwood offers.
Oct 31, 2014, 10:11 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,755
Succinctly, PLT suite upgrade success rates vary markedly by region. Asia/Pacific has a much better success rate than the U.S., for example. So one of the primary factors for you will be: Where are most of your hotel stays?
Oct 31, 2014, 12:00 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
Right, since there are tons of Plats in the US there is not a lot you can expect. Different in Europe and Asia.
Oct 31, 2014, 12:32 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Yes:
- auto upgrades (e-mail ahead if you want to re-assure);
- auto bonus points;
- Plat amenity with each stay;
- complimentary calls;
- guaranteed late check-out/early check-in;
- guaranteed room availability.
As others have said, do your homework and you will figure it out. I now have a hard time justifying FP Plat and HH Gold, given what Starwood offers.
- auto upgrades (e-mail ahead if you want to re-assure);
- auto bonus points;
- Plat amenity with each stay;
- complimentary calls;
- guaranteed late check-out/early check-in;
- guaranteed room availability.
As others have said, do your homework and you will figure it out. I now have a hard time justifying FP Plat and HH Gold, given what Starwood offers.
You forgot free internet. And Plat Concierge.
Oct 31, 2014, 12:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor Area
Programs: UA Million Miler, BonVoyLifetime Platinum, UA Platinum, President's Club,
Posts: 1,494
I've been Plat for 10 years and will make it for 2015 next week. I have a fantastic upgrade record, and the last few hotels I've been to have treated me quite special. I guess maybe it depends where you stay? Be sure to ask at check-in if no UG has been assigned, but I've rarely NOT been upgraded. I've stayed in suites all year, getting upgraded in NYC, Cancun, Detroit, Chicago, Hawaii, etc. In fact I've been upgraded in ADVANCE for my stay next week in Orlando.
Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. Luckily for me, it's more often than not. I'm getting close to my Lifetime Plat status (already made Gold) and I guess I'd say that's next for you.
Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. Luckily for me, it's more often than not. I'm getting close to my Lifetime Plat status (already made Gold) and I guess I'd say that's next for you.