No Platinum upgrade at Aloft/Element - Has this changed?
Dec 18, 2014, 6:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Warwickshire, England
Posts: 616
No Platinum upgrade at Aloft/Element - Has this changed?
The page at https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...inum#InnerPage and the detailed T&Cs at https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...ERMS_PROMOTION no longer make any mention of the Platinum upgrade benefit not being applicable at Element and Aloft hotels.
Is this a change or a mistake?
Is this a change or a mistake?
Dec 18, 2014, 8:00 am
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
One principle to follow is that marketing will promote benefits, not non-benefits. 
The Full terms link page still shows the aloft and Element room upgrade exclusions.
http://www.spgpromos.com/fullterms/?...MS_CREDS_TERMS
The Full terms link page still shows the aloft and Element room upgrade exclusions.
http://www.spgpromos.com/fullterms/?...MS_CREDS_TERMS
Dec 18, 2014, 10:48 am
#3
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I've gotten some upgrades at both element and aloft, so it's not like it never happens buy YMMV as it's not a published program benefit.
Dec 18, 2014, 12:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PLT; SPG PLT
Posts: 326
I've gotten upgrades at Elements all two times I stayed at one (wish there were more, I like Element).
Never once gotten upgraded at an aLoft. In fact, that former W in Newark CA used to upgrade me to a Studio Suite pretty consistently, but now that it's an aLoft, I've gotten nothing.
Never once gotten upgraded at an aLoft. In fact, that former W in Newark CA used to upgrade me to a Studio Suite pretty consistently, but now that it's an aLoft, I've gotten nothing.
Dec 18, 2014, 1:16 pm
#5
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I've received upgrades at the aloft hotels I've stayed at (but always outside the US). As mentioned, it's not a published benefit however.
Of course, there are countless examples of people not getting upgrades at Westin, Sheraton, etc. when that IS a published benefit.
Essentially there are hoteliers everywhere who try to treat elites well, and others who don't care. YMMV...
Of course, there are countless examples of people not getting upgrades at Westin, Sheraton, etc. when that IS a published benefit.
Essentially there are hoteliers everywhere who try to treat elites well, and others who don't care. YMMV...
Dec 18, 2014, 8:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
Element in Las Vegas has all the same rooms, the presidential suite is just 2 connecting rooms and they are laid out a little weird (not quite a presidential suite, really).
More often than not, Aloft hotels seem to have 1 room type only. Only some of the more key locations have a suite.
More often than not, Aloft hotels seem to have 1 room type only. Only some of the more key locations have a suite.
Dec 18, 2014, 10:59 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2012
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Element in Las Vegas has all the same rooms, the presidential suite is just 2 connecting rooms and they are laid out a little weird (not quite a presidential suite, really).
More often than not, Aloft hotels seem to have 1 room type only. Only some of the more key locations have a suite.
More often than not, Aloft hotels seem to have 1 room type only. Only some of the more key locations have a suite.
Last edited by lcpteck; Dec 20, 2014 at 8:45 pm Reason: bold typo
Dec 19, 2014, 4:21 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 347
Ha, I had no idea that this was in the T&Cs! Been upgraded at aloft Panama City and I think at Element Lexington Mass(?)
Now that I know, it is yet another reason for me to avoid the aloft brand.
Now that I know, it is yet another reason for me to avoid the aloft brand.
Dec 19, 2014, 6:47 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: Marriott Tit, Hyatt Diamond, AA EXP, UA Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 427
Who cares about upgrades when you have a robotic butler?
Dec 19, 2014, 10:09 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2011
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Posts: 1,982
Or when you're gold.
Dec 19, 2014, 4:33 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,311
When it was a W, they had categories for slightly different sized versions of the same room and corner rooms which were even larger, but as an Aloft, there's just one category for the entry level studio room (with sub-category for ADA compliant rooms and different bedding options). Even the smallest one is huge there. If you want an upgrade there, it would be to one of the few one bedroom, 2 bath suites. It's pretty rare to get that upgrade there if your stay includes mid-week nights.
It's a bit of an outlier because it wasn't purpose built as an Aloft or a W.
-David
Last edited by LIH Prem; Dec 19, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Dec 19, 2014, 8:26 pm
#12
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I was just upgraded to a Breezy room at Aloft Bangkok. And when I entered the room is was exactly the same as every other room I've stayed in at the hotel. EXACTLY.
Including the one packet of coffee they've been giving since they cut down from two early this year.
So to this extent I received a non-upgrage-upgrade.
Including the one packet of coffee they've been giving since they cut down from two early this year.
So to this extent I received a non-upgrage-upgrade.
Dec 20, 2014, 1:14 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2000
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How many Aloft properties even have suites? I think the Cupertino one does, and maybe the Nashville West End since it used to be an Indigo.
Dec 20, 2014, 8:24 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: STL
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, UA Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 144
It's news to me that aloft even has suites. Guess I'm staying at the wrong alofts...
Dec 21, 2014, 8:58 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP (4.4M), Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, Global Entry, Trusted Traveler
Posts: 109
Dallas aloft has suites
Stayed in a suite in the dallas aloft last week. Of what they call a suite. It's really just a great big room with a extra sitting area and a pull out couch.