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Announcing SPG’s 2015 Category Changes : effective March 10, 2015

Old Mar 10, 2015, 4:40 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: daiseee
When did the 2015 Starwood hotel category changes go into effect?
The changes took effect on March 10.
What's the breakdown of properties going up/down?
Based on the initial list of changes--see below for more on this--22% of hotels are changing category. Of these, 10.49% are moving up and 11.78% are moving down.
Where can I find the list of changes?
The initial list can be found here.

Note that the initial list is not final or authoritative, and that additional changes (or even reversal of changes proposed in the initial list) have been made & may continue to occur. To date, these include
  • The Royal Palm going up to 6
  • Le Mridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa going up to 3
  • W Bangkok remaining 4
  • Le Mridien Taipei remaining 6
  • Sheraton Mahwah remaining 4
  • Heathrow Sheraton remaining 3
  • Westin LAX remaining 4
  • Le Westin Montreal remaining 5
  • Aloft Buffalo Airport going down to 2
  • Aloft Tampa Downtown going down to 3
  • Sheraton Gran Canaria going up to 4
I booked a property before the category went up, but a) now my online reservation prices my stay at the higher category and/or b) I'm getting followup emails showing the higher rate? Is this problem?
As explained in post #118,
there is often a system-generated change that makes it look like the price will go up when checking reservations online and on any reservation confirmation emails for existing bookings that are re-sent after the change takes place. You will be charged what you booked originally, however.
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Announcing SPG’s 2015 Category Changes : effective March 10, 2015

 
Old Feb 23, 2015, 11:22 am
  #1  
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: SPG
Posts: 713
Announcing SPG’s 2015 Category Changes : effective March 10, 2015

Our annual category changes will go into effect on March 10, 2015.

Just over 22% of hotels are changing category; of these, 10.49% are moving up and 11.78% are moving down including some favorites such as The St. Regis Rome, The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, Maui, W Paris Opera, and others. Were not adding new categories or changing category pricing at this time. Heres a look at the preliminary list of changes to help you maximize your Starpoints. Please review the changes to decide if youd like to redeem your Starpoints prior to - or after - the changes take place on March 10, 2015.

Please note that Category adjustments are always subject to change. While we make every attempt to provide you the latest, most accurate information, adjustments may be made before or after the category change date, March 10, 2015.

Click here to view the list of changes.

Click here to view existing hotel categories.

When youre ready to book, visit spg.com or contact one of our Customer Contact Centers.

Best regards,

Alexandra (Sandi) Baker
Specialist, Social Media
Starwood Hotels and Resorts

[email protected]
Starwood Lurker IV is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 11:42 am
  #2  
Moderator: GLBT travelers, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
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Thanks for the heads up. ^


Let the annual hand wringing and drama begin.
AJLondon is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 11:52 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
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Thanks Sandi, Would've been better if it was listed by state rather than by hotel name.
LovetoTravel83 is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 11:55 am
  #4  
JK
 
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Gutted to see The St. Regis Saadiyat Island moving up a category... but not at all surprised. That property truly deserves it's higher categorisation!

If only I hadn't just blown my entire wad of points, I'd be future booking that place into eternity!
JK is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 11:56 am
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
At first blush, this is EXCELLENT news for my own travel patterns...

Cheers,
Flews is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 11:57 am
  #6  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oslo
Posts: 448
A lot up in the US, a lot down in Europe. Just as expected.
heakja is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:07 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: SPG Gold/HH Diamond/CC Gold/Hyatt Explorist
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Glad to see Westin LAX dropping!
Nehawk is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:34 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Teaneck, NJ
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Posts: 699
Glad to see Maui hotels all dropping back down.
yoshapman is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:42 pm
  #9  
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It certainly looks like SPG has simply and fairly changed the redemption rates to reflect some calculation of average room rates. Given the way so many programmes keep trying to pull the wool over our eyes, this in itself is rather welcome to me.

The changes will have quite little effect on me with perhaps a small positive in the Euro changes, though I will call out the Convento do Espirinheiro in Portugal and the Metropol Palace in Belgrade as being great hotels for the points - but that's simply and rationally because they're in cheaper locations.

Thanks for the heads up.
EuropeanPete is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:47 pm
  #10  
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Georgia
Programs: Delta, SPG
Posts: 157
Ouch. Hit a few of my favorite stops with a Category upgrade. 1 I'm not sure deserves it as their heaters weren't working last time I was there, but hey its Florida.
haibane is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:47 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2
If I booked a hotel on points for this coming summer and the property is dropping in category, would there be any reason I couldn't cancel my reservation and book it again on the new category to save some points?
kernalsm3 is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:48 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
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Thanks for the heads up, and good to have you aboard, Sandi!!

My initial reaction is relief - no need to break out the champers for any properties going down, and nothing hugely dramatic going up.
remymartin is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:53 pm
  #13  
 
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Originally Posted by kernalsm3
If I booked a hotel on points for this coming summer and the property is dropping in category, would there be any reason I couldn't cancel my reservation and book it again on the new category to save some points?
No - there's no nothing to stop you doing this and have done it myself in the past.

I think that in the event that there's no longer availability, you might be able to call up to arrange a cancellation and immediate rebooking (to ensure you don't lose the room) but I may be wrong.
hendricks is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:54 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Originally Posted by kernalsm3
If I booked a hotel on points for this coming summer and the property is dropping in category, would there be any reason I couldn't cancel my reservation and book it again on the new category to save some points?
Nope. The only risk is the points room may no longer be available. To be safe, I would book the new lower points rate first, then cancel the original.

Cheers,

Last edited by Flews; Feb 23, 2015 at 2:31 pm Reason: Clarity
Flews is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2015, 12:57 pm
  #15  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
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Originally Posted by kernalsm3
If I booked a hotel on points for this coming summer and the property is dropping in category, would there be any reason I couldn't cancel my reservation and book it again on the new category to save some points?
The only limitation on this might be the availability of award rooms. Check for award availability after the changes go through. If available, re-book the stay, then cancel the old one.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]
Starwood Lurker is offline  

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