Sprout

Does anyone have any idea what the VIP codes mean on the screens at check in at Sheraton Hotels.

As an SPG Platinum I have recently noticed that at the Sheraton Skyline LHR and the Sheraton Sharm el Sheikh, I am a VIP code 3 and get excellent room upgrades, amenities etc. However at the Sheraton Heathrow at LHR where my company has a block allocation I am a VIP code 5 and never see so much as a whiff of an amenity.

Any ideas??

BeantownFlyer

5*=snackwell and tepid water and no mention of an upgrade
3*=give him what he deserves

(Some might say that most Starwood properties are now only participating in the 5* program)

Agent Starwood

Yes, I do.

VIP 1 - Starwood VIP Preferred Guest members, heads of state, dignitaries, Starwood board members, presidents and C.E.O.'s of top corporate clients, etc.

VIP 3 - Those designated as travel decision makers for major corporations, lower high-ranking Starwood employees, top executives of Starwood's corporate partners, famous people, etc.

VIP 5 - Starwood Platnum Preferred Guest members.

SA (VIP - SUPP) - "Special Attention" guests as designated by the hotel property or guests with prepaid reservations, such as through a travel agent or an internet web site. At some properties, this tells representatives at the front desk that they should not quote you the room rate listed on your reservation, since it is what the travel agency/web site pays, which is probably less than what you paid.

Also, to clarify...Starwood VIP Preferred Guest is the highest level in the SPG program. It is unpublished and by invitation only to level 1 VIP's. The benefits are exactly the same as Platnum, except that these folks can confirm a suite upgrade 7 days in advance of arrival.

axicano

Agent, I see you have a hotmail address. If you are not a Starwood employee I would hope you would let us know. If you are, I do hope that you have permission from a supervisor to post your respone here. If you give faulty information, it could hurt Starwood's reputation, and could cost them financially.

------------------
axicano= A Chicano
Austin,TX Live Music Capitol of the World

LAOCA

I am aware of the VIP card that stands above Platinum which is generally reserved for hotel owners, board members etc but never heard of the VIP numbers.

Are these assigned by hotel? Starwood Platinum Concierges deny these exist. Any more info of conformation?

Starwood Lurker

The various degrees of VIP status is proprietary information and is not intended for public disclosure or comment. There is no doubt that Agent Starwood was trying to be as helpful as possible in answering Sprout's initial posting, however it is inappropriate to discuss internal company matters of this sort on a public forum such as this.

The VIP level in Starwood Preferred Guest is a non-published level that is offered by senior corporate executives at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Inc. through invitation only. It is not open to membership by solicitation. The Platinum elite level is the highest earned level in Starwood Preferred Guest.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Starwood Lurker (edited 05-14-2001).]

sdix

Ah, yes, yet another secret handshake club...

Just when you think you've made it, we find out we are just peons again in the big picture of things!

LAOCA

Understood but my only question is are those different levels of the VIP status or are those separate codes within the Platinum (or Gold etc) system.

Starwood Lurker

Sprout's initial inquiry refers to the way hotel's rank VIP's in general. Agent Starwood did a bang-up job of responding which indicates a high degree of understanding from the hotel perspective, but it should never have been discussed in such detail. It would have been sufficient to say simply that this is a ranking system used by hotels to identify VIP's in general. Now we have sdix, and probably others, feeling they are being deprived of something when, in fact, all this ranking system does is identify the benefits of each VIP level internally to hotel employees. This was further exacerbated by discussion of the VIP elite level which was not very clearly thought out, in my estimation. The proof is in the pudding and too many chefs spoil the meal. I can't think of any other cliches that apply, but for any contribution I have made to this mess, I humbly apologize.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

SF1K

Funny thing if this is so secret. I just checked-in at the Sheraton Gateway LAX, and at the SPG check-in section they have chart with all the SPG levels, including those above Platinum and the benefits each receives. I'll take a closer look at it later and see if I can get more info.

sdix

William, I am not worried about it, just being sarcastic! Everyone always wants to be treated the best but reality is that there is a class system in everthing you touch these days. If my business to Starwood is only worthy of a VIP5 then VIP5 it is!

Gaucho100K

Ive been designated a VIP code at a Starwood Property this year and it did marvels to the level of service (I was a super frequent guest at that particular hotel). Agent Starwood's description is right on.

(I hope he/she doesnt get banged up for disclosing the information)

LAOCA

So are they given out by the property only for that property?

West Coast 1K

I've seen that chart at a few hotels. From the quick look, it looks like they have access to better suites than Platinum. Regardless of there being a higher "unofficial" level, I have never been unsatisfied with the treatment that I have received as Platinum. If only UA treated their 1Ks as well....

Gaucho100K

Agree with WestCoast 1K, Ive had excellent service from SPG since becoming a Platinum. Their Platinum Concierge service is the best, I havent gotten anything similar from any other mainstream hotel chain.