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FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Jun 4, 2013, 8:59 am by PackingItQ. How does one qualify for "Preferred Plus" benefits?
A. By being the primary cardmember for a Starwood American Express card, or by becoming a member of AARP, AAA, or other marketing partner providing complimentary Preferred Plus status. (See, e.g., http://discounts.aarp.org/offer/inde...CategoryId/402)
Q. What are the published incremental benefits of Preferred Plus (i.e., beyond base SPG member benefits)?
A. The incremental benefits are- "Upgrades to enhanced rooms at check-in, such as rooms on higher floors or corner rooms. [Footnote: Subject to availability at check-in for the length of the stay, provided the room was not booked through a prepaid third-party channel. Enhanced rooms do not include suites and include rooms on higher floors, rooms with better views, or corner rooms. This benefit is not offered at Aloft(sm) and Element(sm) properties.]"
- "4 p.m. late checkout, where available. [Footnote: Subject to availability at resort and conference center hotels.]" This benefit is covered in detail in a separate FT thread.
Q. Where can I find these benefits stated on the SPG website?
A. They can be viewed here: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...ybenefits.html -- Note: If you are not already logged in, you'll be sent to a login page. Once logged in, ignore where you are redirected to, and click the original link again to view your benefits.
Q. Where can I find a list of "resort and conference center hotels" on the SPG website?
A. You can't; it isn't there. However, one of the Starwood representatives has posted (and regularly updates) a list at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18920557-post809.html.
Jan 17, 2024When I signed up for the Starwood Amex Platinum card, my SPG status was changed from Preferred to Preferred Plus. I can't find anything on the SPG or Amex web sites which explains this level. Am I entitled to any additional benefits over the base level? Thanks.
(Sorry if this had been addressed before. The forum search function takes out the word "plus", even when I use quotation marks.)
(Sorry if this had been addressed before. The forum search function takes out the word "plus", even when I use quotation marks.)
#2
From a relative newcomer to you, welcome to FT!
SPG preferred plus is about the same (read not worth much) as spg gold, except you don't get the 50% bonus in *pts and your card does not look as nice. You get the same "preferred room upgrade" (what that means varies from hotel to hotel and from time to time) and other gold benefits. Before you get the wrong impression, the "upgrade" sometimes is actually meaningful (as a gold, I've gotten decent upgrades at various properties, and ranges from corner rooms, rooms to better views, larger rooms, etc., to nothing at all).
Yes, there have been previous threads on this, but hey, it doesn't take long to type a short answer
SPG preferred plus is about the same (read not worth much) as spg gold, except you don't get the 50% bonus in *pts and your card does not look as nice. You get the same "preferred room upgrade" (what that means varies from hotel to hotel and from time to time) and other gold benefits. Before you get the wrong impression, the "upgrade" sometimes is actually meaningful (as a gold, I've gotten decent upgrades at various properties, and ranges from corner rooms, rooms to better views, larger rooms, etc., to nothing at all).
Yes, there have been previous threads on this, but hey, it doesn't take long to type a short answer
#3
Marysunshine , May 3, 2004 4:48 pm
And late check out. ^
#4
Over the past 3 years, I have only received one room upgrade at the Westin Bonaventure in LA. 90% of the time my Gold status isn't even acknowledged by the front desk person. The best Gold perk is the 4pm check-out, which I have used numerous times.
Quote:
Sometimes you have to push the issue. At a recent check-in at the Westin at Our Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island, the guy behind the desk tried to deny that I was entitled to a room upgrade as a Preferred Plus member. I walked him over to the cardboard display 4 feet from him and pointed to the info on it. I promptly received an upgrade (not that it was much of an upgrade) from island view to marina view.Originally Posted by AAJunkie
Over the past 3 years, I have only received one room upgrade at the Westin Bonaventure in LA. 90% of the time my Gold status isn't even acknowledged by the front desk person. The best Gold perk is the 4pm check-out, which I have used numerous times.
BTW, is it a pet peeve of anyone else's that these huge companies run these promotions and then don't educate their employees. I often have to explain promotions to the employees instead of the other way around!
Thanks for the responses everyone. I find it curious that Amex/Starwood promote this (minor) upgrade in status, then fail to explain anywhere what it entails. I'm so glad to have found these boards and discover all the useful info within them.
#8
I just noticed in my AAA/CAA membership booklet, it lists the many benefits of Automobile Association membership.
One benefit is listed as: "Complimentary access to the Preferred Plus tier of the Starwood Preferred Guest rewards program"
Pardon my ignorance, but is there even such a thing as a Preferred Plus tier, and is that supposed to be higher than regular membership? I'm confused.
Thanks in advance!
One benefit is listed as: "Complimentary access to the Preferred Plus tier of the Starwood Preferred Guest rewards program"
Pardon my ignorance, but is there even such a thing as a Preferred Plus tier, and is that supposed to be higher than regular membership? I'm confused.
Thanks in advance!
#9
KhalilSheikh , Nov 3, 2004 11:24 pm
...a free water bottle. 
#10
I just received mail from SPG that I have been offered "Preferred Plus" status with a new card showing a letter "B" in front of my old membership number.
I could not find any reference to this category at their web site.
Is anyone familiar with this category?
I could not find any reference to this category at their web site.
Is anyone familiar with this category?
#11
railroadtycoon , Feb 2, 2005 10:33 pm
Its between Preferred and Gold. If you either have an AAA membership or Starwood AMEX you're acount gets upgraded to Preferred +.
#12
KhalilSheikh , Feb 2, 2005 10:54 pm
An extra bottle of water in your room.
#15
At the Colorado Springs Sheraton, they called me in my room to invite me to the lounge for breakfast the following morning. They said they'd noticed a Preferred Plus member that didn't have a room in the concierge level area, so they wanted to make sure I knew where it was. I thought that was nice. (We had adjoining rooms with specific bed/smoke requests, which is probably why the front desk didn't give us concierge level to begin with.)
I don't think a concierge level upgrade is to be expected with Preferred Plus by any stretch, but I thought it was nice that the hotel took notice and followed up with us about the lounge.
We have the status thanks to the SPG Amex.
I don't think a concierge level upgrade is to be expected with Preferred Plus by any stretch, but I thought it was nice that the hotel took notice and followed up with us about the lounge.
We have the status thanks to the SPG Amex.