Originally Posted by
Anglo Large Clawed Otter
You'll get the most mileage out of your SPG Gold status if you book some leisure stays at non-US properties somewhat off the beaten track. Don't expect much at flagship hotels in places like Paris, Rome, etc. However, you could probably expect decent treatment as a Gold at some of the Hacienda properties in the Yucatan, Le Meridien Den Haag, Some of the smaller Italian Cities, the Moroccan properties, etc.
Yeah, and that's fine.
I just checked and next year I might actually be able to pull off top-tier status at Hilton, SPG, and Marriott. Once I start working full time in Columbia, SC
I'll have all three options available. If I balance my stays out among the three, and take advantage of any stay/night bonuses that SPG offers — those helped me get to Gold this year — I might be able to do it. It also helps that I can hit Marriott Platinum with only a few stays over those that are required for Gold, thanks to the 15 night bonus I automatically get each September for having the Marriott Visa.
Over the next few weeks I've got to look at my work schedule and plot this out, but I think in 2009 the stars might align just right to allow it to happen.