The effect is actually worse than Starwood realizes, as I am reluctant to choose Starwood for my business trips since they won't count my priceline stays towards status. For the same reason, I am switching my lucrative business travel to Hyatt and others - precisely because I receive status recognition for priceline stays.

As someone pointed out above, no one forces a hotel to offer priceline rooms. If they choose to do so, then they should honor their obligations to their elite patrons rather than being penny wise and pound foolish. How much does it cost to upgrade a room, drop off a newspaper and provide access to a lounge with bad pastries and coffee? Not to mention that many of these lounges are closed on weekends, which is primetime for priceline.


[This message has been edited by Boraxo (edited 10-22-2003).]