Originally Posted by todorovic

The way I see this is that people should stop asking for breaks and just go ahead and stay 25/50 during the calendar year. I value my top status(es) a lot and if I have to pay out of my own pocket to get/keep it that's what I do. If the financial situation is preventing you from doing this then you shouldn't be worrying about the elite hotel/airline status in the first place. It may sound harsh but that's the reality. If you have status in multiple programs and can't keep them all then decide which one is the most important and work on that one first. In my case, I will never let my Hyatt Diamond lapse (if possible), especially after the improvements to the GP program earlier this year. SPG is second and HHonors the last one to be kept.

Originally Posted by todorovic

Let me start by saying that I am not against promos of this sort. If they offer it - great. If not - great again. What I don't understand is the amount of whining (to put it bluntly) on FT in general about things that we (most likely) can not influence. Take advantage of whatever promo is offered but don't turn against your (supposedly) favorite program just because they didn't offer you something you presumed you were entitled to. If the lack of a specific promo (in this case double stay count) makes you switch your loyalty, so be it. It is your decision and you have every right to make it. Just keep in mind that there are tons of elites in other programs who are as willing to switch and may consider turning to SPG. As far as I know, none of the major chains has offered double stay count promo this year (actually Hyatt had a very limited targeted promo) so I'm sure there are a lot of elites there who are contemplating a change. And if the other chains haven't done it why should SPG.

Regarding the people who traveled a lot less for business this year, I said it before and will say it again - if the specific status is important to you then spend your own money. If it is any status you are after then simply match to another program.

As for the people who were laid off, well in all honesty they should not be thinking about status as there are much more important things in life. If their situation has improved they will make it next year or they can match to another program too.

Lastly, while I was fortunate enough not to loose my job I definitely don't have my blinders on. There are people in my immediate family who have lost jobs and I understand very well the impact that can have on someone's life. Let's not get personal, please. We will just have to agree to disagree.