Originally Posted by
beltway
I'm surprised to hear the claims that SPG Gold is "worthless." Guaranteed 4pm checkout (except at resorts) and an "enhanced" room -- which in my experience has often meant a true upgrade of 1 or more categories -- seems to me worth something.
You overlook that conference locations (and that a hotel may be a mile and a half from a conference center) are also exempted from the late checkout guarantee.
I can't tell you how many times (as SPG Gold, now Plat) I've been told my 'upgraded' room is a bog-standard room on the SPG Floor. The SPG room upgrade benefit varies enormously with chain and gepgraphy.