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.
.
Something it is worth, also the 50% extra SPG points, but the couple of years I was SPG Gold I had very few and/or poor upgrades.
Having to stay 10 times in SPG properties, with almost no benefits, while staying at Hilton would bring free b/fast + free internet, makes little sense to me.
If, as
beltway mentions, you can obtain SPG Gold much easier, then you can probably go for it.