Originally Posted by
UA-NYC
I have always thought of the SPG benefits as a floor vs. a ceiling. Just because only standard suites were the policy doesn't mean better suites wouldn't be given; just because 4pm was the checkout guarantee doesn't mean 6pm wouldn't be given.
So while Y24 didn't always work (and even times when it failed, I still was able to check-in early), it again was a form of a guarantee or advance benefit (similar to a SNA) that was nice to have.
The experience you described matches what others here on FT have said, but my personal experience with SPG was awful. Even as a plat (back when they didn't have all the levels of plat), most properties I stayed at weaseled out of the base benefits even when I pushed. Unlike you, the SPG benefits were not even a floor on my stays, they were a "guideline" that individual properties routinely ignored.