Perhaps our resident lurker or another kind sould could clarify this for me. Having just received my new (2006) platinum card for this year, I (naturally) carefully compare it to last year's card.

Among the changes was the disappearance of 4 pm checkout benefit from the list on the back of the card. The guide mailed together with the card also does not mention this benefit.

Is 4 pm checkout still a benefit for plats?

If this has been mentioned before, my apologies. I did try searching, but nothing relevant came up.

Inserted by moderator: Please see Lurker's post of resort properties (updated July 12, 2012):

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18920557-post809.html

For Starwood Lurker's definition of conference hotel and non participating properties, please see:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14407819-post514.html