Newbie on course to hit Plat - is it worth it?
Nov 2, 2008, 11:20 pm
#1
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Location: somewhere north of London, UK
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Newbie on course to hit Plat - is it worth it?
Hi,
OK, I'll be honest here. I've never been one to go chasing status with a specific hotel chain, instead preferring to have the flexibility to stay wherever I want and picking up whatever promos are being thrown about by the airlines (hence Marriott Gold).
However I've recently been staying in the CP in London off and on. This, combined with the rather generous bonus points offers and the fact that they seem to count for status means i'm thundering my way towards Platinum on points (not stays). I picked up almost 13k points for my last two night stay so only need another 9k to hit target.
Obviously I need to do this by the year end and time is starting to ebb away, so what do I do???
The 50% bonus on base points, whilst attractive at first, is somewhat offset by the fact this is a small %age of overall points given the other bonus offers open to all.
So how likely am I to actually see any benefit from the room upgrades?
And are they at all decent with late check-outs, or is it the usual messing around trying to get something sorted out type affair?
Specifically I need to stay in HKG at the start of next year and am trying to decide between the JW Marriott and one of the ICs...
Any advice welcome!
OK, I'll be honest here. I've never been one to go chasing status with a specific hotel chain, instead preferring to have the flexibility to stay wherever I want and picking up whatever promos are being thrown about by the airlines (hence Marriott Gold).
However I've recently been staying in the CP in London off and on. This, combined with the rather generous bonus points offers and the fact that they seem to count for status means i'm thundering my way towards Platinum on points (not stays). I picked up almost 13k points for my last two night stay so only need another 9k to hit target.
Obviously I need to do this by the year end and time is starting to ebb away, so what do I do???
The 50% bonus on base points, whilst attractive at first, is somewhat offset by the fact this is a small %age of overall points given the other bonus offers open to all.
So how likely am I to actually see any benefit from the room upgrades?
And are they at all decent with late check-outs, or is it the usual messing around trying to get something sorted out type affair?
Specifically I need to stay in HKG at the start of next year and am trying to decide between the JW Marriott and one of the ICs...
Any advice welcome!
Nov 3, 2008, 12:32 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: No longer loyal "over-entitled" 1K
Posts: 3,822
At the InterContinental, PC Plat means nothing (or very little).
If you really want recognation at the IC, then you'd want Ambassador status (or Royal Ambassador).
PC Gold Ambassador will be treated better than PC Plat.
If you really want recognation at the IC, then you'd want Ambassador status (or Royal Ambassador).
PC Gold Ambassador will be treated better than PC Plat.
Nov 3, 2008, 2:01 am
#3
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OK, so discounting the HKG deal (I can stay at the Marriott) is PC Plat going to give me much at Holiday Inns/CPs, or is it all style over substance?
Nov 3, 2008, 3:45 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Umeå, Sweden
Programs: TK*G, SK*S, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 257
I think that the consensus view here on the board is that the main benefit of achieving Platinum is the 50% points bonus and, for those with such needs, the guaranteed room availability. Personally I have been quite lucky with upgrades/perks over the last two years as a platinum member, but I guess it also depends on what places you actually travel to. To get an impression of the benefits, have a look in the "Please post your Priority Club Elite experiences"-thread. Good luck!
Nov 3, 2008, 10:46 am
#5
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Nov 3, 2008, 11:04 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: FL
Posts: 39
Nov 3, 2008, 11:36 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Priority Club RA, Lots of other cards
Posts: 3,099
Hi
I have also been very lucky with upgrades apart from the HI Dublin City (what a dump) and the HI Birmingham Airport (still waiting for the manager to contact me after a few complaints...hmmm).
But in general its been very good to have PC Plat. Some folk have just been unlucky with their upgrades etc.
I have also been very lucky with upgrades apart from the HI Dublin City (what a dump) and the HI Birmingham Airport (still waiting for the manager to contact me after a few complaints...hmmm).
But in general its been very good to have PC Plat. Some folk have just been unlucky with their upgrades etc.
Nov 3, 2008, 2:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Priority Club RA, Lots of other cards
Posts: 3,099
Nov 3, 2008, 6:47 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
I think that the consensus view here on the board is that the main benefit of achieving Platinum is the 50% points bonus and, for those with such needs, the guaranteed room availability. Personally I have been quite lucky with upgrades/perks over the last two years as a platinum member, but I guess it also depends on what places you actually travel to. To get an impression of the benefits, have a look in the "Please post your Priority Club Elite experiences"-thread. Good luck!
Nov 3, 2008, 8:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: CO Plat, Priority Club Plat
Posts: 641
What have you seen as common excuses, and any good counters?
Nov 3, 2008, 10:32 pm
#12
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Nov 4, 2008, 12:34 am
#13
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Thanks for that - and the pointer to the thread about Priority Club experiences - as I had only noticed the Ambassador one...
I'm confident I'll hit the level very soon although it would have been faster if the £ had held up against the $, it's more a question of whether I'll have the GM throwing rose petals at my feet when I walk into the local HIEX or if it's just going to be business as usual I suppose...
I'm confident I'll hit the level very soon although it would have been faster if the £ had held up against the $, it's more a question of whether I'll have the GM throwing rose petals at my feet when I walk into the local HIEX or if it's just going to be business as usual I suppose...
Nov 4, 2008, 12:56 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: DXB
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You say that you have been staying at the CP London off and on (althoughy you do not specify which one)
I stay at the CP City of London from time to time always booking the cheapest available room and have always been given a Club Floor room with Lounge access. So if only for your London stays the Plat. would be worth it.
I stay at the CP City of London from time to time always booking the cheapest available room and have always been given a Club Floor room with Lounge access. So if only for your London stays the Plat. would be worth it.
Nov 4, 2008, 1:25 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Priority Club RA, Lots of other cards
Posts: 3,099
If this happens you should try and check priorityclub.com and see what rooms are still free. Also make sure you fill out one of the comments cards....