Is Black Worth It?
Nov 18, 1999 | 8:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Million Miler (mostly earned on CO)
Posts: 2,599
Is Black Worth It?
I'm 6 nights away from qualifying for black for the first time ever. With my next couple of trips, I can attain either gold at both Marriott and Starwood, or black at Marriott.
Should I go for Marriott black? Will it really get me anything worth having?
Should I go for Marriott black? Will it really get me anything worth having?
Nov 18, 1999 | 8:53 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: IAD
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 27,068
If I were you I would try to get Marriott black, and try for a Starwood gold comp. Do they still give a gold status for the first year with the Sheraton Optima?
I've never been black with Marriott - always held gold status. Gold rarely got me admission in the concierge lounge, which you are entitled to as black.
Also keep in mind your travel patterns for next year - where are you likely to stay?
[This message has been edited by PG (edited 11-18-1999).]
I've never been black with Marriott - always held gold status. Gold rarely got me admission in the concierge lounge, which you are entitled to as black.
Also keep in mind your travel patterns for next year - where are you likely to stay?
[This message has been edited by PG (edited 11-18-1999).]
Nov 18, 1999 | 11:43 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: See pitflyer
Posts: 1,620
Concierge level is nice but honestly I've really used it maybe 10% of the time. The bonus at Black, and even more at Platinum, does add up. I'm still amazed I'm going to beat half a _million_ Marriott Rewards points in less than a year, with everything except about 50k coming from hotel stays (most coming from promotions, some from Hertz, a few from AT&T).
Treatment is marginally better too. If you plan to stay at Marriott's next year, I'd suggest go for black and try to get comped. Maybe your airline of choice has affiliation with some hotel? I made Hilton Gold due to USAirways..
Treatment is marginally better too. If you plan to stay at Marriott's next year, I'd suggest go for black and try to get comped. Maybe your airline of choice has affiliation with some hotel? I made Hilton Gold due to USAirways..
Nov 19, 1999 | 8:56 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Black is definitely worth it, IMHO, but it's a tough call under the cicumstances you describe. Upgrades to Concierge Floor are pretty common and gauranteed key access to the CF lounge can be very useful for quick breakfasts and occasionaly early evening snack. The free weekday breakfast(s) at places without a Concierge Floor Lounge can also add up! Good advice above from both PG and dg1 and I agree. I really don't like these kinds of choices, but either way it should be a good year!
Nov 19, 1999 | 4:20 pm
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,755
I would go for Black for all the reasons mentioned above. Plus if you get the Marriott rewards Visa card you get 3 points for evry $1 charged at all hotels participating in Marriott Rewards. Your points can add up really quickly!
Nov 20, 1999 | 3:47 am
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
We are currently Marriott Black and IMHO it is worthless. As a Hilton Gold I have always been upgraded, discounted and treated extremely well. As a Marriott Black, I feel like an ugly step-child. Actually, I have a hard time getting a room as a Marriott Black and frequently have to get my dear Platinum friend to make my Marriott reservations because he has the "reservation guarantee" with 48 hours notice.
Oh, David, knowing how you love the great stories.........remind me to tell you about the time my friend registered me at the Marriott Nawlins.
Oh, David, knowing how you love the great stories.........remind me to tell you about the time my friend registered me at the Marriott Nawlins.
Nov 20, 1999 | 5:19 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
I have had exactly the opposite experience as Punki. Hilton Gold yielded few u/p to Towers and rarely received visiting privileges. Exec Level usually is on higher floors but few if any goodies.
Mostly u/p with either Marriott Gold or Plat to Concierge level, and I was usually given the nice visiting privileges and key for access if floor was sold-out.
I would GO FOR IT !!!
Nov 20, 1999 | 8:17 am
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,755
Go for Black level!
Nov 20, 1999 | 5:00 pm
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Aurora, Co. U.S.A
Posts: 51
I would go for the Black.
I am Gold with Hilton and hardly ever get upgrades. Just made Black at Marriott and upgraded on # 50.
Again as was said earlier, look to your travel plans next year and then figure Starwood, Hilton and Hyatt will have bonus programs to their top levels. Marriott seems to have less level bonuses than the others.
[This message has been edited by pkfloyd7 (edited 11-20-1999).]
I am Gold with Hilton and hardly ever get upgrades. Just made Black at Marriott and upgraded on # 50.
Again as was said earlier, look to your travel plans next year and then figure Starwood, Hilton and Hyatt will have bonus programs to their top levels. Marriott seems to have less level bonuses than the others.
[This message has been edited by pkfloyd7 (edited 11-20-1999).]
Nov 22, 1999 | 2:49 am
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
go for BLACK. the concierge lounge-room (breakfast, cocktails) guarantee is worth it.
Nov 22, 1999 | 6:58 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA, US CP, SPG PLAT
Programs: US Chairman, SPG PLAT, National Elite Exec
Posts: 176
Dgolds,
Definetely go for black. You should get a Amex Starwood card (no annual fee). It provides complimentary gold status. I have used the comp status to upgrade on occassion even though I only stay occasionally at starwood properties (corporate travel does not usually book me at SW hotels). Basically, have your cake and eat it too.
It is, IMHO, the best affinity card deal in the business. NO ANNUAL FEE! ONE MILE/POINT PER DOLLAR SPENT. Need I say more.
------------------
__________________________________________
Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.
[This message has been edited by BLADE (edited 11-22-1999).]
Definetely go for black. You should get a Amex Starwood card (no annual fee). It provides complimentary gold status. I have used the comp status to upgrade on occassion even though I only stay occasionally at starwood properties (corporate travel does not usually book me at SW hotels). Basically, have your cake and eat it too.
It is, IMHO, the best affinity card deal in the business. NO ANNUAL FEE! ONE MILE/POINT PER DOLLAR SPENT. Need I say more.
------------------
__________________________________________
Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.
[This message has been edited by BLADE (edited 11-22-1999).]
Nov 22, 1999 | 3:48 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Million Miler (mostly earned on CO)
Posts: 2,599
Thanks for the helpful information, everyone. I didn't realize Starwood Gold Preferred came with the Starwood AmEx, which I just acquired recently. 5 days at Peabody Marriott (north of BOS) and then a day at Copley Plaza will get me over the top.
Nov 22, 1999 | 4:37 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: IAD
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 27,068
Congratulations. Enjoy the best of both worlds, this looks like a win-win.
Nov 23, 1999 | 1:08 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Million Miler (mostly earned on CO)
Posts: 2,599
Blade: I called Starwood today and the person I spoke to was not able to find any reference to getting Gold Preferred status with the AmEx card. I also looked on the AmEx web site (ugh) and did not see anything about it there, either. Do you have a URL with a reference to getting gold status on Starwood for having the AmEx card that I could reference in another call to Starwood?
(Thanks in advance...)
(Thanks in advance...)
Nov 23, 1999 | 3:30 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: IAD
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 27,068
dgolds - I found the page fairly easily on the Amex web site. It is: http://Home1.americanexpress.com/apply/i_know_which.asp
Go to the bottom of the page and select The Sheraton Starpoints Credit Card
It says
[This message has been edited by PG (edited 11-23-1999).]
Go to the bottom of the page and select The Sheraton Starpoints Credit Card
It says
Enjoy Gold Preferred Guest membership free for one year
[This message has been edited by PG (edited 11-23-1999).]