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And when did SPG add this breakfast benefit ?
And was it copying Marriott (except for the choice of points OR breakfast) albeit not across the board ? As opposed to most all other posters here, frankly I have no loyalty to Marriott, even though I earned LTP, nor to any other brand, including Hilton where I have D, but choose a property based upon its location. To that end, prior to my recent stay at the Schloss Fuschl, bei hof Salzburg, I would always choose Fuschl, just like I'll opt for the Renaissance Tuscany, Hilton Malta or JW Phu Quoc to name a few, and that's regardless of breakfast offered, existence of a lounge or other so called entitled benefits - as they say in the RE business, its location, location, location and a bit of ambiance certainly thrown in for good measaure.........
Originally Posted by bhrubin
(Post 29277171)
That is possible, of course. But with the credit card nights (15 or even 30 nights if you have both credit cards, versus 5 or 10 nights with the SPG cards) and credit card spend (which isn't possible beyond Gold for SPG), it is a lot easier to reach 75 nights than you pretend. Not to mention the obviously bigger portfolio of properties from which to avail oneself with Marriott. Marriott has what 4000 properties to SPG's 1200 or so?
I mention the SPG Plat breakfast benefit. It is true that you have a choice between bonus points and breakfast benefit with SPG, but there is no breakfast option at all at most of the Marriott brands...and only JW of the luxury brands. If it's limited with SPG, it's non-existent with Marriott. Also, sorry, but you can earn SPG points on food/beverage spend at all SPG brands unlike at many Marriott brands, especially Ritz Carlton and Edition. I do partake in the SPG Plat breakfast benefit when I travel with my husband and/or mother, as well as with friends. I prefer to order room service when I travel alone. However, on my most recent Dec stays at the StR Houston and StR San Francisco, I was allowed to take the breakfast benefit by room service! So I STILL got a major benefit. That isn't guaranteed, of course...but rather is just another example of the perks of being Plat with SPG and Plat100, in particular. (Marriott Plat Premiers dont't enjoy even remotely as good perks.) |
if one picks a city like Shanghai where Marriott alone offers 30 properties, and you're into hotel hopping sounds pretty easy .......
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Originally Posted by rbw5t
(Post 29275706)
Seems to me like 18 nights in 3 months for SPG Plat is at least as hard as 9 stays in 3 months (or really 4) for Marriott Plat. So who's flooding whom? FWIW, I'm doing the Marriott challenge right now, primarily to get Plat to use at good foreign SPG properties in hopes of suite upgrades. A secondary benefit is the United status, which might score me some econ+ upgrades. The difference between Marriott Gold, which I already have, and Marriott Platinum, wouldn't have been worth bothering with on its own. So I think any complaints are more validly made in the opposite direction from what OP asserts. (That said, I ain't complaining either way!)
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Originally Posted by Srisarin
(Post 29277474)
And when did SPG add this breakfast benefit ?
And was it copying Marriott (except for the choice of points OR breakfast) albeit not across the board ? Marriott’s breakfast benefit still excludes resorts, and only extended breakfast benefits to weekends in N America on June 22, 2013. I can’t find when the weekday breakfast benefit began with Marriott, But the Marriott breakfast benefit largely is extended through lounges, while SPG’s breakfast benefit is offered as a choice to be enjoyed between lounges or restaurants. SPG offers benefits more consistently throughout its entire portfolio. Marriott does it for a few brands and for hotels but not resorts, and at lounges not restaurants. SPG Platinum still is obviously better. SPG Platinum is exceedingly better yet if you happen to stay at more upscale and luxury brand hotels and resorts, where you still get suite upgrades, still get breakfast benefits, usually still get late checkout, and even get all those benefits even at top of the line St Regis, Luxury Collection, and W hotels. Marriott can’t match that. Marriott can’t even come close now. But Marriott does have more lounges. |
Obviously I didn't start off as a LTP but even as G, some 10 yrs back, I was provided lounge access and breakfast, but since I live/work in asia, mainly given the option of having breakfast, mostly full not contnental, in either the restaurant or lounge. As to suite upgrades, was getting them loooonnngggg before Marriott introduced suite upgrades for Ps in asia, but that likely had more to do with knowing the various GMs as a hotel attorney (not for Marriott - what you guys in the US call of Counsel) and meeting them at various get togethers but more importantly the Guest Service Mgrs who take very good care of me at and/or months before checkin (and always without ever asking). Same for being offered comped breakfast at resorts. So my stays are not the norm as I read in this forum, but have no idea of others treated equally as well. Having stayed in only a handful of SPG properties I have no way of comparing them to what you describe as nervana vrs my personal stays at non SPG props. And before MR introduced 4PM checkout I was routinely offered 6PM and at times 10PM if needed, so the introduction of SPGs 4PM was a downgrade. And as to St R, my condo is right next to one and it’s so poorly constructed I’m waiting for it to fall down on it’s own accord. White gloved staff won’t be able to keep it up.
Originally Posted by bhrubin
(Post 29277895)
SPG began current Platinum benefits like suite upgrades and breakfast benefit on March 1, 2012. Of course, SPG allows those benefits at all brands and includes all resorts, 7 days a week. Marriott’s breakfast benefit still excludes resorts, and only extended breakfast benefits to weekends in N America on June 22, 2013. I can’t find when the weekday breakfast benefit began with Marriott, But the Marriott breakfast benefit largely is extended through lounges, while SPG’s breakfast benefit is offered as a choice to be enjoyed between lounges or restaurants. SPG offers benefits more consistently throughout its entire portfolio. Marriott does it for a few brands and for hotels but not resorts, and at lounges not restaurants. SPG Platinum still is obviously better. SPG Platinum is exceedingly better yet if you happen to stay at more upscale and luxury brand hotels and resorts, where you still get suite upgrades, still get breakfast benefits, usually still get late checkout, and even get all those benefits even at top of the line St Regis, Luxury Collection, and W hotels. Marriott can’t match that. Marriott can’t even come close now. But Marriott does have more lounges. |
Don't worry, SPG plat here from the 2x night bonus last year. I mostly use Marriott Plat for the UA Silver. I have been lucky enough to go 2 for 2 on suite upgrades through the typical nag a manager prior to arrival. I doubt many SPG members are making their way to Marriott.
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Wow, this thread is quite the pissing contest!
To be honest here I’ve never thought of easy SPG Plat as flooding Marriotts. SPG treatment of its Plats is far better than Marriotts. If you’re going to go to the trouble of seeking out SPGs smaller inventory to get to Plat, even via a challenge, you’re more likely to stick with it to get the best return from your efforts. To my mind it’s SPG Gold promos that could cause a bigger problem. SPG Gold isn't worth a great deal at Starwood but it’s convertability to Marriott Gold is. The Asian MasterCard 1-stay-and-you’re-SPG-Gold promo has according to what I’ve read on these forums, not just this thread, a huge impact on some Marriott lounges of single stay SPG guests swinging by Marriotts with their newly matched status. Noticeably the promo hasn’t been repeated... |
Originally Posted by YoungSoloTraveler
(Post 29278082)
Don't worry, SPG plat here from the 2x night bonus last year. I mostly use Marriott Plat for the UA Silver. I have been lucky enough to go 2 for 2 on suite upgrades through the typical nag a manager prior to arrival. I doubt many SPG members are making their way to Marriott.
Unfortunately there are a very small percent of SPG posters who have their identities wrapped up in the wacky belief that one program was superior, better or for rich people. Take those people and their comments for what they are worth. Most of us realize the programs were different. We don't take those comments seriously but feel bad for the people who need the validation from strangers that their program is the best/for the wealthiest/proof of superiority. FWIW, a close family friend who recently passed away became one of the wealthiest men on the planet. He paid for a major, major university's library which is named after him, as well as a "center" of that university and many other public positives. He would only stay at CYs, even prior to his owning a few. He explained that he became rich because he didn't waste his money. Certainly if you look at the premium hotels each night you will see people staying there who spend tons of money but likely aren't wealthy. It's kinda funny. |
Just to add a petsonal note to your para 2 - those limited SPGites who swear by SPG also tend to post about certain brands being the end all, however I’d take the Renaissance Tuscany over any so called luxury St Regis I’ve had the displeasure of staying it - the brand may be touted as luxury but that does not necessarily comport with being as such
Originally Posted by CJKatl
(Post 29278148)
Because, obviously, each of us gravitated towards the program that made more sense for us personally prior to the merger and have continued with that program going forward. For some of us, it was that Marriott just plain and simple had many more properties closer to where we needed to be. With the merger, I have found some cheaper SPG properties that have made sense (Prague Charles Bridge Marriott, Bali Sheraton Resort, Bangkok Silom LM which was horrible) but have mostly stayed with Marriott family hotels and expect that those who previously liked Sheraton and/or their other brands stuck with SPG.
Unfortunately there are a very small percent of SPG posters who have their identities wrapped up in the wacky belief that one program was superior, better or for rich people. Take those people and their comments for what they are worth. Most of us realize the programs were different. We don't take those comments seriously but feel bad for the people who need the validation from strangers that their program is the best/for the wealthiest/proof of superiority. FWIW, a close family friend who recently passed away became one of the wealthiest men on the planet. He paid for a major, major university's library which is named after him, as well as a "center" of that university and many other public positives. He would only stay at CYs, even prior to his owning a few. He explained that he became rich because he didn't waste his money. Certainly if you look at the premium hotels each night you will see people staying there who spend tons of money but likely aren't wealthy. It's kinda funny. |
Originally Posted by bhrubin
(Post 29277312)
Also, that Marriott Platinum suite “inclusion” isn’t extended to any brands outside JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, and Delta hotels, thereby excluding the best Ritz Carlton and Edition brands.. That is unlike SPG, which includes St Regis, Luxury Collection, and W hotels with the SPG Platinum suite upgrade benefit. Not even close. ... Sorry, but SPG Platinum guarantees a suite upgrade based on availability, and does so for every brand. Marriott Platinum still doesn’t do that, and doesn’t even include its best brands! Also, SPG Platinum upgrades include club/lounge room privileges. Marriott Platinum upgrades do not. SPG Platinum still wins in a not-so-close contest. Not fake at all. I'm not defending Marriott. I think things like breakfast at resort-designated properties is one of the program's biggest weaknesses. But you need to be factual in your criticism. |
Originally Posted by hockeyinsider
(Post 29278321)
Again, fake news. What I quoted is from the Marriott terms as applicable to Ritz-Carlton. So you're wrong. And yes, complimentary club lounge access isn't required at the Ritz-Carlton if upgraded to a room or suite on the club lounge floor, but access to the lounge is required at the other brands.
I'm not defending Marriott. I think things like breakfast at resort-designated properties is one of the program's biggest weaknesses. But you need to be factual in your criticism. There are no guaranteed suite upgrades at Ritz Carlton or Edition hotels for Ritz Carlton/Marriott Platinum guests. Any such possible suite upgrades are entirely at the discretion of the hotel. Period. That isn’t the same as with SPG, where Platinums are guaranteed and entitled to such suite upgrades with availability. There is no contest that the SPG Platinum suite upgrade guaranteed benefit is vastly superior than that of Marriott or Ritz Carlton Platinum. It isn’t even close. There also are no guaranteed Club or Lounge upgrades for Ritz Carlton or Marriott Platinum guests at any Marriott or Ritz Carlton hotels. Yet there is guaranteed lounge access for SPG Platinums at any SPG hotels which have them. To be fair, far fewer luxury level hotels in SPG have lounges or clubs as are more commonly found with Ritz Carlton hotels. There are no breakfast benefits for a Marriott or a Ritz Carlton Platinum at any Ritz Carlton, Edition, Marriott Vacation Club, Gaylord. Courtyard, Fairfield, SpringHill, Protea. AC, Moxy, Residence, or TownePlace Hotels. There only are breakfast benefits for a Marriott or Ritz Carlton Platinum at JW Marriott, Marriott, Autograph, and Delta Hotels. Yet there are breakfast benefits at all of the SPG brands, including St Regis, Luxury Collection, W, Le Méridien, Westin, Sheraton, Tribute, Element, Aloft, and Four Points; only Design Hotels doesn’t offer this benefit. I am defending SPG Platinum. You are defending Marriott Platinum. But SPG Platinum benefits still exceed those for Marriott or Ritz Carlton Platinum. That isn’t fake news. It’s reality. There is no one who wouldn’t prefer the SPG standard for suite upgrades, breakfast benefits, and club access to be applied to Marriott—because the SPG standard is obviously more generous in every case. The reason this matters is that it stands in stark contradiction to the OP’s premise that SPG Plats are flooding Marriott properties. It’s rather the other way around....because being Platinum in both means far more generous benefits at the SPG hotel than the Marriott hotel. In the cas of any Platinum staying in a luxury hotel like St Regis or Ritz Carlton, there is no question that the Platinum benefits are far more generous at the St Regis, Luxury Collection, or W hotels than they are for Ritz Carlton or Edition hotels. Heck, I couldn even get a guaranteed king bed at the RC Boston when trying to book as Platinum over Easter...while as Platinum in SPG I am guaranteed to get my preferred bed type even at St Regis. So I had to switch to the W Boston. I will be staying at the RC Kyoto on an award stay as a Platinum....and I likely won’t get any upgrade, even to a slightly nicer room category. I have never not been significantly upgraded at a St Regis: most commonly, I’ve been upgraded to a standard suite or even higher at most St Regis, Luxury Collection, and W hotels at which I’ve stayed. I will have a stay at the RC Boston in mid April, finally...when I was able to guarantee a king bed. I almost certainly won’t get any room type upgrade, let alone to a suite. Again, I’m almoet always upgraded to a suite at most St Regis hotels. I suppose if one clamors for for a lounge, staying at Marriott hotels with lounges IS a valid, reasonable possibility for seeing more SPG Plats at Marriott hotels, since there is no question that Marriott’s customer base sees this as a bigger priority. But SPG hotels don’t have lounges as often because the SPG customer base doesn’t see a lounge as such the same priority. Which is why it’s unlikely that SPG Plats are flooding Marriott properties. Not to mention that there are far more Marriott hotels with lounges compared to the proportional numbers of SPG Plats. |
Originally Posted by bhrubin
(Post 29278386)
You seem to jump from Marriot Rewards and Ritz Carlton Rewards with many erroneous statements and false assumptions. There are no guaranteed suite upgrades at Ritz Carlton or Edition hotels for Ritz Carlton/Marriott Platinum guests. Any such possible suite upgrades are entirely at the discretion of the hotel. Period. That isn’t the same as with SPG, where Platinums are guaranteed and entitled to such suite upgrades with availability. There is no contest that the SPG Platinum suite upgrade guaranteed benefit is vastly superior than that of Marriott or Ritz Carlton Platinum. It isn’t even close. I'm not going to debate you further. As I said, I'm not defending Marriott. As some know, I frequently criticize them. |
Originally Posted by CJKatl
(Post 29278148)
Unfortunately there are a very small percent of SPG posters who have their identities wrapped up in the wacky belief that one program was superior, better or for rich people. Take those people and their comments for what they are worth. Most of us realize the programs were different. We don't take those comments seriously but feel bad for the people who need the validation from strangers that their program is the best/for the wealthiest/proof of superiority.
What doesn't help are likely false thread topics (like this one) or outright false ones (like the claims that SPG LT statuses won't be honored, contrary to official Marriott FAQs that couldn't be more clear). |
Reality check -
More people are traveling world wide - expanding markets and globalization (ie. China, India, S. America, etc.) More people want entitlement or benefits - AKA feel special or important. Whether a person obtains their status via challenge, # of stays, credit card or bought a car - the brand knows that person will seek to stay at the brand to take advantage of their benefits. Your complaints of a crowded lounge or no upgrades is joy or $$$ dance to the hotel to have overcrowding vs. emptiness. |
Has the new Marriott loyalty program been rolled out - no Have you been notified by Marriott that you have any status in the new program - no So calling the prior posts on this subject false is totally premature and thus false on its face
Originally Posted by UA-NYC
(Post 29278578)
What doesn't help are likely false thread topics (like this one) or outright false ones (like the claims that SPG LT statuses won't be honored, contrary to official Marriott FAQs that couldn't be more clear).
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Originally Posted by Srisarin
(Post 29278779)
Has the new Marriott loyalty program been rolled out - no Have you been notified by Marriott that you have any status in the new program - no So calling the prior posts on this subject false is totally premature and thus false on its face |
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