FlyerTalk Forums - Finally Platinum

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This turned out to be a long thread. I'm the OP, by the way, if you started reading here...

... anyhow! Last night me and my wife tried out the new Platinum Status at a JW Marriott nearby for a weekend retreat. We were excited to maybe get an upgrade bcs the hotel was almost empty - but nada! We also thought of getting something nice for our Arrival Gift, but nada there too! They didn't say anything at check-in and nothing awaited us in the room, not even bathrobes.

When we checked out, I said this was my first Platinum night and they said Congratulation (that was nice) and I asked about the Arrival Gift. They asked me if I wanted the Arrival Points, but I declined and opted for the $100 which they gave me without any question. My wife was quite impressed when she saw them handed over $100 to me. :p

This wasn't really the start of my new Platinum Status I wanted and I hope everything will be better than from this start!

Quote:

Originally Posted by windya1 (Post 6854175)

so , do you see a big difference between gold and platinum? If so, what are the major differences?

I see several tangible differences between Gold and Plat:

1) Modestly better bonus of 30% on top of base vs 25%

2) The 48 hour availability guarantee - I have only used this twice but boy is it nice when you need it. In one case to get into the CbM Morgan Hill CA during the Gilroy Garlic Festival, and once to take my kid to the Jersey Shore in peak August demand w/o a res and everything sold out.

3) The Plat arrival gift, I always take the 500 points. If they forget and you choose to call them on it, you get $100/$50/$25 at FS/mid/FI.

4) Better upgrades, even on corp rates and award stays. I have had some amazing upgrades this year, including 24th floor oceanfront at Marriott Waikiki on a cheap corp rate, the Presidential Suite at Marriott ONT, ocean views on high floors at Marriott SAN Resort and Marina on a city view rate.

Of these bennies #2 and #4 are the most important to me.

Platinum makes the most difference at properties that are extremely focused on customer service. Those places are the ones where I tend to get the extra upgrade. JW San Francisco and Marriott Philadelphia West are two such properties in my personal experience.