FlyerTalk Forums - Loews Program Changes

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Loews Program Changes

Loews has really changed its program recently ... the most significant changes I've noticed are:

* Elite qualification is now on an annual basis instead of lifetime.

* Upgrades for elite members guaranteed at time of booking, including suite upgrades for Platinum Members.

* No bonus miles for elite members based on the length of stay, but the base mileage amount has been increase for Gold members.

The guaranteed at booking suite upgrades for Platinum members is quite a generous benefit, and it's not like 10 stays/15 nights is that hard to get if you travel to big cities where there are Loews Hotels.

http://www.loewsfirst.com

It is interesting Beckles, I think that you understand the program better than a lot of the CS folks do. We are going to Orlando next month and our research on other boards show that CS at both central reservations and at the hotels don't have a consistent idea of how the benefits work.

I have been tring to get comped status based on my Starwood Gold or Hilton status, but so far I have been told that they don't do this. I do however know that many people have.

I agree the guaranteed upgrades are quite generous. I also like the late checkout feature, since in Orlando they offered up an extra hour, and told me that for 3 hours they would charge an entire extra day! I don't see where it indicates qualification is annually - although that would make sense.

Quote:

Originally posted by Designtime:
It is interesting Beckles, I think that you I have been tring to get comped status based on my Starwood Gold or Hilton status, but so far I have been told that they don't do this. I do however know that many people have.

I earned mine, so I hope they don't give it to you, but I'm selfish like that. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Quote:

Originally posted by BeantownFlyer:
I don't see where it indicates qualification is annually - although that would make sense.

All these changes occurred June 1, 2003 ... before then qualification was based on lifetime stays, but according to the Terms & Conditions now:

Quote:

LoewsFirst Gold membership requires three (3) qualifying stays or six (6) cumulative nights (associated with a qualifying stay or stays), in a single Loews Hotel or any combination of Loews Hotels, in a calendar year. LoewsFirst Platinum membership requires ten (10) qualifying stays or fifteen (15) nights (associated with a qualifying stay) in a single Loews Hotel or any combination of Loews Hotels, in a calendar year. A calendar year is defined as January 1 through December 31. Retaining membership in LoewsFirst Gold or LoewsFirst Platinum requires meeting the respective criteria for LoewsFirst Gold or LoewsFirst Platinum each calendar year. LoewsFirst members who were LoewsFirst Gold or LoewsFirst Platinum members prior to June 1, 2003 will retain that status through December 31, 2004, unless a higher status is achieved based on the above stated criteria during the calendar year 2003 or the calendar year 2004. LoewsFirst Blue members and new members will become LoewsFirst Gold or LoewsFirst Platinum members when they meet the above stated criteria. Qualifying stays commencing on or after January 1, 2003 will be counted towards LoewsFirst Gold or LoewsFirst Platinum membership for the calendar year 2003.

Basically, the Gold I have now will last me through the end of 2004 then I'll have to get 3 stays or 6 nights per year to maintain it.