Anyone have first hand experience with Loews' program? I'd be interested to know how their program ranks compared to SPG, Marriott, etc. Thanks a bunch!

Hi there,

I am currently a Loews First Platinum and IMHO it is the most laughable loyalty program I've ever seen...to sum it up

Even though the hotels (the few of them) are very hip/chic, and employees at the properties are very helpful and friendly during my experiences, the Program itself needs a major overhaul. I've conveyed this to anyone at the hotels and at LoewsFirst who will listen.

Most of the benefits of any note you get at the entry level (Blue), so why even go for Platinum? I just enjoy my bottle of red and don't expect much more. The airline choices are of no use to me-an expansion there would be welcome. The suite guarantee is a crap shoot...it truly is based on availability (of course) and I can sometimes get a fantastic room with my regular "negotiations" at check in.

The customer service RE your account is the kicker. Try to find out what a "qualifying rate" room is and you will get a different answer every time! Sometimes AAA counts, sometimes not. Same with packages (even purchased on Loew's website).

Expecting a statement? Forget it. Log into your account to see what level you are, your last stay, ANY stays?...good idea, but that info doesn't appear anywhere. Everything you really need requires a phone call. BTW, it is not a "point" based system at all, just # of stays. A few times I tried to explain how this doesn't spur a guest to spend at hotel restaurants, shops or lounges for extra revenue-what a concept. It fell on deaf ears. Sorry to ramble, but I truly WANT to like Loews Hotels & LoewsFirst, but they actually make it so difficult.

Long story short...I wouldn't bother to go for Platinum...enjoy your Blue gift and late check out, the rest is gravy if you get it.

Thanks for the sum up. I'm actually Platinum as well, matched. I've been checking out Loews and its properties and thought them to be pretty nice...and was going to try some of them in my travels. LOL, thanks for changing my mind. I'm usually a loyal SPG but thought I'd give some other programs a try and LoewsFirst looked comparable with the welcome amenity and suite upgrades. Oh well...back to SPG. Though I'm beginning to like Marriott more and more.

You say you got matched status? What will they match and how quick easy is it? How about from HH Gold? HH Diamond?

Thanks

Just give LoewsFirst a call. I suspect that it wouldn't be too hard to get a matched status. I say this as the thresholds for attaining the various levels aren't really that hard to reach, so Loews isn't taking a hugh risk by matching other hotel chain's elite levels. I think it only takes 10 stays or 15 nights and you reach their highest level, Platinum.

But realize that LoewsFirst is NOT a frequent stay points program. What NJRob writes is correct. What the LoewsFirst program is, is a program to give frequent stayers a little more pleasant stay. So you won't acrue points with stays (at least not at Loews). For every stay, I do receive 1500 AA points which works great for me. I also think you can opt for AmEx points. Plus, when I make the reservation, I can upgrade the room to a suite room then not at check-in. This is a great benefit as I'm not wondering if I will get upgraded. If the suite is available, and if you make your reservations with enough leadtime they tend to be, it is yours.

...Yeah. YouFirst is really not a loyalty program at all.

Pretty much, you have to like staying there and forgo any points earning.

They've stripped it pretty much to the bone. Oh well.

At least at my primary Loews, the room service gal recognizes my name and still puts the demi-bottle of white in my room still.