Is this common? Special rate "SPG Upgrade Benefit Not Applicable"
Jan 13, 2010, 5:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
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Is this common? Special rate "SPG Upgrade Benefit Not Applicable"
Single Special Offer. INTERNET FOR FREE, EARN 1000 STARPOINTS PER STAY, FREE PAY PER VIEW , SPG UPGRADE BENEFIT NOT APPLICABLE...
For a stay at the Sheraton Majestic in Milan. It's a pretty good rate compared to the other rates they have, but I haven't seen this much before - to just state hidden in the rate conditions that "SPG upgrade benefits are not applicable".
I hope this will not become more common, otherwise we would suddenly see all kinds of discounted rates excluding SPG benefits...
Jan 13, 2010, 5:28 pm
#2
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Single Special Offer. INTERNET FOR FREE, EARN 1000 STARPOINTS PER STAY, FREE PAY PER VIEW , SPG UPGRADE BENEFIT NOT APPLICABLE...
For a stay at the Sheraton Majestic in Milan. It's a pretty good rate compared to the other rates they have, but I haven't seen this much before - to just state hidden in the rate conditions that "SPG upgrade benefits are not applicable".
I hope this will not become more common, otherwise we would suddenly see all kinds of discounted rates excluding SPG benefits...
What dates are you checking and what offer is this?
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 13, 2010, 5:33 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,826
Jan 14 to 15 (tomorrow) and it is quoted on the overview page as the cheapest available rate.
Jan 13, 2010, 5:36 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
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Posts: 6,826
I did make the reservation, just to see what happens when I show up at the hotel 
.
.
Jan 13, 2010, 5:37 pm
#5
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 13, 2010, 5:38 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,826
Thank you William. And happy new year! 
Jan 13, 2010, 7:26 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
They describe it on their website, but interestingly leave off the part about SPG Upgrade benefit not applicable (though I see that when doing a dummy booking).
http://www.sheratondianamajestic.com/en/single-offer
http://www.sheratondianamajestic.com/en/single-offer
Jan 14, 2010, 7:53 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, CO Platinum, SPG Platinum
Posts: 111
Maybe it is because the special rate and bonus points are specifically for a single room (presumably meaning a much smaller one with only a twin bed, something common in european hotels).
Jan 14, 2010, 8:16 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Could this also be due to fashion week which commences on Saturday?
Jan 14, 2010, 12:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
I find this very distrubing, for all kinds of reasons. It's pretty clear what the property is trying to do. The problem is it violates the spirit of the whole *wood promise - which is upgrades based on status, not product.
I do hope corporate steps in because it really is the thin edge of the wedge. This is potentially a 'brand killer' IMO.
Cheers,
I do hope corporate steps in because it really is the thin edge of the wedge. This is potentially a 'brand killer' IMO.
Cheers,
Jan 14, 2010, 12:42 pm
#11
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
I find this very distrubing, for all kinds of reasons. It's pretty clear what the property is trying to do. The problem is it violates the spirit of the whole *wood promise - which is upgrades based on status, not product.
I do hope corporate steps in because it really is the thin edge of the wedge. This is potentially a 'brand killer' IMO.
Cheers,
I do hope corporate steps in because it really is the thin edge of the wedge. This is potentially a 'brand killer' IMO.
Cheers,
But, I'm still waiting for word from on high, which probably will not come for a couple of weeks at the earliest.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 14, 2010, 12:53 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Why I say IMO. I can only speak for myself. If I were to show someone a list of my stays, it would be quite noticible I haven't stayed at a W for a least five years now...
Cheers,
Cheers,
Jan 14, 2010, 1:11 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 466
What they're trying to do is pretty clear IMHO.
They give you the option of taking a promo that gives free internet, free movies and 1000 points instead of an upgrade on the single room type booked.
It's an option and you're not compelled to take it. Just book another rate and you can go for the upgrade.
Wanting the free internet, the movies and the extra points plus the upgrade seems kind of greedy to me
They give you the option of taking a promo that gives free internet, free movies and 1000 points instead of an upgrade on the single room type booked.
It's an option and you're not compelled to take it. Just book another rate and you can go for the upgrade.
Wanting the free internet, the movies and the extra points plus the upgrade seems kind of greedy to me
Jan 14, 2010, 1:31 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
I don't think this is a "brand-killer", though I don't particularly like it. At the very least, the promo page on their website should contain this restriction--it shouldn't be buried under the rate description during booking. Yes, tyn, they are trying to book single rooms. However, if the hotel doesn't fill up, I don't really see why they won't upgrade based on space availability--as always. They still meet their goal of selling the single rooms if they get full. If they don't fill up, they aren't harmed by upgrading. If they do fill up, then those who booked single rooms--regardless of status--get those rooms.
Jan 14, 2010, 3:04 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
What they're trying to do is pretty clear IMHO.
They give you the option of taking a promo that gives free internet, free movies and 1000 points instead of an upgrade on the single room type booked.
It's an option and you're not compelled to take it. Just book another rate and you can go for the upgrade.
Wanting the free internet, the movies and the extra points plus the upgrade seems kind of greedy to me
They give you the option of taking a promo that gives free internet, free movies and 1000 points instead of an upgrade on the single room type booked.
It's an option and you're not compelled to take it. Just book another rate and you can go for the upgrade.
Wanting the free internet, the movies and the extra points plus the upgrade seems kind of greedy to me
The concern is that the restriction is going to start popping up commonly on discount rates without special provisions like points/PPV -- upgrade price discrimination of sorts.