No "Welcome to Platinum" Recognition?
Dec 17, 2010, 12:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SoCal
Programs: SPG PLAT, AA Plat (2MM), BA, UA/CO
Posts: 442
No "Welcome to Platinum" Recognition?
I recently spent a few days in New York. As I fell asleep one night, I felt something special inside for I was going to sleep as SPG Gold, but would wake up as SPT Plat. After months of hotel hopping and promo registering, I hade finally made it!
I woke up the next morning and sure enough, I was Platinum. I could just tell by looking in the mirror that I was a changed man. Frankly, I was a bit surprised when all I found under my door was the folio since I was expecting a "Welcome to Platinum" champagne breakfast to be waiting for me. No problem, I figured, they probably want be there when they formally acknowledge my exalted status. Not wanting to disappoint, I actually went to the front desk to to check out, waiting until there was no one else around so that the entire front desk staff could participate in celebrating my my accomplishment. But the gentlemen at the desk played it very cool. He didn't even mention my new status, much less shower me with accolades, but simply asked if I had a pleasant stay. "I guess they don't want the front line folks hogging all the glory," I surmised. I'm sure there will be a congratulatory telephone call, letter, and box of chocolates waiting for me at home. When that didn't come to fruition either, I quickly checked FT. Surely one or more of the Lurkers would have created a "Welcome to Plat xlax" thread. Nope. Nada. Of course, by now I had triple checked my SPG account on line and, much to my chagrin, there was not even a form note from a Plat Concierge, much electronic fireworks. Instead, my account page now simply stated Starwood Preferred Platinum where it previously proclaimed me worthy only of gold status.
To say I am disappointed is an understatement. It's like spending 4 years in college, working hard to earn a degree, but without the pageantry of graduation ceremonies. Where's the acknolwedgment? Where's the celebration? Will SPG ever acknowledge this in any way? Heck, even AA sent me a new card when I got status.
I know, we nouveau Platinum can be so tacky, but I just can't help myself.
xlax
SPG Platinum (in case you missed that part)
I woke up the next morning and sure enough, I was Platinum. I could just tell by looking in the mirror that I was a changed man. Frankly, I was a bit surprised when all I found under my door was the folio since I was expecting a "Welcome to Platinum" champagne breakfast to be waiting for me. No problem, I figured, they probably want be there when they formally acknowledge my exalted status. Not wanting to disappoint, I actually went to the front desk to to check out, waiting until there was no one else around so that the entire front desk staff could participate in celebrating my my accomplishment. But the gentlemen at the desk played it very cool. He didn't even mention my new status, much less shower me with accolades, but simply asked if I had a pleasant stay. "I guess they don't want the front line folks hogging all the glory," I surmised. I'm sure there will be a congratulatory telephone call, letter, and box of chocolates waiting for me at home. When that didn't come to fruition either, I quickly checked FT. Surely one or more of the Lurkers would have created a "Welcome to Plat xlax" thread. Nope. Nada. Of course, by now I had triple checked my SPG account on line and, much to my chagrin, there was not even a form note from a Plat Concierge, much electronic fireworks. Instead, my account page now simply stated Starwood Preferred Platinum where it previously proclaimed me worthy only of gold status.
To say I am disappointed is an understatement. It's like spending 4 years in college, working hard to earn a degree, but without the pageantry of graduation ceremonies. Where's the acknolwedgment? Where's the celebration? Will SPG ever acknowledge this in any way? Heck, even AA sent me a new card when I got status.
I know, we nouveau Platinum can be so tacky, but I just can't help myself.
xlax
SPG Platinum (in case you missed that part)
Dec 17, 2010, 12:46 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,522
Best post I have read all year. You will get a Platinum card in the mail with all of the recognition that you so desire.... well, except for the champagne and the chocolates 
SPG do not recognise status changing until after your qualifying stay.Your status will be recognised from this point forward. Generally a letter from the GM welcoming you (or back as the case may be) to the hotel, as well as the choice of welcome amenity (500 points are generally favoured). Always ask if a standard select suite is available upon check in, it pays to check spg.com to see if they are on sale, the caveat being that the suite has to be clean.
SPG do not recognise status changing until after your qualifying stay.Your status will be recognised from this point forward. Generally a letter from the GM welcoming you (or back as the case may be) to the hotel, as well as the choice of welcome amenity (500 points are generally favoured). Always ask if a standard select suite is available upon check in, it pays to check spg.com to see if they are on sale, the caveat being that the suite has to be clean.
Dec 17, 2010, 1:22 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Japan
Programs: SPG>P & STARWOOD Privilege
Posts: 207
xlax... well you might not have received anything special for turning Plat...
BUT { no pun inteneded }... I got to read your above post in celebration of you joining my lofty club...so my benefit is clear!
I really hope you are inspired by your new found status here, and I truly look forward to reading more posts.
If your muse is 'disappointment', as it seems to be, then I'm sure you will find much in the way of stimulation to inspire you here
WELCOME TO THE nouveau PLATINUM LEVEL
"It's like spending 4 years in college, working hard to earn a degree, but without the pageantry of graduation ceremonies."
Domo arigato for my chuckle of the day!!!
BUT { no pun inteneded }... I got to read your above post in celebration of you joining my lofty club...so my benefit is clear!
I really hope you are inspired by your new found status here, and I truly look forward to reading more posts.
If your muse is 'disappointment', as it seems to be, then I'm sure you will find much in the way of stimulation to inspire you here
WELCOME TO THE nouveau PLATINUM LEVEL
"It's like spending 4 years in college, working hard to earn a degree, but without the pageantry of graduation ceremonies."
Domo arigato for my chuckle of the day!!!
Last edited by Barefootdr; Dec 17, 2010 at 8:48 am
Dec 17, 2010, 1:35 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,017
That post raised a smile to start the morning xlax 
Congratulations on the new status. Worry not, none of us will spoil the details of the surprise party that SPG have planned for you. We'll see you there though. I'll be the one holding the 'Welcome to Platinum' banner and wearing the top-secret-for-platinum-members-only celebratory T-shirt that SPG dish out to us.
Congratulations on the new status. Worry not, none of us will spoil the details of the surprise party that SPG have planned for you. We'll see you there though. I'll be the one holding the 'Welcome to Platinum' banner and wearing the top-secret-for-platinum-members-only celebratory T-shirt that SPG dish out to us.
Dec 17, 2010, 3:17 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 689
Great post xiax
Platinum status means nothing unless you stay frequently in Hotels.
Stay and enjoy!
Platinum status means nothing unless you stay frequently in Hotels.
Stay and enjoy!
Dec 17, 2010, 3:24 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,735
Same thing happened to me, but after a month or so I recieved a 1000 points for earning plat.
Dec 17, 2010, 3:50 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
You don't get your bennies or secret society ring right away. The Titanium Illuminati Traveling Secretary must first confirm your status and report back to the secret lair. Once confirmed, the gifts of inclusion in this most holy of clubs will shower down upon you. You will also get a parade and a pony.
Dec 17, 2010, 5:03 am
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,326
And be forewarned that the disappointment shall continue with your exalted Platinum status with every missed upgrade to a suite, every non-recognition of Plat status at check-in, and on and on and on...
When I first became a SPG Platinum (6 years ago, I think) someone on FT recommended that I kept my expectations low and to not have a "sense of entitlement" for the benies, and I will enjoy my status much more. It turned out to be an excellent piece of advice, as every upgrade, gift basket, bottles of wine, or good things that have happened to me as a Plat fell into the category of "pleasant surprises" and that's why as a top level Elite with SPG, HHONORS, and Hyatt Gold Passport, I always re-qualify first with SPG.
with every missed upgrade to a suite, every non-recognition of Plat status at check-in, and on and on and on...When I first became a SPG Platinum (6 years ago, I think) someone on FT recommended that I kept my expectations low and to not have a "sense of entitlement" for the benies, and I will enjoy my status much more. It turned out to be an excellent piece of advice, as every upgrade, gift basket, bottles of wine, or good things that have happened to me as a Plat fell into the category of "pleasant surprises" and that's why as a top level Elite with SPG, HHONORS, and Hyatt Gold Passport, I always re-qualify first with SPG.
Dec 17, 2010, 5:56 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, CO, USA
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AA Gold, UA Gold, DL Silver, HH Gold, Vail Epic
Posts: 9,096
Congrats, and welcome to the club!
Dec 17, 2010, 6:09 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
lmao
alex
that was one of the best posts ever. you brightened up a morning in the big apple
when i made platinum i WAS given a decoder ring. then i realized if i would of bought more crackerjacks i could of gotten the new starwood tattoo that had a big P on it.
that was one of the best posts ever. you brightened up a morning in the big apple
when i made platinum i WAS given a decoder ring. then i realized if i would of bought more crackerjacks i could of gotten the new starwood tattoo that had a big P on it.
Dec 17, 2010, 6:36 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
oh good grief... really???
Dec 17, 2010, 10:14 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: MUC
Programs: LT Marriott Gold, Velocity Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 335
Thanks for the laugh on a gray drizzly Friday morning. Glad to see that someone has the ability to take the mickey out of themselves.
Dec 17, 2010, 11:09 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, AA Plat
Posts: 1,138
Sheesh, next you will start expecting suite upgrades! 
Dec 17, 2010, 4:33 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 19
Dec 17, 2010, 5:32 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, CO, USA
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AA Gold, UA Gold, DL Silver, HH Gold, Vail Epic
Posts: 9,096
"Due to limited supply, all Starwood Pony Gifts have been distributed this year. Please requalify earlier next year, or increase your FT post count to trade for a SPG in the Coupon Connection forum. We apologize for the inconvenience but will send you a limited edition luggage tag instead."
