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[ENDED 30 June 2018] Elite "Thank You You've Made My Stay" certificates

Old Jul 3, 2015, 11:42 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Oxon Flyer
The Elite Thank You program ended on December 31, 2017. You have until June 30, 2018, to award your Thank You certificates to SPG associates.

A great way to say thanks -

You expect and deserve outstanding service from SPG®. So when an associate goes above and beyond to make your stay, it’s nice to have a special way to express your thanks.

That’s what Elite Thank You certificates are all about. Print yours now to make the day of every deserving SPG associate who receives one.

Remember: All SPG associates and customer care agents are eligible to receive Elite Thank You certificates. Enjoy giving them — and we’ll keep looking for ways to earn them.


From T&C :"however, the certificates cannot be used as a form of bribery or fraud, nor may the certificates be sold in any manner"


Weblink : http://www.spg.com/elitethankyou


Frequently Asked Questions:

What is an Elite Thank You?
It's a certificate that an elite member can use to recognize a Starwood associate who provided outstanding service, whether in person or over the phone.

How do I get Elite Thank You certificates?
Please visit spg.com/elitethankyou to download and print your certificates.

Who is eligible to receive an Elite Thank You?
All Starwood associates in Customer Contact Centers or hotels that participate in the Starwood Preferred Guest® program are eligible, including but not limited to associates at the front desk, reservations line, concierge desk, bellhop service, restaurants, housekeeping, fitness centers, business centers and so forth. To give a certificate over the phone, just tell the associate you'd like to give him or her an Elite Thank You, then provide the unique code on the certificate.

Can I use an Elite Thank You certificate more than once?
No. Each Elite Thank You certificate has a unique code that can be used only once, so it can be given to only one person.

Can I give multiple Elite Thank You certificates to a single person?
Yes.

Can I get more Thank You certificates?
Members are eligible to request certificates when they renew or upgrade their elite status. No additional certificates can be requested.

How long are the Elite Thank You certificates valid?
Please see your certificates for the expiration date.
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[ENDED 30 June 2018] Elite "Thank You You've Made My Stay" certificates

 
Old Feb 1, 2018, 1:35 pm
  #481  
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 15,958
Originally Posted by schley
I didn't see any announcement about ending the Thank You certs
+1, not aware until I happened to read this thread today. Thread title and wiki updated.

Thinking about how to make sure the 8 certificate that I have on my account don’t go to waste.

I’m assuming it would be OK to email all 8 codes to a valued employee at, say, an annual vacation hotel I won’t be returning to before 30 June 2018 ?
Oxon Flyer is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 1:38 pm
  #482  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
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Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by Oxon Flyer
I’m mulling over how to make sure the 8 certificate should that I have on my account don’t go to waste.

I’m assuming it would be OK to email all 8 codes to a valued employee at, say, an annual vacation hotel I won’t be returning to before 30 June 2018 ?
Yes. They would just need to be sure to redeem them before they expire.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC

[email protected]
Starwood Lurker is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 3:34 pm
  #483  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
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Thanks for the heads up. I just checked and I have eight certificates that expire in June so I've PDF'd them and emailed them to my favourite employee in Bangkok so he can put a heart in the foam of my next breakfast cappuccino.

Unlike others on this thread, I do not consider it a great act of charity, compassion and gratitude to bestow these free certificates on employees because they cost me absolutely nothing and the giving is therefore an empty gesture and the employee knows it. I'm sure they'd prefer, you know, actual money as a appreciative gratuity if that's what the gift is intended to demonstrate.

If the employee is indeed "overworked, underpaid, underappreciated, taken for granted SPG employees" then a certificate got for free by the guest won't impress much (I'm sure there's some coupons in the local paper the can be cut out and handed over too) but a cash gratuity would be highly appreciated.
ftrichard is online now  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 3:37 pm
  #484  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,190
Originally Posted by Oxon Flyer
+1, not aware until I happened to read this thread today. Thread title and wiki updated.

Thinking about how to make sure the 8 certificate that I have on my account don’t go to waste.

I’m assuming it would be OK to email all 8 codes to a valued employee at, say, an annual vacation hotel I won’t be returning to before 30 June 2018 ?
That's what I do each year. I get the impression some people think that handing these free certificates over to employees is like handing over $100 bills. Just send them to your favourite while they can still be used for whatever they can be used for.
ftrichard is online now  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 4:44 am
  #485  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Originally Posted by ftrichard
That's what I do each year. I get the impression some people think that handing these free certificates over to employees is like handing over $100 bills. Just send them to your favourite while they can still be used for whatever they can be used for.
You don't space them out to recognize excellence the certain 8 times or more you receive it? Love spacing these out and I think all but 2 were thrilled they were recognized. Lumping them together IMO is negating the purpose to a degree as crowd sourcing recognition is a great move, sorry to see these go.

Also we have 5 months still so not like they are going to be gone this week.
schley is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 5:40 am
  #486  
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Originally Posted by ftrichard
Unlike others on this thread, I do not consider it a great act of charity, compassion and gratitude to bestow these free certificates on employees because they cost me absolutely nothing and the giving is therefore an empty gesture and the employee knows it. I'm sure they'd prefer, you know, actual money as a appreciative gratuity if that's what the gift is intended to demonstrate.
Is there maybe a bit cultural bias to this assumption? While I'm sure that everyone would prefer a gold bar rather than a relative stranger giving them something of little value, but in practice the human psyche is programmed to recognize and appreciate it when someone takes time out of their schedule to make an effort to thank someone, especially when it is comes after the event and isn't just a spur of the moment thing.
EuropeanPete is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 6:51 am
  #487  
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Originally Posted by EuropeanPete
Is there maybe a bit cultural bias to this assumption? While I'm sure that everyone would prefer a gold bar rather than a relative stranger giving them something of little value, but in practice the human psyche is programmed to recognize and appreciate it when someone takes time out of their schedule to make an effort to thank someone, especially when it is comes after the event and isn't just a spur of the moment thing.
+1

It really is the thought that counts.
yyznomad is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 10:35 am
  #488  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Posts: 6,355
Originally Posted by ftrichard
Thanks for the heads up. I just checked and I have eight certificates that expire in June so I've PDF'd them and emailed them to my favourite employee in Bangkok so he can put a heart in the foam of my next breakfast cappuccino.

Unlike others on this thread, I do not consider it a great act of charity, compassion and gratitude to bestow these free certificates on employees because they cost me absolutely nothing and the giving is therefore an empty gesture and the employee knows it. I'm sure they'd prefer, you know, actual money as a appreciative gratuity if that's what the gift is intended to demonstrate.

If the employee is indeed "overworked, underpaid, underappreciated, taken for granted SPG employees" then a certificate got for free by the guest won't impress much (I'm sure there's some coupons in the local paper the can be cut out and handed over too) but a cash gratuity would be highly appreciated.
You aren't secretly a motivational speaker are you? I'm sure you are booked solid!
schley is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 4:22 pm
  #489  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Originally Posted by yyznomad
+1

It really is the thought that counts.
Well, that's my point. Giving something that costs nothing and expecting gratitude in my world is an action with no thought, or feeling, or commitment. Everyone knows these things are free.

Give cash. A $10 bill will be more appreciated.
ftrichard is online now  
Old Feb 3, 2018, 2:53 am
  #490  
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by ftrichard
Well, that's my point. Giving something that costs nothing and expecting gratitude in my world is an action with no thought, or feeling, or commitment. Everyone knows these things are free.

Give cash. A $10 bill will be more appreciated.
Please take a video of you putting this philosophy into practice in Japan and share it with us here! Make sure to insist they take your money...
EuropeanPete is offline  
Old Feb 3, 2018, 3:43 am
  #491  
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
 
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Originally Posted by ftrichard
Well, that's my point. Giving something that costs nothing and expecting gratitude in my world is an action with no thought, or feeling, or commitment. Everyone knows these things are free.

Give cash. A $10 bill will be more appreciated.
I think that we’ll just have to accept that in a global cummunity like FT, there’ll be different norms.

Many of us would consider that it’s the reflex peeling of a few greenbacks that’s the thoughtless, empty gesture.
Oxon Flyer is offline  
Old Feb 3, 2018, 6:09 am
  #492  
 
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Thanks for updating and changing the name of this thread. Just printed out my most recent certificates and will put them in my travel pack and use them before they expire
Out of my Element is offline  
Old Apr 4, 2018, 9:09 pm
  #493  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
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@Starwood Lurker - has there been any discussion on if there will be a replacement recognition program of some kind? It’s both nice and convenient to be able to give these out to helpful employees.
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Old Apr 4, 2018, 9:46 pm
  #494  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
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Originally Posted by JPGIV
@Starwood Lurker - has there been any discussion on if there will be a replacement recognition program of some kind? It’s both nice and convenient to be able to give these out to helpful employees.
Hi JPGIV

At the moment, there are no information on a replacement for Elite Thank You Certificates.
If there is, we're sure these will be announced to eligible members.

Kamal Taufiq
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
[email protected]

Last edited by Starwood Lurker IV; Apr 27, 2018 at 1:39 am
Starwood Lurker IV is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2018, 8:54 am
  #495  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Is there any way to tell whether you've already given a cert to an employee (and they cashed it in)?
I saved all mine to pdf and now just can't remember what I've done with them.
BigE is offline  

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