FAQ: New Benefit for SPG Members - Award & Cash + Points Nights Count Toward Status
Sep 29, 2011, 8:01 pm
#121
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
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Posts: 52,140
Sep 29, 2011, 8:28 pm
#122
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,407
Ditto on this - need to get a higher tier - but not sure what other benefits I would expect for it. Frankly the service is generally great - and after you get to so many nights - heck, just clean is fine with me. Maybe the new tier gives guaranteed updates on award nights - that would be sweet.
Sep 29, 2011, 8:31 pm
#123
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Texas
Programs: AA EXP, UA Premier Plat, Alaska MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,053
Sep 29, 2011, 9:10 pm
#125
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Sep 29, 2011, 9:48 pm
#126
Join Date: May 1999
Location: YEG
Posts: 1,578
I think you misunderstood me.
What benefit would increasing the level have? At that point, you'd simply have fewer Platinums, and fewer guests enjoying the Platinum treatment. You have to remember that FT is a bubble, and most people don't PLAN on Platinum status, they simply achieve it based on existing travel patterns. The loyalty program isn't out to CREATE platinums, it's out to capture the loyalty of the business traveler that would otherwise hit it, but might defer some of those stays to a competitor. It's to attract already existing business from other chains, NOT to build incremental revenue on top of that business.
We're the minority because we actually CARE about getting status and alter our travel plans by adding trips to do so.
What benefit would increasing the level have? At that point, you'd simply have fewer Platinums, and fewer guests enjoying the Platinum treatment. You have to remember that FT is a bubble, and most people don't PLAN on Platinum status, they simply achieve it based on existing travel patterns. The loyalty program isn't out to CREATE platinums, it's out to capture the loyalty of the business traveler that would otherwise hit it, but might defer some of those stays to a competitor. It's to attract already existing business from other chains, NOT to build incremental revenue on top of that business.
We're the minority because we actually CARE about getting status and alter our travel plans by adding trips to do so.
if you pick a date randomly, it is probably normal to see 80+ platinum guest staying at one of New York Hotels. but it is probably not normal to see 22+ platinum guest staying at the W Doha at a given date. this plus many other observations/ discussions tells me that there are many platinum members in the SPG system hence a higher level is probably due.
I have been platinum since the program started. it easy for me to achieve platinum. would i get upset if Starwood introduce a higher level that i could not achieve? definitely not
Sep 29, 2011, 11:52 pm
#128
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 2.2MM LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott/SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,572
Great move, IMHO!
I've long said that whether it's paid stays or award stays, we're all showing LOYALTY to Starwood every time we stay in a Starwood property. With award (and Cash & Points) stays counting now, I'm much more likely to stay in Starwood hotels because award and Cash & Points stays have just become more attractive.
Also, I'm sure it's much more cost effective for Starwood to have members redeeming Starpoints for hotel nights rather than miles, and I think this will encourage many people to use Starpoints in that manner.
I'm a bit disappointed that award nights won't count double when a double nights/stays promotion is running, but that would probably make it WAY too easy to get Platinum.
I've long said that whether it's paid stays or award stays, we're all showing LOYALTY to Starwood every time we stay in a Starwood property. With award (and Cash & Points) stays counting now, I'm much more likely to stay in Starwood hotels because award and Cash & Points stays have just become more attractive.
Also, I'm sure it's much more cost effective for Starwood to have members redeeming Starpoints for hotel nights rather than miles, and I think this will encourage many people to use Starpoints in that manner.
I'm a bit disappointed that award nights won't count double when a double nights/stays promotion is running, but that would probably make it WAY too easy to get Platinum.
Sep 30, 2011, 12:04 am
#129
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It's funny. In years when I have 75 nights, I want a 75 night level. In years when I barely make 50, I want it to stay at 50. 
But in all seriousness, I don't think a new level is needed. If you are the type who stays an awful lot at one hotel, that hotel should be treating you very well. Better than an average Plat member in fact. That has been my experience anyways.
But in all seriousness, I don't think a new level is needed. If you are the type who stays an awful lot at one hotel, that hotel should be treating you very well. Better than an average Plat member in fact. That has been my experience anyways.
Sep 30, 2011, 3:25 am
#130
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: SPG Plat, MAR Lifetime Plat, UAMM, AA3MM
Posts: 119
You won't see any noticeable difference in number of Plats
It's funny. In years when I have 75 nights, I want a 75 night level. In years when I barely make 50, I want it to stay at 50.
But in all seriousness, I don't think a new level is needed. If you are the type who stays an awful lot at one hotel, that hotel should be treating you very well. Better than an average Plat member in fact. That has been my experience anyways.
But in all seriousness, I don't think a new level is needed. If you are the type who stays an awful lot at one hotel, that hotel should be treating you very well. Better than an average Plat member in fact. That has been my experience anyways.
But the idea of a higher level is a separate argument. This new promo will not impact the number of new Platinums significantly... just fewer mattress runs for those that need it. I think the current levels are just fine.
And remember, POINTS = CASH
Sep 30, 2011, 3:55 am
#131
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SIN
Programs: Hard to keep one
Posts: 155
I think this is a great development and just made all those free night promotions all the more valuable.
For those insisting the properties are losing revenue, I recall that the properties get reimbursed for points redeemed....
For those insisting the properties are losing revenue, I recall that the properties get reimbursed for points redeemed....
Sep 30, 2011, 4:30 am
#132
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Korea
Posts: 1,168
folks it's not about WHETHER there will be a dilution of platinum benefits.
it's a question of BY HOW MUCH.
There is no doubt that this latest benefit will increase the number of plats. When you open more doors to become platinum, people will use that door.
Now if there is going to be 100 more platinums world-wide as a result of this, then I'm fine.
But if there's going to be more like tens of thousands, then there is a reason for us current plats to be unhappy.
Now as for those who say that this will keep the number of plats roughly the same, since the economic downturn has reduced the overall number of plats... what happens when the economy turns around and there're more plats again? Will Starwood backtrack and reverse this latest amendment??
Time for a higher elite tier.
it's a question of BY HOW MUCH.
There is no doubt that this latest benefit will increase the number of plats. When you open more doors to become platinum, people will use that door.
Now if there is going to be 100 more platinums world-wide as a result of this, then I'm fine.
But if there's going to be more like tens of thousands, then there is a reason for us current plats to be unhappy.
Now as for those who say that this will keep the number of plats roughly the same, since the economic downturn has reduced the overall number of plats... what happens when the economy turns around and there're more plats again? Will Starwood backtrack and reverse this latest amendment??
Time for a higher elite tier.
Sep 30, 2011, 5:14 am
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
Exactly. You can see why "Mega-SPG-Stayers" want to raise the bar. They resent double stay promos and the like... understandable. They feel "entitled" to something more in this frequent stay marketing game. However, this represents a very small percentage of the traveling public.
Now as for those who say that this will keep the number of plats roughly the same, since the economic downturn has reduced the overall number of plats... what happens when the economy turns around and there're more plats again? Will Starwood backtrack and reverse this latest amendment??
Sep 30, 2011, 5:20 am
#135
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,407