SpeedRicer

Another update on this -- checked again today, and I still get the "We're sorry, Suite Night Awards cannot be applied..." message on the My Stays page. But, when I click into the "See Details" link and see the reservation details, the button for requesting the upgrade shows up now! Haven't clicked all the way through yet as I'm trying to confirm my stay dates, but maybe this is just an IT glitch or was an availability issue?

Thanks for the follow-up Christina! Will reconfirm my dates and message back if I still encounter any issues -- looks like I might be OK for now...

scienm

It happens many. I think it's some kinds of system error.

scienm

SNA is lame and useless.

Now, I have 25 SNAs. 5 from 2011, 10 from 2012, 10 from 2013.
I've been trying to use it when I need a suite room for sure. BUT, it was really hard to get confirmed.
What makes me really mad, I booked and applied SNA about a month before to get upgrade, but SNA was confirmable in 5 days advance only, so I couldn't get the upgrade. It happens so many times. Although I have an Ambassador.
Hotel clearly can control whether they upgrade or not because I've heard about it from the manager at my favorite hotel.
Whatever, I give up to use the SNA for a special occasion. I prefer Hyatt or IC for it because they always confirm a suite room at the time of booking.
I love SPG, and I love W and Luxury Collection, but every SPG's benefits are upon availability. And that makes me to stay another chain hotels too because I can't believe SNA.
SNA should be confirmed in 14 days advance at least. At least.

UA-NYC

I wouldn't say "useless", but "disappointing", "iffy benefit", etc. are all fair.

At least they somewhat realized it and gave us a 4 month extension for this year's. Hopefully they do "enhance" the benefit for 2014.

Elope

And now my sixth request in a row not honoured.

By early 2014 I will likely have 36 SNAs in my account (provided I decide to devote any business to SPG given how crap 2013 has been), purely because nearly every attempt has failed.

In the early days, I could reach out directly to hotel GMs with specific requests and they would apply them manually. It worked well.

Since the complete automation of the process…what a joke.

whimike

What method are you using to confirm an IC suite at time of booking, other than paying for a suite? I understand that Hyatt has the suite certificates but I am not aware of IC having anything similar.

Dr. HFH

Nothing's changed. Are you a large employer? Give your local Starwood a ton of meeting business or maybe 1,000+ nights per year for employees/customers? You'll have no problems with upgrades.

EleanorMcDaniel

I find the SNA to be completely useless.

I have seen a hotel tell me that the award can't be used because they have no suites, and yet a suite is bookable for the same night.

Then some properties upgrade me to a suite even without the SNA.

My biggest beef is that I can't gift them to a friend when I buy someone a room with my points, because I personally have to use the SNA, not someone else.

If I could trade each one for Starpoints, they'd be gone from my account tomorrow.

Lappe

I don't think this is the complete story - I have used SNAs for three rooms at a time to upgrade colleagues. Of course I was staying in one of the rooms and paying for all of them.

Keyser

this is possible....however, i think what eleanormcdaniel is trying to say is that the sna cannot be gifted if the member is not staying at the hotel & is booking a room for someone else....

scienm

I have Royal Ambassador status with IHG. RA usually gets suite upgrade or 2 category upgrade and it is guaranteed.

Keyser

no it is not....i have had many stays as an ra where i didn't get a suite....

whimike

This is not correct, the upgrade benefit of RA is:

"Guaranteed upgrade to executive room, Club InterContinental room or suite"

I am RA, too, and I have never been upgraded to anything at time of booking.

Lets not start spreading misinformation about other programs to denigrate the Starwood program.

Land-of-Miles

Whilst it is true you can't always guarantee a suite from a base room reservation if you understand the way the property works you can work out the room type you need to reserve to get a suite.

What I like about RA is if I reserve a suite I end up in a much better suite, I rarely get that from Starwood.

jkallet

It sucks