Changes to SPG Cash & Points - effective March 05, 2013
Jan 19, 2013, 12:55 am
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Gleff (lately of milepoint) spins this as a big win because he thinks the P+C inventory will increase, but I would not hold my breath. IME P&C was already pretty good at many properties.
P&C was one of my favorites redemptions as I have a tough time accumulating SPG points since I don't do Amex. In fact it was in fact the only way people like me could afford a room at Cat 6 property like the St. Regis Princeville. 3 nights for 24k points +$450 – yeah I can swing that – $150 a night seems more than reasonable for one of the best rooms in the world. $180/nt hurts a bit more. But 10k/nt on top of that is a real dealkiller. The Cat 4 city properties that could be had @60 + 4k points are much less of a deal now.
Almost better to take a shot at priceline (esp if you are not Plat - won't miss any benefits) and save your points for a 5N award. Then SPG will get $0 cash.
Make no mistake - this is a big devaluation, directly targeted at the infrequent traveler and those without Amex.
Jan 19, 2013, 1:49 am
#107
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SYD
Programs: VA plat EY G+ RA Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 84
I booked a C&P at Westin Moana then tried to get a second room and no dice
do they only have one room on C & P?
do they only have one room on C & P?
Jan 19, 2013, 2:41 am
#108
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Well I have checked several properties that I'm targetting before the move in March. Not to my surprise no C&P availability. In the past I have seen some at these but almost none the rest of the year.
So when spg says they hope to increase availability they weren't talking about between now and March 5 that is for damn sure. I see properties pulling inventory most likely until the increase. That is total BS, yes you will get more after March 5, but don't screw us now.
So when spg says they hope to increase availability they weren't talking about between now and March 5 that is for damn sure. I see properties pulling inventory most likely until the increase. That is total BS, yes you will get more after March 5, but don't screw us now.
Jan 19, 2013, 2:52 am
#109
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Italy
Programs: millemiglia - milesmore- spg - goldpassport - priority club- the leader club - others
Posts: 393
As a loyal customer, this is definitively something I dislike VERY MUCH.
I had 13 nights already in January and seven more by the end of the month.
I will definitively focus on other programme as of February 1. This even in consideration that the real benefit of being platinum, upgrade, has been completely a scam in my experience.
As many member of this forum know, even if it was not that easy to find C&P directly available, many times it just took a call to the hotel and a room manager will open the option for you. I tried this two or three times and it was 100% success.
We will see how it will go with this promised increase in availability.
As for now, rant!
I had 13 nights already in January and seven more by the end of the month.
I will definitively focus on other programme as of February 1. This even in consideration that the real benefit of being platinum, upgrade, has been completely a scam in my experience.
As many member of this forum know, even if it was not that easy to find C&P directly available, many times it just took a call to the hotel and a room manager will open the option for you. I tried this two or three times and it was 100% success.
We will see how it will go with this promised increase in availability.
As for now, rant!
Jan 19, 2013, 4:59 am
#110
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Europe/SEA
Programs: TK E+, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Dusit Gold
Posts: 1,714
Originally Posted by The_Daddy:20080372
As a loyal customer, this is definitively something I dislike VERY MUCH.
I had 13 nights already in January and seven more by the end of the month.
I will definitively focus on other programme as of February 1. This even in consideration that the real benefit of being platinum, upgrade, has been completely a scam in my experience.
As many member of this forum know, even if it was not that easy to find C&P directly available, many times it just took a call to the hotel and a room manager will open the option for you. I tried this two or three times and it was 100% success.
We will see how it will go with this promised increase in availability.
As for now, rant!
I had 13 nights already in January and seven more by the end of the month.
I will definitively focus on other programme as of February 1. This even in consideration that the real benefit of being platinum, upgrade, has been completely a scam in my experience.
As many member of this forum know, even if it was not that easy to find C&P directly available, many times it just took a call to the hotel and a room manager will open the option for you. I tried this two or three times and it was 100% success.
We will see how it will go with this promised increase in availability.
As for now, rant!
Same position here... I make low plat this year and focus on other programs...
Jan 19, 2013, 5:08 am
#111
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,128
Quickly snatched up a C&P for a May stay when others started reporting hotels pulling availability.
Bummed to see costs go up, but would be happy if I can find more C&P than I am currently able to find (about 25%).
Bummed to see costs go up, but would be happy if I can find more C&P than I am currently able to find (about 25%).
Jan 19, 2013, 5:36 am
#112
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Baltic Sea
Programs: SPG Platinum
Posts: 345
Good question
Thoughtful question. I would be interested in hearing the answer
Dear Lurker(s):
Will SPG increase the bonus on the Amex or the earning on the Amex to compete with the frequent 50k + bonuses on other cards or is this a pure devaluation of the program?
Many programs have devalued but at least offer more ways to earn more points (I.e Ultimate Rewards, Membership Rewards, Skymiles etc)
Will SPG increase the bonus on the Amex or the earning on the Amex to compete with the frequent 50k + bonuses on other cards or is this a pure devaluation of the program?
Many programs have devalued but at least offer more ways to earn more points (I.e Ultimate Rewards, Membership Rewards, Skymiles etc)
Jan 19, 2013, 5:45 am
#113
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Properties regularly go up in categories every year, so arguing that teh C&P costs of a room haven't gone up in 10 years isn't accurate.
I'm disappointed this valuable benefit is being diminished, and equally disappointed with the spin on the messaging. Very Marriott/USAir-like.
I'm disappointed this valuable benefit is being diminished, and equally disappointed with the spin on the messaging. Very Marriott/USAir-like.
Jan 19, 2013, 5:55 am
#114
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 89
Anybody calculate the worth of each point with the new change?
Jan 19, 2013, 6:17 am
#115
Moderator: GLBT travelers, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Asia
Programs: Yes!
Posts: 15,512
This is a tad disappointing, especially if it is a harbinger of things to come next month in the Cat changes.
As a Life time Plat 100 with Ambassador, this makes me nervous enough to ensure that I also renew Hyatt Diamond (where the announced hotel category devaluation has been close to insignificant this year.)
Until I have understood the relative impact of these announced (and the forthcoming) changes, I may just make sure to do Plat 50 and Hyatt Diamond before looking at Plat 75/100 again.
As a Life time Plat 100 with Ambassador, this makes me nervous enough to ensure that I also renew Hyatt Diamond (where the announced hotel category devaluation has been close to insignificant this year.)
Until I have understood the relative impact of these announced (and the forthcoming) changes, I may just make sure to do Plat 50 and Hyatt Diamond before looking at Plat 75/100 again.
Jan 19, 2013, 6:18 am
#116
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 89
I just got my spg Amex. Crap. Going to cancel when I get my points.
Jan 19, 2013, 6:19 am
#117
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
I can't say I am surprised by this news. I made several C+P bookings in India, which is chuck full of Cat 1-3. I even made a couple of bookings later this summer at present rates. I am happy that these changes do not apply to reservations booked before 5 March. However, I will be very disappointed if properties continue to creep to Cat 7 (often times undeservedly).
Jan 19, 2013, 7:33 am
#118
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat, Copa Pres. Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 769
Not exactly, but I did just calculate how much inventory availability will need to increase in order to "break even" between the new world of cash+points and the old world of cash+points: blog post covering the topic here
Sneak preview: it depends on how highly you value your Starpoints and what category you're looking at.
Sneak preview: it depends on how highly you value your Starpoints and what category you're looking at.
Jan 19, 2013, 8:02 am
#119
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: europe
Programs: EX²-*wood platinum, EX-hyatt diamond, sixt platinum, hilton silver, leaders club, esselunga verde...
Posts: 2,048
May be I am stupid, but if I follow the rules for an award suite stay which means double number of points are needed, than the game with the new cash & points double also the points but add roundabout 50% on the cash portion...
What will follow next? Higher number of points for the other awards?!...
What will follow next? Higher number of points for the other awards?!...
Jan 19, 2013, 8:08 am
#120
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CGK
Programs: Starwood PLATINUM, BA GOLD, KrisFlyer Blue, GFF Silver, BATS After Work Club, Emirates Silver
Posts: 391
To be honest my recent stay at the Le Meridien Phuket, at $60+4000points per night, when the proper price was over $500, and I also got upgraded, was great for me, but was basically lost money for the hotel. They would have had no trouble in selling the room to someone else at full price.