Official 2013 Category Changes - effective 5 March 2013
Feb 28, 2013, 9:02 pm
#181
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
Hotel category changes - advance booking question
Hi all,
I am planning on booking one of the hotels that's about to change categories. The problem is I need to travel over Christmas, and I am far from being able to confirm a date to the day. If I book right now, and need to change the date later, will I be charged the delta in points - or will it be locked in at the current level even if I have to change dates?
I asked the same question in Cash & Points and was told that any changes in the future will require additional cash and points - curious if the same applies to points-only bookings.
Thanks,
-pN
I am planning on booking one of the hotels that's about to change categories. The problem is I need to travel over Christmas, and I am far from being able to confirm a date to the day. If I book right now, and need to change the date later, will I be charged the delta in points - or will it be locked in at the current level even if I have to change dates?
I asked the same question in Cash & Points and was told that any changes in the future will require additional cash and points - curious if the same applies to points-only bookings.
Thanks,
-pN
Feb 28, 2013, 9:27 pm
#182
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 792
Yes. Any changes after March 5th will mean that you have to follow the revised award rates.
Feb 28, 2013, 11:33 pm
#183
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: 3 million miles LIFETIME PLT AADVANTAGE/LIFETIME SPG PLT!! 25 years member /PRESIDENT'S CLUB HERTZ
Posts: 114
I did call my Ambasador STARWOOD she assured me if i am booking before march 5 i will be able to change at same point level after march 5 anytime..
Mar 1, 2013, 1:17 am
#184
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: europe
Programs: EX˛-*wood platinum, EX-hyatt diamond, sixt platinum, hilton silver, leaders club, esselunga verde...
Posts: 2,048
Mar 1, 2013, 3:39 am
#185
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Mar 1, 2013, 4:14 am
#186
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
D'oh! Oh well - thanks for the replies!
Mar 3, 2013, 4:51 pm
#187
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,396
Can I assume that the new rates will take effect at midnight ET, March 5? I am potentially going to book a stay, but am looking for a few other tentative arraignments to fall into place.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Mar 4, 2013, 12:25 pm
#188
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,789
Timezone
I am also wondering according to which timezone the changed will take effect in. I'm writing this question hopefully from the future!
Mar 5, 2013, 5:55 am
#189
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ PPS, OZ Gold, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Platinum, IHG Diamond
Posts: 174
CAUTION CAUTION!!
Did anyone notice a change in Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok hotel from cat 2 to cat 3? This hotel is not listed as a category increase hotel in the original pdf file!!!
:ma d:
Did anyone notice a change in Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok hotel from cat 2 to cat 3? This hotel is not listed as a category increase hotel in the original pdf file!!!
:ma d:
Mar 5, 2013, 2:38 pm
#190
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
We first announced our annual 2013 hotel Category adjustments on February 20th. Our goal at that time was to give you an advance look at the preliminary list of changes.
At that time, we also mentioned that there might be additional hotels changing categories. For your convenience, here are the five hotels that have changed since our first announcement:
Moved down
Le Méridien Jaipur, India, Asia/Pacific from Category 3 to 2
Moved up
Sheraton Royal Orchid Hotel & Towers, Thailand, Asia/Pacific from Category 2 to 3
Grosvenor House, Dubai, Africa/Middle East from Category 5 to 6
Stayed the same as 2012 (removed from the change list altogether)
Le Méridien Chongqing, Nan, China, Asia/Pacific
Sheraton Daqing Hotel, China, Asia/Pacific
Westin Changbaishan Resort, China, Asia/Pacific
Aloft Denver International Airport, North America
When you’re ready to book, visit spg.com or contact one of our Customer Contact Centers.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
At that time, we also mentioned that there might be additional hotels changing categories. For your convenience, here are the five hotels that have changed since our first announcement:
Moved down
Le Méridien Jaipur, India, Asia/Pacific from Category 3 to 2
Moved up
Sheraton Royal Orchid Hotel & Towers, Thailand, Asia/Pacific from Category 2 to 3
Grosvenor House, Dubai, Africa/Middle East from Category 5 to 6
Stayed the same as 2012 (removed from the change list altogether)
Le Méridien Chongqing, Nan, China, Asia/Pacific
Sheraton Daqing Hotel, China, Asia/Pacific
Westin Changbaishan Resort, China, Asia/Pacific
Aloft Denver International Airport, North America
When you’re ready to book, visit spg.com or contact one of our Customer Contact Centers.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Last edited by Starwood Lurker; Apr 18, 2013 at 12:50 pm Reason: remove the pdf since it is no longer being updated with late-breaking changes
Mar 5, 2013, 5:58 pm
#191
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 194
Le Meridien Chongqing
Hi William
Further to your note that Le Meridien Chongqing will not change category, the spg.com website is now showing this property as cat 3 -- increased from the previous cat 2. The current C&P rates have also increased to cat 3 levels.
Further to your note that Le Meridien Chongqing will not change category, the spg.com website is now showing this property as cat 3 -- increased from the previous cat 2. The current C&P rates have also increased to cat 3 levels.
Mar 5, 2013, 6:09 pm
#192
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Mar 5, 2013, 6:27 pm
#193
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 194
Thanks for the quick reply.
By the way, given the supply/demand elements and price dynamics prevailing in Chongqing, I think it was a sensible decision for Le Meriden to stay at cat 2.
They would have significantly overpriced the property at cat 3 relative to regular cash rates, especially with the new higher points levels.
It is a nice property and, notwithstanding some administrative issues (now resolved) we are looking forward to our next stay there starting this weekend.
By the way, given the supply/demand elements and price dynamics prevailing in Chongqing, I think it was a sensible decision for Le Meriden to stay at cat 2.
They would have significantly overpriced the property at cat 3 relative to regular cash rates, especially with the new higher points levels.
It is a nice property and, notwithstanding some administrative issues (now resolved) we are looking forward to our next stay there starting this weekend.
Mar 5, 2013, 9:41 pm
#194
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,849
What is happening with the SLS Beverly Hills? It went to Cat. 6 yesterday afternoon, by the evening, it was back to Cat. 5. This morning it was Cat. 6 and now it is back to Cat. 5. Guess we will see what happens tomorrow.
Mar 6, 2013, 6:23 am
#195
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
I'm now extra glad that I booked it before the changes! Saved me 10K points for my three-night stay. I think it's pretty shady that Starwood couldn't amend the list even at least one day before the changes and gave no notice of this, even if it's just one hotel that's negatively impacted.