Official 2013 Category Changes - effective 5 March 2013
Feb 20, 2013, 11:00 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, AC Elite, Airmiles Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Posts: 785
The category 5 and 6s are interesting. 12 went up, 22 went down.
To me, what's mostly going on here is a fairly massive shift from 2s to 3s and 3s to 4s, instead of the higher aspirational properties. It seems like SPG has rooted out the bargain category 2s and made them more commensurate with the typical rate at these hotels to get redemptions back around or under 2 cents per point. I guess that's not surprising. I don't know how significant that will be to many flyertalkers, who tend to accumulate for the category 5s, 6s and 7s.
Barcelona Diagonal at category 2 was kind of silly, I have to say, so I'm really not surprised they're on to some of my hidden gems. There are a few left that I'm surprised didn't go up, so I guess I can live with it. I'd be a lot more angry today if Hilton and Marriott hadn't just gutted their programs.
To me, what's mostly going on here is a fairly massive shift from 2s to 3s and 3s to 4s, instead of the higher aspirational properties. It seems like SPG has rooted out the bargain category 2s and made them more commensurate with the typical rate at these hotels to get redemptions back around or under 2 cents per point. I guess that's not surprising. I don't know how significant that will be to many flyertalkers, who tend to accumulate for the category 5s, 6s and 7s.
Barcelona Diagonal at category 2 was kind of silly, I have to say, so I'm really not surprised they're on to some of my hidden gems. There are a few left that I'm surprised didn't go up, so I guess I can live with it. I'd be a lot more angry today if Hilton and Marriott hadn't just gutted their programs.
) Another good one is Westin Jalisco.Many will be upset with Moana Surfrider going to 6 and Danieli to 7. Interestingly Athens hotels go to 5 from 6, Greek islands from 6 to 7. The rest is more technical changes, so my predictions luckily went wrong
(although will be more additions -- usually up in the next 2 weeks)
Feb 20, 2013, 11:01 am
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,368
I tend to use my points on vacations so I immediately scroll to the places that I like to take my family.
The 4 properties in Hawaii just priced themselves out of my world and it is sad to see 2 Greece properties and Hotel Danielli go to 7's.
Not earth-shattering though in my opinion.
The 4 properties in Hawaii just priced themselves out of my world and it is sad to see 2 Greece properties and Hotel Danielli go to 7's.
Not earth-shattering though in my opinion.
Feb 20, 2013, 11:04 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,786
With Danieli going up to 7 and Hilton Molino Stuckey going to category 8 with seasonal increases, what's left in Venice if you have points and don't want to break the bank?
Feb 20, 2013, 11:07 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: WI
Programs: A bunch
Posts: 488
They were genius to release this the day after hilton slaughtered their chart. This looks like the best award adjustment of alltime compared to hilton!!
Glad i got my st regis princeville stay a few months ago for 80k for the week. Too bad that went to level 7
Glad i got my st regis princeville stay a few months ago for 80k for the week. Too bad that went to level 7
Feb 20, 2013, 11:09 am
#35
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,368
Also, I presume that most of the category changes are determined somewhat in advance of the announcement, based on data available early enough to allow analysis and approvals at various levels.
Feb 20, 2013, 11:13 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,651
I'm confused by Greece! I can understand the two Athens properties decreasing (I think the Grand Bretagne has gone up and down more than any other hotel I've watched over the years) but I don't understand the two island properties going up. I wonder if tourism hasn't been as impacted on the islands as it has in the city.
Feb 20, 2013, 11:22 am
#38
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,368
I'm confused by Greece! I can understand the two Athens properties decreasing (I think the Grand Bretagne has gone up and down more than any other hotel I've watched over the years) but I don't understand the two island properties going up. I wonder if tourism hasn't been as impacted on the islands as it has in the city.
Feb 20, 2013, 11:24 am
#39
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
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without a doubt this is way better than all the other chains....some properties i was thinking of staying at are moving up a category so i better book now & hope my plans don't change....
Feb 20, 2013, 11:32 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
Not very many of the hotels I stay at frequently increased. Very happy that the Arion dropped down a category, and somewhat surprised that the St. Regis in BKK didn't drop back down to a Cat 5...
Feb 20, 2013, 11:38 am
#41
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Posts: 29,648
Feb 20, 2013, 11:41 am
#43
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,400
I'm confused by Greece! I can understand the two Athens properties decreasing (I think the Grand Bretagne has gone up and down more than any other hotel I've watched over the years) but I don't understand the two island properties going up. I wonder if tourism hasn't been as impacted on the islands as it has in the city.
Hawaii likely priced themselves out SPG awards for me, but overall these changes are rational and I can live with them. I remain hopeful that the new C&P program really does open up more availability leaving us with a solid program compared to what appears to be happening with the other programs.
Feb 20, 2013, 11:47 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, AC Elite, Airmiles Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Posts: 785
Westin E&R only -- if Cat 6 is not a threat to your bank. Just went up last year. Many FTs hoped last year that it would go back to 5 (as it always been) when Danieli is back from renovation as 6. It will never happen now though as both Gritti and Danieli are 7.
Feb 20, 2013, 11:50 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: HHonor Dia, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 549
Wow, it's rather mild compared to Hilton/Marriott.
A few nice (maybe even undervalued) redemptions going up 1 cat, but overall still really good value.
A few nice (maybe even undervalued) redemptions going up 1 cat, but overall still really good value.
