Official 2013 Category Changes - effective 5 March 2013
#92
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,648
Only one property went down two categories: the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel (from 3 to 1). I wondered if the murder-suicide there could have affected bookings, but that was way back in 2009.
#93
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
Because next year your faves will be included among the 200 hotels that go up a category? 200 up and 50 down is pretty bad. At this rate we'll be lucky to find anything that's not considered an ultra luxury hotel in a year or three.
#94
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
Not thrilled about the changes; my favorite property (SR Deer Valley) is going up to a 7.
It could always be worse, but that alone isn't a reason to celebrate. This coupled with the previously announced C&P increases makes it a pretty bad year for my SPG points.
At least Hyatt didn't join in the huge devaluation party this year.
It could always be worse, but that alone isn't a reason to celebrate. This coupled with the previously announced C&P increases makes it a pretty bad year for my SPG points.
At least Hyatt didn't join in the huge devaluation party this year.
#95
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA, WN, BA, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 313
This is undoubtedly true. The combined effect of C&P changes and category adjustment is painful. In some cases there's a 100% increase, on par with the worst excesses of the HH devaluation:
W Taipei: Today 4.8k+$90, Mar5: 10k+$180
Sheraton Hiroshima: Today 4k+$60, Mar5: 6k+$110
LM Khao Lak: Today 2.8k+$45, Mar5: 5k+$75.
W Taipei: Today 4.8k+$90, Mar5: 10k+$180
Sheraton Hiroshima: Today 4k+$60, Mar5: 6k+$110
LM Khao Lak: Today 2.8k+$45, Mar5: 5k+$75.
#96
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,891
This may be a big IF. I realize that some posters have expressed the hope that the increased C&P rates will have the effect of enticing hotels to open up more availability, but in reality this may or may not happen. Note that the changes are not tied to a requirement to open up additional C&P availability, so very likely some hotels will increase availability, while others will not. My bet is that we will see less of an improvement than many expect (especially at properties that have traditionally been problematic).
#97
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA-1k, AA-EXP, SPG-Plat
Posts: 118
I dont see anything to celebrate here...
#98
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
My own income goes up every year. And so does the price of items in my retail stores. Yet less than 20% of *wood properties went "up in price" because of this change, and another 5% actually require fewer points.
All in all, I am pretty sure I will be able to find affordable hotel rooms in a year or three.
#99
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, AC Elite, Airmiles Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Posts: 785
How many hotels extra luxury went up? What's extra luxury -- only 7 or 6 too? Hotels go up and down all the time, lots of business area hotels -- who uses points to redeem there?
#100
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 168
This announcement is very disappointing and there's no way around it. There may be some folks who benefit, but far more are hurt by it. So many category 2 and 3 properties went up. Many of the "good deals" are now gone. Starwood also killed most of the airport properties, many of which had low redemption rates and were an important help during flight cancellations, etc.
In particular, some disappointments for me include all of the Massachusetts devaluations, especially Springfield and Boston Logan, Sheraton Lake Buena Vista was an excellent Disney option at category 2, and too many more to list here.
For those of us whose loyalty and public advocacy have allowed this "management company" called Starwood to grow and prosper in such wonderful ways, this massive devaluation is a real kick in the teeth.
SPG - I still love you, but I'm angry at you right now. Make it better!
_____________
Lurker - how about going up the chain with a suggestion to offer another Platinum 50% off points redemption promo to soften the blow?
In particular, some disappointments for me include all of the Massachusetts devaluations, especially Springfield and Boston Logan, Sheraton Lake Buena Vista was an excellent Disney option at category 2, and too many more to list here.
For those of us whose loyalty and public advocacy have allowed this "management company" called Starwood to grow and prosper in such wonderful ways, this massive devaluation is a real kick in the teeth.
SPG - I still love you, but I'm angry at you right now. Make it better!
_____________
Lurker - how about going up the chain with a suggestion to offer another Platinum 50% off points redemption promo to soften the blow?
Last edited by jrothenb; Feb 20, 2013 at 5:29 pm
#101
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
But, if it makes you feel better...
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
#102
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Starwood:Lifetime Platinum, Air Canada:Basic, Asiana:Lifetime Diamond Plus, ANA: Basic
Posts: 980
Sheraton Miyako is also one I freqent lots. Last year, they moved from 4 to 5 and I booked a bunch of X'mas reward stays before the switch. I'm glad they are heading back to 4.
#103
Join Date: May 1999
Location: YEG
Posts: 1,578
I went through the list. it's fine. I have no problem with it.
#104
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE, AA Plat, SPG Plat, HH Diamond, PC Plat Ambassador, Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Plat
Posts: 1,179
A year or two ago, this type of recategorization would have caused a firestorm of outrage on FT (regardless of whether this would have translated into any meaningful impacts in terms of stay frequency or loyalty). By any measure, it is a significant bump up in the cost of many properties (80% are going up while 20% are going down).
However, Starwood is blessed with good timing. This is not an "ordinary year" and it seems that everywhere you look benefits and rewards are being cut back or eliminated in frequent flyer and frequent stay programs. People are still reeling from the Marriott and Hilton changes, and Starwood looks tame in comparison. The current Starwood recategorization "sucks less" than the competition, and the current Starwood quarterly promo is competitive or in some cases marginally better than the competition. Starwood also has the distinction of being one of the few programs to provide additional benefits for high-valued guests last year with the implementation of Lifetime status and P50 / P75 / P100 categories.
As a result of being one of the better options in a sellers market, I have been steering a greater number of stays to Starwood this year and should hit the P100 level.
SG
However, Starwood is blessed with good timing. This is not an "ordinary year" and it seems that everywhere you look benefits and rewards are being cut back or eliminated in frequent flyer and frequent stay programs. People are still reeling from the Marriott and Hilton changes, and Starwood looks tame in comparison. The current Starwood recategorization "sucks less" than the competition, and the current Starwood quarterly promo is competitive or in some cases marginally better than the competition. Starwood also has the distinction of being one of the few programs to provide additional benefits for high-valued guests last year with the implementation of Lifetime status and P50 / P75 / P100 categories.
As a result of being one of the better options in a sellers market, I have been steering a greater number of stays to Starwood this year and should hit the P100 level.
SG
#105
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
I have 10 nights at the Westin Aruba for late March-April already booked on points, at 96k vs. 80k points. I clicked on the Westin Aruba website and it's not showing points availability.
How would this work? I can't cancel and rebook online.
How would this work? I can't cancel and rebook online.