Surprise for staying at all 9 spg brands
Mar 31, 2013, 7:05 am
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,772
Can there be a better way of alienating your regular customers than to sneak in some "award" for something one has no clue is happening? And of course, for those who live in parts of the world where all brands are not present only skews this further. Stealth may be fine in war but it sucks in the marketing world! If you're having a promotion, let us know about it!
It seems of the big chains only SPG has lottery style benefits
Mar 31, 2013, 7:58 am
#62
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
Now if they could only make their W Acura experience more like TV's "Cash Cab"... 
Mar 31, 2013, 8:52 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,074
I'll only ever get 8, as my employer does not let us stay at St. Regis' (or Ritz Carlton, etc...) because of "optics," and most St. Regis are out of my price range for leisure stays, but the reward is still cool.
Gotta say, I actually like these "surprise" moments from Starwood. It makes me wonder if I'll ever be a recipient of something (in a good way) and it's really cool to think that months after a stay you might get a gift for something you didn't even know you were doing.
Gotta say, I actually like these "surprise" moments from Starwood. It makes me wonder if I'll ever be a recipient of something (in a good way) and it's really cool to think that months after a stay you might get a gift for something you didn't even know you were doing.
Mar 31, 2013, 9:21 am
#64
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hilton Gold, RA, QF Gold, UA 1K
Posts: 308
Surprise for staying at all 9 spg brands
I had some SPG stays planned for this year... After seeing this thread, I included elements, aloft and four points.... Hopefully it pays off otherwise they are useful for stay credit anyway...
Mar 31, 2013, 10:19 am
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
Can there be a better way of alienating your regular customers than to sneak in some "award" for something one has no clue is happening? And of course, for those who live in parts of the world where all brands are not present only skews this further. Stealth may be fine in war but it sucks in the marketing world! If you're having a promotion, let us know about it!
Mar 31, 2013, 10:44 am
#66
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Uh no.......sorry please wake up from your dream.
BTW I really like the random awards. After all those are the most special when you don't think you will get something, it is just your normal patter or behavior and you are thus rewarded. Don't see anything wrong with it at all.^
BTW I really like the random awards. After all those are the most special when you don't think you will get something, it is just your normal patter or behavior and you are thus rewarded. Don't see anything wrong with it at all.^
Mar 31, 2013, 1:08 pm
#67
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NAPA
Programs: MARRIOTT LIFETIME TITANIUM ELITE, HYATT LIFETIME GLOBALIST, UAL SILVER, AA EXECUTIVE PLATINUM
Posts: 476
Can there be a better way of alienating your regular customers than to sneak in some "award" for something one has no clue is happening? And of course, for those who live in parts of the world where all brands are not present only skews this further. Stealth may be fine in war but it sucks in the marketing world! If you're having a promotion, let us know about it!
I disagree as well. I think rewarding those who hit all 9 brands without expecting anything was a great idea.
Had it been published the number of people hitting this milestone would have increased exponentially and the reward would never have been as rich.
Mar 31, 2013, 3:26 pm
#68
Used to be RichardKopf
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: SPG LTP/IHG Pl/Hilton D/Shang-Taj D/VA Plat/QFClub/Hertz Pres/Avis Pres
Posts: 932
Would all those who like surprises also prefer if there were no T&C to the SPG program? Then very stay would be a surprise.
. Little surprises are only worthwhile if every elite member receives one sometimes. Otherwise, someone will be envious and upset.
Mar 31, 2013, 4:42 pm
#69
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: BKK, TPE, MIA, MUC
Programs: SPG Plat Lifetime, CX Diamond, LH SEN, TK Elite / *A Gold
Posts: 262
Great idea from SPG.
BUT, the element of "Element" stinks in this equation - big time. Since these are non-existent either in Europe or Asia many people (including me) are not able to make that. Otherwise I hit the other 8/9 pretty hard every year. Needless to say, I would love to get chocolates and free nights...
Mar 31, 2013, 5:34 pm
#70
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
Pretty cool thing. I like the idea of random gifts (linked to loyal behavior), though I do hear the concerns of SPG loyals who really didn't have a fighting chance.
Mar 31, 2013, 7:25 pm
#71
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: Kimpton IC, Hyatt Diamond, Gold Marriott, Lifetime Platinum Starwood
Posts: 8,665
Congratulations to the OP - nice promo.
I agree with others that the continual "secret" promos that SPG continues to have (I had 100 nights last year with SPG but due to their lack of anything special shown I have <10 with them this year and 100+ with Hyatt). Not sure that this type of promo makes folks who are loyal and go out of their way to stay with Starwood encourages behavior in the future that generates revenue; I would think it's probably the opposite in the long run.
I agree with others that the continual "secret" promos that SPG continues to have (I had 100 nights last year with SPG but due to their lack of anything special shown I have <10 with them this year and 100+ with Hyatt). Not sure that this type of promo makes folks who are loyal and go out of their way to stay with Starwood encourages behavior in the future that generates revenue; I would think it's probably the opposite in the long run.
Last edited by ldsant; Mar 31, 2013 at 7:34 pm
Mar 31, 2013, 8:10 pm
#72
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
^
Great idea from SPG.
BUT, the element of "Element" stinks in this equation - big time. Since these are non-existent either in Europe or Asia many people (including me) are not able to make that. Otherwise I hit the other 8/9 pretty hard every year. Needless to say, I would love to get chocolates and free nights...
Great idea from SPG.
BUT, the element of "Element" stinks in this equation - big time. Since these are non-existent either in Europe or Asia many people (including me) are not able to make that. Otherwise I hit the other 8/9 pretty hard every year. Needless to say, I would love to get chocolates and free nights...
Some are only good for non-U.S. travel.
Mar 31, 2013, 10:05 pm
#73
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
I am one that just missed out because I didn't stay at an Element. But, I am happy for the people got it and glad to see SPG is rewarding people for things.
Mar 31, 2013, 10:06 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
International SPG members get something for 8 of 9
Wow International SPG members check your SPG accounts. I just got 2 Free Nights in my account since last week and today I received the chocolates! BUT______ for only 8 of the 9. No Element, as there is none internationally I don't think. Great move by SPG. The 9th chcocolate just has an SPG box, not Element.
I'll take a picture and post shortly. This is a great compromise that SPG has done. I think it took an extra few days to mail the chocolates to me here in Saudi Arabia. Well done and thank you SPG. ^
I'll take a picture and post shortly. This is a great compromise that SPG has done. I think it took an extra few days to mail the chocolates to me here in Saudi Arabia. Well done and thank you SPG. ^
Mar 31, 2013, 11:13 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
Wow International SPG members check your SPG accounts. I just got 2 Free Nights in my account since last week and today I received the chocolates! BUT______ for only 8 of the 9. No Element, as there is none internationally I don't think. Great move by SPG. The 9th chcocolate just has an SPG box, not Element.
I'll take a picture and post shortly. This is a great compromise that SPG has done. I think it took an extra few days to mail the chocolates to me here in Saudi Arabia. Well done and thank you SPG. ^
I'll take a picture and post shortly. This is a great compromise that SPG has done. I think it took an extra few days to mail the chocolates to me here in Saudi Arabia. Well done and thank you SPG. ^