Oct 15, 2014, 2:07 am
New SPG website design, launched 15 Oct 2014
Oct 16, 2014, 2:58 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,010
It is kind of bizarre, but Starwood has always hosted its images at Akamai or other ad-based sites rather than their own website. And as most ad-blockers block Akamai, and most corporate PC's use an ad-blocker, that means that most corporate workers cannot see the images at SPG.com. I complained about this long ago, but was told here that its just the way it is and they are not going to change. I guess there must be some reason, but I think it is self-defeating.
Yep - it's a filter thing - looks fine in IE. Ghostery tells me there are 9 different trackers on the page, so I guess I'll figure out what loads what, and then figure out whether some color is worth being tracked.
EDIT - it's "Atlas - Advertising, Cookie Respawning". I'm not sure I want to be respawned, so maybe I'll enjoy the whitespace.
Oct 17, 2014, 12:58 am
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I can scroll down and see points, YTD stays/nights, upcoming stay, etc., etc., but all below a big empty space. Note on the right of the screen shot, it scrolls down about 5 more screeens worth - just nothing at the top.
Yep - it's a filter thing - looks fine in IE. Ghostery tells me there are 9 different trackers on the page, so I guess I'll figure out what loads what, and then figure out whether some color is worth being tracked.
EDIT - it's "Atlas - Advertising, Cookie Respawning". I'm not sure I want to be respawned, so maybe I'll enjoy the whitespace.
Yep - it's a filter thing - looks fine in IE. Ghostery tells me there are 9 different trackers on the page, so I guess I'll figure out what loads what, and then figure out whether some color is worth being tracked.
EDIT - it's "Atlas - Advertising, Cookie Respawning". I'm not sure I want to be respawned, so maybe I'll enjoy the whitespace.
And you are right, you don't want your cookies respawned. Sounds gross!
Here's an short study on the subject. http://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/ar...espawning.html
Oct 17, 2014, 3:49 am
#79
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Overnight, the name on the opening page has changed from "Mr./Mrs." to "First Name/Last Name". A positive!
Oct 17, 2014, 4:08 am
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Yes! And some more changes. The customer support page selection bar for country now displays the correct number, at least for France. And they have removed the telephone number from the My Stays page. However when I click on my name from the home page, and the menu drops down showing "Manage my account" etc., it still shows the US telephone number.
And I don't know if Starwood should display the numbers for the Gold and Platinum line to the whole world? No matter what country I choose, even the US, it shows the Preferred, Gold and Platinum telephone numbers.
And I don't know if Starwood should display the numbers for the Gold and Platinum line to the whole world? No matter what country I choose, even the US, it shows the Preferred, Gold and Platinum telephone numbers.
Oct 17, 2014, 4:33 am
#81
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,034
Oct 17, 2014, 10:21 am
#82
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHX
Posts: 623
I really do not get why so many companies are putting out just downright awful user interfaces. What's the rationale for cluttering everything with useless boxes on the screen? Why require the user to click through 8 times to find information that should be front and center upon logging on?
The old spg.com was one of my favorite websites. I spent a lot of time on it searching for hotels, room types, deals, etc. This new interface is such a turn off that I find myself logging out after taking care of the bare minimum essential stuff in a couple of minutes.
Oct 17, 2014, 2:44 pm
#83
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1P, SPG Plat
Posts: 162
I do like in the Starpoints activity that it shows more details on what properties are posting which stays/nights. Now chasing down missing nights/stays is easier.
Oct 17, 2014, 7:57 pm
#84
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: SPG,HH,IHG
Posts: 786
Security issue at login
Auto checked box at "save for next visit "
I's not safe
Auto checked box at "save for next visit "
I's not safe
Last edited by nongsom; Oct 17, 2014 at 8:11 pm
Oct 18, 2014, 6:43 am
#85
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: MCY
Programs: AAdvantage, QFF, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 448
Oct 18, 2014, 8:17 am
#86
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BNA
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Bonvoy Plat, HHonors Diamond, DL Gold
Posts: 383
The new SPG website looks great. It has a refreshed look. That is great until.. one tries to navigate. Wow, the new web site sure is slow. When I visit the SPG site, I am looking for information, to confirm or edit information, or to conduct a transaction. The new web site seems too busy. At this time, the new changes don't seem completely worth it. Although the previous site wasn't perfect, I prefer the old one to the new one.
Oct 18, 2014, 10:34 am
#87
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BNA
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Bonvoy Plat, HHonors Diamond, DL Gold
Posts: 383
Oh by the way.. there is a very creepy feature from the new SPG web site. If signed in and researching rates for a particular location, an email from Starwood will follow, with a subject "There's still time to finish your booking for xxx".
The email then states with a comment "Come back to complete your booking. Our Best Guarantee is waiting". This is followed by a button link to "Complete Booking".
The message than follows with "It looks like you left without completing your booking. You will always get the best available rate at Starwood Hotels when you book on our sites, and earn StarpointsŪ for your stay."
These emails are offensive. It is like Starwood is recording every action while one is logged in (I'm sure previous web sites did this too), and sending messages based on one's navigation. I find Email messages like this an invasion of privacy. This is not a promotional email, and I still want to receive notification on promotions. How does one make these messages stop other than to never login for research?
The email then states with a comment "Come back to complete your booking. Our Best Guarantee is waiting". This is followed by a button link to "Complete Booking".
The message than follows with "It looks like you left without completing your booking. You will always get the best available rate at Starwood Hotels when you book on our sites, and earn StarpointsŪ for your stay."
These emails are offensive. It is like Starwood is recording every action while one is logged in (I'm sure previous web sites did this too), and sending messages based on one's navigation. I find Email messages like this an invasion of privacy. This is not a promotional email, and I still want to receive notification on promotions. How does one make these messages stop other than to never login for research?
Oct 18, 2014, 11:49 am
#88
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
At least the "Mr./Mrs." problem has gone away for me, and the homepage now just shows my entire name.
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
Oct 18, 2014, 12:00 pm
#89
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,134
William and other Lurkers, it may be a good idea to have StarwoodUX post in here about the new features, design logic, etc. of the website... *hint* *hint*
Oct 19, 2014, 1:44 am
#90
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
The only "logic" here is to make it touch-screen friendly as if everyone in the world is using touch-screen now. Another "logic" is to make it look like an app rather than a traditional website, because well, "app is all the thrills" nowadays. Looks like SPG caught the Microsoft bug - create something exclusively with the mentality of touch screen users and app feel (the travesty known as Windows 8)