Mar 10, 2015, 4:40 pm
Last edit by: daiseee
When did the 2015 Starwood hotel category changes go into effect?
The changes took effect on March 10.
What's the breakdown of properties going up/down?Based on the initial list of changes--see below for more on this--22% of hotels are changing category. Of these, 10.49% are moving up and 11.78% are moving down.
Where can I find the list of changes?The initial list can be found here.
Note that the initial list is not final or authoritative, and that additional changes (or even reversal of changes proposed in the initial list) have been made & may continue to occur. To date, these include
I booked a property before the category went up, but a) now my online reservation prices my stay at the higher category and/or b) I'm getting followup emails showing the higher rate? Is this problem?Note that the initial list is not final or authoritative, and that additional changes (or even reversal of changes proposed in the initial list) have been made & may continue to occur. To date, these include
- The Royal Palm going up to 6
- Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa going up to 3
- W Bangkok remaining 4
- Le Méridien Taipei remaining 6
- Sheraton Mahwah remaining 4
- Heathrow Sheraton remaining 3
- Westin LAX remaining 4
- Le Westin Montreal remaining 5
- Aloft Buffalo Airport going down to 2
- Aloft Tampa Downtown going down to 3
- Sheraton Gran Canaria going up to 4
As explained in post #118,
there is often a system-generated change that makes it look like the price will go up when checking reservations online and on any reservation confirmation emails for existing bookings that are re-sent after the change takes place. You will be charged what you booked originally, however.
Announcing SPG’s 2015 Category Changes : effective March 10, 2015
Feb 23, 2015, 1:13 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2
The only limitation on this might be the availability of award rooms. Check for award availability after the changes go through. If available, re-book the stay, then cancel the old one.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Perfect, thank you!
Feb 23, 2015, 1:23 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11
If I have a 5 night stay checking in on 3/9/15 at a hotel that is going down in categories, is there anything I can do?
Feb 23, 2015, 1:26 pm
#18
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
THanks for the advance notice. Obviously, I can only speak for me...but for the first time in years the changes work out favorably for my travel patterns!
Feb 23, 2015, 1:28 pm
#19
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
surprised to see the sheraton new delhi go down a category....great value as a cat 2....
Feb 23, 2015, 1:33 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
You would have to divide up the stay and hope there is still a room available booking it on the 10th in coordination with the points change effective date. This would negate the benefit of the 5th night free so may not be worth it.
Feb 23, 2015, 2:02 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PA
Programs: Platinum SPG, Marriott Platinum, United 1K, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum,
Posts: 128
These changes are positive for my travel patterns. Thanks for posting and as always, FT is once again well ahead in timely reporting.
Feb 23, 2015, 2:10 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
Posts: 1,778
Feb 23, 2015, 2:13 pm
#23
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,917
Happy to see the W Opera going down to cat 6 (and the St Regis Rome as well). Happy also to see some cat2 in Quebec.
The worst increases are in California.
Not a big deal but : Four Points by Sheraton Boston Logan Airport - 3 to 4 - seriously ???
The worst increases are in California.
Not a big deal but : Four Points by Sheraton Boston Logan Airport - 3 to 4 - seriously ???
Last edited by Yul_voyager; Feb 23, 2015 at 2:23 pm
Feb 23, 2015, 2:17 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
Re increases:
The Palace Hotel in SF going up to a Cat 6 is surprising. I've stayed there and nothing about it screams Cat 6 to me.
Sad the Royal Athenee is going up to Cat 4... on the other hand, since rates are usually reasonable perhaps this means more upgrade possibilities as award people shift stays away.
Re cuts:
Glad to see the Sheraton Towers Singapore come down into Cat 4. Might be time for a visit.
Nice to see the Hotel National in Moscow come down to Cat 5, but with the Ruble drop it really should've gone two steps to Cat 4.
For those that haven't stayed... the Villarrica Park Hotel in Chile is a OK deal at a Cat 4 now... beautiful area in the Lakes District of Chile (volcanoes, lakes and hikes).
Uruguay 4P drop to Cat 2 is wonderful. Was planning on staying there right about March 10... with rates in the $150 USD range... award nights here I come
Hope I can scoop up an award room with only a few days notice!
The Palace Hotel in SF going up to a Cat 6 is surprising. I've stayed there and nothing about it screams Cat 6 to me.
Sad the Royal Athenee is going up to Cat 4... on the other hand, since rates are usually reasonable perhaps this means more upgrade possibilities as award people shift stays away.
Re cuts:
Glad to see the Sheraton Towers Singapore come down into Cat 4. Might be time for a visit.
Nice to see the Hotel National in Moscow come down to Cat 5, but with the Ruble drop it really should've gone two steps to Cat 4.
For those that haven't stayed... the Villarrica Park Hotel in Chile is a OK deal at a Cat 4 now... beautiful area in the Lakes District of Chile (volcanoes, lakes and hikes).
Uruguay 4P drop to Cat 2 is wonderful. Was planning on staying there right about March 10... with rates in the $150 USD range... award nights here I come
Hope I can scoop up an award room with only a few days notice!
Last edited by TravelinSperry; Feb 23, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Feb 23, 2015, 2:36 pm
#25
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ECP
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 1,658
ETA: I'm anxious to see how the move to Cat 7 affects award space at StR Punta Mita. They're clearly playing games with their inventory now, and it's disappointing for the credibility of the program--particularly since astute posters here have alerted the Lurker team as to exactly how they're doing it, too...
Feb 23, 2015, 2:41 pm
#26
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: YUL-YQB-BTV
Programs: SPG-Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,345
Feb 23, 2015, 2:44 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
Sheraton Four Points Philadelphia City Center
The biggest surprise for me is the Four Points PHL City Center going up one cat. from 3 to 4.
FYI, this property is pretty run down and the city of brotherly love offers many better alternatives.............
FYI, this property is pretty run down and the city of brotherly love offers many better alternatives.............
Feb 23, 2015, 2:47 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Happy to see LM Budapest go from 4 to 3. Will be there in April and no brainer to spend 7000 pts/night instead of 127 Euros + 22% tax! 
Feb 23, 2015, 2:52 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: YUL-YQB-BTV
Programs: SPG-Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,345
All in all...nothing to complain...
After reviewing my travel patterns and the ups and downs of the list, it's a winning situation for me. One more reason to stay loyal to SPG!^
Feb 23, 2015, 3:03 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Plano, TX, USA
Programs: AA: PPro, 4MM; HH: Lifetime Diamond; MAR Life Titanium Hertz: Prez Circle
Posts: 547
And is this where I whine about the stay I have from Mar 8-11 in a property going down in points?