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 25, 2015, 8:48 pm
#76
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
SF Bay Area just got hammered with this one...
Feb 25, 2015, 9:11 pm
#77
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
Then 2 Tampa Sheratons going 2>3 is pretty devastating for us. At 2 cents a point, this equates to $140 a night. After spending 10-15 nights this year at both (total), there is no way either is worth a Category 3 level. It looks like I'll be back to my Lifetime Gold status in 2016 
The ONLY good news in Florida is that the Sheraton LBV by Disney stays a 2 and is probably the biggest bargain around. I would have bet that one would have gone up
The ONLY good news in Florida is that the Sheraton LBV by Disney stays a 2 and is probably the biggest bargain around. I would have bet that one would have gone up
Feb 25, 2015, 10:53 pm
#78
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YUL
Programs: SPG lifetime Platinum, Air Canada Super Elite, Priority Club Platinum Elite,
Posts: 44
Does anyone know exactly how this is decided?
I agree about the Four Points Revere, total disaster. The neighbourhood is so sketchy and there are always mangy hookers all over the property.
I agree about the Four Points Revere, total disaster. The neighbourhood is so sketchy and there are always mangy hookers all over the property.
Feb 26, 2015, 7:31 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,008
Feb 26, 2015, 7:36 am
#80
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Feb 26, 2015, 10:27 am
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,352
I've used the Sheraton Madison as a place to fill out my 25 stays the last 2 years. Seeing it go from a 2 to a 3 means I'll need to work harder to make this happen earlier this year with revenue stays.
No big surprise at the jump, though -- the rates can many times be higher than I'm willing to pay for a mattress run.
No big surprise at the jump, though -- the rates can many times be higher than I'm willing to pay for a mattress run.
Feb 26, 2015, 10:42 am
#82
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Couldn't you book now for later in the year and cancel if not required?
Feb 26, 2015, 10:51 am
#83
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Starwoods/ Marriott Life Time Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, and HP
Posts: 823
Feb 26, 2015, 10:56 am
#84
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,352
Feb 27, 2015, 12:03 am
#85
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 50
If I want to stay at a Sheraton next Feb, and that property is going up a category, but I don't know if I'll stay 1, 2, or 3 nights. How should I book that? I know for sure I'll stay one night, but it might be 2 or 3 as well. Should I book each night individually and cancel the ones I don't need? Or book each (1 night, 2 nights, 3 nights) separately and cancel the two reservations I don't need?
Feb 27, 2015, 12:14 am
#86
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: AA, BA, SPG Gold
Posts: 665
If I book a property with points that is going up a category will I lock in the old points or do they automatically charge the new point rate?
Feb 27, 2015, 12:25 am
#87
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Feb 27, 2015, 12:56 am
#88
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
If I want to stay at a Sheraton next Feb, and that property is going up a category, but I don't know if I'll stay 1, 2, or 3 nights. How should I book that? I know for sure I'll stay one night, but it might be 2 or 3 as well. Should I book each night individually and cancel the ones I don't need? Or book each (1 night, 2 nights, 3 nights) separately and cancel the two reservations I don't need?
Feb 27, 2015, 2:45 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,967
I think some hotels might zero out availability before the new level to prevent people from booking under the new rate...
Also, interesting enough...a hotel I use only had full point redemption for later this year when I checked the last few months. Now, it is showing cash+points. My guess is maybe the hotel hoped to go up a category. It did not work so they opened everything up...
Also, interesting enough...a hotel I use only had full point redemption for later this year when I checked the last few months. Now, it is showing cash+points. My guess is maybe the hotel hoped to go up a category. It did not work so they opened everything up...
Feb 27, 2015, 5:58 am
#90
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
Boy....after looking at the changes at MR I am really happy with the overall SPG changes!