Feb 19, 2016, 8:27 am
Last edit by: Oxon Flyer
The 2016 SPG Redemption category changes, effective 1 March 2016, are here:
http://spgpromos.com/2016categorychange
Please note that this list is preliminary and that category adjustments are always subject to change and further adjustments may be made before or after the category change date, March 1, 2016.
Update : the category change data referred to in the above link has now been removed from the website. This thread post captured the information before it was removed.
http://spgpromos.com/2016categorychange
Please note that this list is preliminary and that category adjustments are always subject to change and further adjustments may be made before or after the category change date, March 1, 2016.
Update : the category change data referred to in the above link has now been removed from the website. This thread post captured the information before it was removed.
Announcing SPG’s 2016 Category Changes : Effective 1 March 2016
Feb 29, 2016, 8:39 pm
#151
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
I'm also trying to book right now (at the Le Meridien San Francisco). SPG.com is showing the new rate (20k/night), but the Platinum line CSR was just able to lock in the old rate (12k/night). ^
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
Feb 29, 2016, 9:32 pm
#152
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ PPS, OZ Gold, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Platinum, IHG Diamond
Posts: 174
Sheraton Miyako Osaka is quietly changing from category 2 to category 3. It is not in the list! 
Feb 29, 2016, 10:17 pm
#153
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: YVR, HKG
Programs: SPG, Nexus, Aeroplan, AMEX MR, BA Avios
Posts: 108
Feb 29, 2016, 10:24 pm
#154
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Greenacres,WA
Programs: Marriott Plat; Hyatt Globalist ; National Exe; Avis Preferred; Delta Diamond
Posts: 431
The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician went up to a 7 and I didnt see it on the list. Thankfully I had booked this morning, noticed the change after 6pm PST
Feb 29, 2016, 11:26 pm
#155
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,714
Based on my experience trying to book multiple hotels, there seem to be at least 2 separate issues.
1) hotels are changing to the new category based on the timezone of the hotel. So hotels in Australia and Asia were already in effect this morning. CSRs are not able to override this (at least my CSR and supervisor weren't), though it's possible they might be able to after a software update.
2. there is a separate issue going on with the leap year, where every hotel is showing the new (Mar 1) rate online, regardless of whether the rate is in effect. CSRs are able to override this (at least mine was), as long as the hotel time isn't Mar 1 yet.
I find #1 utterly unacceptable. Maybe I missed it, but I saw no announcement that the cutover time was based on local time and not a central time (like EST). They are making a special request to the hotel to honor the old rate. They'd better.
1) hotels are changing to the new category based on the timezone of the hotel. So hotels in Australia and Asia were already in effect this morning. CSRs are not able to override this (at least my CSR and supervisor weren't), though it's possible they might be able to after a software update.
2. there is a separate issue going on with the leap year, where every hotel is showing the new (Mar 1) rate online, regardless of whether the rate is in effect. CSRs are able to override this (at least mine was), as long as the hotel time isn't Mar 1 yet.
I find #1 utterly unacceptable. Maybe I missed it, but I saw no announcement that the cutover time was based on local time and not a central time (like EST). They are making a special request to the hotel to honor the old rate. They'd better.
Mar 1, 2016, 12:38 am
#156
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
It probably didn't make the cut off date for the publication.
Mar 1, 2016, 12:41 am
#157
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Based on my experience trying to book multiple hotels, there seem to be at least 2 separate issues.
1) hotels are changing to the new category based on the timezone of the hotel. So hotels in Australia and Asia were already in effect this morning. CSRs are not able to override this (at least my CSR and supervisor weren't), though it's possible they might be able to after a software update.
2. there is a separate issue going on with the leap year, where every hotel is showing the new (Mar 1) rate online, regardless of whether the rate is in effect. CSRs are able to override this (at least mine was), as long as the hotel time isn't Mar 1 yet.
I find #1 utterly unacceptable. Maybe I missed it, but I saw no announcement that the cutover time was based on local time and not a central time (like EST). They are making a special request to the hotel to honor the old rate. They'd better.
1) hotels are changing to the new category based on the timezone of the hotel. So hotels in Australia and Asia were already in effect this morning. CSRs are not able to override this (at least my CSR and supervisor weren't), though it's possible they might be able to after a software update.
2. there is a separate issue going on with the leap year, where every hotel is showing the new (Mar 1) rate online, regardless of whether the rate is in effect. CSRs are able to override this (at least mine was), as long as the hotel time isn't Mar 1 yet.
I find #1 utterly unacceptable. Maybe I missed it, but I saw no announcement that the cutover time was based on local time and not a central time (like EST). They are making a special request to the hotel to honor the old rate. They'd better.
Mar 1, 2016, 12:57 am
#158
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
On the upside, LM Vienna is still at Cat 4, not Cat 5.
Mar 1, 2016, 1:14 am
#159
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,232
this change will upset most flyertalkers.
SGS in Bangkok is now cat 5.
SGS in Bangkok is now cat 5.
Mar 1, 2016, 1:22 am
#160
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
all design hotels that have joined spg so far are bookable using points now....
Mar 1, 2016, 1:38 am
#161
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Mar 1, 2016, 1:43 am
#163
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
Mar 1, 2016, 4:39 am
#164
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,232
Mar 1, 2016, 6:21 am
#165
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 558
Westin Beaver Creek just jumped from 72K for a 1 week stay to 120K for a 1 week stay - a 66% increase in the point cost. Or a redemption value drop from 7.1 cpp to 4.3 cpp.
I know its all a game, but I seriously have a problem with these programs being able to give/sell/reward you points under one set of terms and conditions, and then being able to effectively cut the value in half whenever they want.
Yes I know... "where else can you get 4.3cpp" blah blah blah. Sometimes its the principle of the thing.
I know its all a game, but I seriously have a problem with these programs being able to give/sell/reward you points under one set of terms and conditions, and then being able to effectively cut the value in half whenever they want.
Yes I know... "where else can you get 4.3cpp" blah blah blah. Sometimes its the principle of the thing.