SPG Gold lounge access or not?
May 14, 2017, 5:24 pm
#31
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Both the last Westin & the last W I stayed at didn't have a lounge, but I didn't want to extrapolate that to say none have lounges. However, AFAIK, the only brand that has lounges as brand standard w/ SPG is Sheraton. Whether it be W, Westin or LeM, it's just luck if they have them. But as noted MAR has more brands that do, which will certainly benefit SPG elites.
The dif btwn Plat re: MAR/SPG is that SPG offers free brekkie at all brands, including resorts. The resorts being the main key. Marriott is hit or miss w/ Plats at resorts (and it's REALLY a pet peeve by MAR elites). Other than resorts/RC, MAR Plats get free brekkie.
However, SPG does not offer brekkie to Golds, which Marriott does. That's actually been a very surprising & unwelcome surprise to MAR elites who have linked their accounts, stayed at SPG properties expecting lounge access, & then being told to 'talk to the hand'.
MAR Gold = 50 nights. SPG Gold = 10 stays or 25 nights. So it's not surprising MAR Gold elites are a bit of what the heck when they're denied lounge access at SPG properties, given it took 2x as many nights to get to Gold.
Cheers.
However, SPG does not offer brekkie to Golds, which Marriott does. That's actually been a very surprising & unwelcome surprise to MAR elites who have linked their accounts, stayed at SPG properties expecting lounge access, & then being told to 'talk to the hand'.
MAR Gold = 50 nights. SPG Gold = 10 stays or 25 nights. So it's not surprising MAR Gold elites are a bit of what the heck when they're denied lounge access at SPG properties, given it took 2x as many nights to get to Gold.
Cheers.
May 14, 2017, 6:59 pm
#32
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What W property has a lounge? That would be news to me as well.
May 14, 2017, 7:04 pm
#33
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OTOH many Westins do have lounges as well as some LCs (plus some LMs as mentioned above).
May 15, 2017, 6:33 am
#34
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Well, that's a huge difference...
Btw, it's rather telling that Marriott's top-notch brands are almost off-limits to MR Plats... no free bkfst, no elite recognition and no points for incidentals, room-rate only.
I can understand RC and EDITION owners not wanting the Courtyard hordes spending their hard-fought points at their properties, but the SPG crowd is much more diversified and expect to be welcomed at the top properties as well.
Btw, it's rather telling that Marriott's top-notch brands are almost off-limits to MR Plats... no free bkfst, no elite recognition and no points for incidentals, room-rate only.
I can understand RC and EDITION owners not wanting the Courtyard hordes spending their hard-fought points at their properties, but the SPG crowd is much more diversified and expect to be welcomed at the top properties as well.
May 15, 2017, 11:59 am
#36
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We're only glossing over it here, but those coming from Starwood to Marriott might be in for a shock the first time they visit a Marriott "resort." No elite benefits to speak of...other than the bonus points and *maybe* the bed/smoke guarantee.
No breakfast, no lounge, and in my experience almost never a substantial upgrade (not that this is a huge departure from non-resorts...
)
The resort exclusion is the single biggest thing that keeps me an active HHonors participant through the years.
No breakfast, no lounge, and in my experience almost never a substantial upgrade (not that this is a huge departure from non-resorts...
)The resort exclusion is the single biggest thing that keeps me an active HHonors participant through the years.
Jul 5, 2017, 10:29 am
#37
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You seem to be making an assumption here that the merged program will retain the SPG Gold requirement of 10 stays or 25 nights and not adopt the Marriott requirement of 50 nights. My guess is that full service Starwood hotels will be forced to bring their lounges up to the Marriott standard (which some already are) and that lounge access will be a perk for 50+ nights, whatever that level winds up being. 10 stays gets Marriott Silver, and I don't see Marriott flooding already crowded lounges by including Silvers, nor do I see giving such an expensive perk to those who stay as few as 10 nights. Enjoy lounge access for now while it's available through the crossover from SPG Gold to Marriott Gold, but I wouldn't plan on it for after this year.
Jul 5, 2017, 11:23 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2015
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I've gotten lounge access as a Gold member on three occasions:
One was out of the blue, but I think it was because a massive school group was staying there and they needed regular rooms for all the kids.
One was because the FD agent saw my SPG Amex and I think he assumed it was the business version (I didn't ask/try, he brought it up).
One was at a Sheraton that I have something like 12 nights at in the last year, so I think maybe that contributed. I've heard a FD agent remark something to the effect that the system actively identifies you as a returning guest and it may factor into things to some degree.
Many, many other Gold stays with nothing to show for it.
One was out of the blue, but I think it was because a massive school group was staying there and they needed regular rooms for all the kids.
One was because the FD agent saw my SPG Amex and I think he assumed it was the business version (I didn't ask/try, he brought it up).
One was at a Sheraton that I have something like 12 nights at in the last year, so I think maybe that contributed. I've heard a FD agent remark something to the effect that the system actively identifies you as a returning guest and it may factor into things to some degree.
Many, many other Gold stays with nothing to show for it.
Jul 5, 2017, 12:00 pm
#39
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While some LCs do have lounges, lounge access is not a guaranteed benefit for any SPG elite. That said, the one LC I stayed at with a lounge always provided lounge access, with great food options and complimentary wine and beer.
Jul 5, 2017, 2:58 pm
#40
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Jul 5, 2017, 3:17 pm
#41
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Apr 18, 2018, 3:17 pm
#42
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I am thinking of booking a Sheraton in Kona, HI for early June. I am currently a MR Gold Elite. After August 1, 2018, I will be a Platinum for the new MR program. Has there been any change to the lounge access rule at SPG properties for MR Gold Elite. I am asking this because there has been no new post in this thread since July 5, 2017.
Apr 18, 2018, 4:57 pm
#43
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I am thinking of booking a Sheraton in Kona, HI for early June. I am currently a MR Gold Elite. After August 1, 2018, I will be a Platinum for the new MR program. Has there been any change to the lounge access rule at SPG properties for MR Gold Elite. I am asking this because there has been no new post in this thread since July 5, 2017.
Jul 14, 2018, 5:28 am
#44
Join Date: Jul 2018
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Lounge access policies have been changed recently and hotel staff are not all aware
I recently linked my MR and SPG and got SPG Gold based on my MR Lifetime Gold. The SPG rep on the phone told me that lounge access was included for Golds and I made a Sheraton reservation. Today I called the hotel to confirm lounge access and they said that its only for Plats. I looked into the Gold benefits on SPG website and it doesnt list lounge access.
I am just annoyed that why I was given wrong info by the SPG rep? I couldve made a Marriott reservation at that time but decided to try Sheraton instead. Any advice if they'll match the Marriott Gold benefit of lounge access?
I am just annoyed that why I was given wrong info by the SPG rep? I couldve made a Marriott reservation at that time but decided to try Sheraton instead. Any advice if they'll match the Marriott Gold benefit of lounge access?
Jul 14, 2018, 3:31 pm
#45
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