Starwood program not worth trying vs. Marriott
Oct 11, 2017, 10:00 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: Free Agent! B6 Mosaic, AA 5MM LT Plat (EXP gone), SPG LT Plat, WN APlus, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 325
[snipped]
4. Breakfast at CY Marriott is not included but Aloft hotels has the worst food and beverage of any mid-range hotel. All heated up junk. Also if you want breakfast it will never be a full breakfast at SPG and will take the place of your check in points making the earn and burn even worse.
4. Breakfast at CY Marriott is not included but Aloft hotels has the worst food and beverage of any mid-range hotel. All heated up junk. Also if you want breakfast it will never be a full breakfast at SPG and will take the place of your check in points making the earn and burn even worse.
I've been comped the breakfast buffet at the Westin Tokyo every stay as a Plat, outstanding start to the day.
I will admit that the Marriott Park Lane was on a par with it, also comped as a Plat.
And aloft breakfasts aren't reheated as far as I can tell, they are actually pretty decent. Certainly comparable to a CY.
Oct 11, 2017, 10:11 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,786
I really hope OP spreads his message about how spg is bad to all his MaRiot loyal friends 
^
^
Oct 11, 2017, 10:14 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,755
Starwood is a terrible program. It is a fact that the earn and burn it bad and the customer service stinks the big one:
1. 3 points per dollar is weak whe you consider category 1 hotels start at 3,000 points. $1000 spend - a free night. At Marriott you get 15 points per dollar as a plat and free nights start at 7500. That means $500 in spend earns a free night. As you go up the category chain Marriott always makes more sense.
2. There are no Starwood hotels...good luck finding one in rural areas.
3. Promos stink and they will BITE you when you find out the hotel you stayed in doesn't participate. Marriott promos all hotels participate.
4. Breakfast at CY Marriott is not included but Aloft hotels has the worst food and beverage of any mid-range hotel. All heated up junk. Also if you want breakfast it will never be a full breakfast at SPG and will take the place of your check in points making the earn and burn even worse.
5. Calling SPG over the phone has been a disaster. Helpless people who have no common sense or are not empowered. I usually hang up with SPG wondering what happened.
6. I never find SPG properties are a good value for the money.
1. 3 points per dollar is weak whe you consider category 1 hotels start at 3,000 points. $1000 spend - a free night. At Marriott you get 15 points per dollar as a plat and free nights start at 7500. That means $500 in spend earns a free night. As you go up the category chain Marriott always makes more sense.
2. There are no Starwood hotels...good luck finding one in rural areas.
3. Promos stink and they will BITE you when you find out the hotel you stayed in doesn't participate. Marriott promos all hotels participate.
4. Breakfast at CY Marriott is not included but Aloft hotels has the worst food and beverage of any mid-range hotel. All heated up junk. Also if you want breakfast it will never be a full breakfast at SPG and will take the place of your check in points making the earn and burn even worse.
5. Calling SPG over the phone has been a disaster. Helpless people who have no common sense or are not empowered. I usually hang up with SPG wondering what happened.
6. I never find SPG properties are a good value for the money.
Oct 11, 2017, 10:59 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Starwood is a terrible program. It is a fact that the earn and burn it bad and the customer service stinks the big one:
1. 3 points per dollar is weak whe you consider category 1 hotels start at 3,000 points. $1000 spend - a free night. At Marriott you get 15 points per dollar as a plat and free nights start at 7500. That means $500 in spend earns a free night. As you go up the category chain Marriott always makes more sense.
2. There are no Starwood hotels...good luck finding one in rural areas.
3. Promos stink and they will BITE you when you find out the hotel you stayed in doesn't participate. Marriott promos all hotels participate.
4. Breakfast at CY Marriott is not included but Aloft hotels has the worst food and beverage of any mid-range hotel. All heated up junk. Also if you want breakfast it will never be a full breakfast at SPG and will take the place of your check in points making the earn and burn even worse.
5. Calling SPG over the phone has been a disaster. Helpless people who have no common sense or are not empowered. I usually hang up with SPG wondering what happened.
6. I never find SPG properties are a good value for the money.
1. 3 points per dollar is weak whe you consider category 1 hotels start at 3,000 points. $1000 spend - a free night. At Marriott you get 15 points per dollar as a plat and free nights start at 7500. That means $500 in spend earns a free night. As you go up the category chain Marriott always makes more sense.
2. There are no Starwood hotels...good luck finding one in rural areas.
3. Promos stink and they will BITE you when you find out the hotel you stayed in doesn't participate. Marriott promos all hotels participate.
4. Breakfast at CY Marriott is not included but Aloft hotels has the worst food and beverage of any mid-range hotel. All heated up junk. Also if you want breakfast it will never be a full breakfast at SPG and will take the place of your check in points making the earn and burn even worse.
5. Calling SPG over the phone has been a disaster. Helpless people who have no common sense or are not empowered. I usually hang up with SPG wondering what happened.
6. I never find SPG properties are a good value for the money.
Oct 11, 2017, 11:13 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
As a multi-year Marriott Plat Premier with 100 nights this year at legacy Marriott properties and 20 nights this year at SPG properties, I don't share your assessment. I certainly wouldn't base that assessment on a single issue with a conference stay where you're not earning points (I've been meaning to start a thread on that issue in the Marriott forum on a Marriott experience).
I know several former SPG executives and they were very visionary. SPG has some great properties ... just didn't have enough or enough middle grade properties to keep the investment community happy.
The program isn't bad ... its just different.
SPG desk agents (except at some W's) think they are supposed to upgrade me to suites. Marriott desk agents think they are doing me a favor. My upgrade rate is about the same at both. That's a wash.
Marriott is good on having lounges which works for me since I usually just need coffee/etc for breakfast. Plus they give me a $10 voucher which buys me a beer. SPG gives a free breakfast in lieu of points. Advantage Marriott.
Marriott has more places when you're in small towns. Advantage Marriott.
SPG has more cool aspirational places that I don't go to very often. Advantage Starwood.
Complications on earning points booked by conference organizers? Well ... I didn't get any upgrades, points, or nights credit the last time my company had meetings at JW and RC (or Conrad or Hyatts either). We haven't had any meetings at Starwood so I don't know about that. Too rare of any issue to assess even a wash.
I know several former SPG executives and they were very visionary. SPG has some great properties ... just didn't have enough or enough middle grade properties to keep the investment community happy.
The program isn't bad ... its just different.
SPG desk agents (except at some W's) think they are supposed to upgrade me to suites. Marriott desk agents think they are doing me a favor. My upgrade rate is about the same at both. That's a wash.
Marriott is good on having lounges which works for me since I usually just need coffee/etc for breakfast. Plus they give me a $10 voucher which buys me a beer. SPG gives a free breakfast in lieu of points. Advantage Marriott.
Marriott has more places when you're in small towns. Advantage Marriott.
SPG has more cool aspirational places that I don't go to very often. Advantage Starwood.
Complications on earning points booked by conference organizers? Well ... I didn't get any upgrades, points, or nights credit the last time my company had meetings at JW and RC (or Conrad or Hyatts either). We haven't had any meetings at Starwood so I don't know about that. Too rare of any issue to assess even a wash.
Oct 11, 2017, 11:45 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
4. Breakfast at CY Marriott is not included but Aloft hotels has the worst food and beverage of any mid-range hotel. All heated up junk. Also if you want breakfast it will never be a full breakfast at SPG and will take the place of your check in points making the earn and burn even worse.
Oct 11, 2017, 12:53 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
I'm a little confused as to the exact reason for OP's problem.
Who is the third party or is it the conference itself? Is the room direct billed? All of this matters...
I used Chase points for Hertz and got no recognition of status nor did I get the points.......third party (albeit with points) despite the fact that they say it is just like cash (it's not!)
I have no idea how priceline, expedia works but have heard some pretty grim tales
I do not use third parties at all, unless it is a conference and have no choice because the conference has all the rooms blocked - many times your number does not get transferred and the hotel has no idea you are elite until you check in. Sometimes they do know but the points don't post properly after the stay and you have to fight for them. IME conference hotels are not very good at providing elite bennies regardless
I have been denied points and all amenities twice at Marriott because the room was direct billed....I missed MR Plat that year for this very reason.........8 nights that did not count
So this may not be a SPG vs. MR problem but an actual distribution channel or contract problem
Both are good hotels and programs, with the edge going MR for the hotels (by a little) and SPG for the program (by a lot)...I get much better treatment with SPG as elite
Who is the third party or is it the conference itself? Is the room direct billed? All of this matters...
I used Chase points for Hertz and got no recognition of status nor did I get the points.......third party (albeit with points) despite the fact that they say it is just like cash (it's not!)
I have no idea how priceline, expedia works but have heard some pretty grim tales
I do not use third parties at all, unless it is a conference and have no choice because the conference has all the rooms blocked - many times your number does not get transferred and the hotel has no idea you are elite until you check in. Sometimes they do know but the points don't post properly after the stay and you have to fight for them. IME conference hotels are not very good at providing elite bennies regardless
I have been denied points and all amenities twice at Marriott because the room was direct billed....I missed MR Plat that year for this very reason.........8 nights that did not count
So this may not be a SPG vs. MR problem but an actual distribution channel or contract problem
Both are good hotels and programs, with the edge going MR for the hotels (by a little) and SPG for the program (by a lot)...I get much better treatment with SPG as elite
Last edited by dilbertsdaddy; Oct 11, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Oct 11, 2017, 1:33 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
Oct 11, 2017, 1:37 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
2. Not true. Maybe on paper but not in reality. I would say half the time they let you have the full breakfast. And some international properties let you have full buffet or lounge, your choice. I have never felt slighted over breakfast with SPG
Oct 11, 2017, 4:29 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Err ... SPG does not equal Aloft (and CY isn't anything to shout about either, as a long time Marriott PLT back in the day).
I've been comped the breakfast buffet at the Westin Tokyo every stay as a Plat, outstanding start to the day.
I will admit that the Marriott Park Lane was on a par with it, also comped as a Plat.
And aloft breakfasts aren't reheated as far as I can tell, they are actually pretty decent. Certainly comparable to a CY.
I've been comped the breakfast buffet at the Westin Tokyo every stay as a Plat, outstanding start to the day.
I will admit that the Marriott Park Lane was on a par with it, also comped as a Plat.
And aloft breakfasts aren't reheated as far as I can tell, they are actually pretty decent. Certainly comparable to a CY.
Oct 11, 2017, 4:59 pm
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,211
How does a booking channel restriction render an entire loyalty program useless? 
Oct 11, 2017, 5:14 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: BA Gold, QF Platinum, SQ Silver
Posts: 285
I don't know, maybe it's just me but it seems like a lot of those rather uninspired Marriott people now come over and complain how bad SPG supposedly is- I get the feeling no longtime SPG members ever asked them to join the club to begin with. 
But the harm is done and we gotta live with this rather unsatisfying merger. I did have two rather nice stays at JW. But these were both in the US and it seems that some people on here are wearing very US-only tinted glasses here: Outside the States, it's often rather hard to find any half way decent Marriotts (unless there happens to be a Ritz Carlton in town) while Starwood has by far the better (and often wider) choice. There's often W and a Westin, sometimes a Luxury Collection and also a Le Meridien, all featuring super nice properties. In many cases, all you get in the same city is some lousy old Marriott that's not even worth comparing with, say, a newish Westin or a W.
But the harm is done and we gotta live with this rather unsatisfying merger. I did have two rather nice stays at JW. But these were both in the US and it seems that some people on here are wearing very US-only tinted glasses here: Outside the States, it's often rather hard to find any half way decent Marriotts (unless there happens to be a Ritz Carlton in town) while Starwood has by far the better (and often wider) choice. There's often W and a Westin, sometimes a Luxury Collection and also a Le Meridien, all featuring super nice properties. In many cases, all you get in the same city is some lousy old Marriott that's not even worth comparing with, say, a newish Westin or a W.
Oct 11, 2017, 5:51 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Outside the States, it's often rather hard to find any half way decent Marriotts (unless there happens to be a Ritz Carlton in town) while Starwood has by far the better (and often wider) choice. There's often W and a Westin, sometimes a Luxury Collection and also a Le Meridien, all featuring super nice properties. In many cases, all you get in the same city is some lousy old Marriott that's not even worth comparing with, say, a newish Westin or a W.
Oct 11, 2017, 6:05 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,233
No offense, but this thread makes me laugh.