Spending to get 2018 Platinum
Nov 30, 2017, 7:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NYC - EWR preferred
Programs: United 1k, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 23
Spending to get 2018 Platinum
Heading into the end of the year it looks like I will be 5 stays short of platinum. Using the 2 for 1 stay special effective until Dec 15 I could book 3 un-needed stays for about ~300 dollars and get to 25. Is it worth the $300?
SPG is great but I have found myself using Hyatt a lot more lately or keeping somewhat in the SPG empire but booking Marriot or Ritz properties. I have Hyatt explorist this year but will have no status with them next year.
A
SPG is great but I have found myself using Hyatt a lot more lately or keeping somewhat in the SPG empire but booking Marriot or Ritz properties. I have Hyatt explorist this year but will have no status with them next year.
A
Nov 30, 2017, 8:22 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, Melia Platinum, SIXT Platinum, Accor Silver, Lufthansa FTL
Posts: 381
Thepointsguy has a good overview of the benefits and what they are worth. I find his values a little bit too high, but I think Platinum is easily worth $300. The breakfast benefit alone is easily worth more.
Nov 30, 2017, 9:13 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
It should be pretty easy to get that much value out of it, but if you are only staying at domestic Westins and Sheratons and moving most of your stays to Hyatt then maybe not. Platinum also has decent value at Marriott and Ritz properties, so even if you're not staying a ton at SPG, it still may be worth it.
But no one can really answer this question without some additional details regarding your planned stays for 2018 plus the value you place on lounge access/hotel breakfast.
But no one can really answer this question without some additional details regarding your planned stays for 2018 plus the value you place on lounge access/hotel breakfast.
Nov 30, 2017, 9:38 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: UA Gold, DL Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 24
I loved being Plat with SPG for the breakfast and lounge access alone. Not sure if you travel internationally but that is really where the Plat status shines with lounges. The food, drinks and just extra space more than makes up for the cost in my opinion. And the occasional upgrade to a suite is also pretty fun, especially when it is on a family trip.
I've also gotten some help from the hotel ahead of trips for reservations, recommendations, room changes etc. They just seem to be more helpful when you have the status.
I've also gotten some help from the hotel ahead of trips for reservations, recommendations, room changes etc. They just seem to be more helpful when you have the status.
Nov 30, 2017, 9:40 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott AMB, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 19
You could also consider signing up for the SPG credit card which gives you 5 nights / 2 stay credit.
Nov 30, 2017, 11:14 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NYC - EWR preferred
Programs: United 1k, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 23
Nov 30, 2017, 1:40 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: LAX, SNA, LGB
Posts: 450
Don't forget that SPG platinum gets you Marriott platinum also.
Nov 30, 2017, 5:04 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite (Lifetime Platinum), HHonors Gold
Posts: 241
That's what I had to do to have a chance to re-qualify for Platinum this year, as a lot of my business was in areas not served by SPG. No fee for the first year, so it doesn't even cost you anything. And IIRC, the nights/stays credit almost immediately upon getting the card (well, immediately being within a couple of days). Honestly, now that I have the card, I wish I had gotten it a long time ago.
Nov 30, 2017, 5:09 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NYC - EWR preferred
Programs: United 1k, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 23
Nov 30, 2017, 5:21 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC, Natl EE
Posts: 285
Nov 30, 2017, 5:21 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NYC - EWR preferred
Programs: United 1k, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 23
I loved being Plat with SPG for the breakfast and lounge access alone. Not sure if you travel internationally but that is really where the Plat status shines with lounges. The food, drinks and just extra space more than makes up for the cost in my opinion. And the occasional upgrade to a suite is also pretty fun, especially when it is on a family trip.
I've also gotten some help from the hotel ahead of trips for reservations, recommendations, room changes etc. They just seem to be more helpful when you have the status.
I've also gotten some help from the hotel ahead of trips for reservations, recommendations, room changes etc. They just seem to be more helpful when you have the status.
I travel internationally 2-4 times a year mostly for pleasure. Not sure what's in store for 2018 but looking like Argentina or Thailand or maybe New Zealand for a big trip and maybe a smaller one to France or Italy + domestic travel to chicago, LA, SF, Seattle maybe Austin / Vegas / Montreal.
Nov 30, 2017, 5:29 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NYC - EWR preferred
Programs: United 1k, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 23
That's what I had to do to have a chance to re-qualify for Platinum this year, as a lot of my business was in areas not served by SPG. No fee for the first year, so it doesn't even cost you anything. And IIRC, the nights/stays credit almost immediately upon getting the card (well, immediately being within a couple of days). Honestly, now that I have the card, I wish I had gotten it a long time ago.
Nov 30, 2017, 5:37 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NYC - EWR preferred
Programs: United 1k, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 23
It should be pretty easy to get that much value out of it, but if you are only staying at domestic Westins and Sheratons and moving most of your stays to Hyatt then maybe not. Platinum also has decent value at Marriott and Ritz properties, so even if you're not staying a ton at SPG, it still may be worth it.
But no one can really answer this question without some additional details regarding your planned stays for 2018 plus the value you place on lounge access/hotel breakfast.
But no one can really answer this question without some additional details regarding your planned stays for 2018 plus the value you place on lounge access/hotel breakfast.
Also will be in Geneva over New Years but booked at the Ritz and a small boutique in Zermatt. Might do SPG back in Geneva before flight back EWR but that will be in 2018
Nov 30, 2017, 7:41 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
Heading into the end of the year it looks like I will be 5 stays short of platinum. Using the 2 for 1 stay special effective until Dec 15 I could book 3 un-needed stays for about ~300 dollars and get to 25. Is it worth the $300?
SPG is great but I have found myself using Hyatt a lot more lately or keeping somewhat in the SPG empire but booking Marriot or Ritz properties. I have Hyatt explorist this year but will have no status with them next year.
A
SPG is great but I have found myself using Hyatt a lot more lately or keeping somewhat in the SPG empire but booking Marriot or Ritz properties. I have Hyatt explorist this year but will have no status with them next year.
A
Dec 1, 2017, 7:04 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NYC - EWR preferred
Programs: United 1k, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 23
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