Jun 4, 2013, 8:59 am
Last edit by: PackingIt
Q. How does one qualify for "Preferred Plus" benefits?
A. By being the primary cardmember for a Starwood American Express card, or by becoming a member of AARP, AAA, or other marketing partner providing complimentary Preferred Plus status. (See, e.g., http://discounts.aarp.org/offer/inde...CategoryId/402)
Q. What are the published incremental benefits of Preferred Plus (i.e., beyond base SPG member benefits)?
A. The incremental benefits are
Q. Where can I find these benefits stated on the SPG website?
A. They can be viewed here: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...ybenefits.html -- Note: If you are not already logged in, you'll be sent to a login page. Once logged in, ignore where you are redirected to, and click the original link again to view your benefits.
Q. Where can I find a list of "resort and conference center hotels" on the SPG website?
A. You can't; it isn't there. However, one of the Starwood representatives has posted (and regularly updates) a list at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18920557-post809.html.
A. By being the primary cardmember for a Starwood American Express card, or by becoming a member of AARP, AAA, or other marketing partner providing complimentary Preferred Plus status. (See, e.g., http://discounts.aarp.org/offer/inde...CategoryId/402)
Q. What are the published incremental benefits of Preferred Plus (i.e., beyond base SPG member benefits)?
A. The incremental benefits are
- "Upgrades to enhanced rooms at check-in, such as rooms on higher floors or corner rooms. [Footnote: Subject to availability at check-in for the length of the stay, provided the room was not booked through a prepaid third-party channel. Enhanced rooms do not include suites and include rooms on higher floors, rooms with better views, or corner rooms. This benefit is not offered at Aloft(sm) and Element(sm) properties.]"
- "4 p.m. late checkout, where available. [Footnote: Subject to availability at resort and conference center hotels.]" This benefit is covered in detail in a separate FT thread.
Q. Where can I find these benefits stated on the SPG website?
A. They can be viewed here: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...ybenefits.html -- Note: If you are not already logged in, you'll be sent to a login page. Once logged in, ignore where you are redirected to, and click the original link again to view your benefits.
Q. Where can I find a list of "resort and conference center hotels" on the SPG website?
A. You can't; it isn't there. However, one of the Starwood representatives has posted (and regularly updates) a list at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18920557-post809.html.
What is SPG "Preferred Plus" Status?
May 3, 2004, 3:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 51
What is SPG "Preferred Plus" Status?
When I signed up for the Starwood Amex Platinum card, my SPG status was changed from Preferred to Preferred Plus. I can't find anything on the SPG or Amex web sites which explains this level. Am I entitled to any additional benefits over the base level? Thanks.
(Sorry if this had been addressed before. The forum search function takes out the word "plus", even when I use quotation marks.)
(Sorry if this had been addressed before. The forum search function takes out the word "plus", even when I use quotation marks.)
May 3, 2004, 4:46 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Sol III
Programs: FPC Plat, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, PC Plt Amb
Posts: 1,329
From a relative newcomer to you, welcome to FT!
SPG preferred plus is about the same (read not worth much) as spg gold, except you don't get the 50% bonus in *pts and your card does not look as nice. You get the same "preferred room upgrade" (what that means varies from hotel to hotel and from time to time) and other gold benefits. Before you get the wrong impression, the "upgrade" sometimes is actually meaningful (as a gold, I've gotten decent upgrades at various properties, and ranges from corner rooms, rooms to better views, larger rooms, etc., to nothing at all).
Yes, there have been previous threads on this, but hey, it doesn't take long to type a short answer
SPG preferred plus is about the same (read not worth much) as spg gold, except you don't get the 50% bonus in *pts and your card does not look as nice. You get the same "preferred room upgrade" (what that means varies from hotel to hotel and from time to time) and other gold benefits. Before you get the wrong impression, the "upgrade" sometimes is actually meaningful (as a gold, I've gotten decent upgrades at various properties, and ranges from corner rooms, rooms to better views, larger rooms, etc., to nothing at all).
Yes, there have been previous threads on this, but hey, it doesn't take long to type a short answer
May 3, 2004, 4:48 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Programs: AA,HP,MP,DL,SPG, MR
Posts: 2,092
And late check out. ^
May 3, 2004, 10:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: PA
Programs: Hhonors Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 337
Over the past 3 years, I have only received one room upgrade at the Westin Bonaventure in LA. 90% of the time my Gold status isn't even acknowledged by the front desk person. The best Gold perk is the 4pm check-out, which I have used numerous times.
May 4, 2004, 1:10 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: IHG Spire Elite; Hyatt Platinum; SPG Preferred+; Club Carlson Gold; SW CP
Posts: 674
Originally Posted by AAJunkie
Over the past 3 years, I have only received one room upgrade at the Westin Bonaventure in LA. 90% of the time my Gold status isn't even acknowledged by the front desk person. The best Gold perk is the 4pm check-out, which I have used numerous times.
BTW, is it a pet peeve of anyone else's that these huge companies run these promotions and then don't educate their employees. I often have to explain promotions to the employees instead of the other way around!
May 4, 2004, 7:47 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 51
Thanks for the responses everyone. I find it curious that Amex/Starwood promote this (minor) upgrade in status, then fail to explain anywhere what it entails. I'm so glad to have found these boards and discover all the useful info within them.
May 4, 2004, 9:47 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,227
When I got my Preferred Plus card in the mail, there was literature explaining exactly what the benefits were.
Nov 3, 2004, 12:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: 44*38.670N 63*37.548W
Programs: several
Posts: 1,870
Is there something called "Preferred Plus"?
I just noticed in my AAA/CAA membership booklet, it lists the many benefits of Automobile Association membership.
One benefit is listed as: "Complimentary access to the Preferred Plus tier of the Starwood Preferred Guest rewards program"
Pardon my ignorance, but is there even such a thing as a Preferred Plus tier, and is that supposed to be higher than regular membership? I'm confused.
Thanks in advance!
One benefit is listed as: "Complimentary access to the Preferred Plus tier of the Starwood Preferred Guest rewards program"
Pardon my ignorance, but is there even such a thing as a Preferred Plus tier, and is that supposed to be higher than regular membership? I'm confused.
Thanks in advance!
Nov 3, 2004, 11:24 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX, BUR
Posts: 545
Preferred Plus gives you the most coveted perk of all...
...a free water bottle. 
Feb 2, 2005, 9:35 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: DL,AA,CO,US,STAR,HILT,MARR
Posts: 47
What is "Preferred Plus"?
I just received mail from SPG that I have been offered "Preferred Plus" status with a new card showing a letter "B" in front of my old membership number.
I could not find any reference to this category at their web site.
Is anyone familiar with this category?
I could not find any reference to this category at their web site.
Is anyone familiar with this category?
Feb 2, 2005, 10:33 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Riding the rails
Programs: Japan Forum, Skyteam Elite Plus, BW Diamond Select, HHonors Gold, NWA, DL, NH
Posts: 1,936
Its between Preferred and Gold. If you either have an AAA membership or Starwood AMEX you're acount gets upgraded to Preferred +.
Feb 2, 2005, 10:54 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX, BUR
Posts: 545
An extra bottle of water in your room.
Feb 3, 2005, 5:06 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: DL LTG, SPG LTP, Mar. PLT
Posts: 568
Also includes AARP members.
Feb 3, 2005, 7:45 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, JetBlue Mosaic, AA Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 599
From what I remember the only perk is the late (4pm) checkout option. It's basically the same as the corporate SPG card (if those are still around).
Feb 3, 2005, 8:10 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,559
At the Colorado Springs Sheraton, they called me in my room to invite me to the lounge for breakfast the following morning. They said they'd noticed a Preferred Plus member that didn't have a room in the concierge level area, so they wanted to make sure I knew where it was. I thought that was nice. (We had adjoining rooms with specific bed/smoke requests, which is probably why the front desk didn't give us concierge level to begin with.)
I don't think a concierge level upgrade is to be expected with Preferred Plus by any stretch, but I thought it was nice that the hotel took notice and followed up with us about the lounge.
We have the status thanks to the SPG Amex.
I don't think a concierge level upgrade is to be expected with Preferred Plus by any stretch, but I thought it was nice that the hotel took notice and followed up with us about the lounge.
We have the status thanks to the SPG Amex.