Switching to SPG
 

So, I've switched over to using *wood, got the *wood Mastercard here in Canada. Already have 5 reservations signed up for the next month or so. I've always used Hilton and Marriot, I'd like to know if SPG will look at my current year with them and maybe bump me up to Gold? With Marriot this year, I've stayed 13 times with 37 nights in total, Hilton I have about 3 stays with 12 nights. That's only given me Silver status with both of those programs though.

Think they'll do anything for me? I tried to call, but they're closed, I'm going to try tomorrow.

May I ask why you switched?

Always disappointed with Marriot Properties basically. You only earn 5 points per dollar at Residence Inn, (I liked them). The actual Marriot hotels, I find overpriced for what you get, they feel cheap. Courtyards I hate, with their heating/AC units that are either ON all the time or off, I find it hard to sleep with those noisey things on all night. Marriot Suites, nothing special. I tried a Renaissance hotel, wasn't overly impressed, and I need to stay 50 nights in order to get gold?

They screwed me on point redemption one time too, cost me $400USD because I was told something (twice by two different people) that wasn't correct.

Never got into Hilton too much, have a friend that swears by *wood, so I said screw Marriot and I'll go with *wood.

tw1tch, welcome to FT. The advanced search feature of FT will bring up a number of threads in the Starwood forum on some easier routes to Gold status. One of those threads with relatively recent posts is
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418484.

Your *wood Mastercard may also offer such a route.

If you can stretch it, see if Platinum status is within your reach in a calendar year as the hotel recognition benefits are best at that level.

In my experience, Hilton Silver and Starwood Gold will get comparable treatment at hotels - that is to say, ya never know. I've been upgraded into jr suites at both chains, but not often; more likely, you'll get a decent room and not much else. Which is ok; that's what I paid for.

Now, rumor has it that Plats live the life of Reilly (whatever that means, I'm not that old yet!)...

Status Match Thread

This might help.

It's my understanding that SPG will definitely match your status as a plat, however, silver, may be a bit tougher to do. See folowing post:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...4&postcount=45

Then again, it doesn't hurt to ask . . . good luck! ^