Design Your Own 2008 SPG Card (merged threads)
Jan 28, 2008, 4:55 pm
#46
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
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Thanks, William. ^
I think it is a cool idea and will enjoy using our fancy card this year.
Instead of a normal Nordstrom card, I have an old Nordstrom Best card, which recieves lots of interesting comments when I try to use it at newer stores like Chicago or Washington, D.C. Even in Seattle, at the flagship store, the clerks comment on the card.
I wonder if the new special Starwood cards will also garner attention from the check-in clerks around the world. It will be interesting to see.
I think it is a cool idea and will enjoy using our fancy card this year.
Instead of a normal Nordstrom card, I have an old Nordstrom Best card, which recieves lots of interesting comments when I try to use it at newer stores like Chicago or Washington, D.C. Even in Seattle, at the flagship store, the clerks comment on the card.
I wonder if the new special Starwood cards will also garner attention from the check-in clerks around the world. It will be interesting to see.
Jan 28, 2008, 5:19 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Plat, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 507
Jan 28, 2008, 5:50 pm
#48
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Guadalajara, Jalisco
Programs: SPG Platinum
Posts: 414
I am getting my favorite hotel in san diego. U.S Grant hotel 
Jan 28, 2008, 5:58 pm
#49
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
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Oh, come on! It's definitely a great idea, but the execution is terrible. It's just select your own picture. Big deal.
Think of all the options they could have provided. For starters, they could let us choose a thin card for those of us who need to carry a few other things in our wallets. There's much more that could be customized while they're at it.
And I wish they would've explained the purpose of the card.
Think of all the options they could have provided. For starters, they could let us choose a thin card for those of us who need to carry a few other things in our wallets. There's much more that could be customized while they're at it.
And I wish they would've explained the purpose of the card.
Of course I'd like to see photo options include the W NY Times Square lobby, Europa & Regina's Grand Calan view, the Asolo countryside, Whistler's snow, W French Quarter's staircase, etc. But I again say for a first try, this is a great idea and great execution of it. ^
Jan 28, 2008, 6:09 pm
#50
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Join Date: May 2002
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OK, credit where it's due - I've seen no other travel cards offer such a customization benefit, at least the major players, so credit to SPG.
My Discover card did offer this option to me a while ago, and I'm now seeing cards with "use your own photo" options. Put that in the idea hopper for next year...
Bora Bora for me too.
My Discover card did offer this option to me a while ago, and I'm now seeing cards with "use your own photo" options. Put that in the idea hopper for next year...
Bora Bora for me too.
Jan 28, 2008, 6:12 pm
#51
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one more thought...
I'd previously sent the one of the kind "chief web gurus" a suggestion for a photo contest for all of us Starwood fans to submit our best pix of Starwood properties for use in the new website's front page featured photo, but maybe the top photos could also be a component of future "Design your own card" options... just an idea/suggestion.
Jan 28, 2008, 6:21 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
I have to agree with CPRRich here-Starwood is doing something DIFFERENT and that is good.
Yes it is marketing money that could have been used on a research group od on a promo-but I sure that will be coming along also.
I chose that lovely resort in Sardenia-which I will probably never have enough starpoints to stay at for more than a long weekend(35k a night)
Ih well one can dream....
Yes it is marketing money that could have been used on a research group od on a promo-but I sure that will be coming along also.
I chose that lovely resort in Sardenia-which I will probably never have enough starpoints to stay at for more than a long weekend(35k a night)
Ih well one can dream....
Jan 28, 2008, 6:37 pm
#53
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: HKG, Starwood-Platinum, Marriott-Silver
Posts: 141
Excellent idea! Chose Bora Bora.^^^
Jan 28, 2008, 6:46 pm
#54
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Awesome idea! Thumbs up to Starwood.
Chose Fisherman's Cove, just because it looks very nice on the card...thanks!
Chose Fisherman's Cove, just because it looks very nice on the card...thanks!
Jan 28, 2008, 6:56 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: FB Plat/SPG Plat/HH Gold/LHW/SLH/SK Silver
Posts: 681
I chose the W Maldives because I prefer W to most Meridiens. I also like the Blue Palace although they could have made a more appealing picture. It would be nice if Starwood awarded a discount or special offer at the property chosen.
Jan 28, 2008, 7:45 pm
#56
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: BOS/BDL
Programs: AA LTP 2.1MM; SPG Platinum
Posts: 140
Thank you Damon88 for posting the link!
As a Gold I was surprised that I qualified, and I was also surprised at the choice of hotels - I found it a bit odd that 2 Scottsdale hotels would be featured, and, as other have said, no Hawaiian choices.
On the other hand, I was quite pleased to find the Westin Kierland, which I selected to be my image, because:
1. I had booked a stay there a couple weeks ago for the Parada del Sol, which takes place in Scottsdale at the end of February. Even if the card doesn't arrive by then, I'll have the .pdf of the card to come, so we can see if the presentation of a SPG Card bearing a location image at that location results in better treatment.
2. I just found out the Patriots are staying at the Kierland this week for the Superbowl (tm).
3. The Giants are staying at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, which is not one of the new SPG card featured hotels.
4. Therefore, SPG likes the Patriots better.
5. The pinkish hues in the picture of the Kierland go very well with the solid gold at the bottom of the Gold card. I think the blue of the ocean resort pictures is nicer with the Platinum Card.
Thanks Lurker for explaining the thinking behind this - I'd just like to add my voice to the chorus of those who think your participation in the forum adds to our SPG experience immensely.
As a Gold I was surprised that I qualified, and I was also surprised at the choice of hotels - I found it a bit odd that 2 Scottsdale hotels would be featured, and, as other have said, no Hawaiian choices.
On the other hand, I was quite pleased to find the Westin Kierland, which I selected to be my image, because:
1. I had booked a stay there a couple weeks ago for the Parada del Sol, which takes place in Scottsdale at the end of February. Even if the card doesn't arrive by then, I'll have the .pdf of the card to come, so we can see if the presentation of a SPG Card bearing a location image at that location results in better treatment.
2. I just found out the Patriots are staying at the Kierland this week for the Superbowl (tm).
3. The Giants are staying at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, which is not one of the new SPG card featured hotels.
4. Therefore, SPG likes the Patriots better.
5. The pinkish hues in the picture of the Kierland go very well with the solid gold at the bottom of the Gold card. I think the blue of the ocean resort pictures is nicer with the Platinum Card.
Thanks Lurker for explaining the thinking behind this - I'd just like to add my voice to the chorus of those who think your participation in the forum adds to our SPG experience immensely.
Jan 28, 2008, 9:03 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: United GS, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 219
Winter Doldrums
The winter doldrums have truly set in when we have 56 posts in eight hours about a card design that most of us never have to show in the first place.
Jan 28, 2008, 10:32 pm
#58
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Posts: 2,432
Chose the St. Regis New York. It's the only hotel amongst the group that I've ever stayed in.
I do miss the days when we had a long list of honorifics to choose from in our profile. I liked seeing "HRH" on my SPG Platinum card. I saved the one from that year.
Aloha
I do miss the days when we had a long list of honorifics to choose from in our profile. I liked seeing "HRH" on my SPG Platinum card. I saved the one from that year.
Aloha
Jan 28, 2008, 10:34 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 178
I just stumbled upon the page that let's you plug in your spg number to see
if you are eligible.
Apparently-- this is valid for VIPs, Plats and Golds if you qualified in 2008.
https://www.spgpromos.com/choosecard...d=0707QR7Z0FRX
if you are eligible.
Apparently-- this is valid for VIPs, Plats and Golds if you qualified in 2008.
https://www.spgpromos.com/choosecard...d=0707QR7Z0FRX
I just typed in my membership number but got "sorry you are not qualified for this opportunity" I guess this is only for member who is going to receive their card in 2008. My current Platinum member card is not expired till Feb 09.
Jan 28, 2008, 10:53 pm
#60
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MKE
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat Pro, MR LTP, others from cards
Posts: 890
I wonder if the properties will have to pay a fee to be featured as a card choice should this take off?
I wasn't that excited about any of the choices -- not that I've got anything against Bora Bora but I'm unlikely ever to blow enough points for a great week somewhere on a single night. I'd rather see places I have been to and remember fondly, like Westin Palace Madrid, the Haciendas, Westin Tokyo or Kyoto, Grande Laguna, Hotel Kamp, etc.
I wasn't that excited about any of the choices -- not that I've got anything against Bora Bora but I'm unlikely ever to blow enough points for a great week somewhere on a single night. I'd rather see places I have been to and remember fondly, like Westin Palace Madrid, the Haciendas, Westin Tokyo or Kyoto, Grande Laguna, Hotel Kamp, etc.