Will Delta Platinum & Diamond Members Cause Frustrations To Starwood Elites?

Here is an exerpt from spg.com/crossoverrewards –

Crossover Rewards™ is an industry-first benefit that gives SPG elite members and Delta Medallion members worldwide the ability to earn more rewards when they stay with Starwood and fly with Delta. Here are the highlights:

When staying with Starwood:
• Delta Medallion members will earn 1 mile for every dollar spent on eligible room revenue. This is in addition to the Starpoints you normally earn for your eligible stays.
• Plus, Delta Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will earn additional stay benefits, such as free in-room internet, 4pm late check-out, access to the priority elite check-in line, and more.

Starwood has an information page up now at spg.com/crossoverrewards which includes registration and a full set of Frequently Asked Questions.

I’m not so worried about the free in-room internet and access to the priority elite check-in lines that are crossed over to Delta Platinum and Diamond guests. As a Starwood Preferred Platinum guest myself, I am concerned about how many Delta Diamond and Platinum members will invoke the 4pm late check-out policy. The guaranteed 4pm late checkout policy is available for SPG Gold & Platinum members, but will now be available for Delta Platinums and Diamond members. If you thought that there were already too many Starwood Gold & Platinums already, you are about to experience a whole new level of Starwood elite benefit dilution.

As a Starwood Platinum, I always take advantage of the 4pm late check-out whenever possible since it is very useful for evening flights. Delta Platinum & Diamond members can same day confirm for a later flight, thus might need a 4pm late checkout when staying at participating Starwood hotels. Please bear in mind that Starwood resort and conference center hotels are subject to availability and participation.

Here is my thought process and prove me wrong if you wish. As more Delta Platinum & Diamond guests request a 4pm late check-out, more rooms and suites become unavailable for check-in the next day. If a hotel is sold out or is near high occupancy, rooms will have to be cleaned faster than ever since more people will be invoking the 4pm late check-out.

Personally, I like to check-in early and hate waiting until the “scheduled” 3pm or 4pm check-in time listed on Starwood property websites. Who checks in at 4pm?? By then, all the complimentary suite upgrades (if available) will be gone for Platinum members!