{"id":8548,"date":"2014-09-03T11:26:10","date_gmt":"2014-09-03T15:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/verygoodpoints\/?p=8548"},"modified":"2014-09-03T11:26:10","modified_gmt":"2014-09-03T15:26:10","slug":"starwood-spg-platinum-enhancement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/verygoodpoints\/2014\/09\/03\/starwood-spg-platinum-enhancement\/","title":{"rendered":"New Starwood SPG Platinum enhancement coming soon"},"content":{"rendered":"

This morning I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast hosted by Starwood at the Chatwal Hotel, a Luxury Collection property. \u00a0At the breakfast, Starwood announced the launch of SPG Pro<\/span><\/a>, but I also had the opportunity to speak with a few of the Starwood SPG\u00a0program\u00a0execs. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After learning about the new program, I asked\u00a0Chris Holdren, Starwood Preferred Guest\u00a0Sr. Vice President, if there was anything he could share about the loyalty program. \u00a0There are some exciting enhancements, not all of which can be shared, coming soon. \u00a0One of the enhancements I\u00a0can share\u00a0impacts Platinum Member preferences. \u00a0Today, all members can add preferences to their profile to request things like a room near an elevator, more pillows, etc… \u00a0Starting this October, Platinum members will also be able to specify upgrade preferences. \u00a0If you prefer a room with the best\u00a0view, or a room with more space, or even the first available\u00a0room at check-in you’ll soon be able to\u00a0add those preferences to your SPG profile. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I mentioned to Chris that I hoped they would revamp or do away with the Suite Night Award benefit. \u00a0Suite Night awards are given to Platinum members who stay 50 nights or more.\u00a0After 50 nights, the member is awarded\u00a010 Suite Night Awards\u00a0which can be redeemed for upgrades to suites and select premium rooms. These awards can be confirmed\u00a0starting 5 days prior to arrival and are subject to availability. \u00a0 I personally have 16 suite night awards – that means I have 6 left over from 2013 and have been awarded 10 for 2014 (since I’ve already reached 50 nights.) \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SPG<\/p>\n

I’ve only successfully used them twice since they were introduced in 2012. \u00a0I’ve heard some people have had more success, but the majority of people I know are in the same boat. \u00a0I get way more upgrades when I don’t request them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chris wouldn’t comment on any changes that may or may not occur with the Suite Night Awards, but for me the ability to specify upgrade preferences is a big win (that is, if hotels pay attention to them.) \u00a0When I travel on business I prefer a quite room with desk\/work space over a huge suite. \u00a0If I’m with my family I might prefer a suite or room with maximum \u00a0space. \u00a0Special event, perhaps I’d like a room with a view – in 2012 The Westin in San Fran booked me in a room that had a perfect view of the July 4th fireworks. \u00a0 That to me, is a real benefit!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I think this will better align Starwood’s benefits with Kimpton’s very personalized Inner Circle member benefits. \u00a0One of the pros of the Kimpton program is that I can already specify my preferences on my profile. \u00a0Today, as member of the Starwood Ambassador program (guest with more than 100 nights) I can provide my preferences to my ambassador, but whether the hotel notices them or pays attention to them is very hit or miss. For me, making this more formal is a great enhancement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Look for this, and other changes around October 15, 2014. \u00a0What do you think, is this an enhancement you like?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This morning I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast hosted by Starwood at the Chatwal Hotel, a Luxury Collection property. \u00a0At the breakfast, Starwood announced the launch of SPG Pro, but I also had the opportunity to speak with…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8550,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"New Starwood @SPG Platinum enhancement coming soon #travel #loyalty #SPGlife","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[742],"tags":[605,745],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nNew Starwood SPG Platinum enhancement coming soon - VeryGoodPoints<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Starwood SPG Platinum enhancement coming soon!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/first2board.com\/verygoodpoints\/2014\/09\/03\/starwood-spg-platinum-enhancement\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"New Starwood SPG Platinum enhancement coming soon - 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