Lowes Hotels - "Our Gift To You" Email re: YouFirst Benefit Extension

[damo]

I will agree with everyong IF you net losing money after receiving your Loews benefits on your trips in 2009. IF you are actually saving money by staying in the room they give you with the benefits they give you compared to the cost without your You First, then I simply cannot agree.

You may not have gotten as good a deal as someone else who didn't make the previously required one night's stay but you still got a good deal. That, to me, is hardly a slap.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I'm with Jodie, and everyone in her boat, on this one

We went out of our way to spend a qualifying night at the Loew's in Philly this fall. I would have much rather been home in my own bed....and to now find out I COULD have.

I agree...it's not a 'gift'...it's a slap!

Ditto! That was $300 I didn't need to spend although we did enjoy the Pirates Show at the Franklin Institute. I was also a bit miffed when I read the first post. Bad form, Loews! I suppose they did not take into consideration that we talk and share info on message boards!

Curious -Did you get upgraded to the Governors Suite? Every time we stay in Phila, the suite is never available. Also, did you get club level? Doesn't quite compare to Universal's club level, does it?

We will stay Loews at Universal as many times as we can this upcoming year (currently have 3 trips booked) because we do get the suite upgrade and $100 room credit as platinum members. However, I will not be able to maintain Platinum status for 2010. At that point, we will still stay at Loews because we love Universal and FOTL but we will book the less expensive APH rates.

 

[bubba's mom]

I am annoyed damo, because, yes, I am one of those who lost money by staying another night in a Loews hotel to keep my plat status that I didn't HAVE to If the suite upgrade was that important to me, I could have PAID oop (around the same amount of $) to PBH next year for my upgrade that we paid to stay in Philly... So...yeah...I'm annoyed and I DO see their "gift" as a slap in the face. Once our level keeps dropping, I'll still stay onsite, but I don't have any loyalty to PBH or RPR anymore...if HRH is cheaper, that's where we'll stay. You know we don't spend much time at the room anyway (but, we did find ourselves there longer when we had the suite)...going for the cheapest room that will give us FOTL.

Disneyhappy.... There were a jillion weddings and class reunions going on when we there...of course, you are talking late Sept/early Oct also They didn't have the suite upgrade for us...but did upgrade us to Club...which, honestly wasn't all that impressive

 

[damo]

If you book an airline ticket and then a month later the price goes down and you can't get a refund, do you stop using that airline? Do you consider that a slap in the face? No, you wish you would have waited to buy your ticket but, oh well, that's the way it goes. If you buy a package deal and the hotel or airline prices go down and you should have paid less, do you stop using those businesses as well? Was that a slap?

The company made a business decision to try and increase their business, not to personally insult people.

I can see being ticked at Loews for poor housekeeping, etc. but because they made a business decision to try to entice people to come back to their hotels, no way. They didn't take anything away from you that they promised, they just entitled more people. And you still got a good deal because you did not have to abide by their new You First rules.

Everybody who took advantage of the offer to stay one night and prolong their status did so because they figured it was a financially sound decision. The fact that the company is hurting and needs to make more enticements, shouldn't affect the fact that your decision was sound.

 

[keishashadow]

a good deal is in the eye of the beholder I suppose, many people consistently 'overpay' for things, yet if they r happy that's all that matters

re airline tix, Southwest is doing well, particularly since you can rebook your airline tix @ a lower rate (and they don't cancel flights on a regular basis or charge for 2nd bags either ). Many wouldn't dream of flying a discount carrier, yet im impressed with them

anyway, as indicated, i went thru the official channels yesterday & Lowes promptly responded & explained their position...once again they have satisfied me

hope the rest of u do contact them and give them a chance to keep your business

 

[AlexandNessa]

I think this is the primary beef: it all comes down to semantics.

We would not be having this discussion if Loews labeled the email to those of us who earned it "Happy Holidays" instead of "Our Gift to You."

by definition: gift means something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned.

It is insulting that Loews had the nerve to call what we were earned under their rules a "gift."

It wasn't a gift to us. We earned it.

It was a gift to those who didn't make a stay according to their rules. Those folks got a gift. Good for them.

The beef is not with those who got an actual gift. Or that Loews granted them a gift.

These are tough times; I get it; we all do. Strum up fresh business with infrequent customers. Makes sense. I don't begrudge anyone that.

The beef is that for those of us who did earn our status, under their rules that Loews set forth, Loews made a very unfortunate choice of words by using the word "gift."

How would you feel if you got excited to see a message from Loews that said "our gift to you" and you opened to find the message contained no gift at all? Just something that was already promised to you in the first place.

Don't call what I earned a gift. Speaking for myself, that's my beef.

Sad that an unfortunate choice in words would inspire such a cataclysmic tirade for all things I think are wrong with Loews. They really should learn that the DIS cultivates OCD ... I'm just saying.

 

[AlexandNessa]

P.S. Merry Christmakuh to everyone.

I've had enough of this discussion on Christmas Eve.

I'm going to enjoy my family, and hope everyone here gets to do the same ... if you that's what you want.

xx

 

[damo]

a good deal is in the eye of the beholder

I think that is where I am seeing things differently than you guys. I see that you guys all got a very good deal but that some people got a great deal. That is so far at the other end of the spectrum of "slap in the face" that I can't see past that.

I see that you didn't have to comply with the new You First rules but were able to take advantage of their gift to only stay one night to keep your status. I see that as a "gift" because it is not in accordance to the new rule of 15 stays or whatever it is now. It was a one-off offer.

I agree with Jodie that this all seems to be a matter of semantics.

I honestly don't think that Loews made this decision and sent the email to spite people, as the "slap in the face" implies. I think it was an honest business decision to get more people to stay at the hotels. As their reaction to Keishashadow's phone call shows, they really do care about your business.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season as well and a great 2009.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I think this is the primary beef: it all comes down to semantics.

We would not be having this discussion if Loews labeled the email to those of us who earned it "Happy Holidays" instead of "Our Gift to You."

by definition: gift means something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned.

It is insulting that Loews had the nerve to call what we were earned under their rules a "gift."

It wasn't a gift to us. We earned it.

It was a gift to those who didn't make a stay according to their rules. Those folks got a gift. Good for them.

The beef is not with those who got an actual gift. Or that Loews granted them a gift.

These are tough times; I get it; we all do. Strum up fresh business with infrequent customers. Makes sense. I don't begrudge anyone that.

The beef is that for those of us who did earn our status, under their rules that Loews set forth, Loews made a very unfortunate choice of words by using the word "gift."

How would you feel if you got excited to see a message from Loews that said "our gift to you" and you opened to find the message contained no gift at all? Just something that was already promised to you in the first place.

Don't call what I earned a gift. Speaking for myself, that's my beef.

Sad that an unfortunate choice in words would inspire such a cataclysmic tirade for all things I think are wrong with Loews. They really should learn that the DIS cultivates OCD ... I'm just saying.

Bingo!

 

[rie'smom]

I think that is where I am seeing things differently than you guys. I see that you guys all got a very good deal but that some people got a great deal. That is so far at the other end of the spectrum of "slap in the face" that I can't see past that.

I see that you didn't have to comply with the new You First rules but were able to take advantage of their gift to only stay one night to keep your status. I see that as a "gift" because it is not in accordance to the new rule of 15 stays or whatever it is now. It was a one-off offer.

I agree with Jodie that this all seems to be a matter of semantics.

I honestly don't think that Loews made this decision and sent the email to spite people, as the "slap in the face" implies. I think it was an honest business decision to get more people to stay at the hotels. As their reaction to Keishashadow's phone call shows, they really do care about your business.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season as well and a great 2009.

What gift did I receive? Believe me when I got the email, I read it and reread it to see what that gift was.

Loews would have done better to screen the emails.

Send the gift email to those who didn't qualify with enough stays.

To those who did have qualifying stays, a Happy Holidays email would have been welcome and much more appropriate.

Loews dropped the ball as far as I'm concerned. If they want to fix it, a simple email apologizing for the patronizing tone would work for me. We always book a Loews hotel when we travel but no more. We will book at Universal simply because they're the only on site hotel available.

 

[2005s4]

i got the e-mail as well, it seems to have been a bulk mailout.. i signed up for the HHN giveaway under 5 different e-mails and got this offer sent to all of them

 

[goofy!]

Perhaps I should have added the sarcastic smilie at the end of my post. I thought it was obvious.

My point was supposed to be that Loews doesn't owe us any rewards and we really should be thankful for any perks that we get and have received. I don't see people getting upset about the prices of the Disney hotels and there are absolutely no rewards for staying there. People seem to be quite happy with it...happier than they are with Loews who at least give you something. Maybe people would be happier if there was no You First program at all. It sure seems like a lot of anger over a free program.

The way I look at it is that I received way more benefits than I should have from the Loews program. I was upgraded when I shouldn't have been, I received platinum status way before I should have and I've received things that I never, ever receive at any other hotel. I am extremely grateful for all those things that I really didn't deserve from a program that doesn't even need to exist. I have no reason to be upset, no matter what they do with the program now or how they word their emails.

I have received more upgrades and personal attention than I can ever hope to get at any of the Disney hotels or any other chain.

I may have received an e-mail, but in the long run, I know my loyalty is rewarded in many other ways.

I appreciate and am grateful for all the perks I have received over the years. I am certainly not going to gripe with my mouth full.

 

[goofy!]

damo, forgive me. I know this thread has been primarily about the LF/YF program. However, that is just the icing on the poo pie for me.

We have seen a definite decline in service from when we first began going. I think my last trip report was from 10/07. We've had at least 4-5 more trips since then.

At the HRH, I grew weary of terribly inconsistent housekeeping. And the 'tude I would get if I asked for a late check out. If it's not available, fine. But don't act like I'm putting you out by asking. That goes for the RPR too.

I am convinced that our profile says "only provide random turn-down service." Even if we set it up for the same time every night, they come at random or not at all.

We've had our welcome gift taken away prematurely on multiple occasions (I suppose we're supposed to eat an entire basket of fruit in one day?), even though we've put them aside for later.

We've had rooms with stuff clearly missing ... robes, garbage cans, etc and tissues, tp, shampoo, etc not being replaced and having to chase housekeeping down for them.

Things getting thrown away that shouldn't be.

Things actually taken out of the garbage and put back on a table or the floor.

Toilets running all the time and reported, but no one would fix. Remotes missing or not working, and no one would replace.

Sometimes we were greeted warmly on arrival, other times they couldn't be bothered with us.

We have yet to receive timely help from bell services with our luggage on the day of check out, and often just lug it ourselves.

We've had an issue where people made phone calls in our room while we were out. Do you know how much effort it took to get those charges removed?

Taken by themselves, OK, fine, I can roll with the punches. But there doesn't seem to be one trip lately that I didn't have multiple problems.

I had an issue once that I needed the HRH's help with, and I was met with complete and total indifference and no follow up at all.


We used to forego our platinum benefits and stay RPR Club. We were friends with people who worked the Club Lounge. We would get Christmas cards from them. We still keep in touch via email. Then, they had a lot of turnover and new management, and we didn't know anyone any more. The club staff made our stays. We so enjoyed seeing them and catching up with them in between visits.

It's just not the same any more.

I'm not saying that I need the Loews folks to be my best friends.

But it wouldn't hurt them to try a little harder to keep my business.

They aren't trying right now.

Now that leaves me asking myself why would I put up with inconsistent, often rude service, with no perk to do so?

Lately, to me, Loews has done absolultely nothing to set themselves apart and to show me that they appreciate my business.

Honestly, I am not all that difficult to please, but I have had better stays at a Marriott and Hilton recently. Hell, I've stayed at a Hampton Inn with no problems at all.

And now Mike too (who complains of nothing) is ready for a change. We may try the PBH after our Wonder cruise in April. Mike is pushing for a back-to-back on the Wonder instead.

If we do stay at PBH, we are only looking to do 4 nights next year, not our usual 15-18.

Jodi,

If we had experienced all that in our past trips, we would certainly be upset too!

Perhaps we have been lucky in that we have had outstanding, even over the top service lately. We have had a couple of problems (not Loews fault - such as Hard Rock Cafe triple charging our room for our dinner) but the manager or his assistant has always followed up personally with us on how things were going. One of the reasons we only stay at PBH now.

 

[goofy!]

a good deal is in the eye of the beholder I suppose, many people consistently 'overpay' for things, yet if they r happy that's all that matters

re airline tix, Southwest is doing well, particularly since you can rebook your airline tix @ a lower rate (and they don't cancel flights on a regular basis or charge for 2nd bags either ). Many wouldn't dream of flying a discount carrier, yet im impressed with them

anyway, as indicated, i went thru the official channels yesterday & Lowes promptly responded & explained their position...once again they have satisfied me

hope the rest of u do contact them and give them a chance to keep your business

The rebooking is only good if you can rebook within a year. I just "lost" $175.00 because I did not use my credits in time. I called to see if I could have them extended or get cash, but no go. Yet, I read on the transportation boards of all the people who are able to transfer their credits to their purchasing cc. Am I angry with Southwest because some got a perk that I could not get? Not at all.

And Loews is hardly a discount hotel chain

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!

 

[loribell]

Honestly if someone says something is a slap in the face to them then it is. It may not be a slap in the face to everyone, especially to those that often get extra perks because of "knowing" someone at the hotels they stay at and doing nothing but singing there praises, but to those that who went out of their way to pay to ensure they kept their status it is.. No one has the right to tell them that it isn't.

I also think it is very poor customer service to send out generic emails to your most loyal guests. They know which of their customers come often and stay for a large number of days. If they don't then shame on them. Regardless, loyal customers deserve more than a bulk email. That is a slap in the face.

By the way, I thought it was very comical that I got that email for being such a loyal customer. What a joke! If all their so called loyal "you first" customers were like me they would go out of business.

 

[keishashadow]

The rebooking is only good if you can rebook within a year. I just "lost" $175.00 because I did not use my credits in time. I called to see if I could have them extended or get cash, but no go. Yet, I read on the transportation boards of all the people who are able to transfer their credits to their purchasing cc. Am I angry with Southwest because some got a perk that I could not get? Not at all.

And Loews is hardly a discount hotel chain

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!

i didn't indicate Loews is a discount hotel chain although they do offer "discounts" ala promos (free night offers, etc.), affiliation rates (AAA/AP/FL resident) and via their rewards programs if u really want to split hairs

re SW - i've sold flight credits close to 90% on ebay, while u must jump thru legalish hoops there as to listing verbage & # of times per month u may do so; it is perfectly legit. Additionally, u can book travel for another person (pay it forward ) if ur uncomfortable with 1st option.

just the way im wired, waste not-want not...prefer deluxe accommodations (yet i've enjoyed the Disney Value Resorts & even 'gasp' offsite from time to time...cannot imagine paying full fare when 'readily available deals' can equal more trips just the way im wired i suppose.

who's ready to open a bottle of asti?

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Any rumors yet about 2010?