starwood ?

[scanmom]

I just got upgraded to SPG platinum level. What benefits does that get me? I read on their site, but would love clarification from someone here that is at platinum level. The way I read it, I get comped to club level, and the most upgraded room avalible, plus 4pm checkout. Is that right? If it is, WOW!!!! If anyone here knows, please let me know. We have stayed at the Swan, and LOVED it. I can't imagine being upgraded to club level!!! Thanks!

 

[Tinkaroo]

My DH was platinum in 2003 when we stayed at the Swan. I do think the upgrade is based on availability (isnt' everything these days), but we didn't have a problem getting it. Just make sure what you're eligible for, and be quietly insistent with them. Even though the staff is very nice, I found sometimes that they needed to be gently reminded about the things we should get. A well-educated traveler always finishes ahead!

Enjoy - the Royal Beach Club ws very nice. It was great to grab some breakfast there in the morning, and we loaded up on their bottled waters for drinking in the parks!

 

[elf]

Yes we had a couple of years on Platinum and in all the Starwoods we got comped club level which is great for quick breakfasts, bottle water, etc. We went to Russia and Wasington DC and was also comped to club level that year with a late check out.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi scanmom

Sorry I can't confirm what it's like to have platinum SPG. But I did read the same as you and it sounds pretty great. Automatic upgrades on the best available room. BTW... how did you get platinum?

I currently have SPG gold. I'm not sure what gold gives you other than an added 50% points earned.

Andy

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Hi scanmom

Sorry I can't confirm what it's like to have platinum SPG. But I did read the same as you and it sounds pretty great. Automatic upgrades on the best available room. BTW... how did you get platinum?

I currently have SPG gold. I'm not sure what gold gives you other than an added 50% points earned.

Andy

Hi Andy!

I have SPG Gold, too. There is supposed to be a complimentary room upgrade (based on availability) but it seems there is nearly always NO availability and that, like the previous poster mentioned, most hotel staff aren't aware that you are eligible for an upgrade unless it's mentioned. Still, I have found that the most elusive perk. However, even with the gold level there is 4 pm check-out and the added 50% like you said, and a lot of great specials and incentives to keep going back. I've never gotten as far as platinum (wow, 25 stays in a year!) but this is my second year with the gold level (10 stays in a year) and I really like the spg system in general. However, I have found the Fairmont President's club to be much more consistent about upgrades in terms of your club membership--so that is actually my very favorite travel club. Sigh, imagine a Fairmont in WDW

 

[Muffy]

We were Platinum SPG 2003 and were compted a Jr. Suite with club levels privs at the Dolphin. It was a 2 room suite with 2 bathrooms and very nice. The jr. suite at the Swan is a 500 ft. L shaped studio room and very nice also. The great thing about the studio room at the Swan is most of them have balconies. I did have to ask for the upgrade to a jr. suite. We're hooked now and love the S/D. I'm booking an 2 BR executive suite for our next trip 2/06!

 

[AndyMcV]

...There is supposed to be a complimentary room upgrade (based on availability) but it seems there is nearly always NO availability and that, like the previous poster mentioned, most hotel staff aren't aware that you are eligible for an upgrade unless it's mentioned....

Hmmm.... I didn't realize that either! We have a Dolphin lake view room booked for May 29th to June 9th. I got the ALLEARS code rate for a standard room at $169 with an automatic upgrade to lake view with this code. Do you think I could swing it so that when I walk into the hotel and say that I'm a gold spg member they then give me another upgrade to resort view???? Oh that would be awesome. What do you think?

Andy

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Hmmm.... I didn't realize that either! We have a Dolphin lake view room booked for May 29th to June 9th. I got the ALLEARS code rate for a standard room at $169 with an automatic upgrade to lake view with this code. Do you think I could swing it so that when I walk into the hotel and say that I'm a gold spg member they then give me another upgrade to resort view???? Oh that would be awesome. What do you think?

Andy

Yes, DEFINITELY ask them about it. You really are supposed to get that upgrade if they have it, that's one of the main reasons I try to maintain my gold status and stay w/ starwood resorts. I bet if it's available they will give it to you.

 

[paras4ri]

Watch your confirmation info on the spg.com website. About 2 weeks before our trip last summer the limited view room at the Dolphin I had reserved changed to a lake view on the website - and we got one for no additional charge!!!! I'm also SPG Gold.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hey Guys

Get this... I just phoned the Dolphin and told the CM that I was going to upgrade my lake view room for $169 a night to a club level room using my spg points, 11,000 points for 11 nights. However she said that I really couldn't do this until 5 days before my checkin day. I could either call Starwood 5 days before or try and do the points upgrade when I checked in. She was really nice and happened to just check to see if there was availability for a club level room for my dates. She came back and said there are only a couple of rooms left and that's it. So... she went ahead and booked/held one of the rooms for me. Yay!!! we have club level booked!

The wierd thing is that when I go to the SPG site to confirm my new reservation it says that I have a club level room booked at $169. However there is no mention of a points upgrade or anything to do with points at all. What do you make of that?

Andy

 

[scanmom]

We are Gold, so far. We have never gotten the room upgrade, but I know that we have traveled during high season when we have tried. So I am sure that the rooms were just not available.
I am not sure if I have been upgraded to platinum. I just got the SPG American Express card. I will get 4000 bonus points after my 1st use of the card. On the card it says SPG Platinum. And it makes a reference to platinum in the paperwork, but nothing specific. I activated my card today by phone, and then called SPG to see about my status, but the lady said I am still listed as Gold/Elite status. But she also said thet it was not showing that I have the Amex card either. She said that if I have been upgraded, it may not be in the system yet. I will wait a week or 2 and check again. I remember reading on these boards a year or more ago that many people getting the SPG Amex card were upgraded to platinum. I thought about getting it then, but didn't. That is why I thought there might be some people here that would know about all of this.
I will flip out if I am made a platinum member! I was thrilled to make it to Gold!! I cannot imagine being GIVEN the kinds of upgrades that are listed on the SPG website! That would make for a great trip anywhere, but especially magical at WDW. I don't think ANY Disney resort could out-magic that!! Thanks for all the info! I will update when I find out if I am upgraded!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

 

[magicaddict]

If I'm understanding your posts correctly the card you received that says Platinum is your AMEX card correct? The AMEX is separate from your SPG membership and does not automatically entitle you to Platinum level SPG status. We got the AMEX a couple years ago and were lucky enough to get bumped to Gold SPG status but have never been given anything higher. I'm sure we'd have to stay 25+ times for that to happen. HTH

 

[paras4ri]

If I'm understanding your posts correctly the card you received that says Platinum is your AMEX card correct? The AMEX is separate from your SPG membership and does not automatically entitle you to Platinum level SPG status. We got the AMEX a couple years ago and were lucky enough to get bumped to Gold SPG status but have never been given anything higher. I'm sure we'd have to stay 25+ times for that to happen. HTH

I agree. We also have the SPG Platinum AMEX card but that didn't affect our SPG status.

 

[mommykds]

We already have the Amex from Sheraton..is there any discounts/promo's for using the card to pay for the hotel stay at the Dolphin?

 

[scanmom]

I am happy even if we aren't bumped up in status. I am thrilled at all the SW points I will be getting with this new card. I am planning on using it for everyday things, like groceries, gas, etc. We are a family of 6 with 4 autos, so the points should add up fairly quickly!

 

[poohbear7]

The SPG Platinum card gives you Starwood Prefered. $35. a year
The American Express Platinum card which costs over $300. a year upgrades you to Gold status. Some people get these confused it's a perk with the Amex Platinum card not the SPG Amex Platinum card. Hope this is of some help.