I had always felt pretty behind in the hotel program game, namely, because I rarely traveled long enough on mileage runs to warrant a stay at a hotel, and when I traveled to Europe or Asia, to where most of my trips have taken me in the last year, I usually tried to stay with friends to avoid the exorbitant cost of name-brand hotels. Since March of 2008, I had been rabidly collecting Hilton HHonors points with the Hilton Amex, but none of those points contributed to any Hilton elite status, but I recently “upgraded” to the Hilton Surpass American Express card that comes with Hilton Gold status.
Thus, I was surprised and pleased to receive a letter in the mail that informed me that, “as a valued Mileage Plus Member” [Ed. note: uh huh] I’m invited to experience the “exclusive travel privelege” [Ed. note: me and the other ten gajillion SPG members] of SPG Gold status. I scoured the letter and insert, using all four years of English major scrutiny, and actually, found no catch, whatsoever. SPG handed me, “the sophisticated travler,” as the letter read, free SPG Gold status, without a status challenge, monetary donation, or ritualistic animal sacrifice. Of course, I only have the free Gold status until February, 2010, but hey, that might be enough time to make some noise in the SPG program.
Hey, if I like rackin’ up SPG points, this marketing scheme may work, and may draw me away from Hilton. I just checked today, and looking at my upcoming trip to Brussels, SPG properties are markedly cheaper and more abundant than Hilton properties. For a pauper student like me, I may just have to bite. I’ve always been intrigued by the cash and points options, as well. (Hell, I may even apply for the Starwood American Express – much to the elation of His Eminence King Richard the Lionhearted Ye Frugale Travel Guye). If I’m feeling like I have the chutzpah, I may engage in a little trick taught to me by friend of the blog CP@YOW, and arrange each night in a different SPG property in Brussels, to rack up the nightly stays.
Now, here’s where the readers come in – Have you enjoyed SPG status? I confess – I’ve heard mixed reviews of benefits and superior treatment from property to property and city to city with SPG Gold members. Generally, I’ve heard more consistent accolades for Hilton Gold (which, as I said before, I am also a proud member – but, their damn properties are just so damn expensive in Europe).
I’d love to hear any insight.
I’m a Starwood Preferred Guest now and I think that is the hotel program that I will focus on in the future. On a few trips to Asia I have stayed at Traders (Shangri-La Golden circle program) and I have gotten to gold status there…but it doesn’t really give you any benefits. At least with SPG you get points that you can use at the various hotels you stay at. Congratulations with your gold status
Friend of the blog CP@YOW thanks you for the credit, but really it’s a standard flyertalk MR (mattress run) trick.
Be careful, cash & points doesn’t earn stay credit, nor does the use of non-SPG websites (e.g. Expedia) to book.
For the past couple years, SPG has had a double stays promotion in the fall. If that is repeated, you can requalify with 5 stays.
In costing things out, remember that HH Gold will guarantee you free breakfast and, particularly in Europe, give you a good chance at lounge access with free alcohol (and, based on previous trip reports, we know what a lush you are…
SPG Gold gets you free 4PM checkouts, which if you are matress running, can be a lifesaver. They also usually put you up in a nicer room than the schmuck off the street and have a small ($10 or so) gift for you on checkin.
Strangely, I’ve found European SW properties to be more consistent and generous with gold benefits than US properties.
If you go for it, you can MR the 3 downtown BRU properties easliy, combine a cheap weekend night at Le Meridian, the main Sheraton down town, and the 4 Points, which is actually my overall favorite in BRU. The airport Sheraton, besides being literally across the street from the airport, offers GREAT runway views (if you request a room facing that way), but it’s a trek from the airport to Brussels central, not something I would want to do while sightseeing.
I’ve been a devoted SPG fan for a while now, thanks to a free offer for Gold status a few years back as well as a SPG Amex card. I agree that it generally gets you a reasonably nicer room at most places, and in some cases can get you a *much* nicer room with extra perks such as executive floor lounge access (free food and drinks all day, hooray!). On international trips, I’ve definitely enjoyed being able to use points for food, spa treatments, etc. at SPG locations.
So what is up with the wise crack “His Eminence King Richard”? I’m just a plain old guy like you trying to get by, but do appreciate if you do use my link for the card.
I have all three Golds, HIlton , SPG and Marriott and have mixed feelings on any one being dominant in the bennies they give you. I can’t seem to see a consistent pattern in the extras you receive, hence my choice for getting all three instead of one top tier. I certainly can confirm that breakie in Europe is out of my price range and love the lounge access, if and when provided. An earlier poster also hit on the late checkout with SPG. It is a lifesaver at times.
Adoringly Oh Great One
His Pauperness
Rick
PS: If you had read the riddle in my blog on June 7, 2009, your status would be seasoned a month ago.