Comments on: Free SPG Gold Status For Me, "The Sophisticated Traveler" – For Some Reason http://boardingarea.com/blogs/waapblog/2009/06/30/free-spg-gold-status-for-me-the-sophisticated-traveler-for-some-reason/ one plebe's journey Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:57:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rick Ingersoll http://boardingarea.com/blogs/waapblog/2009/06/30/free-spg-gold-status-for-me-the-sophisticated-traveler-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-519 Rick Ingersoll Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:08:01 +0000 http://waapblog.com/?p=948#comment-519 PS: If you had read the riddle in my blog on June 7, 2009, your status would be seasoned a month ago. PS: If you had read the riddle in my blog on June 7, 2009, your status would be seasoned a month ago.

]]> By: Rick Ingersoll http://boardingarea.com/blogs/waapblog/2009/06/30/free-spg-gold-status-for-me-the-sophisticated-traveler-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-518 Rick Ingersoll Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:05:11 +0000 http://waapblog.com/?p=948#comment-518 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 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

]]> By: CubbyBear http://boardingarea.com/blogs/waapblog/2009/06/30/free-spg-gold-status-for-me-the-sophisticated-traveler-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-517 CubbyBear Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:28:36 +0000 http://waapblog.com/?p=948#comment-517 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. 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.

]]> By: livitup http://boardingarea.com/blogs/waapblog/2009/06/30/free-spg-gold-status-for-me-the-sophisticated-traveler-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-516 livitup Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:14:05 +0000 http://waapblog.com/?p=948#comment-516 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. 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.

]]> By: CP@YOW http://boardingarea.com/blogs/waapblog/2009/06/30/free-spg-gold-status-for-me-the-sophisticated-traveler-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-515 CP@YOW Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:59:01 +0000 http://waapblog.com/?p=948#comment-515 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... ;-) 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… ;-)

]]> By: Gard http://boardingarea.com/blogs/waapblog/2009/06/30/free-spg-gold-status-for-me-the-sophisticated-traveler-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-514 Gard Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:37:22 +0000 http://waapblog.com/?p=948#comment-514 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 :-) 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 :-)

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