Triangle Trip

SPG has finally followed Delta’s lead (see Captain G’s previous post) and posted last year’s rollover nights to this year (2010). As you can see that I am a super loyal SPG member. I have already re-qualified for Starwood Platinum for 2011.

Looks like SPG was kind enough to also roll over hotel stays from 2009 to 2010; in addition to just hotel nights. Rollover stays is a hidden benefit which was not originally advertised.

While I rarely fill out surveys, I recently completed one for Starwood Preferred Guests; it asked many leading questions that strongly implied:

1.  SPG will be implementing rollover nights – if you’ve already achieved status this calendar year, the extra stays/nights will be applied toward next year’s status. This is in response to Marriott’s Elite Rollover Nights program. SPG will probably roll this out in October.

2.  If SPG doesn’t implement Rollover Nights, they will definitely be implementing some kind of point acceleration program, again sometime in October. They typically do this every year.

3.  SPG may remove the 500 point bonus reward for Platinum members. Currently, when SPG Platinum members check in, they can choose one of three rewards: an extra 500 points added to their account, a $10 credit for the minibar, or a free movie. The leading questions on the survey led me to believe they may take away the 500 bonus points.

Without the 500 point bonus reward program, there is no real incentive to be, or become a Platinum status SPG. Platinum and Gold members accrue the same amount of bonus points and get access to the SPG Club Lounges where available. The 500 bonus points you get at check-in as a Platinum member gives you 1/6 of the way to earning a free night at a category 1 hotel (3000 points per night for week days and 2000 points for weekends). I really hope SPG doesn’t take away the 500 bonus point reward program; otherwise, or I’ll have to consider another chain.