Triangle Trip

Following up from my post on August 18, 2009, Prediction: SPG Rollover Nights is on the way…, Starwood sent emails to its 2009 Platinum members to register for what they called their “Nights Advance” promotion — “An opportunity to get started on Platinum re-qualification for 2010.” With the nights advance promotion, all the nights AND stays from October 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 will count toward SPG elite status for 2010. Furthermore, stays and nights earned during the promotional period will count towards Platinum level re-qualification for 2009 and 2010. Make sure you register by November 30, 2009 (here’s the link).

For more information, here’s a link to SPG’s FAQ which is extremely helpful. According to the FAQ, you will see the “rollover nights” show up by January 31, 2010.

This is a great move by SPG to keep its current and future Platinum members happy and loyal to SPG properties. Personally, this new rollover nights promotion is a huge incentive for me to continue booking at SPG properties; I was actually contemplating on switching to Hilton for the rest of the year before the announcement.

Additionally, SPG has not taken away the 500 bonus points reward option; Platinum members that have reached status for the next year can still enjoy extra points, complimentary drink, or a movie when they check in. Lets hope the hotels continue to give us the free water every night.

“Earn 500 bonus Starpoints every night and an additional 5,000 every 10th night.”

Starwood Hotels (W Hotels, Westin, Sheraton) have been addressing the economic downturn with a strategy that I can only call a self-inflicted double whammy.  Because of falling demand, prices for a single night at Starwood properties have been falling.  While this is a normal business practice, what’s disconcerting is that at the same time, they are rolling out excessive point-earning incentives.

In exchange for short term solvency, they are guaranteeing a future “market correction.”  Will it be in the form of a bankrupt points program?  Will a Sheraton reward rise from 2,000 points to 10,000?   Will Westin rebrand as Le Meridien? For someone with a very generous balance of points, I’m downright worried.

If anything, SPG should be increasing their rates for this fairly inelastic market.  Yes, there are alternatives like video conferencing, but they’ll never replace the effectiveness of a face to face meeting.  On top of that, I’m guessing that SPG’s bread & butter business traveller is as greedy as I am.  The hotel stay is going to be reimbursed, so they’re not going to compromise their starpoints balance to save $20 a night by moving over to the Hilton.

I don’t care how bad the economy is, any self-respecting consultant won’t be found at a La Quinta.  What’s next?  Online coupons?

-Terminal D