This week marked a first for me – achieving Platinum Status with @SPG. I crossed the 50 night in a year threshold last week at the Le Meridien Mexico City, but since I hadn’t fully earned the status, at the time of check-in, I didn’t get to reap the benefits while in Mexico.
This week I returned to the Sheraton Garden Grove – Anaheim South hotel for work. While their systems hadn’t been fully updated to reflect my new Platinum status, I showed them my “card” from the smart-phone app and they were able to update their records. Here’s what I got for being a Platinum at this hotel (compared to what Gold gets):
- Welcome Gift of 500 Points (only 250 for Gold)
- Complimentary Internet (charged at $9.95/day for Gold)
- Complimentary Welcome Bottle of Wine (Nothing for Gold)
The best part, was how excited both of the young women who were working check-in when I arrived were when they found out this was my first stay as Platinum. They were absolutely giddy. The woman who was helping me was a bit stereotypical young Asian – she was super excited and when she laughed she covered her mouth and cast her gaze to the floor, almost like she was embarrassed she was so happy. She was great!
I think I was supposed to get either the 500 Welcome Points or the bottle of wine. I didn’t drink the wine (I was hardly in the hotel room at all), so I left it for housekeeping with a note thanking them for their help. I am sure that wine goes right back into inventory.
There was only two nights from the time I earned Platinum until my next stay, so it isn’t surprising that my reservation wasn’t updated, but my SPG account was updated to reflect not only the new status, but I was immediately credited with the 10 Suite Night Upgrades (more on that later) as well.
When you cross over a new Status Threshold (regular to Gold then again from Gold to Platinum) you get the option of choosing either Double Starpoints for a month of your choice or 35% off a redemption of Starpoints. I haven’t decided yet, but my gut says Double Points in April when I’ll be staying at a relatively high priced hotel for work. I haven’t fully made my decision yet.
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