Problem redeeming points for a gift card
Sep 16, 2010 | 10:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: AA Plat, United Premier Exec, SPG Plat, Hertz Pres Club
Posts: 13
Problem redeeming points for a gift card
Back in June I redeemed 2800 SPG points on the spg website for a $25 iTunes gift card. It is now September and I still haven't received the card. I've called the platinum desk several times now and each time I am told that they have put in a request with apple to find the status of my gift card, and they cannot refund my points until they hear back from apple, which will take 7 to 14 days for a response. I really feel like I'm getting jerked around here, and was wondering if anyone has had a similar situation and if they were able to resolve this. Also, does anyone have any suggestions?
Its getting VERY frustrating.
Its getting VERY frustrating.
Sep 16, 2010 | 2:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London (Transplant from EWR)
Programs: United 1k, SPG Plat & Ambassador, ClubCarlson Concierge
Posts: 691
If it has been 3+ months and it is only 2800 points i would ask them to just give you 2800pts as good will. If the card shows up then its a bonus. If not you can re-order if you dare!
Sep 16, 2010 | 2:32 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: AA Plat, United Premier Exec, SPG Plat, Hertz Pres Club
Posts: 13
Yeah... I suggested that, but no dice. I guess they don't trust someone with over 150+ nights at their hotels?
Sep 16, 2010 | 2:37 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,326
So how exactly does staying in a hotel make someone more trustworthy?
Sep 16, 2010 | 2:38 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: AA Plat, United Premier Exec, SPG Plat, Hertz Pres Club
Posts: 13
Continued loyalty to their hotels should buy me some trust don't you think?
Sep 16, 2010 | 4:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London (Transplant from EWR)
Programs: United 1k, SPG Plat & Ambassador, ClubCarlson Concierge
Posts: 691
Yeah I agree. Espcially since points themselves cost so little to give you to make up for the mistake.
Sep 17, 2010 | 9:48 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 30,080
Oct 12, 2010 | 4:50 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: AA Plat, United Premier Exec, SPG Plat, Hertz Pres Club
Posts: 13
FYI finally last week when I called for the fifth total time now, they were able to give me an online redemption code for my iTunes gift card. Essentially four months for this whole process to be resolved.
Has anyone experienced anything similar?
Has anyone experienced anything similar?
Oct 12, 2010 | 5:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 362
The word derives from "custom," meaning "habit"; a customer was someone who frequented a particular shop, who made it a habit to purchase goods of the sort the shop sold there rather than elsewhere, and with whom the shopkeeper had to maintain a relationship to keep his or her "custom," (loyalty) meaning expected purchases in the future.
If the customer is trusting the hotel for that many stays, then the hotel has to trust the customer also.
Oct 12, 2010 | 5:12 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,326
Just read any forum on FT to see how "good customers" will try to break the rules to effectively rip off any given company. When people stop posting about how they do that, maybe then they should earn some trust. Here's a great thread as an example, but there are thousands of other "good customers" defrauding airlines, hotels, credit card companies, and anyone else they think they can scam.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...ade-miles.html
Oct 13, 2010 | 1:54 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: AA Plat, United Premier Exec, SPG Plat, Hertz Pres Club
Posts: 13
I guess the SPG doesn't have to trust me. But I would think if a program is continually not honoring their point-redemption process, people would leave that program... Why would anyone stay at these hotels (for business) with no benefit? Every major hotel program offers instant status match or challenges to obtain the top level, making it very easy to switch rewards programs with little inconvenience.
The point regarding dishonest customers... I don't really care what other people are doing to screw the rewards programs out of points. That's between the program and the people doing this. A customer service rep can review my point accruals and make a decision on if I'm doing anything shady.
The point regarding dishonest customers... I don't really care what other people are doing to screw the rewards programs out of points. That's between the program and the people doing this. A customer service rep can review my point accruals and make a decision on if I'm doing anything shady.
Oct 13, 2010 | 2:05 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,326
And that's more appropriate. It's a case-by-case basis. Simply being a customer does not and should not equate to being trusted, as several people in this thread are saying.