William....I am confused on the 5 stay credit deal ; My wife and I both have the SPG AmeX, so does this mean we get 5 stays off the bat???

Can you explain this benefit cuz I didn't get it when I received the card/welcome letters....

 

5 NIGHTS - not stays. The benefit offers 2 stays and 5 nights.

 

Yes, I believe you are. It is 2 stays and 5 nights, not 5 stays. These will be applied October 14, 2010 for primary cardmembers and not for additional folks that may be listed as having charging privileges on the primary cardmember's account.

American Express should be following up shortly on notifying eligible cardmembers.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

 

okay..so if I get this straight ; we get 5 nights instantly? I could book a 5 nights (1 stay) at a Sheraton (based on availability/locale) just like that??

 

No - it is a 'credit' towards the nights/stays required for elite status! They are not 'free' nights!

 

ahh okay--me gets it now.....its for getting closer to Elite status...thank you!

 

Two Stays, two ^^...devaluation complaint diffused

 

so "active" primary cardmembers on October 14, 2010 will get the credits applied on October 14, 2010?

(i keep on thinking about those that "renew" after October 14, 2010 will get the credit, but the post from William seems to say otherwise)

 

It will only be given in mid-October this year as October 14th is the official date that the new benefits and changes are in effect and will count toward status in 2010. Every year thereafter it will post by mid-February to count toward status in that year.

So on October 14th, a cardmember who has just the consumer card will get 5 nights and 2 stays credited to their account.

For a cardmember who has a consumer and a business card, they will get 10 nights and 4 stays.

No cardmember with multiple cards will receive more than 10 nights and 4 stays.

The information I have been given up to now says that this will happen every late February. From that, my understanding is that everyone who is a cardmember as of October 14th will get 2 stays/5 nights this October for 2010 and then 2 stays/5 nights next February to apply toward 2011. Those who have both the business and personal cards would receive twice that.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

 

OK, my turn to be a little dense - this concept is still alluding me.

I have two cards - personal and business. The personal card has been in force for many years, but I have no idea when my annual renewal date is (before, near, or after 10/14). The business card is new (the 30K promo), has not renewed yet and is fee-free for the first year.

So, how do I calculate which (if any) of these benefits will be given to me next week?

 

It appears that all current cardholders, both personal & business will be receiving the benefit credit of 5 nights/2 stays per card around 10/14 for this year, then in future yrs -- it should be around Feb.!^

 

While I really like this new benefit I read the announcement with some trepidation.

Essentially, you can now make PLT with 40 nights or 21 stays if you have a personal and business cc. Between this and the recent surveys I'm starting to think this is the first step before adding another status level.

 

What other possible benefits could they add to a new status level? Guaranteed suites? Properties would balk at that. Guaranteed free breakfast? Not much of a big deal.

We already get guaranteed reservations, free Internet and upgrades as Platinums - so other than offering some additional incentives around award stays, I'm not sure how compelling they could make another tier given how high the stay requirement would need to be in order to differentiate.

 

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...its-works.html

 

I'm surprised at how excited people are for this benefit. 10% toward qualification would give me reason to be excited if it were for requal for EXP on AA, but platinum status at a hotel chain? Psht, that's easy. Hotels give out PLT status like pretzels. Bump qualification up to 100 or even 150 nights per year, then let's talk.