Why does SPG use so many targeted promotions. It is just Bad Customer Service.
Aug 6, 2004, 3:56 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Don't know....
Programs: BA LTG, SQ TPPS, CX DMP, AA EXP, Bonvoy LTT, ALL PLT, Hilton DM
Posts: 4,017
I have a different view that the original poster.
First, while FT is certainly growing, I believe we are still the minority of people that travel and use the airlines and hotels we discuss. Therefore, many people don't know about promotions they are not targeted for.
Second, for this specific promotion I think they did a great job. From what I can tell, if you have stayed quite a few nights this year (let's say around 40 or more), then you got the 10 nights / 2 weekends at 1-6 category hotel. Instead of the 5 nights / 1 weekend 1-4 category hotel. I think that is great! They are trying to get me to stay 10 nights before giving me 2 free weekend nights and I get to stay at cat 5 or 6 hotels. Based on the number of stays to date this year, they probably guess I will hit the 5 nights promotion pretty easily so they stretched it out to make it 10 nights before I get anything. And Starwood is correct. I am going to stay at least 10 nights this month and in fact I was planning to try some other non-FF point hotels (like the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons) after hitting my 50 night renewal mark but I've now decided to stay more at Starwood to get additional free weekends.
First, while FT is certainly growing, I believe we are still the minority of people that travel and use the airlines and hotels we discuss. Therefore, many people don't know about promotions they are not targeted for.
Second, for this specific promotion I think they did a great job. From what I can tell, if you have stayed quite a few nights this year (let's say around 40 or more), then you got the 10 nights / 2 weekends at 1-6 category hotel. Instead of the 5 nights / 1 weekend 1-4 category hotel. I think that is great! They are trying to get me to stay 10 nights before giving me 2 free weekend nights and I get to stay at cat 5 or 6 hotels. Based on the number of stays to date this year, they probably guess I will hit the 5 nights promotion pretty easily so they stretched it out to make it 10 nights before I get anything. And Starwood is correct. I am going to stay at least 10 nights this month and in fact I was planning to try some other non-FF point hotels (like the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons) after hitting my 50 night renewal mark but I've now decided to stay more at Starwood to get additional free weekends.
Aug 6, 2004, 9:36 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Programs: AA EXP & 3MM, SPG GLD
Posts: 1,215
Originally Posted by Max Power
Interesting to note, though, that I am staying at a Starwood property this week, as I write this, instead of the Hilton across the street that I usually stay at. I pick hotels entirely on the basis of how nice the individual hotel is - the frequent guest programs don't influence my choice, except when I am not familiar with any hotel in a city, then I'll usually go to a Hilton just because I have Diamond status. This particular Sheraton (the Cavalier in Calgary) is a really nice hotel, far better than the Hilton, so they'll get all my business in the future, Hilton Diamond or no Hilton Diamond. I've only been here at this hotel 5 days now, but already the I know the staff and they know me, and they treat me like I am Starwood Plutonium or whatever the Starwood top level is.
Max Power
Max Power
Aug 6, 2004, 10:29 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,333
Originally Posted by attorney28
Targeting sucks, unless I am targeted. You can easily silence my complaints by targeting me for every promo
.