Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Discontinued Programs/Partners > Starwood | Starwood Preferred Guest
Reload this Page >

Instant award: breakfast

Register
Community
Wiki Posts
Today's Posts
Search

Instant award: breakfast

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 10:35 am
  #16  
RichMSN
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited2M100 Nights20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,870
Originally Posted by TRAVELBABE
Was also available at the Westin Europa & Regina in Venice back in 2007, and the charge for breakfast there was 56 euros! I thought it was a great use of points but haven't found that award in any other European properties. It would be nice to know the instant awards a property offers ahead of time.
56 Euro to me means: "We don't want you here. Go find a little bakery."
RichMSN is offline  
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 10:39 am
  #17  
TRAVELBABE
10 Countries Visited20 Countries Visited30 Countries Visited15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: L.A.
Programs: USAIR gold, HH diamond, SPG gold
Posts: 270
It almost seems like the properties should come up with instant awards based on their category. For instance, it would make sense that you would have to redeem more points for breakfast at a cat 6 property than a cat 2.
TRAVELBABE is offline  
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 10:54 am
  #18  
soitgoes
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
Originally Posted by TRAVELBABE
It almost seems like the properties should come up with instant awards based on their category. For instance, it would make sense that you would have to redeem more points for breakfast at a cat 6 property than a cat 2.
Breakfast prices vary less than room rates. They seem to be more regionally based than anything (e.g., expensive in Europe!).

I'm going to repeat myself--standardization of costs would almost inevitably lead to "inflation". Plus, I believe that Instant Awards are optional for properties to offer at all.

I do think SPG could do more to promote these--they are a somewhat unique benefit.
soitgoes is offline  
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 12:22 pm
  #19  
sbtinme
10 Countries Visited20 Countries Visited30 Countries Visited20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: From: PWM
Programs: United GS, Fairmont Platinum,SPG LTPlat, Hilton Diamond, MarriottGold..like the rest of the world
Posts: 4,401
Originally Posted by soitgoes

I'm going to repeat myself--standardization of costs would almost inevitably lead to "inflation".
I believe you're absolutely correct. When I suggest that this program would benefit from some standardizing, I'm referring to the very notion of making it a more frontline offering at all properties. It's a totally hit or miss program today with the vast majority of properties not even dabbling with it. I also think that certain components could be standardized (such as an in room movie domestically) without too much risk of point inflation.

I would never expect instant rewards to be great "deals," but I would appreciate fair offers using points to be made available at check-in (or, as others have suggested, on the property's webpage).
sbtinme is offline  
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 1:51 pm
  #20  
360guy
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Starwoods/ Marriott Life Time Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, and HP
Posts: 823
Originally Posted by broadwayboy
I know that IMPERIAL Vienna, LE MERIDIEN NIRWANA Bali offered the same deal -- not sure if they still do. Does anyone know if GRAND HOTEL FLORENCE offer the same thing?
The Grand Hotel Florence did last year. Great value for points.
360guy is offline  
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 11:39 pm
  #21  
TRAVELBABE
10 Countries Visited20 Countries Visited30 Countries Visited15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: L.A.
Programs: USAIR gold, HH diamond, SPG gold
Posts: 270
Originally Posted by RichMSN
56 Euro to me means: "We don't want you here. Go find a little bakery."
But a little bakery doesn't have the ambience of sitting on a veranda overlooking the Grand Canal in one of the world's most romantic cities. That's why these instant awards can be so cool. They can provide an experience you probably wouldn't splurge for if you were spending actual cash.
TRAVELBABE is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 4:17 am
  #22  
olisch
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HAJ
Programs: Lufthansa FTL, HHonors Gold, Le Club Accorhotels Platinum
Posts: 677
Thanks for this thread

I never thought about this before ... but now i will get our breakfast at Le Meridien Khao Lak for 1.500 points per night. For me it's a pretty nice deal ....
olisch is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 8:52 am
  #23  
sorro
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Orem, UT, USA
Programs: DL PM, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 414
The Salzberg Sheraton offers this, but instead of the 1500 *points (a relative bargain) it's at 2400. I took the offer because my wife and I were on a "free" trip, but in the back of my mind, I couldn't help thinking that we just cashed in 4800 *points for 50 euros, when that could have paid for a 100 euro+ hotel room.
sorro is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 1:17 pm
  #24  
mahasamatman
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
10 Countries Visited2M50 Countries Visited20 Years on Site
 
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
Originally Posted by TRAVELBABE
But a little bakery doesn't have the ambience of sitting on a veranda overlooking the Grand Canal in one of the world's most romantic cities.
In fact, I find that many small cafes and bakeries have more ambiance than a hotel restaurant.
mahasamatman is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 1:25 pm
  #25  
HomerJ
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toronto
Programs: SPG LT Plat, Hilton G,Priorty Club G, AC E
Posts: 2,979
Looks like a 50/50 split...
....I think they are a rip off and have only redeemed once in Mexico for a massage which was 1500 pts. Other than that there is ZERO chance I would use 4800 pts for b'fast. I think these are underutilized because they are over priced.
HomerJ is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 2:35 pm
  #26  
Flying Lawyer
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited20 Countries Visited30 Countries Visited15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,186
Originally Posted by RichMSN
56 Euro to me means: "We don't want you here. Go find a little bakery."
Originally Posted by HomerJ
....I think they are a rip off and have only redeemed once in Mexico for a massage which was 1500 pts. Other than that there is ZERO chance I would use 4800 pts for b'fast. I think these are underutilized because they are over priced.
Indeed. They may charge 112 Euro for a breakfast for two, however, I would never pay 112 Euro. Last time at the Eden in Rome we bought our breakfast in a small supermarket and hat a great morning on one of our three balconies for maybe 20 Euro....
Flying Lawyer is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 8:37 pm
  #27  
olisch
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HAJ
Programs: Lufthansa FTL, HHonors Gold, Le Club Accorhotels Platinum
Posts: 677
Originally Posted by sorro
..., but in the back of my mind, I couldn't help thinking that we just cashed in 4800 *points for 50 euros, when that could have paid for a 100 euro+ hotel room.
just out of curiosity ... if you get breakfast through instant award with points, you have to spend (in this case) 2.400 points per person or per room?
olisch is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 8:39 pm
  #28  
soitgoes
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
Originally Posted by olisch
just out of curiosity ... if you get breakfast through instant award with points, you have to spend (in this case) 2.400 points per person or per room?
Most hotels seem to quite meal instant award prices per person, but each hotel can do whatever it wants.
soitgoes is offline  
Old Apr 24, 2009 | 10:14 am
  #29  
sorro
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Orem, UT, USA
Programs: DL PM, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 414
Originally Posted by olisch
just out of curiosity ... if you get breakfast through instant award with points, you have to spend (in this case) 2.400 points per person or per room?
At the Salzberg Sheraton it was a per person charge, so 2400 *points per individual for breakfast. It was good and it was free (I do have a lot of points), but because these instant awards are generally more expensive on a per point basis than a hotel room, it does come down to a cost-benefit analysis on the fly.
sorro is offline  
Old Apr 24, 2009 | 10:19 am
  #30  
TRAVELBABE
10 Countries Visited20 Countries Visited30 Countries Visited15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: L.A.
Programs: USAIR gold, HH diamond, SPG gold
Posts: 270
Originally Posted by sorro
At the Salzberg Sheraton it was a per person charge, so 2400 *points per individual for breakfast. It was good and it was free (I do have a lot of points), but because these instant awards are generally more expensive on a per point basis than a hotel room, it does come down to a cost-benefit analysis on the fly.
That does seem like a lot of points to have to put out for breakfast. Do you remember what the charge was in euros?
TRAVELBABE is offline  



Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

Contact Us - Manage Preferences Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.