Earth Black SPG Gold Benefit

[Princess Fiona]

I got my new black MC and Amex last week and noticed that one of the benefits is SPG Gold granted after one qualifying stay paid for with the card.
Not familiar with the SPG program and wonder if this is a valuable benefit and/or are there any other cards with hotel status attached in Australia ?

 

[markis10]

Not as good as HH in terms of published benefits but handy, with Starwood ramping up local properties again and their nice transfer to AA when you get 20000 points (they add a 5K bonus) there are some good attributes.

 

[QF029]

I got my new black MC and Amex last week and noticed that one of the benefits is SPG Gold granted after one qualifying stay paid for with the card.
Not familiar with the SPG program and wonder if this is a valuable benefit and/or are there any other cards with hotel status attached in Australia ?

Free internet and 4pm late checkout makes it worthwhile for me.

 

[Geoffm]

I agree handy to have in the bag/wallet - late checkout and pretty good results on standby upgrades

 

[k_sheep]

Upgrades in SE Asia are normally pretty good. Very occassionally I've even managed a suite.

 

[lovestotravel]

Free internet and 4pm late checkout makes it worthwhile for me.

Yep I rate that as the two most important things on a trip. I can do without the "upgrade" to an "enhanced" room as that is always questionable, a room with a better view, slightly higher floor etc etc. I prefer to book the room and know what I am getting

4pm checkout is great and Free WiFi when overseas is WIN

 

[Newk]

I got my new black MC and Amex last week and noticed that one of the benefits is SPG Gold granted after one qualifying stay paid for with the card.
Not familiar with the SPG program and wonder if this is a valuable benefit and/or are there any other cards with hotel status attached in Australia ?

The MC attached to Diners also qualifies you for SPG gold after one stay using the card. I have thus attained SPG gold

 

[Newk]

I got my new black MC and Amex last week and noticed that one of the benefits is SPG Gold granted after one qualifying stay paid for with the card.
Not familiar with the SPG program and wonder if this is a valuable benefit and/or are there any other cards with hotel status attached in Australia ?

If I was younger and starting out in a hotel program I'd plump for SPG as it has a lifetime gold category that I think would be reachable with a small effort

 

[albatross710]

How would they track that a person has qualified for that benefit?

 

[Newk]

How would they track that a person has qualified for that benefit?

I'd be guessing with computers and software much as they track current stays

[h=3]Introducing SPG Lifetime Gold![/h]Be golden – for life. Never go below Gold membership level when you achieve 250 nights total and any 5 years of elite SPG status.