SPG newbie seeks advice

[thewinchester]

I'm seeking a bit of advice, as despite being an SPG member since 99' - I've never stayed at a single one of their properties. I'm usually a Hilton man (only a HHonours Blue, so no status matching there).

I'm planning a trip with friends to Asia in November, and from looking around all the Sheraton properties are within our desired price point (~AUD200/night) and receive consistently good reviews.

Our current plans are for November this year, and consist of:

• 3 nights Sheraton Miyako Tokyo
• 2 nights Sheraton Miyako Osaka
• 2-3 nights Sheraton Grande Wakerhill, Korea

I'd like to ask a couple of questions and draw on the collective experience of all the SPG regulars to get good value from all these stays.

1. Best rates: What is the best way to book that delivers the best rate at SPG properties, and are there discount codes available which help reduce the rate?
2. Earning bonuses: Are there any good earning bonuses out there I should consider apply for that can be used to maximise SPG points?
3. Challenges: With 7-8 nights on the hop, is there any challenges I could/should use to bump up a level in SPG?
4. Best usage of points & expiry: I see that QF isn't a transfer partner for SPG, if they were I would have just flipped them there. Do SPG points ever expire, and considering I'd never be staying in a property higher than Cat3 is there value in keeping the points with SPG and using them for free nights or other offers within the program?

Thanks all in advance for advice and assistance.

 

[drron]

1-will pm you codes.
2-There is a thread on FT with all the current promos.It is a sticky so always near top of SPG forum.
3-you just missed the best with complimentary gold-was a thread here about it.
4-Like most hotel programs points will expire if you dont stay or otherwise get points(can be by dining at an SPG property and making sure they document your SPG number).I transfer mine to AA.Can be used for things such as suite upgrades as well as stays.
I like the Tokyo Miyako.The concierge women are absolute treasures and can arrange anything for you.

 

[scwappy]

Points + cash can be a good option. e.g a night in Westin Melbourne for 4,000 points +60 USD

 

[Alanslegal]

1. some basic public codes that may work can be Z2H, Z3H (20% , buy 2 get 1 free). Example: Starwood Hotels & Resorts

2. With promos, probably best to wait a month or two to see if a Q3 promotion is released - to maximise points, stays, bonuses etc. Maybe the continuation of this quarters current stay 3 earn a free weekend night promotion? or better?

3. With 7-9 nights in total, I would not bother chasing frequent guest status. You would be only close to the 10 stays required to reach Gold in any instance - and since it was complimentary a few months ago, (to me) it must mean Gold level is not that beneficial anyway.

4. 2 points are earned for every $1 USD that is spent. So say you spend $200 per night x 9 nights = $1800 AUD, or approx. $1600 USD, this would mean that you earn 3,200 points. If you are planning to stay at a Cat 3 property eg. Four Points Sydney, you would need 7,000 points to redeem a free night [or 2,800 points and co-pay with cash $45 USD.]. A Cat4 property eg. Westin Sydney, Westin Melbourne is going to be 10,000 points or 4,000 points + $60 USD. To me, 9 nights stayed and I can't even get a free night - that's pretty low.

My opinion, would be to not focus on status chasing or points chasing with SPG - as on face value and with my comments above, it appears too much work & effort for very little reward. Unless there is a specific stay X times earn a free night promotion, I would choose the best value hotel of the day and not too worry about staying with a particular brand, [unless you are QF009 and only first preference is to stay at W's. ]

 

[Alanslegal]

and weclome aboard to AFF scwappy

 

[snufl]

A couple of things to add.

If Z2H or Z3H don't work, try Z2R and Z3R. The R is supposed to be for resorts but I've found it can also work with hotels with weekday arrivals (Z*H have restricted check-in days).

My opinion, I'd avoid booking a non-refundable rate until closer to November (unless it was exceptionally good), I don't think all specials would be released yet. Usually I book a refundable rate then keep checking. I've rebooked 3 times as rates dropped and finally booked a non-refundable rate a month out.

At many hotels you can use points for extras such as room upgrades or club lounge access. Ask when you are checking in. Usually not great value but I've had a few nice surprises.

 

[thewinchester]

Thanks all for the advice and input, greatly appreciated. Also, welcome to scwappy.

 

[vik]

hi

have a 14 day adventure in japan coming up with 3 friends (aug 24)
mostly we'll be booking 2 rooms - going to tokyo, kyoto, osaka, hiroshima, through the jap alps and back to tokyo

was holding out for the priority club sale which promised upto 50% off - the operative word being upto - it didn't eventuate

a friend of mine is a an active SPG member who has been encouraging to join up - was checking out the starwood japan properties which look nice but may be slightly out of our budget (we're all interns this year so aiming to keep it around 80 aud/per night/pp)

any ideas on offers which may help on SPG properties in the short term ie aug 24 onwards?

 

[vik]

i've just spent that last hour trying the Z** codes above for Starwood properties at tokyo, kyoto, osaka - but despite multiple permutations of starting dates and nights stayed all i get is "the promotional code is invalid"

has anyone else been able to make these work or am i just unlucky in that none of japanese properties want to come to the party ?

vik

 

[KitKat]

Unfortunately, at "peak" times the offer does not work, and in my limited experience, you need to book usually well in advance.
Japan is a wonderful destination. You should choose a hotel etc that is convenient, clean etc near the efficient public transport options, Not sure if you want to spend your hard earned on accommodation - who spends lots of time in the hotel rooms anyway in Japan.

 

[drron]

You often need to try both H and R.
ie if Z3R doesn't work try Z3H.
Meant to be resorts and hotels but seem to be interchangeable.

 

[Flashback]

I would thoroughly recommend staying in a Ryokan in Kyoto ; Kyoto ryokan NISHIYAMA RYOKAN Japanese style ryokan

We stayed here and had a v. pleasant stay ; if you can squeeze it into your budget I would do so.

 

[vik]

thanks drron. ive tried all the Z*H/R combos but no luck

Flashware, we do plan to stay in a ryokan in the jap alps region for 2 nights and a gasso-zuri (farmhouse ryokan?) for 1 night

unless the kyoto one is exceptional, in which case would be happy to consider it

vik

 

[Flashback]

thanks drron. ive tried all the Z*H/R combos but no luck

Flashware, we do plan to stay in a ryokan in the jap alps region for 2 nights and a gasso-zuri (farmhouse ryokan?) for 1 night

unless the kyoto one is exceptional, in which case would be happy to consider it

vik

Sounds like you've got it covered then

Enjoy the trip! You'll love Japan. Well, I know I did