New Benefit May Be Coming To *Wood, Award Stays Count For Status

[Dan]

15 nights within a 90 day period.

[Bp]

I'm wondering if I take the challenge in January to requalify for plat, and in February I get 10 nights from my consumer and biz Spg Card, if Ill get it with 5 nights

[aussiebochur]

I'm wondering if I take the challenge in January to requalify for plat, and in February I get 10 nights from my consumer and biz Spg Card, if Ill get it with 5 nights

Nights/Stays from CC won't count.

[myb821]

Nights/Stays from CC won't count.

u sure?

[aussiebochur]

u sure?

They don't. I've done it.

[myb821]

They don't. I've done it.

thanks for the info

[MnM1130]

so 41000 Starpoints
Total for 15 night(s) in dead sea hotel?
thatll do it?

i can try with cash and points over the phone (18k points +375$ i think...). but if i would do just points thats all i needa do?

[easy48]

I have a cheap cash and points hotel near me.  Does anyone know if I can successfully do a challenge Plat status by checking in for 15 nights and simply just leaving and go back 15 nights later to check out?  Please advise because I think thats the easiest way for me to do it.

[Dan]

You shouldn't even need to go back to check out.
Just make sure to confirm when you start the challenge that award nights will count.

[Name Changed]

You might not even need to check out.

Ive been at hotels that I didnt even need to check out... Just return the key in a drop box

[easy48]

So they won't have any issue with me not being there every night?  (You understand my question, right?). Seems too easy to get plat status.

[clownaparte]

You shouldn't even need to go back to check out.
Just make sure to confirm when you start the challenge that award nights will count.

I have a cheap cash and points hotel near me.  Does anyone know if I can successfully do a challenge Plat status by checking in for 15 nights and simply just leaving and go back 15 nights later to check out?  Please advise because I think thats the easiest way for me to do it.

Unfortunately, it appears they will NOT count. From Starwood Lurker (on FT):

Sorry, but no. Only paid nights are going to count against the requirements for a Platinum status challenge.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[easy48]

Unfortunately, it appears they will NOT count. From Starwood Lurker (on FT):

Can anyone opine on this?  Is that true?  Does this mean there is a caveat on the new rules saying that award nights will not count toward the challenge specifically?

[clownaparte]

Can anyone opine on this?  Is that true?  Does this mean there is a caveat on the new rules saying that award nights will not count toward the challenge specifically?

The Starwood Lurkers are Starwood Employees. They are not speculating or rumor-mongering. If they say it does not count, it does not count. Of course, mistakes happen. I had two award stays count at CLE this year. But if they say policy is that award stays will not count for platinum challenge, then policy is that they don't.

The original post is here:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1264095-new-benefit-spg-members-award-nights-count-toward-status-6.html#post17192313

[easy48]

aaargh!

Well glad i asked.  Thanks.

[easy48]

Wait...but that only applies to the challenge.  So cd i do same for 25 nights all on cash and points?  Kedai?

Thanks

[clownaparte]

Wait...but that only applies to the challenge.  So cd i do same for 25 nights all on cash and points?  Kedai?

Thanks

You should be able to. Kedai? Depends on how much use you will get out of plat. If you only stay occasionally, it may not pay. It's highly dependent on your personal situation.

[SuperFlyer]

We're excited to announce that from October 1, 2011, and onward, all of your SPG® Award stays and eligible nights will earn credit toward elite status qualification.

This means when you redeem Starpoints® for Free Night Awards and Cash & Points Awards, those stays will help you earn Gold or Platinum elite status each year. Plus, stays using Free Night Awards earned during promotions count as well.