The email just arrived: I’ve qualified for lifetime Starwood Preferred Guest gold status, woohoo!
I’ve been an SPG Platinum for four years now, but I was given lifetime Gold status by staying over 250 eligible nights and qualifying for elite benefits for five years. While I travel a lot these days, I haven't yet achieved lifetime or million miler status in any one airline or hotel program, so this is a bit of a novelty.
Lifetime status is one of the new SPG program enhancements rolled out in February. A lifetime of Gold status will confer the following benefits:
-3 Starpoints per dollar spent at Starwood properties
-Room upgrades at check-in when available
-4:00pm late checkout
-And the choice of one of three complimentary amenities from the following:
1) 250 points (125 at aloft, Four Points and Element)
or
2) High speed internet access for the entire stay
or
3) A complimentary beverage at the restaurant/bar- not in room. Max value of $15 USD/Euro
This isn't really that impressive, because I am currently a 50-night SPG Platinum (trucking towards hitting 75 nights so I can get YOUR24 check-in privileges) and even if I didn't have elite status, I would get free Starwood Gold just for being an Amex Platinum cardholder. However, I still think it's cool to know that I'll always be treated decently at Starwood hotels, even if the day comes where I don't have top-tier (it pains me to write those words).
What I am really looking forward to is Lifetime Platinum status, which comes with 10 years of Platinum and 500 nights. I've only got 243 nights and 6 more years of Platinum status to go, which should be a piece of cake as long as Starwood keeps their program competitive and delivers on the new benefits they recently launched.
[card card-name='Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card – Bonus Point Offer' card-id='22145660' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
