SPG Gold Review - an Amex Platinum benefit
- tchn77
- Jul 6, 2015
- 2 min read
I’ve only stayed at a Sheraton once since having Gold status via my Amex Platinum card and truly enjoyed the benefits conferred by Gold status, but something tells me being nice to the front desk agent helped just as much as Gold status.
Back in April, I stayed at the Sheraton in Downtown Denver and it’s a huge property, probably one of the largest Sheratons I’ve ever stayed at. I got in just after midnight and the lobby was empty. I did notice they had a SPG Platinum/Gold line, but since there was no line, did not have to use this benefit.
Upon checking in, the front desk agent offered me either high speed in room internet, a beverage voucher up to $15, or 500 starpoints. I did not need high speed internet since there was standard internet so I opted for the beverage voucher. I also don’t collect starpoints and won’t be earning starpoints on this stay beause I booked on Priceline.
She then asked if we would need the 4PM late checkout and I declined since we were leaving early our checkout date to head up to Araphoe Basin.
I kindly asked her if Gold members can get Club Level rooms and she said this benefit is typically reserved for Platinum members, but that she’ll see what se can do. A couple taps on the keyboard and she upgraded us to a Club Level room on the 20th floor.
The Club Level room was cozy. Definitely one of the smallest rooms I have stayed at. However, access to the Club Level lounge made up for this. The view was also pretty good for a cloudy day. Club level rooms automatically get premium high speed internet, but I didn’t plan on streaming movies so this high speed internet benefit didn’t matter much. Breakfast is only served until 9AM or 10AM (weekends) and I managed to get up there 30 minutes before breakfast service ended. There was a good selection of items, mostly pastries and fruit. The only protein was hard boiled eggs. They also have evening/afternoon h’orderves, but we weren’t at the hotel during those hours so we did not get a chance to check it out. They do have coffee/tea and bottled water and soda available 24/7, which is a huge benefit (especially when traveling). I saw someone bring down 15 bottles of water in a laundry bag.
Since we booked this hotel via Priceline Name Your Price, we only paid $100 per night, but parking was $32/night, which was expected since this was Downtown Denver and the hotel was right on the 16th Street Mall. Because we booked it via Priceline, we did not earn any Starpoints for this stay. Gold members earn 3 starpoints per dollar spend, while normal members earn 2 starpoints. Since the going rate at this hotel was about $200 night, I’d much rather save the $100 from priceline than earn starpoints.
If only Gold or Platinum status provided its members free parking too…
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