Status Matching May Be for You

Do you have Gold or Platinum status with a particular hotel chain?  Chances are you might be able to leverage that at other chains and retain your platinum treatment!

This year I had a business trip to India where the closest Marriott was a Courtyard in the city center.  My office was 14km outside the city, and if you have ever driven in a city in India, you know how long it can take to go a few kilometers.  The company’s preferred hotel was the Meridien, just outside the city and near the airport.

When I learned of this trip I was quite disappointed to learn that it was not feasible to stay at the Marriott, so I called Starwood Preferred Guest to inquire about their program.  I mentioned that I was a Platinum at Marriott and they offered (upon proof of my status) to give me the same status (also Platinum) at Starwood.  This status is only good until the end of this year, and after that I need to earn the status like everyone else.

So when I checked into the Meridien,  I was wisked away to the “special” floor for “special” guests, upgraded to a suite, given access to the executive lounge, and given a fruit basket in my room every couple of days.  My collegue with no status had a regular room, no lounge access, no fruit basket.

Not bad for making a phone call!!  So, if you are forced to stay in a different hotel chain for whatever reason, it is worth a call to see if they will match your status.  It could make all the difference in your comfort for that trip.

See you in the lounge!!

Travel Princess