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During my last set of Delta mileage runs from November I had initially booked for each run a night before at the SPG Four Points in PIT as the price was great in Starpoints to stay. Then after my first stay, that was far from acceptable, I quickly dumped reservation number two and opted to give the Holiday Inn PIT a try for 15,000 Priority Club points.
Now PC is a bit funny. They do not have to recognize your status at all when you stay on points. There are exceptions and I have had amazing stays at both Intercontinental hotels and Crown Plaza hotels and been upgraded and enjoyed the stays very much. This stay was not the best.
I was not extended any kind of upgrade and the sum total of appreciation for being a PC Platinum member was a 500 point credit voucher. No free breakfast, dinner drinks or upgrade. Just 500 PC points. As they say, better than “a sharp stick in the eye” right?
The room was a std king room. Over all mostly clean but could use some work. The bed was soft and comfortable and the heat worked so that was nice.
The bathroom looked a bit old and the paper was coming loose here and there and the vents showed they had not been cleaned for a while
Being a blogger I want a comfortable chair and desk to work at. As you can see by the photo below the chair was just about useless as it was broken and dragged the floor. Any move and you were destroying the carpet. Not smart and most uncomfortable as it was too low.
I guess I could have called and asked for another room but they were so fully booked and since no upgrade was open, why bother. Plus, priority club does NOT have the OUTSTANDING @SPG service SPG has when things come up.
It was late when I got there, but the morning showed me a view that was inspiring (don’t you think?)! Again THIS view is what they put a Platinum Priority Club member in. Seriously?
With no Skyclub in PIT (I could have gone back to the US Air Club in PIT) I went down for breakfast. There was some kind of conference in the hotel and I was the ONLY one at this point in the restaurant.
They had an omelet station so I opted for a few eggs over easy and a hearty breakfast before my run. Service was good and the food was good, but priced high at $12.95 ($16 with tip).
So I spent 15,000 points for this room. Got 1,500 back due to holding my PC Visa, 500 for my Platinum bonus. I got 180 points for my breakfast some way at 5x times 2. Thus 12,820 all in for the night. Had this been a PointBreaks room for 5,000 I would have been fine with what I got. For 12k this stay was a disappointment and I will not be back again! – René
PS – don’t forget about my drawing that ends tonight!
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IHG needs to rethink their entire business plan.
I rank Hyatt at top, Spg second, hilton, marriott, then ihg last when it comes to the hotel quality, professionalism and customer service.
IHG don’t often bother with upgrades for Platinum members even on revenue stays.
@Mike – I like your thinking but love SPG service
@Mark – yeah, they need to work on things!
HI Express is often a better value
@Mary – agreed! Very few upgrades but often nice, clean, free breakfast. Txs – Rene
@Mike, I would say SPG > Hyatt > Marriott > Hilton > others in terms of ranking and hotel points/night.
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I had a points break hotel booked for last night at the holiday inn express in Cologne, Germany for 5,000 PC points but it was far from the train station so I cancelled that reservation and stayed at the Marriott Cologne (free night cert vs 25K) instead, 500m from train station. Now I’m stuck with 6,750 PC points…
I love free stuff count me in!!!
I stay almost exclusively at IHG properties and generally have no issues with them. Then again, I check a favorite travel review site to see what other travelers have to say about a particular property and have some ideae what I’m getting into.
Priority Club *does* however, leave a little to be desired. Just booked a week in the Florida Keys using points and with all my “status”, am only getting standard accommodations. Ah well…I still prefer the IHG family.
Very cool this will help me with my luggage… As many bags look alike LOL
I did a getaway run With an open jaw and stayed in Melbourne at a cp on the beach fair for a room with a view looked an ugly hut. Them a couple nights in Highland Beach Florida again paid way too much for a room with a view. Property was okay but most of the help just needed to be in some other line of work
I like SPG for the W hotels only
Nicely written blog!!
I too am PC platinum and I have had very little luck with any upgrades or status treatment. I also have, though I think it may be lower, PC Intercon gold ambassador.
Love he blog, keep it up!
Thanks for te review!
Dropped PC long ago.
Keep up the good wook!
Thanks for the PIT hotel reviews – I will be sure to avoid both properties.
$12.95 is not bad i just paid $10 for 2 scrambled eggs at the casa monica in st augustine–take off from the coffee shop it came with 4 over roasted potatoes
Thanks for the review. I’ll be going to Pittsburgh in March so glad to have a “heads up” on these properties.
You really should consider the Hyatt on property at the airport. It was really nice and I had no problem with rate or room.
Rene’, it’s Pittsburgh, what did you expect?! When my wife first got off the plane in DTW 38 years ago she was barefoot, & I said to her “where are your shoes?”, & her response was “shoes, what are them thar thangs”!
I think the view out the window is what Artists call
“Modern Industrial”
@longroller – i call it (wish I had not opened the curtains! )
Txs – I went for the 80,000 point PC card, approved, & picked a few more cards from your links
I would love a deltapoints luggage tag. It’s flying with style!
I attend a college just down the road. The college bought this HI a few years back, and several floors of the hotel are dorms!
I have noticed neglect of this property ever since.
Next time in PIT, the Embassy is the best option.
@Mark – perfect and VERY helpful comment. I love Embassy Suites and will follow your advice next time! Again my thanks – Rene