SPG Gold after 1 stay in Asia Pacific, possibly for the last time

For what seems to be the third time in as many years, SPG and Mastercard have launched another promotion for SPG Gold status, after just one stay at an SPG hotel in Asia Pacific. The promotion is valid for stays till August 2017, and the SPG Gold status itself is valid for one year from the date it is registered in SPG's systems (which may be a few days after the stay).



Similar promotions came up in mid-2013 and late 2015 as well. You can access the current promotion here.

The promotion is restricted to World and World Elite MasterCard cardholders with residence in Asia Pacific who are enrolled as members at the Preferred Guest Tier. The Mastercard should have beein issued in Asia Pacific. (I assume the addresses with both SPG and Mastercard should be in Asia Pacific). The promotion is not open to residents of Japan.

You will be asked to register with your SPG membership number and email address.


Then, unlike last time, you don't need a code from your bank. Instead, and as opposed to how your credit card was validated earlier, you'll have to actually make an online transaction using the applicable Mastercard credit card. Although it says no charges will be made, a 1 MYR charge is recorded to validate your card, and then reversed later.


SPG requires 10 stays or 25 nights to get up to SPG Gold status, which gets you
  • 4 pm late check out
  • 50% more Starpoints (3 per $ instead of the regular 2)
  • complimentary welcome gift (Starpoints, premium internet or a beverage)
  • upgrade to an enhanced room at check-in, such as corner room, higher floor, or better view
  • complimentary in-room, premium Internet access when you book on SPG digital channels (in addition to your welcome gift).

You could further extend your SPG benefits and earn Starpoints when you use Uber, fly Emirates or fly Delta,

If you've already earned SPG Gold status through one of the two earlier promotions, chances are you'll not earn it again. However, I've got differing versions on this, so it is definitely worth a shot.

The full terms & conditions for this promotion can be found here.

Executive room at the ITC Grand Central, Mumbai

Conclusion

Given the normal qualification requirements for SPG Gold, this promotion is quite useful. It is also possibly the last chance to get SPG Gold before Marriott takes over the program in late 2017 or thereabouts.

I'm looking at this promotion in two ways. One, such promotions will be hard to come by in Marriott's regime, so one should not let this chance slip. The other way to look at it is, if I had SPG Gold via this promotion at the time Marriott takes over, it could help get equated to a relatively higher elite level in the Marriott Rewards program. So I've still not decided on this.

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