Best Starwood Preferred Guest – SPG – Awards in New York City

The most popular SPG point award in 2014 was the Sheraton NewYork Times Square Hotel and I’m disappointed to hear that.  I stayed there once and did not care for it.  The hotel is huge, but the rooms are tiny. They were so small; I had to use the bed to get from one side of the room to the other.  The dresser and bed left space too narrow to roll my bag through.  The club lounge was closed when I visited and lines were everywhere.  I felt cramped everywhere I went.  I hate to think this hotel is the aspirational award most redeemed in the SPG program.

Delta Departing LGA

The Sheraton Times Square is 12,000 points per night.  The new Element New York Times Square West and newer The Westin New York Grand Central are both 12,000 points and much nicer properties.  New York is spread out and easy to get around, so there’s no need to stay close to Times Square.  The Sheraton Tribeca New York Hotel is another great 12,000 point option in a relaxed area.

United Departing LGA

It is good value to spend points rather than money in New York because the hotel rates, plus 15%ish tax, are exorbitant.  2 to 3 cents cash value per point is available at almost every hotel.  I’m sure the travelers spending points are seeing a good return at whatever hotel they select; I just hope next year they try to find a better hotel.

2014 - Year In Review

My travel in 2014 did not go as planned.  I only flew 41,274 paid miles and was able to grab United Gold status.  The downgrade from Platinum will be rough, upgrades are uncertain for all but 1K's, soon I'll be surprised to see any.  I did keep SPG Platinum and get closer to lifetime Platinum status (500 nights AND 10 years as Platinum) and Hertz likes me too.  I'm still hurting from the points inflation in 2014 and hesitant to burn miles at what I think are exorbitant rates.  

2014 Paid Travel - gcmap.com

2014 Total Travel - gcmap.com

Here's some highlights from 2014:

• I flew a T-6 Texan with the Commemorative Air Force in Arizona.
• I picked up a galley cart for use as a bar at home and love it.
• My January 1, 2014 prediction of this being the year of points inflation, but I was too optimistic.  I missed the changes to earning points based on fare prices. More value will be removed from loyalty programs in 2015 too.
• I went to Norway for an hour.  My coworkers love this story because it sounds crazy, but since it was in business class, it's not bad at all. 
• New Airports - Nashville (BNA) and Austin (AUS).
• New Aircraft - 747-8i and North American T-6 Texan.
• Favorite photos posted this year:

T-6 Texan

O'Hare Airport

I Love the 757

Sunset in Portland

Leaving Las Vegas Seat Suggestion

Grab a window seat on the left side of the aircraft for afternoon and evening departures from Las Vegas (LAS).  You'll be treated to a great view of The Strip on the way up and then great mountain views; maybe a lovely sunset too.

The Strip

Mountains on the Climb Out

Sunset Over the Clouds

New Southwest Airlines Look

It doesn't look so bad at this angle.  I still think they should have stuck with the original tan paint scheme, but I lost that battle a long time ago.

New Southwest Look 737

Happy Holiday Travel

Remember to leave extra time and be patient with the amateur travelers.

Hope You Are Going Somewhere Fun

Christmas Cheer From British Airways

IHG Pays $430M for Kimpton Hotels Brand

"Kimpton is a fully asset-light business that manages 62 hotels."  The $430M IHG paid for Kimpton is just for the brand and business process knowledge.  IHG said the Kimpton loyalty program will remain in place, but some of the brand prestige will be lost now that Kimpton is a fancy Holiday Inn (Aston Martin and Tata, Bugatti and VW, or Ferrari and Dodge all have similar problems).  My guess is IHG wants to mass produce boutique hotels and this is the best way to learn the process.  If they lose some Kimpton loyalists along the way, that's acceptable.

I Don't Have Many Ground Related Photos