As a 52 week-a-year business traveler, I generally stay at Starwood properties between 100-200 paid nights per year. When SPG introduced the Ambassador program this year I was initially very excited though it has yet to amount to anything tangible for me personally. I am sure I could take more advantage of my ‘status’ but I am both an introvert and content with my near 100% suite upgrade percentage on award stays over the last four years.
Out of the blue tonight, my Ambassador emailed me stating the following:
“As your Ambassador, the better I get to know you and your preferences, the more personal I can make your experiences when you stay with us. One way I’ll be able to do that is by having a photo of you on file.
In an effort to better recognize you when traveling to our hotels, we’d like to know if you’re comfortable providing us with your photo. Please note that your photo would not be used or shared in any other way. It will simply be used internally to provide more personalized service when traveling with Starwood.
If you would like to provide me with a photo, simply respond to this email with the photo attached. Ideally, it would be a solo shot that provides a good “everyday” likeness of you. If you only have a group shot, I’ll be happy to crop the photo (just be sure to tell me which person in the photo is you!).”
I am curious as to how they will use a picture of me to provide personalized service but this intrigues me. The idea seems innovative so I was happy to oblige with an “everyday likeness of myself”. Here is the picture I submitted from my family trip to Peru/Chile. I let them know they could crop out my Dad holding the bottle of Chilean wine.
Hopefully this is the last time my Platinum amenity will be a little 750mL bottle on Wine. 😉
About alex
Alex loves to travel and does so a lot. Logging 100,000 flight miles each year over the past 4 years, Alex uses points and miles to power his passion. Alex is continuously striving to experience the far reaches of the globe. In his day job, Alex is a Management Consultant frequently on the road advising Technology organizations. I love thinking about, reading about, and talking about all things travel. Feel free to reach me at pmmalex@gmail.com
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That photo looks strikingly similar to my everyday activities as well!
You stay there 100-200 nights per year?????
What exactly do you do?
Yeah I’m def calling BS on that one. 200 paid nights at only SPG properties? Not a chance.
First off, how did you find that giant wine bottle?
Second of all, how long did it take both of you to drink it? 🙂
@Steve/LR – “Consultant”. I have never turned down a travel assignment.
@The Weekly Flyer – 1. They were impressed with my work on the 750mL bottle. 2. Let’s just say the conclusion to the bus ride back to Santiago was a headache. 😉
LR/Steve
“I generally stay at Starwood properties between 100-200 paid nights per year.”
keyword is “Nights” and look at the huge range 100-200 …….. it could be 101, 150… thats not much for a consultant when there is 365 days in a year…
2 nights a week is 104 in year. Not a stretch. It is for me as I maintain HH, SPG and Hyatt on about 150 nights per year total