a) contacting a silicoaluminophosphate oxygenate to olefin conversion catalyst with a methanol-containing hydrocarbon feed in a first reaction stage at an average gas superficial velocity (GSV) of at least 1 meter per second and no greater than 10.0 meters per second to form a product at a first hydrocarbon feedstock conversion of at least 20.0% and no greater than 98.0%, and

b) flowing the product, any unconverted hydrocarbon feed, and the catalyst from the first reaction stage to a second reaction stage in which the first reaction stage has an average equivalent diameter of at least 1.05 times that of the second reaction stage and the second reaction stage is operated at an average GSV greater than the average GSV of the first reaction stage so that conversion of the hydrocarbon feed continues in the second reaction stage, wherein the first and second reaction stages have volumes such that the volume of the first reaction stage is at least 20% and no greater than 90% than a total of the first reaction stage and the second reaction stage volumes, and the second reaction stage has a GSV of at least 2.0 meters per second, and wherein the first reaction stage exhibits more continuously stirred tank reactor type characteristics and the second reaction stage exhibits more plug flow reactor type characteristics.