Starwood Preferred Guest - I need help please!

[Mazzy]

I have joined Starwood preferred Guest in anticipation of our stay at the Dolphin in December.

Just a couple of things I'm not quite sure about:

Points earned on $ spent - does this mean what you have paid for the hotel room (does it inc tax and resort fee?) and does it also include any amount spent at restaurants (including Tubbis) or does it have to be a minimum spend on food each time?

Do you show your Starwood card each time you pay for food? And do you get points on money you spend in the gift shops or grocerys bought at Tubbis?

Hope someone can help out with these questions as I am a newbie to all this!

Thanks :D

[BadgerBruce]

It does include points for your room & all things charged to your room. Just use your key card everywhere on the resort-we charged as little as $1.25 on one occasion. I would think if you wanted to pay cash you would also receive points by presenting your Starwood card when paying. At the S/D they have a channel on your room television where you see a running total of all of your room charges on a daily basis. A really nice feature that lets you keep track of what you are spending, and to assure there is no discrepancy in your room bill.

[Mazzy]

Thanks for that Bruce, that's really helpful. :D

Anything else I need to be aware of to make the most of my SPG Membership?

Thanks :D

[jacrazy]

When you check in, you can ask for an upgrade. I think if they have room available, you can get a free upgrade. Doesn't hurt to ask. In January I was at a Sheraton in Miami and they asked if I had my frequent flyer number for the air tickets I had because they apply them as well. I hadn't heard of that and I didn't have my number on me. That reminds me, I need to call them. They said I could get in touch with Starwood later and have it applied.

[sbrownell]

Are any of the other Disney hotels connected to Starwood?

[Rhonda]

The Swan & Dolphin are the only Starwood hotels on Disney property.

I asked them to credit my airline miles also, and they told me it was "one or the other" - I could either get Starwood points, or airline miles - but not both for the same stay. I picked the Starwood points, because it will be nice someday to get a free room, or nice upgrade at the Dolphin! :D

[raidermatt]

We are Starwood members through American Express, and AMEX cardholders get 10% off of souvenier purchases over $50. There maybe some other disounts also, but I haven't looked them up lately.

Hope that helps...

[NancyIL]

Rhonda - I believe you usually get 500 airline miles per stay, or 2 Starwood points for each dollar charged to your room. It's usually to your benefit to get the points. Starwood points can be transferred to many airlines, and you get a 5,000 mile bonus when converting 20,000 Starwood points.