Details on our upcoming stay at the Dolphin (August 2002) including prices .......

[Pkdcoastrs]

Well after our INCREDIBLE stay last year, we just had to come back. A couple months after our visit last August (2001) we recieved a call from Sheraton regarding a special offer for stays at the Dophin if you do a tour of their " Sheraton Vistana Villages". I know I know its timeshare, but believe me, my family (mainly my parents) are good at lasting through these things and getting out as quick as possible (We've done them in Williamsburg, VA before!) Now the good part, the CHEAP rates for the Dolphin! For 8 days/7 nights, we are getting a rate of $659 before tax. That comes out to ONLY $94 A NIGHT!!!! Of course you have to add on tax, but still, this is better than the TEACHER'S RATE from last year of $99, which is no longer available (Now $139). Currently we are arriving August 1 and checking out August 8! We are members of Starwood Preferred Guest, so we are looking into how we can make our stay even more enjoyable, say by upgrading to a better room! If you are familiar with the Starwood Preferred Guest program, could you help us out?

We have 1,316 points! Do you know how we could go about upgrading? Do you know how good of a room we could upgrade to? Or is there any other things we can use the points for at the Dolphin? Last year we had a normal sized room, but were the 5th floor facing EPCOT without having to pay any extra money or use points (we had just joined at that time).

Well if you have any questions regarding the Sheraton DEAL, post in this post and I'll give you any info like phone numbers, so that maybe you could take advantage of this offer!

Be good

Thanks in advance for any help

[Pkdcoastrs]

I forgot to add that were staying at the Yacht Club right next door for 4 nights after our Dolphin Stay! This trip will hopefully be our best yet!

[gepetto]

With the Starwood Preferred they will usually upgrade you 1 category if rooms are available. I have been automatically upgraded at every Sheraton without asking. I don't think you can use your points for anything at the hotel.

[Fargoman2]

I'm curious about the Starwood membership thing and what it may or
may not do for my stay at the Dolphin. I got a membership recently, so I of course have 0 points. Could I still hope to get an upgrade from my standard
room? If so, what does that mean specifically?

I'm looking for any good news, especially after learning yesterday that
I blew it on airfare. Had I waited one more week for a special deal
coming out of MSP, I would have saved $265!

So, if you've got some good news, I'd love to hear it!

Thanks.

[MOM POPPINS]

Here is a link for 2500 points!

http://www.insideflyer.com/starwood/productnav.cgi?ID=PLGkvX8AAAEAACmoFVA&FILE=infoifa.htm

You have to buy the mag. and book for 59 but you get 2500 "free points! It is a fantastic deal. Currently you can upgrade to concierge for 1250 a night. You can get a comp. upgrade if available even with 0 points from what I have read. I am going to buy some of the points just in case! I think you can just get a 1 category room upgrade for 750 but for concierge-club level it is 1250.

[Fargoman2]

Mom Poppins--

Thanks for the great info!

Question about the points requirement--does that 1200 points upgrade
cover the entire reservation or does it refer to the points needed per person?

Thanks!

[MOM POPPINS]

1250 per night to upgrade to club level, I believe you can upgrade to a better view for 750 a night! I called Starwood last week to check but I was looking for a club level upgrade. I have heard of lots of guest getting the better view upgrade by just being a Starwood member, but I would like to have some points available just in case!:p

[NancyIL]

Fargoman - if the airfare is still lower for your exact flights, you can ask the airline to give you back the difference in a voucher for future travel.

[Pkdcoastrs]

Mom Poppins

Thanks for the info! I guess we will most likely go down and try to get an upgrade for free without using points! With the points we have, we could get about 4 nights upgraded to get concierge or maybe only 3, but we'll see!

Thanks
Mike

[Fargoman2]

1. Is getting the Starwood American
Express Card a good way to get
points?

2. If I get the card it says you get bonus
points for using the card to pay for your
hotel stay--can you use those points
on that stay?

3. You are also suppose to get bonus points
when you make the reservation. I made
my reservation at the Dolphin before
I got the Starwood membership. Can
I get credit for it still or rebook?

Thanks for your continued great help!

[MOM POPPINS]

Go to this thread and check it out! There is a wealth of information there, if you don't find the answer to your questions, there will be many good people there who will be more than happy to help you!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152887&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

[Jen80370]

Fargoman...I would call the Starwood tech support 800#. Explain to them you booked before you joined...as long as you booked online...they should credit no problem.

Another way you could do it to assure you get the same rate...make another ressie online...using your number and login. If the rate is the same...cancel the first reservation. Problem solved.

Happy Hunting!

Jen