American Express Starwood Preferred Guest CC Question

[Bill From PA]

My wife grabbed this note from somewhere (here?) concerning a Starwood Credit card benefit. Can anyone confirm this?? Thanks.

"I'm a teacher and booked at the Swan/Dolphin resort.
I received the $129 a night deal and with the American
Express Starwood Preferred Guest credit card I will
also get the club privileges for free - continental
breakfast, afternoon hors D'oeuvres, unlimited local
phone calls, unlimited use of the health club, and
turndown service. The card was free the first year
and a $30 fee annually, thereafter."


Bill From PA

 

[jwfla422]

Boy Bill From PA that just sounds too good to be true I must say. I've been trying to apply for that darn card on line for months and just can't seem to get the form to go through. Guess I should call to get one for that deal

It doesn't sound too far fetched though. If you get the teacher's rate and then I believe that may be true after you accumulate a specific amount of points on your Starwood account maybe?

 

[lvinay]

Hi,
I will be visiting the Swan with the teacher's rate of $129 this week. I too have a SPG Amex card, and as far as I can tell, that does not guarantee an upgrade to club level (the breakfast, snacks, etc in the club lounge). I believe, and there are others in the know who might be able to confirm this, that you must have platinum level standing as a member of the SPG program (www.spg.com) to be guaranteed club level. Having a SPG Amex card does not give you platinum level standing. You must have 20 stays or 40 nights at a Starwood hotel, or have comparable standing in some other frequent lodging program to get to that level. Many people, however, have been assigned gold level standing in the SPG program as a result of obtaining the SPG Amex card, but that too is not guaranteed. It has been really hit or miss.
SPG Gold level has some benefits, but does not guarantee a club level upgrade.

Now, this does not mean that you won't get upgraded to club, several people have just by being SPG members and politely requesting it. (I'm hoping to on this trip). What the SPG Amex does do is it allows you to earn starpoints, which may be used to upgrade.

If you search the "New Dolphin/Swan "questions and answers" ...tips and hints" thread (the second archive in particular), you will find many postings about the SPG program and the SPG Amex. It might seem confusing, so take notes!
Good luck in planning your trip. I'll post back after mine if we were upgraded.
Linda Vinay

 

[dreamflight99]

Linda is indeed correct....Having an SPG AMEX card (even the PLAT, as I have) DOES NOT ENTITLE ONE to THE BENEFITS LISTED. Having a PLATINUM level in the Starwood preferred guest PROGRAM (as I have) DOES! Sorry, but the benefits listed by the poster (club privileges for free - continental breakfast, afternoon hors D'oeuvres, unlimited local phone calls (UP TO 60 MINUTES!), unlimited use of the health club, and nightly turndown service. ALSO, THE RESORT FEE IS WAIVED FOR PLAT--AND ALL THE AMENITIES ARE RECEIVED) are only associated with PLATINUM Starwood Preferred Guest members. Some persons have been "confusing" the Platinum Amex. SPG "CREDIT" card with the Platinum level of service offered PLAT. SPG "Frequent Traveler Program" members. Please, disregard this post. It is erroneous. These benefits are not available to AMEX SPG card members UNLESS they are ALSO PLATINUM SPG MEMBERS!