Free upgrades-why collect points?

[Fargoman2]

I've read so many times on these boards about people getting
"free" upgrades at the Dolphin simply by being a Starwood member.

I'm wondering what my motivation then is to chase down all these points--
signing up for AT&T online billing, charging with a Starwood Am Ex card,etc--

I'm not what you call a world traveler, so I wonder if jumping through all
these hoops is worth it for the handful of times I may travel in a year. In short, is having the Starwood card good enough for infrequent travelers like
me?

 

[gepetto]

The Starwood card is free and points don't expire. You will get a lot of points just by staying at Swan/Dolphin.

As far as the "free upgrades" go...they only give them if they have rooms available. Same goes with upgrades using points. (at least that's been my experience with Starwood.)

 

[Fargoman2]

gepetto--thanks for the helpful info.

I'm not trying to discredit the worth that many of you have obviously found
with Starwood--you wouldn't be in it if it didn't pay dividends for you.

However, I think you've just clarified my point. If "free" upgrades are only
offered when rooms are available AND "points" upgrades are only offered
when rooms are available, what's the difference? I'm having difficulty seeing
how point-chasing/collecting is going to put me in any better position than
just simply having the card. (As I pointed out earlier, I really don't travel
enough to get "free" stays.)

Sorry to belabor my point--perhaps I just don't get it.

 

[gepetto]

The free upgrades are only one category. You can upgrade higher with points.

I enjoy Starwood membership. I wouldn't jump though hoops to get extra points. I use my points for free nights (it takes a LOT of points to stay at Swan/Dolphin) at other Sheratons like Myrtle Beach.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Last year they upgraded me to a balcony room for free, as I was
a Starwood member, but had no points yet. This December, I
hope the same thing happens, that way I will use my Last year's
Starwood points on a couple of free breakfast buffets. I think I
can do that. I did not ask for an upgrade, I found out about it
when I went to my room and found a balcony.

I am also considering getting a massage on my Starwood points.
I think it is worth it, even for an infrequent traveler.

 

[nluvwithdisney]

The points that I collected for 9 nights allowed us to get 2 rooms for $60 night through the Starwood promotion. Despite many getting upgraded for free, the points come in handy.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Why not consider using the points not for an upgraded view but for club (concierge) priviledges. I have decided to book the view I want with a balcony and not take the chance on the upgrade and use 1250 points a night for access to the club lounge area.

 

[Jen80370]

Don't forget...you can also cash in ponts for food certificates or spa services at the S/D. Or you can save points for offers like free weekends going on now. Just by the days you stay on vacation, you can get two free Fridays, which could create more opportunities to travel.

If it is too much work, then don't do it. For me, finding points has become a hobby of sorts...but I can tell you this...by putting everything on my AMEX I would normally write checks for, and shopping for my Mom and Grandmother (Christmas, groceries, etc) I have amassed enough points in one year to go from $129 a night teacher's rate, to $60 a night and 4000 points...plus I still have enough to upgrade to concierge level. Was it a lot of work? Yes. However, I helped out members of my family by doing their shopping for them, and my family is getting a five star vacation on a three star budget. So for me...it was worth it.

By continuing this practice, I'll have enough points in two years to surprise my husband with a 16th anniversary trip for a week...and the points will cover airfare and the hotel.