NEW-EST...DOLPHIN/SWAN..."questions and answers"...tips and hints!

[madge]

Hi Gang

Just wondering if anyone has heard of the S/D bringing back something to replace what used to be the Club Level. For us it was a convenience that you couldn't beat the price. Sure it wasn't as good as the Disney concierge but sheesh it was also 1/5th the price too. I usually enjoy these at other Starwood properties and I'm surpised that the S/D took it out.

Andy

I would LOVE that, if they'd bring something like that back. LOVE it

I never understood why it went away - I thought the club level rooms stayed consistently booked at the S/D properties. Unless they needed more rooms for more revenue?

:::sigh:::

I still miss those chocolate croissants....

 

[michboro]

I would check on the # of points for a free night. I thought S/D was a category 4 resort = 10,000 points for a free night. If so, you should qualify for 3 free nights.

Oops. My error. It is actually only 10,000 free points, which is enough for one free night.

I just got the card and so the points haven't posted yet. It takes about 8 -10 weeks to receive points. So, I'm wondering if the room is sold out by the time the points post, if I could just switch from the credit card to the points for the current reservation?

 

[madge]

Oops. My error. It is actually only 10,000 free points, which is enough for one free night.

I just got the card and so the points haven't posted yet. It takes about 8 -10 weeks to receive points. So, I'm wondering if the room is sold out by the time the points post, if I could just switch from the credit card to the points for the current reservation?

I don't know what happens if the resort is sold out and you cancel the room. I would think that all you'd need to do is call the SPG number and tell them you want to pay with points and instead of a CC... that's what you're asking, right?

 

[TaraPA]

michboro - I see you are going the 1st week of Nov. - is this when you need your S/D ressie? If so I'd call & reserve it today & worry about transferring points later - I tried all weekend to get 4 consecutive nights at either hotel for that time frame & I couldn't. Dolphin was completely sold out most nights & Swan availability was spotty. There was nothing for the 5th at all. From what I understand (I'm not a S/D expert - please correct me if I'm wrong) - but you can redeem Starwood points as long as there is a room available - period. If they have a room and you have points, it's yours. Unlike Disney who only "blocks off" a certain amount of rooms to be discounted, or an airline that only has so many reserved free seats for frequent flyer rewards. I can't imagine this is true but that's what the Starwood rep told me (she was VERY helpful by the way). I even called Swan & Dolphin directly to see if there was availabilty for the 5th & they said no as well, and the website also said no. I'm sure someone will change dates or cancel their ressie & it coud open back up, but I'd hurry & book your nights if it's the 1st week of November!

 

[CindeBella]

Can anyone tell me how to redeem Starwood Points for dining? No one at Starwood or Swan/Dolphin could tell me how to do this. I was only told to charge everything to my room to get more points
Also, how much 4000 points will get.

I would like to redeem points for Il Mulino. I've heard mixed reviews for this restaurant but would still like to try it for myself.

Thanks!

 

[madge]

Can anyone tell me how to redeem Starwood Points for dining? No one at Starwood or Swan/Dolphin could tell me how to do this. I was only told to charge everything to my room to get more points
Also, how much 4000 points will get.

I would like to redeem points for Il Mulino. I've heard mixed reviews for this restaurant but would still like to try it for myself.

Thanks!

I have no idea about that one... if no one here knows, try the SPG boards at Flyertalk. Someone there might know.

 

[TaraPA]

I didn't see that you could use points for dining - but if you can someone please let us know! One thing I wanted to know - I have a AAA card & I see many places in Dolphin offer a AAA food discount. Do I just show my AAA card at each meal? So if I charge all my meals at S/D to my room, I'm earning Starwood points for that as well?? Then I can pay my room & balance with my Disney VISA card to earn Disney points too....right? Wrong?

 

[CindeBella]

I didn't see that you could use points for dining - but if you can someone please let us know! One thing I wanted to know - I have a AAA card & I see many places in Dolphin offer a AAA food discount. Do I just show my AAA card at each meal? So if I charge all my meals at S/D to my room, I'm earning Starwood points for that as well?? Then I can pay my room & balance with my Disney VISA card to earn Disney points too....right? Wrong?

SPG website states that you can redeem points for "HOTEL INSTANT AWARDS" ~ whether it be for a massage, dining, etc.

I'm also a AAA member and a Disney Visa card holder. I've never used my AAA card for dining discounts, I will need to look into this, but I LOVE all of the Disney rewards that add up each month! I usually earn over $30 per month
Yes, you will earn Disney Rewards by paying your Swan/Dolphin bill.

My family (DH & Mom) have no idea how I keep all of this straight! Lol!

 

[CindeBella]

I have no idea about that one... if no one here knows, try the SPG boards at Flyertalk. Someone there might know.

Thanks!

 

[TaraPA]

My family (DH & Mom) have no idea how I keep all of this straight! Lol![/QUOTE]

I hear ya Cindebella - I'm a points junkie! This trip we are flying free with USAir miles, 3 nts. free at Dolphin on Starwood points, and we got one Park Hopper ticket free with Hilton Rewards points (Marriott Rewards also used to offer WDW theme park tickets, but recently stopped ). I will use the Disney VISA Rewads card points for dining, snacks & souvenirs in the parks. Love those points!!!!

 

[CindeBella]

I hear ya Cindebella - I'm a points junkie! This trip we are flying free with USAir miles, 3 nts. free at Dolphin on Starwood points, and we got one Park Hopper ticket free with Hilton Rewards points (Marriott Rewards also used to offer WDW theme park tickets, but recently stopped ). I will use the Disney VISA Rewads card points for dining, snacks & souvenirs in the parks. Love those points!!!![/QUOTE]


You're my hero! You did GREAT!!!
We're flying with free miles and we have $450 Disney Reward points to spend. I think I will save the rewards for our Christmas trip. We're using DH's Gov't discount for the hotel. I also get a small discount from mousesavers.com for tickets from undercovertourist.com.

 

[TaraPA]

Yay another Points addict Cindebella!! I cringe when I think of these nice families spending thousands & thousands to go to WDW. I am so lucky to have a husband that travels for work - and I get the perks from it! I use Undercover Tourist as well for tickets for the rest of us. We never have enough Hilton (or previously Marriott) points for everyone's tickets. This time I'm going with DS7 alone for 5 days (his ticket is free thru Hilton), and I was thinking of getting a 10-day non-expiring PH for myself, instead of a 5-day now, and a 5-day next year. Anyone ever do that? It will save $150 over buying 2 separate 5-day tickets. Now if I just don't LOSE them til next time...

 

[michboro]

michboro - I see you are going the 1st week of Nov. - is this when you need your S/D ressie? If so I'd call & reserve it today & worry about transferring points later - I tried all weekend to get 4 consecutive nights at either hotel for that time frame & I couldn't. Dolphin was completely sold out most nights & Swan availability was spotty. There was nothing for the 5th at all. From what I understand (I'm not a S/D expert - please correct me if I'm wrong) - but you can redeem Starwood points as long as there is a room available - period. If they have a room and you have points, it's yours. Unlike Disney who only "blocks off" a certain amount of rooms to be discounted, or an airline that only has so many reserved free seats for frequent flyer rewards. I can't imagine this is true but that's what the Starwood rep told me (she was VERY helpful by the way). I even called Swan & Dolphin directly to see if there was availabilty for the 5th & they said no as well, and the website also said no. I'm sure someone will change dates or cancel their ressie & it coud open back up, but I'd hurry & book your nights if it's the 1st week of November!

Actually, we already have the room booked. We just need one night on the 10th after our Disney Cruise. I see that there is still availability now for that night, so hopefully by the time I get my points it will still be available and I can just make a new ressie and cancel old one. Otherwise, if there is no availability, I'll just see if SPG will let me switch method of payment to SPG points instead of credit card for the current reservation, without cancelling, because I don't want to chance losing the booking.

If I were you, I'd keep checking to see if there are any cancellations for the dates you want, and maybe something will open up.

Everyone: thanks for all of the advice.

 

[CindeBella]

Yay another Points addict Cindebella!! I cringe when I think of these nice families spending thousands & thousands to go to WDW. I am so lucky to have a husband that travels for work - and I get the perks from it! I use Undercover Tourist as well for tickets for the rest of us. We never have enough Hilton (or previously Marriott) points for everyone's tickets. This time I'm going with DS7 alone for 5 days (his ticket is free thru Hilton), and I was thinking of getting a 10-day non-expiring PH for myself, instead of a 5-day now, and a 5-day next year. Anyone ever do that? It will save $150 over buying 2 separate 5-day tickets. Now if I just don't LOSE them til next time...

Oh, I also cringe thinking of all of the $$ families are spending when they could be saving on some things. I'm considering annual passes for DH and myself for upcoming trips in Sept and Christmas, we will probably go again by fall of next year. Otherwise, I will purchase the non-expiring tickets. I will save on dining with the annual pass. Decisions, decisions.... lol.

How fun to have a Mommy and Me trip!
Write down your pass #'s in case you lose them so they can be replaced. I read there may be a small fee but I'm not sure.

 

[TaraPA]

After reading this entire thread on Sunday I feel like I know some of you! I need a Dolphin fix - can anyone post some pics from a recent Dolphin trip for me to see? Thanks!

 

[jayandstacey]

Is the Dolphin still doing the Make-A-Wish promotion, where you give $20 at the front desk and get your pick of 3 envelopes? (envelopes contain anything from a free sundae up to free hotel nights)
TIA
jay

 

[Dan Murphy]

Until the end of Sept...........

http://www.swandolphinmedia.com/pressrel/makewish.pdf

 

[SingingMom]

After reading this entire thread on Sunday I feel like I know some of you! I need a Dolphin fix - can anyone post some pics from a recent Dolphin trip for me to see? Thanks!

This is DD, taken three weeks ago!

Is the Dolphin still doing the Make-A-Wish promotion, where you give $20 at the front desk and get your pick of 3 envelopes? (envelopes contain anything from a free sundae up to free hotel nights)
TIA
jay

We won "two large soft serve ice creams"! Would have loved to have a day at the spa or a free night, but, oh well! ...

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks Singingmom - keep 'em coming!

4 more months....4 more months...

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks Singingmom - keep 'em coming!

Yes, PLEASE! I'm not even staying at the S/D next (we moved our ressie to WL) but I have S/D envy. I'd love to see more pics of the new decor in the common areas.
Thanks!