Hightown-thanks so much for the sweet encouragement. I hope the DH and DS know how good they have it when we check in...
I took about a year and a half and accumulate a total of about 40000 points. I only had one weekend trip to NYC in this, but due to a heavenly configuration of the stars, I had horrendous service at a W in Manhattan and was credited a nice sum of points for my trouble. It made me want to find all the "bad" Starwoods I could and rack up more points.
Anyway, first I used those points for the Cash and Points deal, which is $60 a night plus 4000 points. So my eight night stay has five nights paid for that way. The other three are attributed to the teacher rate.
As for the room upgrade, I called the Dolphin hotel directly and asked for reservations. Here is the kicker....I could do this because I made my INITIAL reservation at the hotel directly. If I had used the website or the Starwood number, I would've had to go through Starwood...and I would've had to wait until five days before my arrival.
Once I got on the phone with Paul (my new best friend), I explained to him that Starwood had sent me to him, because of the direct reservation. I explained that I was using points to upgrade from a standard view to a resort view with balcony. He very sweetly told me that this upgrade is considered a level 2 upgrade (1250 points per night) as opposed to club level, which is a level 1 upgrade (750 points per night). I told him that I was aware of that. Then I (very sweetly and coyly...I might add) said "umm, Paul....any chance I can block one of those corner king rooms with the two balconies?" (imagine eyelashes batting) He said, "Wow! You did your homework didn't you?" I assured him I had, and that I had been banking points for about 18 months. It took him a few minutes because he had to get Starwood on the phone to deduct my points. He also had to find me a floor with a corner king as well as an empty room next to it (for my DS and friend).
He got back on the phone and said, "I hope you'll enjoy your corner king. I can't guarantee which view or floor you'll have, because things are always changing, but you definitely have an executive king and a neighboring room." Is there anything else I can do for you? I answered, "Well, you got #3 on my alltime list. What can you do about world peace and thin thighs?" After he laughed out loud, I wished him a HAPPY day...as he had done for me, and proceeded to dance around my house like this.
I hope this helps you all get the rooms and vacations you dream of.
As for the current promotion, I am not sure of the details...maybe Nancy or Joanne can fill in the gaps?
DF99, thanks for the plug about Wall Street...but I think we should open a
travel agency instead.
For those who haven't a clue what we're talking about - here's the link to the Starwood Preferred Guest web site: 
