NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[Mouseteacher]

Congratulations, DVCCalifornia. Enjoy all the magic you will receive with gold status and the MAGIC you will be IN!

 

[zurgswife]

does the swan/dolphin ever offer the points/cash options....I'm starting to think about next year....if so, can you have a room reserved with all points and switch to points/cash when it is offered???

 

[ozziewags]

Got a call from Starwood tonight, asking if I had any questions or requests about the Swan. Made me feel soooo special. I asked if there was a platinum desk for check in or just a front desk and he said just a front desk. Is that right, DF? I thought I saw a posting that there was a platinum desk so maybe the line would be shorter?

 

[pbhunt]

There is a Starwood Preferred Guest check in line. They do not differentiate between cards. Present your card, but there was no line, so we didn't need it. Might be busier this time of the year, though.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by pbhunt
There is a Starwood Preferred Guest check in line. They do not differentiate between cards. Present your card, but there was no line, so we didn't need it. Might be busier this time of the year, though.

IIRC there is a starwood check in desk at the Dolphin but the Swan requires you to check in at the regular line. I prefer the Dolphin for this and many other reasons!!

TJ

 

[pbhunt]

We were at the Swan, maybe that's why we didn't use the Starwood Preferred Guest line that we usually use at Starwood hotels. There was no one in line ahead of us. Ozziewags asked about a "Platinum" line" and apparently wasn't satisfied with my answer since she had to post it again. . I have never seen or noticed a "Platinum" line.

ZW, Hi. The Swan & Dolphin were participants in the Cash & Points promotion last summer. We transfer most of our points over to airline miles, so I can't help you with the best way to book. Probably I would just make a reservation and the take advantage of other offers, C&P or points only as it gets closer to your trip.

 

[ozziewags]

pb.......posting on two threads has nothing to do with your answer, sorry. But from reading the other answer, it is a good thing I did! I have never been to the Swan so I have no idea how many lines and where they are or what they are called. I was just trying to find out if I could save some time, since we are going to try to check in early. Sorry if the second post was offensive to you.

 

[pbhunt]

Nope, just curious and in retrospect, I actually think there is an SPG counter slot at the Swan in spite of what tjm said, since I recall seeing the sign, but as I said we didn't need to use it. It wasn't crowded when we checked in.

 

[disnurse]

We have always used starwoods counter/window at toher places but never needed to at swan or dolphin. Their lines seems to move aong quickly and we have never had to wait.

 

[MichiganMommy]

DVC California - how did you get a GOLD upgrade? I just received my platinum starwood cards in the mail yesterday. The day after I finished all my Xmas shopping! LOL. We are leaving town early so I needed to have the shopping done early. Anyhow - just looking to accumulate as many points as possible for our Feb 22nd '03 trip.

 

[Kathy Rittenhouse]

If you ever have trouble getting the Gold SPG card, just try again. I called once spoke with a great reservation specialist who upgraded me immediately with my new platinum SPG amex card. Thanks to everyone who posted the instructions on the web about this nice method of receiving gold status.

 

[jgates]

Don't forget - if you are a stockholder (spg) you can receive Corporate status - its not as good as gold but does offer:

2 pts per $ spent
Personalized Checkin
Morning newspaper
4 pm checkout (subject to avail)
Upgrade to Preferred Room upon arrival (if available)

so.....no points for that upgraded room if they have it to hand out.

 

[Iowan]

I got my reply concerning my application for SPG amex card in mail yesterday -- it was denied as they cannot issue this card to residents of Iowa !!

So am I totally out of luck trying to get Gold PSG any easy way?

Three Christmas parties at our house the last three days, one more on Thursday, then maybe I can think about getting ready to leave on 24th ! LOL

 

[holidaybarb]

When I received my confirmation for a June ressie, a note was included that there is an additional $10 resort fee per night to cover health club, newpaper, and coffee. I called to ask if this applied to Gold SPG since a paper is part of that deal already. Also, I wasn't told about the resort fee when I made the reservations.

No luck. Everyone pays that, I was told. Is this true? Does it apply to the Dolphin as well?

 

[Samsma]

I used the old link to get 4000 points with SPG AmEX first use. At first nobody knew what I was talking about at AmEX. I faxed them a copy of offer, and when I checked this morning(about a month later )it had been added to my account at SPG!!!

 

[MichiganMommy]

I have a preferred starwood card. I called and asked to be upgraded to Gold and the person told me that there is no Gold STARWOOD card. She said there is a Gold AmEx card with a fee of $75 per year, but no Starwood points. Am I misunderstanding the threads here - I thought that you guys were getting Gold Starwood cards. It wouldn't be the 1st time I was out in left field .

 

[Troyfus]

MichiganMommy,
The terminology being used can be a little confusing. Here it is in a nutshell:

1) Apply for a SPG membership and get a Preferred status at Starwood hotels.
2) Apply for a Starwood Preferred Guest American Express Platinum credit card.
3) SPG (Starwood) may automatically upgrade you to GOLD Preferred status, or you may have to call and ask for the upgrade. (The automatic upgrade is supposedly a new/dependable? feature)

The Platinum Amex card will earn you Starwood points when making purchases, but in itself (except for the current promotion) it does not affect your SPG status or benefits. Once you are upgraded to gold preferred status, you should receive a gold SPG card. It is not a credit card; it merely shows what level of membership you have. Your membership level can be determined without the card through SPG's system. It is just nice to have. When you stay at Starwood hotels you earn points. If you have enough stays, you can earn Platinum status. This is GOOD!

I hope this helps.

 

[disnurse]

Well its official I have maxed out my american starwoods card. Scary thought but can't wait to see all those points. Was able to purchase new living room and get points. Off to the bank tomorrow to transfer some $$$ so I can start all over again.

 

[Kathy Rittenhouse]

Besides the obvious upgrades and free nights, what other "awards" can you get with SPG points? Will you lose the points after a certain timeframe if they aren't used?

Thanks

 

[jgates]

Here are a couple of things....

Merchandise

Gap

$25 Gift Certificate 2,000 Starpoints
$75 Gift Certificate 5,000 Starpoints


Saks Fifth Avenue

$25 Gift Certificate 2,000 Starpoints
$75 Gift Certificate 5,000 Starpoints
$200 Gift Certificate 12,000 Starpoints

Ecommerce

UPromise Plan

Five thousand Starpoints can be redeemed for $50 that will be placed into your Upromise account

Avis Rent A Car

$50 Gift Certificate 2,500 Starpoints

Free Flights

Transfer Starpoints(SM) to 29 major airlines, most on a 1:1 basis. And receive a 5,000-mile bonus when you transfer 20,000 Starpoints to miles. That's 25,000 miles -- enough for a free domestic U.S. ticket on most major airlines. Starwood Preferred Guest® is one of the only programs that offers this valuable way to add miles to your account.