NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[NancyIL]

While at the grocery store this afternoon, I checked out the cereal aisle! Sure enough, the Kellogg's cereals listed had the American Airlines certificates on the boxes, but you have to send in TEN (10) certificates at a time to get 1,000 miles, and the expiration date is now January 31, 2003. It's a good deal if you would've bought the cereal anyway - especially if it's on sale and/or you have a coupon. I didn't see AA certificates on any of the Nutri-Grain products at this particular store.

 

[Tiffany]

Hi All,

So my Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum AmEx Card came today. The brochure that came with the card indicates that I will be receiving a "50%-off leisure certificate, towards an eligible stay at a participating hotel or resort charged to your Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card."

Has anyone gotten one of these yet? Do you think I would be able to apply this to my upcoming Dolphin stay?

 

[NancyIL]

Tiffany - the certificate gives you 50% off the rack rate - so it's no better at the Swan/Dolphin than the Disney Club/Entertainment/AP discount.

 

[LBYC-19]

Tiffany:

I got the same card today, yipeee! I don't see why you can't apply it, and funny you mention it because I had used the Disney Club discount for our April trip, and I thought, next time why not use this discount instead? (except the DC reaped its own benefits with 20% off dining, regular golf and mini golf, water rentals, etc.). This is something I think I would probably call the Dolphin with to confirm ahead of time, or simply ask the reservations agent, so they can "lock in" your rate ahead of time...

The real bummer of this card was that if you transfer your other debt, i.e., credit cards at 2.9% interest, it won't gain you any Starwood points, LOL. Now THAT would be a great benefit!
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Joanne

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by NancyIL
Tiffany - the certificate gives you 50% off the rack rate - so it's no better at the Swan/Dolphin than the Disney Club/Entertainment/AP discount.

Thanks NancyIL,

My rate is already 50% using a AAA discount maybe I will be able to use it towards a non-planned trip somewhere closer to home.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by LBYC-19
Tiffany:

I got the same card today, yipeee! I don't see why you can't apply it, and funny you mention it because I had used the Disney Club discount for our April trip, and I thought, next time why not use this discount instead? (except the DC reaped its own benefits with 20% off dining, regular golf and mini golf, water rentals, etc.). This is something I think I would probably call the Dolphin with to confirm ahead of time, or simply ask the reservations agent, so they can "lock in" your rate ahead of time...

The real bummer of this card was that if you transfer your other debt, i.e., credit cards at 2.9% interest, it won't gain you any Starwood points, LOL. Now THAT would be a great benefit!
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Joanne

Hi LBYC-19,

Thanks. I am already getting 50% off with a AAA discount on my upcoming trip. Maybe I will be able to use it on another trip. I believe you can get the 20% off dinning by just having a DC card I do not think you actuly have to book the room using the DC discount. I am planning on using the DC card to get the 20% meals on our upcoming trip.

Thanks for the info.

 

[NancyIL]

Tiffany is correct. The 20% Disney Club discount at Swan/Dolphin restaurants (excluding Shula's) has nothing to do with the rate you pay for your room. You don't even have to be a hotel guest to get the discount - just show your DC card to the cashier/waitress.

Receive 20% off dining at the Walt Disney World® Swan and Dolphin. Present your Disney Club membership card at any Walt Disney World® Swan and Dolphin restaurant (excludes Shula's Steak House) and receive a 20% discount.
For reservations, call (407) 934-1609 or visit their website at www.swandolphin.com for more information.

This offer is valid May 1 through September 30, 2002, and November 1 through December 23, 2002.

Offer Limitations:
Must have a valid Disney Club membership card. Cannot be combined with any other discount, offer or promotion. Good for food only. *Excludes Shula's Steak House.


Excludes gratuity, taxes and beverages. This offer is not valid during holidays or special events.

 

[LBYC-19]

You guys are both right! I guess I should have separated my thoughts when I wrote them...what I meant was that maybe next time I'd use Starwood discount to book the room INSTEAD of DC...(in other words, cancel my DC membership when it expired).. BUT I found it way too valuable when I was there with the discounts that I had listed (dining, golf, etc.) , so I'd want to hold onto it...Sorry I did not make myself clear, which is what happens when you are on the DIS too much!
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Joanne
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[Peter Pirate]

Perhaps if these clowns don't want to "participate" they should be given their walking papers!... Sorry, that just ticks me off.

My Starwood Amex is on the way & I'm happy to hear of the benefits. Good posting everyone.

 

[LBYC-19]

Unfortunately, with all those high powered corporate conventions going on at the Dolphin, I don't think Shula's needs to discount, lol. I sure wish when we dined there last month it was on the company... ouch.
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Joanne

 

[disnurse]

just got my starwoods american express card. did i read another post right that i won't get points for balance transfers? Is it 1 point for every dollar spent?

 

[NancyIL]

Yes, you will earn 1 point for every "eligible" dollar charged to the credit card - so that would exclude balance transfers. You should have received a little booklet with teeny tiny print that explains all the details! Be sure to notice the other perks of the card besides the Starwood points, such as shopping and travel benefits: http://www66.americanexpress.com/cards/Fmacfservlet?csi=6/0/b/3/0/134130631649/0/n&from=0

Ladies and gentlemen - I have now posted for the 5,000th time, and about a topic that's dear to my heart!

 

[Jen80370]

Nanacy...5000? OOOfah! And I thought I had a bunch of posts...I defer to you! Congrats! Also thanks for the AA update. Have a great weekend all. I am also anxiously awaiting my Inside Flyer mag...

 

[Blade]

I booked the Dolphin a couple of months ago on a CC for our Oct. trip. I've just received my Starwood AMEX card. Should I get a new reservation on-line with the AMEX? or just leave my previous reservation and change the CC info?

TIA.
AJ

 

[NancyIL]

Blade - here's what I'd do: call Starwood and ask if they will upgrade you to GOLD Preferred status because of your Platinum AMEX card. As a Gold Starwood member you'll get 3 points per hotel dollar spent rather than 2 points! You probably don't need to make any changes to your reservation. Just present your Starwood AMEX card at the time of check-in, and change your Starwood profile to reflect the new credit card. Also make sure your Starwood number is on your reservation, and charge all Swan/Dolphin meals to your room to get more points!

 

[Peter Pirate]

Nancy, are all Starwood AMEX cards Platinum? I don't recall specifying what I was applying for...

 

[NancyIL]

As far as I can tell - there's only one Starwood Preferred Guest credit card by American Express, and it's Platinum: http://www66.americanexpress.com/cards/Fmacfservlet?csi=6/0/b/3/0/134130631649/0/n&from=0

 

[Figaro]

My spouse and I have just been through a major hassle with the Starwood Customer Service. We had linked several weeks ago, from their (Starwood) website to the American Express Website, applied and received the Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum American Express Card.

After our receiving our card, we called Starwood Customer Service to request an upgrade from our Starwood Preferred Plus status to Gold Preferred Status. They told us that you could NOT receive Gold Preferred Status with this card (the Starwood Prefered Guest Platinum American Express Card), but had to have a regular Platinum American Express Card.

Color me confused? What am I not understanding? I mean, we can certainly apply for a regular Platinum American Express Card, but it doesn't make any sense to me!(smile)

 

[NancyIL]

Sounds like you got the run-around, Figaro! It doesn't make sense to me that a non-Starwood Platinum AMEX card would result in an upgrade but the Starwood Platinum AMEX card would not! Give customer service a chance to rectify the situation. It could be that Starwood's decision to upgrade their AMEX cardholders to Gold status was intended to be for a limited time only. I hope that is NOT the case!

 

[Figaro]

Thanks Nancy! My spouse says he wants to wait a few days before he calls again (smile).

How many points does it take for an upgrade from a standard room to concierge? Don't know if that's how we want to "spend" our points, but thought I would check and see if anyone knows.