NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[Muffy]

Yes, they will match it. They matched my Plat marriot card. Will Lowes match Starwood Plat card? Now that would be great!

 

[ozziewags]

Yes, Loews matched my Starwood Plat. card!

 

[disnurse]

attempted tp get an answer to the question regarding points for club level. First of all its up to 1,000 or 1,500 now as of this month. Didn't get an answer as to which one by calling the 888 starwoods number they just said either 1000 or 1500. Oh well at least i didn't waste a long distance call

 

[KelliR]

disnurse ... in December I paid 1250 points per night to upgrade to CL privileges. I do not know if it has gone up since then. Hope this helps.

 

[Debbie7452]

This keeps coming up and Starwood employees get confused a lot. For CL it used to be 750pts but went up to 1000pts. in Jan. This is called the "Specialty 1" upgrade. The other upgrade For Balcony/View used to be 1250 and went up to 1500 is called a "Specialty2" upgrade.

I totally believe you Kelli that you paid 1250 but perhaps they made an error and you can request your points back that they overcharged? Or maybe you did have the Balcony/View in addition to CL (which would be a bargain for 1250).

Hilton and Hyatt also match Starwood levels. Marriott would NOT, oh, the nerve!

 

[UponAStar]

I don't think there is any consistency to CL point costs. We also paid 1250 per night in December to get CL access. (We already had a balcony room w/AP rates.) Luck of the draw in regard to CM I guess or maybe now they're all on the same page. Anyone else use points lately to upgrade to CL? How much were you charged? My guess is that it's now 1500.

 

[disnurse]

hey guy, thanks you cleared things up. Balcony must be the extra$, Now for another question did you do this upgrade at check-in or 5 days before by phone. If by phone to starwoods or the dolphin? Thanks again

 

[UponAStar]

disnurse - we did the CL upgrade at check-in hoping to get comped as both my husband and I are SPG gold. I think our mistake was asking how many points it would take to upgrade rather than coming right out and asking to have a comp. upgrade. Just didn't want to seem too demanding. Oh well, maybe we try another approach next year. Good luck!

 

[kathmzh]

I think I have this down. I have Swan ressies for Nov., Swan Studio, Club priv. (all with govt discount) that I will pay for because I want to be sure to have them, and not depend on an upgrade.
I am SPG gold, with the SPG Am Ex, and plan to accrue points, but am not sure what exactly for -- I already have club priv., and I will need a TON of points to get an upgrade to a suite (10,000/nite). I'm not sure if using the Amex is worth it.
Anyone have any experience/advice with this type of situation? We don't travel much, so we want to maximize benefits in Nov.
Thanks!

 

[JOC]

kathmzh,
What is the gov't rate for a Swan studio?

 

[KelliR]

When I checked in for the DISCON II at the Swan in December I asked for a balcony upgrade. The CM (Keith) told me it would cost more money than the rate I was paying. I asked if my Gold SPG membership would help me secure the balcony room. He looked in the computer and said he could give it to me. And it was a renovated room as well.

I then asked about CL. He said the room would not have a balcony and that it would cost more money. I then asked if I could keep the balcony room and use SPG points for CL privileges. He said that would be 1250 points per night.

The balcony had already been comped with the gold SPG. I never thought to check if the 1250 points for CL was correct.

In retrospect, using the points was not worth it. Going to the CL lounge in the morning was fantastic! Mama T is the greatest!!! ANd it was great taking an extra bottle of water to drink during the day. But it was hard to get back to the lounge later in the day. I was just too busy with DISCON activities in the evenings.

The evening I did make it back to CL, the cookies made it worth it!

I remember the debates on this thread (and DF99's Dolphin thread) about the number of points it takes for CL. You are right, some of the CM's are confused.

The one day I went to use the Health Club, it was full. There was a 20 minute wait for any machine. And I was catching my flight home that day so I didn't have time to wait.

Anyway, that's my story. Not the most exciting tale I've ever read here on the DIS!

 

[pewing]

Okay...can someone (try to) help me get this straight?

Is there a difference between a "view upgrade" such as a resort view....and a "balcony upgrade". Can you get a balcony with a view...or is that a double upgrade?

Just trying to figure out what to ask for!

Right now...I am down for an upgraded view if available (SPG Gold) and first preference Epcot. How does that sound? What would you ask for?

 

[happytrails2u]

Originally posted by Debbie7452
Hilton and Hyatt also match Starwood levels. Marriott would NOT, oh, the nerve!

Interestingly, I tried this with Marriott last week and was also refused. I advised the manager in customer relations that they just lost a long-time customer. His reply was that they will upgrade members in certain situations. However, in my case, I hadn't stayed at a Marriott in 2002, thus he would not make the concession. Phoooeeey!

I argued that he was being penny-wise and pound foolish (lol). Why, in the future, would I have any motivation, desire or incentive to stay at a Marriott property with elite membership status at Starwood, Loews, Hilton and Hyatt? Had he agreed to upgrade my membership, I would have certainly added Marriott to that list.

Has Marriott lost their edge by being closed minded, unimaginative, old fashioned, stuff-shirted, stodgy and pompous?


I believe so.

 

[dreamflight99]

Ditto with regards to MARRIOTT! Just Fagettaboutit...and stay with the other elite resorts which appreciate your business. Did you receive the lovely card from Loews recently? The one informing you ALL platinum members would receive FREE upgrades to suites, etc. throughout all of 2003? FREE as opposed to the (Based upon availability) usual $35 additional fee? GREAT NEWS!! This includes ALL Loews props. KUDOS to LOEWS~VERY GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS. Marriott could learn a THING/TWO here! LOL.

 

[kathmzh]

The govt rate for Swan studio is $189/nite, plus resort fee, tax, etc.

 

[m.pots]

Hi Everyone! I was just wondering if anyone has ever received a comp upgrade? What do you need to do/say to get this? I just joined SPG and won't have enough points to use and really don't want to pay extra. What exactly are my chances to get the next level upgrade..is that CL?

 

[happytrails2u]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
Ditto with regards to MARRIOTT! Just Fagettaboutit...and stay with the other elite resorts which appreciate your business. Did you receive the lovely card from Loews recently?

LOL ...AYYYYYY DF, 'OW YOU DOIN'?

Yes, I also received the card. What a great marketing tool and incentive on Loews' part. I have it tucked away for a "sunny" day.

I'll get over to your thread shortly to catch up on all the news.

HT

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

M.Pots........I got an upgrade two Decembers in a row without even asking for one. First of all, it was low season ( Dec 2nd )
and I got there in the morning. The CM just said: "I see you are a member of our special program" (Starwood), "I can give you you a balcony room" I said: "Thank You" and my Starwood points were not charged, either.

 

[disnurse]

I agree, have gotten upgraded 4 times and never asked. That included first time without ever using my spg card prior to arrival. Interestingly at other spg hotel there are reserved spg member rooms that have little gold plaques on the door, we got a fantastic high level corner rooom in boston this summer

 

[Mouseteacher]

disnurse ~ which Boston hoel did you stay at? DH and I are talking about usung some spg points for a weekend get away to the city. I would appreciate your opinion.