NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[disnurse]

we stayed at the sheraton in copely plaza. It is unbelievable!!!! Just had multimillion dollar renovation. Rooms are spectacular, heavenly beds, white down bedding. The views from the 25th floor we were on was breathtaking. We stayed using a free friday FYI

 

[mbkteach]

We used a free Friday during a long weekend stay in Boston this summer. As I didn't want to drive in Boston itself and read that parking can be problematic, we stayed at the Lexington Sheraton. We liked the location. While not "in town", it was very near the Minutemen park and museum. We drove to a nearby metro station to take the train to the Kennedy LIbrary. And one day we took a tour from the hotel - went into town and saw the sites, including the USS Constitution and Old North Church. If you like to be in the middle of the action, this would not be the place to stay...but it was comfortable, quiet and convenient for us.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Thanks, disnurse. We have stayed at Long Wharf Marriott and the Westin at Copley Place. Sheraton sounds like the place for our anniversary in July.

 

[cfh]

We stayed at the Westin at Copley Place over MLK weekend. The top floor of the hotel (36th) is reserved for SPG. Wonderful views, great check in etc. but the breakfast buffet was not as good as the one at the Marriot. The Marriott is down at the other end of the mall (all indoors). You can also walk, again, all indoors, to the Prudential Center where the Sheraton is located. There is a T stop there. We took our 13 year old to the MOS for the Quest for Immortality exhibit and had a great time.

 

[disnurse]

Forgot to mention we did pay around 30 for parking but it was applied towards spg points. We only ate out or at the food court in the pru mall. We did use to pool and that was great had retractable atrium ceiling.

 

[magicaddict]

Hi everyone! I just found this board a few days ago and have already soaked in a wealth of info. I just wanted to pass along a great offer I discovered. If you apply for the Starwood Amex (first time cardmember) through spg.com between Feb 1-28 you can earn 5,000 pts with your first purchase. In addition you get 2,000 pts vs. 1,000 on your first starwood visit plus 1,000 on each of your next 3 visits. This gives you the opportunity to earn 10,000 pts in your first 12 months. Of course I applied Jan 30! Just thought I'd try to help someone else like you've all helped me.
Angie

 

[Mouseteacher]

Welcome, magicaddict. You WILL become addicted - no escaping now! hehehe. Thanks for the information.

 

[mom23guys2]

Two questions
I have a SPG Amex Card. How long after you pay your bill are your points available? Will they show up on the Starwood site or are they just on the Amex site?
Okay three questions. How long does it take to have your points posted for stays? I'm hoping to have enough points accumulated to upgrade to CL for my April stay. I've request a complimentary upgrade but am perfectly willing to pay for it with points if available.
Okay 4. What type of views are available on CL? Views aren't as important to us as breakfast but it would still be nice to have one. Last year on our first SPG visit to the Swan I was upgraded to a balcony King room. The room was large with a sofa sleeper which was terrific. Would a CL room be that size with a sofa(King room)? Okay I counted the question marks, 5 questions. I just can't help myself. I guess I'm obsessing but I just can't wait to return to the S/D.

 

[jgates]

Okay 4. What type of views are available on CL?

Actually you can be in any room and still obtain CL privileges. However, we had a room on Floor 12 (Swan) facing the parking lot - this gave us a view of Epcot ball (most), back of Boardwalk buildings, ToT. In distance we could see the ?Gaylord Palms, DTD etc. I loved having the view - felt very special, but to be honest I don't know that I would ever pay extra or use points for it. I would invest my $ or points in the CL privileges instead.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Hey,

I posted this on the Dolphin thread but it might be better suited and answered here!

=============

I HAVE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD NEWS!

Sorry had to let off some excitement! After not expecting to return to WDW for a few years, my sister has decided to split costs and help us to be able to go for a few days! Of course we are staying at the Dolphin like the last two summers! We will be booking the Teachers rate because both my sister and father are teachers! Last trip this past August we upgraded with SPG points to a club level, though we felt it wasn't really worth it. I won't go into detail, but we were not treated nice at the area where you get the free continental breakfast/snacks and stuff by an employee. Anyway, I was wondering if there is a more friendly way of "requesting an upgrade" lol. I know that sounds greedy, but I've read so many people who have recieved that.

Also, does anyone know how many points it is to upgrade to a Junior Suite? Where are these rooms located? We saw the two pictures on the Dolphin site and like the look of the room! If anyone has pictures the suites, please let me know!


Well, I'm so excited and this post may have spelling errors, etc... So I apologize, lol!

Mike

 

[KelliR]

A year ago ... a regular room was 10,000 points and a suite was 20,000 points. I think those points may have gone up as of January 1, 2003. You can double check that on the SPG website or just call the 800 number.

 

[JOC]

mom23guys2,
How were you upgraded to a balcony king room? Did you just ask veeeery nicely? Were you originally booked in a standard room? Also, about points - the AMEX site seems to update once a month (my billing cutoff date is the 15th, and my points get posted on the 17th of each month).

 

[disnurse]

17th of the months is when my points show up as well

 

[ozziewags]

My points show up on the 12th, which is the date they send my bill. It is almost instantaneous!

 

[mom23guys2]

Last year I just asked for a balcony room if available when I made my reservation with the Swan. I had no idea that I received an upgrade until I checked into my room. As a matter of fact I was so naive I didn't even know it was an upgrade. It was the first time I used my SPG card and I had gotten the Teacher rate. When I checked in the front desk person said We have a nice room for you. Then he said"Oh we have a VERY nice room for you." It was great. I loved it and the Swan. I've learned a little more from reading these boards so this year I requested a complimentary upgrade to CL. I'm SPG Gold now. We'll see if I get it but I have the points to upgrade on check in if I don't get it, that is if it's available.

 

[mom23guys2]

Another question, do they post the points when they send the bill or when you pay it. My date is the 31st and I haven't seen the points yet but this is my first month using the Amex card. I know with my regular Amex card the reward points are listed as pending until the following billing cycle so it actually take 2-3 months from the charge to get the points. If this is the case I really only have February to accumulate more points for my April trip.

 

[pewing]

This is my first month also, but my points showed up when my billing cycle was over (when they sent my bill). My points are showing up and I haven't even received my first bill yet.

 

[Debi]

My AMEX billing cycle ends on the 19th, and points are credited by the 20th or 21st. AMEX is extremely quick to post the SPG points to your account.

 

[jetsetter90]

I have a quick question. I just received an upgrade to "club room, concierge on club level floors for the Dolphin. Any idea what type of room this is and what floors are involved? I'm not sure if within the club level there are different rooms lets say stnd view, balcony, etc and what room type I should request. I would love a room that faced MGM any suggestions would help.

The reason I got this upgrade was because we stayed at the Swan over Thanksgiving and the experience wasn't the best. Overall it was fine and I wasn't expeceting an upgrade but it was nice to have.

Thanks again for this wonderful site and all it's great advice.

Jetsetter90

 

[ozziewags]

jetsetter........hop on over to the S/D thread and there are many people that can answer your question.