NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[ozziewags]

The best way to find out is to call. You can go to the Starwood site: www.spg.com and look it up. You probably should get an AMEX Starwood card because you can be upgraded to gold SPG just by letting them know you have it. Then you get the gold benefits, which says " upgraded room". Go to Earn and Redeem points to see how many it takes.

Some have reported, recently, that it cost them 1250 points for CL upgrade. YOu should call starwood now and ask. Then again, 5 days before(call both places). It is confusing because so many people get so many different answers when they call. Sorry if this does not help you either!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Thanks for the advice ! I can't wait to go.

 

[DolphinBoy]

We made our reservations through American Airlines Reservations and we are definately being treated differently. It is considered a "Wholesale Reservation" and as a result we do not accumulate SPG points for our stay, nor can we use our existing points to upgrade.

 

[ozziewags]

Dolphinboy........that's a bummer.......can you change the reservation.....like cancel it and redo? (thru Starwood or directly thru hotel?)

 

[DolphinBoy]

We used Frequent Flier points to pay for half our stay and paid cash for the other half. I did not have much of a choice. Right now I am not too thrilled with SPG or the Dolphin. I am also having troubles getting a proper handicapped room. The dolphin just tries to meet the bare minimum of the ADA requirements. The dolphin cannot accomidate a family of 4 in a handicapped room. I guess they think handicapped individuals don't have families.

 

[csmommy]

I just got off the phone with Amex & now they say I will not get my bonus 5000 points 6-8 weeks after first purchase, but 8-12 which is to late. Did anyone keep a copy of the offer? I could have sworn it was 6-8 weeks. Can anyone help?


THANKS!

 

[pewing]

Originally posted by csmommy
I just got off the phone with Amex & now they say I will not get my bonus 5000 points 6-8 weeks after first purchase, but 8-12 which is to late. Did anyone keep a copy of the offer? I could have sworn it was 6-8 weeks. Can anyone help?


THANKS!

Hang in there csmommy. I know exactly what you are going through I fought this same battle. My last phone call brought the same response (points awarded 6-8 weeks after the 'end of the promotion). I gave up on having them for my upcoming trip, but then...they appeared in my account a few days later. I had also sent a letter to AMEX regarding this and said that if the points could not be added immediately...that I would like to close the account. That might have helped I will try to find my copy of the promotion...I know I have it somewhere.

Good luck!

 

[opal]

csmommy...
I have a copy of the offer from Feb '03 for the bonus 5000 pts for first purchase. It says "bonuses may credit up to six weeks after qualifying purchase" When I contacted SPG, they told me it would take 8-12 weeks also. I'm stilling waiting and it's been 10 weeks!

 

[Roxie A]

Can you tell me where you found that offer for 5000 points. I applied for AMEX about that time and couldn't find any good offers when I did.

 

[valvzb]

I'm a Starwood Gold member staying at the Dolphin June 6-12th. We have a resort view room reserved at the government rate. I was planning on using my points or gold status to upgrade to concierge level at check-in but when I called the hotel they said that all the concierge rooms are booked for those dates.

Is it possible for me to stay in the same room but use the concierge lounge, etc. using my gold status or my points? If so do I request at check in or call the Dolphin 5 days before we arrive?

Thanks for any info.

Val

 

[disnurse]

we cashed in at check-in- waiting for last minute upgrade to cl but didn't get it. I then asked what views CL rooms had and the frontdesk checked and only standards were left so she found me a room with a great view and gave us CL privies. We were 18093, could see epcot and mgm fireworks it was awesome. Just reminder cl is now 1250 pts per night.

 

[Caren90]

On the SPG website it states that club upgrade is 1000 points at the Dolphin. Are you sure about the 1250, or is that if you upgrade at check in. I plan on doing it before I go and will refer anyone I speak with to the SPG website wher I am fairly certain it states 1000 points to upgrade.

 

[csmommy]

opal

Thanks for the info, they now tell me I should have my points by the end of this month. We will see!


Roxie A

This was a promo that popped up on the starwood site in Feb., & I believe it is not being offered anymore.

To all looking to use points to upgrade

Last week, when I spoke with Starwood, they told me it was 1500 to upgrade to CL at the Swan.

HTH

 

[Caren90]

I just checked the SPG website and it states that a specialty 1 upgrade at a category 1-4 hotel is 1000 points and the Dolphin is a cat. 4 hotel. I hope the honor the website because I have exactly enough points to upgrade to club when I go in June (two rooms).

 

[csmommy]

Caren90

Maybe CL isn't a specialty 1 upgrade at a category 1-4 hotel, what if it was considered a specialty 2 upgrade? Then it would be 1500 points. Do you know how we find out if its a 1 or 2.

 

[ozziewags]

The S/D is a category 4 hotel and the CL specialty room is a #1, with the view, balcony, etc. being the specialty #2. Some people have returned from the S/D and been upgraded using 1250 points, which is the old rate for a spec. #2 room. Some have been upgraded complimentarily to CL. Good luck and let us know what happens. If you have the required number of points from the website, it should be honored. (it may even be less, 750, which is the old rate)[I copied and pasted the spg site info below]


Starpoints Required Options

1,000 Specialty 1 upgrade for Categories 1 - 4


1,500 Specialty 2 upgrade for Categories 1 - 4


1,500 - 1750 Specialty 1 upgrade for Categories 5 - 6


2,500 - 2,750 Specialty 2 upgrade for Categories 5 - 6


3,000 Suite upgrade in a Category 1 hotel


4,000 Suite upgrade in a Category 2 hotel


7,000 Suite upgrade in a Category 3 hotel


10,000 Suite upgrade in a Category 4 hotel


12,000 - 16,000* Suite upgrade in a Category 5 hotel


20,000 - 25,000* Suite upgrade in a Category 6 hotel



Contact your Customer Contact Center to Redeem Starpoints for a Room Upgrade.

¹A Specialty Room is defined as a Club Room, Westin Guest Office, Corporate Club Room, Smart Room, or a room on a floor that may include Club Lounge Services or Concierge Services. In some resort locations, upgraded rooms will be based on preferred view or room style offered. Not available at all resorts.

²Based on hotel category. In some resort locations will be based on preferred view or room style offered. Not available at all resorts.

 

[valvzb]

Thanks for the info Disnurse. I already have the view so I'll try for CL privies either with the Gold card or points. If it's 1000 or 1250 I won't have enough points anyway.

To all the CL veterans out there, how many points do you think CL is worth? 750, 1000, 1250?

Val

 

[ozziewags]

Sorry, guys, I am not sure what I said was correct. The more I read it, I think I may have it backwards. I used to know and now I am not sure. Dreamflight will know and the Starwood info isn't too clear. The way I read it now, CL is 1500 points and they are still getting it for 1250. The view must be 1000. Is that right? Mouseteacher, DF, Muffy, others, where are you?

 

[anne60]

Hi -

I just called this morning and upgraded to Club level at the Swan. It cost me 1500 points per night. There are no balconies on Club level, but I was told to request a balcony room with club privileges when I check in. That way my room will not be on the club level, but I can use the club and still get a balcony too. I hope this helps.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I believe that the points needed for CL upgrade has been very capricious - it has been dependent on who you get on the phone or at check-in. It seems to me that Starwood took a big leap in number of points needed - short of a year ago it was 750 points and now they have jumped to 1500?! That would be double what it was last August. I'm hoping it is more like 1000 but no more than 1250.

This issue seems to go with the resort fee issue - waived or not waived. Starwood needs to be more clear.