NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[Mark P.]

Hi,
Just wanted to get a quick thanks for all the great info. on this thread!

We've stayed at the Dolphin on our last two vacations and love it there!

I qualify for the Govt. Rate of $129/night, and we're planning a trip in March of '04.

I've got a total of 3,444 Points, and would like to know what (if any) discounts are available.

Not really interested in an upgrade because my wife's folks will be coming with us on thier first trip to WDW, and would like to help them in getting a free night for their room if I have enough points, and if I'm able to do so.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Well, I received my postcard yesterday. And sure enough it said that I had to spend $8,000!!

I also made a phone call to AMEX to see if I could get it changed. See...my credit line on that card is only $5,000 for 3 people! They told me that the only way I could take advantage of the promotion was to increase my credit to $9,000. Basically I told them that was dumb.... did get the name and address of the Sr. VP for customer relations and wrote him a letter basically saying... this is dumb.

Mark P. - I believe a free night is 10,000 points. I am sure someone here can help you with what you can use your points for.

Debbie

 

[Debi]

You're right, Debbie, it is 10,000 points for a free night. However, you can redeem your points for Instant Rewards at check in - things like dinners, etc. I'm not sure what the points needed for this are - can anyone help?

 

[csmommy]

Originally posted by Debi
You're right, Debbie, it is 10,000 points for a free night. However, you can redeem your points for Instant Rewards at check in - things like dinners, etc. I'm not sure what the points needed for this are - can anyone help?

I know for the Swan it is 1500 points = $20. We were just there in May.

 

[Kapp]

When you use SPG points at the Dolphin for food, etc., how do you spend them? Do just show your SPG card? Never used them before and if I have enough after trying to get a room upgrade, am curious as how to cash them in. Could use some help some Dolphin vets!

Also, if using SPG points for an upgrade-would you use your points for a room upgrade and hope for CL privs or purchase the CL priv and hope for a room upgrade. We have a Gold SPG card.

Any and all advice greatly appreciated!

Kapp

 

[csmommy]

Kapp
When I checked in I asked about "instant rewards" & was told that I could use my points in increments of 1500 towards items I charged to my room, with 1500 points equaling $20 worth of food at all restaurants except Shulas.

As for CL level access I paid for that 5 days before check-in at 1000 points per night. This info is all from our stay at the Swan last month.

HTH

 

[airhead]

....this should help those asking about Starwood points.

 

[disneyNJ]

<Also, if using SPG points for an upgrade-would you use your points for a room upgrade and hope for CL privs or purchase the CL priv and hope for a room upgrade. >


Kapp,

I think it really comes down to what is more important to your family - the view or the food. Since our family of 4 likes the convience of a quick Club Level breakfast each morning, the free water bottles for the room (and taking to the parks) plus the night time snacks and soda - it makes sense for us to upgrade to Club Level with points.

Our "standard" view at the Swan on the 12th floor (or 11th floor, which is also Club Level) shows the front of the hotel, with fountain and flowers, the waterway to MGM, most of the large MGM attractions - Tower of Terror; etc; and parts of the Boardwalk Inn. It also includes some of the Swan parking lot and Fantasia mini-golf - plus some very large structures off in the distance. At night, you can see Fantasmic and Illuminations fireworks from these windows.

We think it is a great view - we have never even asked for a comp view upgrade, even though we too are gold card members.

I'm not sure what the standard view from Club Level for the Dolphin is - does anybody know???

As for value, I believe all the food and drinks you get with Club Level is well worth the 1,000 points per night. I have never understood why the view is MORE points - 1,500 points per night.

So, IMO, I'd spend the points on Club Level (to make sure we get those perks) and then ask for a view upgrade via email before you leave and again at check-in.

Disney NJ

 

[Caren90]

Hi All,
I just called Starwood to upgrade to club level for our trip next week. I was a day to early, but the reservationist checked my res. and said that because I had a teacher rate I could NOT use points to upgrade. I am freaking out because I worked hard to get those points (AMX card etc) in order to upgrade. Sooo my question is has anyone with a teacher rate ever used points to upgrade? I plan on calling back tomorrow, because that will officially be five days before and trying again, but I was hoping someone would have some info I could arm myself with before I call.
Thanks Caren

 

[Kapp]

I just called Starwood (as we also have a room booked in Nov. with the Teacher rate) and the Starwood representative told me that I can use my SPG points for a room upgrade but just can't do it until 5 days out.

Anyone else ever heard or experienced this firsthand?

Hopefully, it will work out for you Caren90. I would call back again and see if you get the same answer.

Kapp

 

[ww52]

My wife and I have called Starwood twice now asking about upgrading using points; both times we mentioned we have a teacher rate and neither time did anyone say we could not upgrade. Our trip is not for another 7 weeks, we just wanted to get the procedure clear. (To the poster who asked - yes, upgrades can't be handled until 5 days before the check-in date). So I believe the person who said you can't upgrade with points if you have a teacher discount is incorrect.

 

[Caren90]

Oh Good! I will be sure to post tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
Thanks for the replies.
Caren

 

[Kapp]

a Starwood Rep. at another site and his answer to being able to use SPG points with the Teacher/Nurse rate was:

"It is available on any paid rate except for maybe Priceline, Hotwire, or any other alleged opaque booking site reservation where we are systematically prevented from making any changes to the reservation."

Let us know what happens and good luck!

Kapp

 

[disneyNJ]

We have upgraded twice to Club Level with points, calling the required 5 days ahead and never had a problemn - and both times we had the government rate ($129 - old rate - new rate is $144).

In addition, we had booked the rooms thru a travel agent (DreamsUnlimited) but Starwood found the reservation and the upgrade was done without any problems.

I would caution you to make certain you are only charged 1,000 points per night - back in Feb the Starwood rep made an honest mistake and charged me 1,500 per night. When I very nicely insisted she check the points again, it was confirmed that the cost was 1,000 points and she adjusted my Starwood account.

So, if you call and the Starwood rep says no because of the teacher rate, hang up, count to ten and call again!

Good Luck.

Disney NJ

 

[Caren90]

Thanks Everyone,
I called this morning and upgraded to club (for 1000 points per night), the rep never questioned my teacher rate. I am not sure why the woman told me I could not do it yesterday. I am soooo glad she was mistaken. Again thanks for all the replies and now I am on my way to a great vacation!
Caren

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

*bump*

 

[ziggy14]

I know you can transfer Starwood points to Airlines but does anyone know if you can transfer Airline miles to Starwood points? We currently have out Airline miles with USAir. Thanks

 

[disneyNJ]

I called Starwood last year and asked the same question, since we have lots of small amounts on Delta and Continental. The answer unfortunately was NO - you can't convert airline miles into Starwood points.

Very disappointing!

Disney NJ

 

[disnurse]

We upgraded to CL with govt rate upon checkin and had no problems except the rate was 1500 pts and the frontdesk called starwoods to double check this rate. Alas not too troublesome as we were never charged the points and its been 2 months now.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by ziggy14
I know you can transfer Starwood points to Airlines but does anyone know if you can transfer Airline miles to Starwood points? We currently have out Airline miles with USAir. Thanks

The reason SPG does not allow people to transfer airline miles to SPG points is because people would then start using SPG as a washing machine to launder miles from other programs. For example you can not trade CO miles for USAir miles directly but then if SPG allowed what you want you could then transfer CO to USAir with no devaluation.

Also SPG points are very valuable because they are the only hotel program that has no black out dates for award travel. If people could freely transfer INTO SPG then they would have to put restrictions on how and when the points could be used. No black out dates is one of the best features of the program and I don't want that to change. If the only ways you can earn SPG points without serious point devaluation is through actually staying in their hotels or using the SPG branded AMEX then the level of service SPG can provide will remain a high standard.