NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Peter Pirate
I just received my AMEX Statwood Platinum & it specfically says in the enclosed material that this card elevates members to 'Preferred Plus' status and that qualifying Starwood stays will earn two points per dollar spent.

How can we justify demanding gold status? On what grounds? Any info will be appreciated...

I agree with you Peter Pirate. I also just recently received my AmEx Starwood Platinum and read the material and also went over to the Starwood Preferred Guest website and there is no mention that an AmEx Starwood Platinum card gets you upgraded to Gold status. Based on this I have personally decided not to call and ask for an upgrade to Gold Status because I believe I am not entitled to that status based on everything I have read.

 

[Shelly]

Ok everyone. Since there have ben so many posts about this on the various threads.
I went WAY back and dug the link up. Yes you can upgrade to Gold.
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,2730,00.asp

 

[Peter Pirate]

Thank you Shelly...I had not seen that and I thought I had read everything...Oh well, the mind is the first thing to go!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Shelly
Ok everyone. Since there have ben so many posts about this on the various threads.
I went WAY back and dug the link up. Yes you can upgrade to Gold.
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,2730,00.asp

Shelly,

This link is for the regular AmEx Platinum Card which costs $395 a year and offers many extras that the Starwood Platinum Card does not. These are two seperate cards. The regular AmEx Platinum cards offers upgrades on many things. See the below link which lists the two different cards.
http://www66.americanexpress.com/ca...h.jsp?csi=0/20/b/2/0/146084311786/20/n&from=0

I will not be calling becuase the Starwood Platinum does not get you an upgrade to Gold Status. If someone is willing to pay the $395 a year for the regular AmEx Platinum then they are entitled to Gold status.

If someone can show me where it lists that the AmEx Starwood Platinum Card members are entitled to Gold Status that would be great.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Thanks Tiffany...I feel like I'm watching a tennis match...That and I can't read the fine print too well!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Peter Pirate
Thanks Tiffany...I feel like I'm watching a tennis match...That and I can't read the fine print too well!

You are welcome Peter Pirate.

I just feel bad for the customer service reps that have been told they were wrong when they have been correct.

 

[NancyIL]

Shelly - thanks for pointing out that we weren't imagining things. Tiffany - thanks for clarifying that the upgrade isn't meant for Starwood AMEX cardholders - even though they did upgrade my DH when I asked about it.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by NancyIL
Shelly - thanks for pointing out that we weren't imagining things. Tiffany - thanks for clarifying that the upgrade isn't meant for Starwood AMEX cardholders - even though they did upgrade my DH when I sked about it.

You are welcome NancyIL.

If the customer service rep upgarded your husband when you inquired becuase they themselves were not clear on the rule then I am happy for you.

Having worked in retail from 1986 through 1999 I just feel bad for those customer service reps that were telling callers that they were not entitled to the upgrade and were given a hard time by the caller that is all.

Hope everyone has a great trip regardless of their status

 

[JRoglitz]

I joined the Starwood program totally by accident in December when I went to visit my sister in Baltimore and stayed at the Sheraton there. Now I read all the great advice on this thread and I'm getting really excited about earning points for the Dolphin/Swan. Two questions...

Is there a yearly charge for the Starwood Amex?

Can I transfer my Amex Blue account to a Starwood or do I have to cancel one and apply for the other?

Thanks~

 

[NancyIL]

The Starwood AMEX card has no annual fee the first year, and $30 per year after that. I think you have to apply for the Starwood AMEX card as you would for any new card. The points aren't transferable between cards.

 

[Jen80370]

When I upgraded to gold, I never told any customer service people they were wrong. I asked if as a platinum member, could I be given a trial membership under gold. I was. It isn't forever, it is for one year. If I keep that status, so be it. I demanded nothing, I asked. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it hurts no one, it costs nothing, to ask.

 

[lynniepooh]

I specifically told Sharon the SPG CSR that I had just recently received my SPG Platinum AMEX card and politely asked if I could be upgraded to Gold Preferred status and she didn't hesitate in making the upgrade.

Swan - Lynniepooh was my childhood nickname also...it comes back to haunt me quite often but seems appropriate on this board! Make sure you wear your lime green ribbon...I'll be wearing mine!!

 

[Jen80370]

great nickname!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Hi all, Was wanting more information on the cash and points promotion. I do not see but a few hotels that are offering this. How do I find out about others that are offering this promotion as well? Thanks!

 

[Bimmy56]

Upon following the always excellent advice of this thread, I called the number on Shelly's link to upgrade my SPG to gold with my platinum SPG Visa. The lady was very nice and said that yes, it could be upgraded, but I would need a code. There is no code on that site. Does anyone know of a code, or should I try again and hope to find someone who will do it without a code.

P.S. What a shock I got when Tiffany posted that the AMEX platinum fee was $365 a year! ( I have one) It took a few minutes of frantic surfing to confirm that although that is correct, my SPG platinum amex is only $30 per year. Don't scare me like that!!

Thanks for all your good advice!!

 

[Jen80370]

Bimmy...I know of no such code...I would just call back.

MomPoppins. The website has a list of hotels. Click on special offers, then cash & points. The list has dwindled a lot. My guess is that they had so many reservations blocked off for each participating hotel, and as it was met, it came off the list. I know the Dolphin is no longer on the site. If you have a question about a particular site, I'd call Starwood and ask them if you may apply points to an existing reservation. That's how I got mine at Dolphin (but it was when Dolphin was still on the list).

Good luck!

 

[Shelly]

Bimmy 56 , I would call back. When I called they asked if I had the code. I said there is not one on the webpage as I am looking at it right now. I told her I would be happy to send the page to her. She just said no and upgraded me.

 

[dreamflight99]

...I just stay too many nights at the Starwood resorts, so they forced the Platinum SPG upon me! I wish I could experience the FUN you are all having when you receive the FREE SPG UPGRADE! I did receive a little thrill w/Loews last week! I called to confirm my upgrade from Gold to Plat (as I informed them I was SPG Plat...blah, blah)...and they DID IT! It made my day! Now...I am going to email HHonors with the same "song & dance", I'll let you all know how it goes!

P.S. Jen....after you are GOLD for a while (after your upcoming visit), email SPG and "ask" if they'll permit you to "try" the Plat. level! LOL...Nothing ventured...nothing gained!

 

[chris1gill]

I have a question... I've been a Starwood member for a very long time, started out platinum, went down to gold & now I've gone down to Preferred Plus... I don't mind any of that actually, but here IS my question... I have the Amex card & was wondering if we earn Starwood Points when we write out $$$ on those checks they send to us? You know, the ones that allow you to transfer your balances or make new purchases? Sometimes we pay for stuff that doesn't allow for credit card use, I'm just wondering if this would get around that & earn us points in the process???

 

[LBYC-19]

The only question I can definitely answer is no points allowed on transfer balances....sorry to be the bearer of bad news; I was hoping for the same thing myself..oh, the points possibility!
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Joanne