NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[Jen80370]

Great idea on the upgrade request after my stay...especially since DH and I are headed to DC in July for a weekend at the Westin Grand...that could be fun!

Anyone have any Starwood upgrade stories lately?

 

[JRoglitz]

I have an American Express Blue card with the Membership Rewards program. It says you can transfer your Membership rewards points to Starwood points. Does anyone know if this is a 1 to 1points transfer?

 

[LBYC-19]

Having a blast with my new Starwood AMEX card! This is a whole new accounting system for me, and I barely write checks anymore, (except a huge one at the end of the month for all these charges, lol). I wish the grocery store would allow "cash back" with using Amex.. just a tiny inconvenience.

Yesterday tried to use it for DS's eye doctor visit..he didn't take it for the visit, but I was able to charge the contacts and eye glasses to Amex (I think they were annoyed with the split payment, but hey, the points!!) My next stop was Target, then oil and filter on the car, and Circuit City for computer modum. ..yay, I can be on the DIS and the phone can ring! Finally, placed phone orders for graduation gift certificates at various college bookstores (instead of cash- high school grads love this when they get to school; they can purchase either clothing or school items/books with it. Every college I called mailed out the gift certificate the same day ..BC was the only one who didn't accept Amex )...This is quite fun, you guys!

My next plan of attack is to convince DH to switch Amex cards with me when he travels to Westins to rack up the Starwood points, but he isn't budging on that one for bookkeeping purposes as he uses the Amex Sky Miles..after all, we need those, too (I know, I know, I can roll them over into Starwood points later on!) Happy Shopping everyone.
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Joanne:

 

[kmr]

Thanks for the college bookstore gift certificate idea. I just called Dean College and ordered one for my niece for part of her graduation gift. Is there no end to point possibilities??

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by chris1gill
I 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?

Wishful thinking...I could only DREAM! I would pay my House payment each month (Oh...the points!), and all the other bills which do not accept any credit cards for payment! Think of all the skymiles and SPG points I could rack-up...oh, to dream. This is a big and very disappointing "No." In fact, not all the purchases you make on your SPG AMEX are considered "Qualified" purchases, (which render points). Check with AMEX on "Qualified" purchases if you have any questions.

 

[NancyIL]

JRoglitz - it takes 3 Membership Rewards points to equal 1 Starwood point.

 

[happytrails2u]

Originally posted by Bimmy56
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.

Bimmy56: Yes, there is a code associated with the upgrade, however, the only way to obtain this code is by applying for and receiving the American Express Platinum Card (often confused with the SPG Platinum Card). Your best bet is to keep calling until you get a yes! Or pm or email me, as I may be able to offer additional advice.

 

[moymo]

Thanks everyone for the great info!

I have read that you can transfer Starwood miles to air miles, but can you do the opposite? I mean transfer my American Airlines miles to Starwood miles.

Thanks.

 

[Jen80370]

Joanne...GREAT idea on the college bookstores. Thanks!

moymo...unfortunately, we cannot transfer Airline miles to points...I wish!

 

[disnurse]

Starting to charge away to earn all those great points for next years vacation. Imagine the outrage at my house this morning when DH decided to renew my norton antivirus online and forgot about using amex and used visa instead!!!!

 

[MinnieGi]

Joanne - Thank you for the great HS graduation gift idea!!!! I've been trying to come up with something for my sister and cousin for their HS graduations - your bookstore idea is great!! U of D & Penn State are getting calls today.

 

[Jen80370]

Joanne...not only are we earning Starwood Points, but we are also stimulating the economy!

 

[dreamflight99]

Just wanted to wish you all a HAPPY FRIDAY! Also wished to tell you I am not planning to frequent ANY stores which do not accept the AMEX SPG, ETC! Yesterday, I was in line at a store, when I overheard the clerk state they do not accept the AMEXcard...that's it for me, I was OUT OF THERE! LOL!
There was nothing avilable there, that could not be purchased at another store which DID accept AMEX! Am I point-crazy?

 

[NancyIL]

DF99 - I've changed my shopping habits, too - because of the Starwood AMEX card!

My family is leaving today for a little non-Disney vacation. We'll earn SPG points in Niagara Falls and take advantage of one of the Free Fridays in Boston. You all behave now!

 

[LBYC-19]

I went there as a little girl, still remember going under those falls in my little yellow raincoat!

Attention grocery shoppers out there: As painful as this weekly trip is to all of us, there is a light at the end of the tunnel-- Stop and Shop now accepts AMERICAN EXPRESS!!! Still can't figure out why I can't get cash back on it, though, lol...
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Joanne

 

[Captain Crook]

Does the AMEX Starwod Card earn double miles for groceries, gas, etc., like my AMEX Sky Miles card does?

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Captain Crook
Does the AMEX Starwod Card earn double miles for groceries, gas, etc., like my AMEX Sky Miles card does?

Hi,

We have both and my understanding is that the AmEx Starwood does not earn double points. We are working out a plan on how to best use our cards in order to max points. We are going to use the AmEx Sky Miles at Stop'n Shop, Mobil and CVS and use our AmEx Starwood everywhere else.

 

[Captain Crook]

Tiffany,
That sounds about like my plan(we'll be using the SM card for business exp & the SPG for personal)...My third dilemma is that I have a Miles One Visa card (which untill 9/11 was great) but since then they have increased the miles required to fly so I'm going to be getting rid of the card. Do you use any Visa or MC with benefits that you're happy with? T

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Captain Crook
Tiffany,
That sounds about like my plan(we'll be using the SM card for business exp & the SPG for personal)...My third dilemma is that I have a Miles One Visa card (which untill 9/11 was great) but since then they have increased the miles required to fly so I'm going to be getting rid of the card. Do you use any Visa or MC with benefits that you're happy with? T

Sorry. The only non AmEx card is a GM mastercard that my husband uses to build up points to use to down payments on a new car every three years or so.

 

[Jen80370]

I forgot about the GM card...good one!

I was thrilled when I heard about Stop & Shop...I have one across the street and have been driving five miles to a Shop Rite to use the Amex...

Happy Monday...if there is such a thing.