NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[NancyIL]

Out of curiosity, does the same go for packages? Room and food only part earn points? Here's another that popped into my head just now. If I use the Camp Dolphin for my boys, would that earn points? It is a Hotel function, right?

I'm not aware offhand of any packages at the Swan/Dolphin that include more than the room and meals. I'll stick my neck out and say that you would get points on the entire package price, before tax.

This is what the Starwood site says about earning points:

Starpoints will be awarded for eligible charges ("Eligible Charges") on your room account based on the U.S. dollars or equivalent spent on eligible room rate, food and beverage, direct dialed telephone, laundry/valet, and in-room movies only. You will also earn Starpoints for food and beverage charges of US$10 or more in participating Starwood dining outlets, even if you are not a registered guest, when you present your membership card. Other charges such as parking, business center, retail stores, greens fees, etc, as well as taxes, gratuities, service charges and other applicable charges, such as energy charges, resort fees, etc, are not eligible for Starpoints credit.

 

[Troyfus]

Thanks Nancy! You came through again. I had been wondering where that "eligible" list was.

Dreamflight,
Will you be staying at the Dolphin or Swan? If so, could you find out what Instant rewards might be available? I am curious if they offer the Camp Dolphin as a reward.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Hey Dreamflight!

Sorry one last question, LOL! Where and how do we send a request to the Dolphin? Thanks in advance!

Mike

 

[Jen80370]

Hi all!

First of persist persist persist in upgrades. I got my AMEX a year and a half ago. I got enough points to upgrade to a balcony. I requested a corner king (turret balcony) and got it. I had ZERO stays on my gold card...and it worked. I DID NOT GO THROUGH STARWOOD! I went through the dolphin directly two months before I left. Here's the catch.

When I made my origianl ressies...I did it through the hotel itself. When I called Starwood to ask about my reservation, they couldn't find detailed info on it because it was made at the hotel. They told me to call the hotel. I did and told them Starwood sent me (which they did.) I then paid my points and got my upgrade then and there. As Paul was helping me, I asked for a corner king (either view) and I was in room 8016 with a glorious view (pics to follow). All of this for a teacher's rate of $129, which I converted to $60 a night with their cash and points promotion. This was a balcony room for $60 a night. IT CAN BE DONE!

As for requests...drop the dime and call the hotel directly. It enables you to form a speaking relationship with the folks in reservations and get what you want.

Good luck!

 

[NancyIL]

Great tips, Jen! The Swan/Dolphin has a tollfree reservation number, so it won't cost a cent: 800-227-1500.

 

[jmkst58]

bump

 

[Tiffany]

I was just reading an email that was sent to me by Starwood pushing the AmEx Starwood Card. One of the perks listed is that I would get 4,000 bonus Starpoints with my first purchase anywhere American Express is welcome. Well, we have used our card and have gotten our first statement and our second billing cycle should close in a few days and as of this time we have not gotten the 4,000 bonus Starpoints.

I am going to send an email to SPG but has anyone else gotten there 4.000 bonus points? I know a bunch of people on this site got their AmEx Starwood right around the same time I got my card.

Anyone?

 

[Shelly]

I didn't get anypoints yet either, also just about hitting my second billing cycle.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I emailed Starwood at the first of this week and the points appeared yesterday!!!

 

[Tiffany]

Shelly and Mom Poppins thanks for the replies. I have sent my email so we will see what happens.

 

[ctkmom3kidz]

We are using cash and points for one room and a free weekend for another room at the W in NYC in July.
We are only a few nights away from Platinum SPG and are hoping that these rooms will count towards our # of nights for Platinum qualification.
Has anyone who has stayed under these 2 promotion received these as nights in their account ???
I realize we won't receive SPG points but we are hoping for the nights credited to our account.
Thanks
Maureen

 

[Shelly]

I did ask about the free weekends and they said no that they do not count toward nightly stays or points.

 

[simonmunro]

Have any of you stayed at the W hotel in the French Quarter? I was thinking about maybe for a free friday from our last Dolphin stay. It looks nice on the internet.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Hey!

I was wondering for anyone who stayed at the Dolphin and used their points to upgrade, do you remember how many points were needed for whatever you upgraded to? We have 1,316 and were wondering how much we could upgrade! Also, I logged into spg.com and our reservations aren't showing up, but I guess since we made them through a *special offer* from Visitina Villages to do a tour of it. Will we have a problem using points because of this? If anyone knows any phone numbers we can call to get info it would be awesome!

Thanks in advance
Mike

 

[WiscMomof2]

Tiffany or Mom Poppins,

I haven't seen anything about these bonus points, can you give me any more information? The only bonus points I read about were for 500 for booking online and 1000 for your first stay paying with the card.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

My card was the American Express that gives you the 4000 bonus points after your first purchase.... Good Luck!

I just got a confirmed Jr. Suite for the end of September using my Platinum Starwood Card ....So excited

 

[WiscMomof2]

Mom Poppins,

I have the SPG Platnium American Express Card. This is the card you're talking about right?

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Originally posted by WiscMomof2
Mom Poppins,

I have the SPG Platnium American Express Card. This is the card you're talking about right?

Yes, That is the SPG Plantinum American Express Card I have that gave me the 4000 Bonus Points, But not to be confused with the Starwood Platinum hotel card that I was able to get the suite with....

 

[WiscMomof2]

I will have to email SPG. Like I said, I hadn't seen or read anything about this before so this is great news!! I just got my first statement in the mail the other day too. BTW, congrats on your suite. Sounds awesome!!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by WiscMomof2
Tiffany or Mom Poppins,

I haven't seen anything about these bonus points, can you give me any more information? The only bonus points I read about were for 500 for booking online and 1000 for your first stay paying with the card.

Hi WiscMomof2,

I received an email back on 04/29 from Starwood pushing the American Express Starwood card. It states the following.

"Earn up to 10,000 bonus Starpoints during the first year of Cardmembership when you pay for your Starwood Stays with the Card:

-4,000 bonus Starpoints with your first purchase anywhere American Express is welcome

-1,000 bonus Starpoints when you use the Card for your first stay at a participating property

-500 bonus starpoints for the next 10 stays you charge on the Card up to 5,000 Starpoints."

Hope this helps you out WiscMomof2.