NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[Pkdcoastrs]

Well only about two days until we leave for WDW and Universal! I would like to THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED ME and taught me lots of good tips for the Starwood Preferred Guest club & the Dolphin!

We will be at

Old Key West July 29 - August 1

Dolphin August 1 - August 7

Portifino Bay Hotel August 7 - August 9


I will have an AOL Mobile Communicator so I will have the ability to Instant Message and Email from WHEREVER I am! If you want to ask me any questions while I'm on my trip about whatever at the world, email me at PKDCOASTRS@AOL.COM ! My instant message buddy list only works by adding your name to my list, so you can't Instant message me until I add it!


Again thanks so MUCH!

Mike

 

[libbatexas]

Thanks to this board, I used cash/points for a vacation in June in San Diego. (Forgive me WDW.) I'm a platinum member and it was a great trip. However, I was disappointed to learn (based on an email) that nights using cash/points don't count in the SPG program. Is that consistent with everyone elses' experience? Thanks

 

[Jen80370]

pkdcoaster...have a great trip!

 

[WDWjoy]

Lurking in the shawdows no more - I'm jumping out to say thank you for all the great info I have read about the Swan/Dolphin and related matters. I have read the MANY posts and learned so much. I am eagerly awaiting my trip to the Swan in Dec. and have been attempting to follow your advice about earning Starwood points. I am from Iowa (yes it is HOT and HUMID lately) and guess which is the ONLY state that AMEX will NOT issue their SPG credit card to? You guessed it - Iowa!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does any one have any advice about how to get around that one? I use my current airline miles earning credit cards for just about all my purchases, but I would love to switch to earing SPG points. Also I am a mid-level member of Marriott's frequent stay program and have tried to be matched by Starwood, but received the answer that they only match the Platinum level equivalent. Has anyone been matched at the mid-level? It seems the only way I am going to be able to earn SPG points is by staying at Starwood properties. You fellow WDW lovers are so clever and dedicated, I figured if anyone can help me get those darned SPG points, it is you. Again thanks for all your info.

 

[ozziewags]

Hi Joyce,
Welcome....we are glad to have you join us. I am surprised that Iowa is the lone state they don't issue that cc to. Any idea why not? I have never heard of that before. I only know that someone tried to upgrade by matching from Marriott with no luck. I have been matched by other cards though. Do you have Hyatt or Hilton? I know they will match Hilton. Maybe you could apply for one and match that one(maybe even match Marriott with them first, to get mid level and then match Hilton with Starwood?) Just a thought. But you are right. Someone here will have the answer for you.
When in Dec. are you going to the Swan? We will be there Dec. 24-31. Keep us posted if you have any luck.

Carol

 

[kmr]

Anyone know if the cash/points promo is still available? I used this to make ressies for two nights in Dec. and am thinking about adding another night, but didn't know if this promo was over yet.

 

[WDWjoy]

Ozziewags - Thanks for the quick reply. Actually Starwood indicated that they do match status with Marriott, bu that at this time they are only upgrading/matching the platinum level.
We are just adding on 3 days at the Swan early in Dec. after a 4 day cruise (1st ever Disney cruise).
Iowa certainly does like to protect its residents from corporate America. I just changed cell phone companies and in the state of Iowa, Verizon will let the customer out of a 2 year contract after just the first 4 or 5 months of the 24 month agreement. I like this instance of being "protected" but sure wish my state would trust AMEX!!
Maybe somebody else reading will have creative SPG point earning ideas for me. If not, I will enjoy my basic Swan room away from Iowa's cold, come December.

 

[Debi]

Okay, here's my dilemma:

I reached Gold status by staying the required nights necessary to be upgraded to Gold. In the meantime, I applied for the SPG AMEX card and was accepted.

I seriously doubt I'll be staying the same amount of nights next year as I did this year, and am concerned about losing my Gold status. Should I call SPG now and tell them that I have the AMEX card to ensure that I remain Gold, or should I wait until my current Gold membership expires (Feb. 2004) to call?

 

[ZuZugal]

Ok, I'm new to the swan and dolphin (have stayed "onsite" last 2 years), but am really considering s/d for our october stay. Even though I have read many posts, I need some advice. Please be patient w/me!!

1. Would there be any benefits to apply for the Starwood AMX first or SPG first?

2. I looked on both websites but did not find anywhere that mentioned a sign-up bonus of 4,000 Starpoints. Was that offer w/the AMX and is it still available?

3. Any pointers or advice for a first-timer would be gladly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ozziewags]

1. Sign up for the Starwood card first, then Amex, so when you start earning points, they will go right into your acct.
2. I got the email for bonus points after I had signed up, to join Amex. The bonus was 4000 points to join Amex. Don't know if it is still available, but you could call them and ask.
3. Read through this thread for all the pointers you could want. Everyone here loves to get 'points' for upgrades, free hotel stays, plane tickets, whatever!

Carol

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Points and Cash promotion...

It has been extended to travel by November 30 and they added the Swan and Dolphin as a participating property.

This is a great deal if you have the points

I am extemely bummed My trip is December 3 and can't get points and cash. I was sooooo counting on being able to use this for my 10 night vacation. I may have to switch to a moderate for a few days now...

Hope it helps someone else.


Debbie

 

[Debi]

I checked my SPG point balance on Wednesday, and it did reflect the 4,000 point bonus for receiving and using the card. Hooray! So this means that SPG is aware of my AMEX status. So this means that I'll be able to keep my Gold status beyond the 2/2004 exp. date shown on the card - yay!

As a side note, I got a letter in the mail the day after I received my SPG AMEX card stating that the credit limit that I had on my card was "the maximum additional credit" that they could provide me. I already have an AMEX Blue card with a slightly higher credit limit, and in the letter I got, it said I could reallocate the two lines of credit any way I choose. I just got off the phone with AMEX and transferred all but $500 of my Blue credit limit to my SPG card, so I nearly doubled my credit limit with one phone call! If you have another AMEX card, you can transfer credit lines also - just call the phone number on the back of your SPG card.

 

[ozziewags]

Good for you Debi. They sure drug their feet on those bonus points, but I am glad we all stuck with it. When I got my Amex card I told them that the credit limit they were going to give me wasn't enough and so they said, 'how much would you like?' I told them and they gave it to me. I knew that charging everything for those points, I would need a large cc limit!!! Then I got an Amer. Airlines card, in case some places don't take Amex., which I found is quite a few! You just have to put enough away for those large bills at the end of the month!

Carol

 

[Troyfus]

Yehaw!! 4000 points showed up today, thanks to the SPG crew. I am so happy!!
Thank you all for the helpful advice.

 

[Debi]

So ture, ozziewags! AMEX isn't accepted everywhere, unfortunately. Thankfully, most of the places I shop (supermarket, gas station, post office, dept. stores) do accept AMEX, so I'll be able to rack up quite a few SPG points!

 

[disneywith6kids]

However, we won't get them until my husband uses his card for the first time. Can you believe it? I've put 6,000.00 on my card and they won't give us our points till he uses the account. Talk about unfair(ha ha)

 

[ozziewags]

That's interesting. I have not heard of that before. How long have you had your card? You do know that they don't post points until Amex sends out your bill, right? We have four cards and our points were posted when just two of us used the card. Hmmm.

Carol

 

[libbatexas]

We had a great vacation in San Diego (sorry WDW). Used the points plus cash ($60) at a great resort. Since I'm platinum (this year may be last) we even got upgraded. But I was disappointed to learn that the nights do not go towards the Starwood "nights." Didn't know if anyone else has been able to get credit. The SPG program is one of the best IMO. Just disappointed this go round but as I said in the subject: guess I'm getting greedy!

 

[disneywith6kids]

I've had the card since early May.I've gotten all my points at the end of each billing cycle. However, they won't give me the 4000 sign up points til DH uses his card.

 

[ozziewags]

That's even more interesting.....like using the card by another member has anything to do with getting it in the first place. You are supposed to get the points for SIGNING UP. Hmmm. Lots of times it depends on who you talk to, maybe you should call or email again.

Carol