NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[ozziewags]

Dreamflight just responded(on another thread) about the 'transfer of points' question:


>Disneycrazymom...sorry to inform you, but SPG refuses to accept any point transfers from ANY program, outside of it's own. I certainly wish this were not the case, as I have oodles of others! <

Hope she doesn't mind me posting it here. I didn't know you could use HHilton honors points to buy hoppers! I learn so much here. You guys amaze me!Disneycrazymom...sorry to inform you, but SPG refuses to accept any point transfers from ANY program, outside of it's own. I certainly wish this were not the case, as I have oodles of others!

 

[ozziewags]

Oops, sorry for the flub in the last post!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks for the answers guys. I was just getting ready to post that I called and the nice person at Starwood said it was not possible. Too bad, but we will get back to the Swan anyway soon. Yes, I have looked at the other choices, some of them are just so beautiful. We just did Mexico last Sept. and I am not to excited about the LONG flight to Hawaii with DD3. We will try to go to the Hilton Hawaiian Village when she is older though. It looks like a great place. I have another thread asking about Hilton Head as we can use some of the points there, and it looks nice. DH will most likely be quite ok with NOT going to Disney for Spring Break anyway. I was just looking for a little extra Disney time. I know you guys understand that!

 

[DisOrBust]

Quick question I am sure that has been asked several times already,lol! If I sign up today for the SPG amex card will my points "expire" at a year. I am trying to rack up points for next April but thought I read they expire if not used within 1 year. Is this right?

 

[jaygatz]

What kind of upgrade does being Gold SPG get you? If you book a Swan Resort view room, does anyone know/have experience with the possible types of complimentary upgrades offered? And, sorry for the # of questions, but does anyone know what point upgrades are available from this type of booking and how many points for each upgrade? I am sorry for the complexity of this question. I'm just new to this and trying to figure out my options Thanks in advance

 

[disnurse]

Regarding expiration of points: itis my understanding that points expire if there is no activity on the spg account in a year. I still have points showing from april 2001 but have continued to use spg account.
** I'm still not certain if adding points thru using american express verses stays keep the account open. anyone know this information.

 

[laurieny]

Just an update-I called today and was able to upgrade to SPG gold by using the AMex starwood card. The rep knew I had it and only requested the number. Very easy-no hassle!!

 

[pbhunt]

I actually just read in Frequent Flyer magazine (Feb. issue) that only Starwood Hotel Stays (at least 1 per 12/months) will mantain your SPG membership, points from other sources including the Starwood Amex points do not. Which seems weird, because my airline credit card maintains my frequent flyer membership.

I guess, if you are accumulating Starwood Amex points, and your SPG membership has lapsed, you just have to call them to be re-instated, which is easy enough to do. Since I travel for government business (think inexpensive) I accumulate far more Best Western points and can keep my membership in their hotel program. It's much easier than trying to mantain it with SPG stays in Sheratons or Westins. I just transfer my SPG points into my Frequent Flyer account, which extends their longetivity to 3 years.

 

[CRB#33]

Hi Everyone! Great thread you have going here!

Stupid question: I'm staying at the Dolphin the week before Easter and I have only accumulated 1,100 points so far. Can I redeem them for anything, or should I just save them? Keep in mind that I am not planning on going anywhere for quite some time after that

Thanks for your help!

 

[csmommy]

Originally posted by laurieny
Just an update-I called today and was able to upgrade to SPG gold by using the AMex starwood card. The rep knew I had it and only requested the number. Very easy-no hassle!!

Can you PLEASE tell what you said to get the upgrade. Did you already have a Starwood stay? I have been trying & have not been able to upgrade. I have yet to stay at one of their properties, but I did get the Amex card.

Any help would be appreciated.

TIA

 

[jaygatz]

Tia,

I just received my SPG AMEX today, and they upgraded me to Gold with no problem. I think you got an ignorant rep. when you were not allowed to have the upgrade. The lady I spoke to claimed the SPG AMEX entitled you to a complimentary Gold upgrade--no questions asked. You should call them back and demand(politely) the Gold.

 

[laurieny]

I agree with Jaygatz. I really did not say anything special. I only said that I heard by having an amex plat. this entitles you to SPG gold. She said you are correct, mentioned it was a starwood card and processed it. I hope it works out. We are going the week before Easter and are almost at enough points for CL!

 

[jaygatz]

Does anyone know what happened to the Free Weekends promotion?

 

[laurieny]

Does anyone know how long it takes for points from you AMEX card to show up on the SPG wesite?

 

[jaygatz]

AMEX customer service said 6-8 weeks...SPG customer service said at the end of the billing cycle. This is what I was told today, though I have no direct experience. HTH

 

[magicaddict]

laurieny - As soon as the amex site showed the billing cycle had closed I checked SPG and sure enough our points were already there.

 

[ozziewags]

My points show up as soon as my billing cycle ends, the twelfth of every month! Sometimes I see my points before I receive my bill!

 

[disnurse]

Regarding free weekends: it was just about this time or a little later last year that the free weekend promos came out. I keep checking the website hoping it will come back this year

 

[jruj]

Regarding free weekends, I recieved an email about a week ago announcing the promotion. This years offer is not as good as last years offer. Stay six nights receive on night free. Stay twelve nights recieve two free. If anyone is interested I could look for link to register for free night prootion.

 

[opal]

Last month there was a special on the SPG site for the SPG Amex offering 5,000 pts for first purchase, 2,000 vs 1,000 on first starwood visit, 1,000 on next 3 visits for a possible total of 10,000 in the first year.

Anyone actually have a copy of this offering. I printed it when I applied 2/1 but can't find it. Of course, now I am having difficulty getting the points for the first purchase credited to my account.