NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[jaygatz]

Opal,

I was worried about the application of the bonus points to my account, so I looked this up the other day. Here's the URL--

http://www.starwood.com/promotions/terms_conditions.html?promoCode=AMEX10000



This comes from AMEX and the guy I spoke with the other day said allow 6-8 weeks for the points to appear. HTH

 

[csmommy]

opal

I had the same concerns, & called amex & got the same info as jaygatze. They told me it would be closer to 8 weeks for posting.

 

[opal]

Thanks Jaygatz and csmommy!

I got a little concerned when I contacted SPG and they send me a canned e-mail telling me how i could qualify for bonus pts under the current offer which doesn't include any bonus pts for the first time use of the card, only booking hotel stays.

I'm content to wait the 6-8 weeks for them be posted to my account, but I wanted to have a copy of the offer just in case.

Thanks again!

 

[marymrg]

Just found out we'll be making a quick 3 night trip to Orlando in May. If I have enough spg points, we might stay one night at the Swan. I'm thinking of the Sheraton Airport Suites the night before we fly home. What do you think of the Sheraton Safari? What other Starwood hotels can you recommend? I'll be using my spg gold card and Starwood Amex for maximum point accumulation!

 

[Shelly]

Funny, Ive just been researching the Safari for May. It has good reviews on the Orlando trips board. The kids like the serpent slide, and live baby alligators. Everyone loves the resaurants also. The only thing to note is the ground floor rooms seem to have the outside entrance( you know kind of motel like), while the rest are all from inside(more hotel like).
I'm thinking of staying there this time on points, as I just can't swing the dolphin $$.

 

[pewing]

I am having an awful time getting my bonus points! I have talked to AMEX twice and Starwood three times! I faxed the promotion )thanks Samsma! ) to AMEX.

AMEX said Starwood would have to award the points...Starwood said AMEX did it! Finally Starwood (always very polite) offered to 'take care of it'. I have not yet received my points....and it has been two billing cycles already

What else can I do?

 

[marymrg]

I'm a new Starwood Amex cardholder and have inquired about this as well. Starwood told me to wait until 30 days after the first set of points were transferred. If the bonus points aren't there, then I'll call back. (this would be after the 2nd billing cycle) I think I signed up when it was the 4000 point bonus. Starwood also said it would come from AMEX.

 

[ozziewags]

About a year ago, several of us signed up for AMEX and they had the 4000 point deal. We went through the exact same thing. I thought they would have had their act together by now! Be sure to save the offer so you can email it or fax it to whichever place you need to. It took forever to get our points; they kept telling us it was SPG, then AMEX. Back and forth. I think it took at least a couple months before they finally posted it. If there are several of you, I think you should all start calling and asking, because that is usually what it takes. Strength in numbers!

 

[pewing]

Thanks for the encouragement ozziewags

The Scary thing is...look at my countdown timer I was wanting some points just in case I don't get a comp upgrade!

 

[ozziewags]

pewing.......start charging everything you normally buy on your AMEX. You won't believe how fast those points add up. I put my college son on it, buying his groceries, etc. Just make sure you have that money around when the bill comes! I have had my card for about a year, not quite, and have over 30,000 points. Also, keep checking their site for specials and ways to get extra points. Good luck.

 

[mom23guys2]

I know what you mean. I always swore I would never charge groceries but I do now. I always write this Amex charges in my checkbook just as I do with my debit card(I highlight the Starwood Amex purchases) so that when the bill comes I can just pay it. I can't believe how fast these points are adding up.

 

[disnurse]

I basically do the same thing, I even charged a new living room set. The only drawback to that was I was over my limit but the charged cleared and then am. express charged me a 30$ fee. I wasn't too pleased with that. I would have not charged it or just raised my credit limit with am. express.

 

[momto2princesses]

What a great thread. I have had my AMEX for 2 years now and love to earn points. We even have our cable, internet, etc. billed directly to our card.

I do not understand how people are upgrading to platinum cards. I currently have gold and just called to try and upgrade and was told that you have to have a certain number of stays per year to get this. We are a Sheraton owner and that does not even get us the upgrade without meeting the stay requirement. Does anyone know how to get around this?

When we first became members we could earn points with ING investment. They gave you 4 points for every $1 invested. They discontinued this a long time back. Do you know of any other great deals like this to earn additional points?

 

[pewing]

Originally posted by momto2princesses
I do not understand how people are upgrading to platinum cards. I currently have gold and just called to try and upgrade and was told that you have to have a certain number of stays per year to get this. We are a Sheraton owner and that does not even get us the upgrade without meeting the stay requirement. Does anyone know how to get around this?

I think you can 'cheat' your way to Gold (I did ), but not Platinum.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

The only 2 ways to get platinum that I know of, is either by earning the stays or the way I did it was matching other hotel elite cards... Good Luck!

 

[Troyfus]

Having the Platinum Amex/Starwood cc will get you an upgrade to Gold SPG status.

To get Platinum SPG status you must have the required # of stays. What some people are referring to is the matching of status that Starwood so graciously has given on occasion. IF you have Diamond or Platinum status with another hotel chain (met by the required # of stays) the Starwood has sometimes been willing to match your membership to that level. Either way, the minimum # of stays to achieve that highest level has to be met through one of the chains. I know of no way around this. Anyone else?

 

[disneygals]

Zurgswife!

Help please....

I just called Starwood yesterday and the person I spoke to had no idea how many points a suite was and she didn't show any available. (starting 1/3/04) She told me to call the hotel direct, so I did and she showed availability, but didn't know about points and said that no, they wouldn't show availability at Starwood. So how can they book it? My points are still with Amex, so I'd have to transfer before I can actually do anything..

Did I just get confused people or what?

Would you recommend a suite over 2 rooms? We are a family of five and spoiled by 2 br timeshares

Thanks!!!!!!

I see your trip is 2 weeks, us too. 12/27/03-1/3/04 at Vistana and still planning the 2nd week.

Vivienne

 

[disneygals]

replying for myself

I called the Starwood Gold number and yes, it's 20,000 for a suite, but none are available "on points" for when I want it.


Vivienne

 

[disnurse]

disneygals thats what the spg web shows for required points as well. Strange how they are showing none available almost a year out. Maybe its too early if thats possible. I find that all there locations vary as to how far out you can book, usually the phone offers the best availability but using points I find that they are not the best informed. I do know specifically that there are different numbers to call if using points vs paying for rooms, I made that mistake. I went to the points guy to inquire about cashing in for an upgrade and he stated that if I wa paying cash for the room then I was in the wrong place.

 

[KelliR]

In my experience, the suites have never been available on points when calling Starwood. I called the Dolphin directly, booked the suite, then called SPG and had them apply the points to the suite. It took some time and convincing, but it worked!