NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[pewing]

I logged onto Starwood this morning...and my bonus Starpoints are there! Thanks to all of you that offered advice and encouragement during this ordeal Yipeee!

And...look at my timer! I am getting excited...

 

[disneygals]

Amex membership rewards transfer to Starwood...1000 Amex to 333 Starwood. I think there are better uses for them...Marriott is point for point, car rental certificates..10,000 for $100, etc etc.

I'm waiting for another SPG credit card promo to get their credit card WITH points. Anyone know how often they offer that?

We're already SPG Gold, because we own a Vistana timeshare. This Christmas I want to stay for 2 weeks. One at our timeshare, some at the Dolphin and some at a Universal Hotel.

Vivienne

 

[nancyv58]

Sorry if you read this on another post. I booked the 99.00 rate which is a CM rate (my daughter) but they told me that even though I put it on my credit card that I can't get SPG points since the reservation has to be in her name. So then I called and got the 129.00 rate for teachers. I am an aide. Will I qualify? On the phone she said an ID is all I need (hope I can find it) we don't have to use them but we get them every year when they take our pictures. If that really all I need? So is it better to pay the 129.00 and get my points? Also how old is considered an adult? 25.00 a night for extra adult seems steep? Do you have to pay the 10.00 resort fee it was quoted for both of the above situations? Thanks again for all of your help. I did apply for the amex yesterday and was approved!!! So will start using it immediately after I receive it.

 

[kmr]

Can you transfer Marriott points to Starwood?? I have tons of Marriott and need some Starwood to upgrade this summer at the Dolphin. I used all mine to do the cash/point promotion.

 

[disneygals]

marriott > starwood

I doubt it, as they're different hotel chains. Would be nice, though.


Vivienne

 

[maggiew]

Can someone give their recent experience at the Dolphin/Swan using hotwire/priceline? Do they treat you differently? If I am a gold SPG, am I still eligible for an upgrade? I would like to have the balcony room or club level. Can I use SPG points to upgrade to club? Right now I can get the teacher rate at $129, but I think I may be able to get a Hotwire rate of $81. That's about a $300 difference for our stay and I am tempted to try Hotwire, but I don't want to be treated like Leonardo DiCaprio on the Titanic!

Maggie

 

[Mom2aPrincess]

maggiew

 

[Mom2aPrincess]

Oops!
We stayed at the Dolphin in March(purchased through Hotwire). I am a fairly new SPG but felt we were treated just as any other guest at the hotel. We were not club level but had a nice lake view. We were given a room to match our requests re non smoking and 2 beds. We also received a late checkout without any hassle. We loved the Dolphin and have told many friends about our positive experience with the Dolphin and Hotwire. I don't know about using point for upgrades on a Hotwire stay but it never hurts to ask. Good Luck!

 

[sherry8253]

Hi - I think that I read on a board that people who own stock in Westin get preferred rooms. Is this correct? How much stock do you have to own & how do you show that you are a stock holder? Does anyone know what kind of perks stockholders receive? It may be worth buying some shares if this is correct. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[pewing]

Originally posted by sherry8253
Hi - I think that I read on a board that people who own stock in Westin get preferred rooms. Is this correct? How much stock do you have to own & how do you show that you are a stock holder? Does anyone know what kind of perks stockholders receive? It may be worth buying some shares if this is correct. Thanks in advance for your help.

I know that if you own stock in Starwood you are eligible for I believe it is the 'corporate' SPG card. I checked into it, but the benefits were better with the gold SPG card...so I went with that (after I applied for my Plat. Starwood AMEX card).

Hope this helps

 

[pewing]

Thanks for all your advice/help/encouragement! Tonight I was checking my ressies (for the millionth time )...and I see:

"Beds: 1 King
Room Features: Deluxe Non-Smoking Rm, Step Out Balcony, Resort View With Balcony, Armoire/Tv/Stocked Minibar, , Whimsical Themed Room With Private Balcony Offering A View Of Resort Area And Crescent Lake."

I read it twice before I believed it

Do you think I can 'trust' it? Please say yes

 

[maggiew]

pewing,
What did you do to get the upgrade? Email them? When?

Maggie

 

[pewing]

Originally posted by maggiew
pewing,
What did you do to get the upgrade? Email them? When?

Maggie

I'm not sure what worked Here is what I have done:
*requested upgraded when DU booked the room (noted on ressie as 'upgrade if available')
*faxed request (tried to email, but it 'bounced back...twice ) on the 12th-which was 2 weeks before my arrival

I have also had my fingers and toes crossed

I was thinking that I would have to wait to checkin to see if it worked. I still am hoping it's 'real'

 

[jgates]

They did not request any info on how many shares I owned before I was issued my Corporate (I think it is HOT for the stock symbol) card.

 

[pbhunt]

Print out a copy of your page with the upgrade from the SPG site and bring it with you. Our reservation actually changed from a standard room to deluxe and then changed back to standard online. We were still happily upgraded when we arrived, but it was nice to have back-up.

 

[Samsma]

Pewing - Congrats!!! I'm so jealous!

 

[pewing]

Thanks Samsma...you have been 'pulling for me' all along I am pretty pumped myself. I told my DH...I will feel better when I'm actually in the room, but I am optimistic

 

[maggiew]

I was trying to sign up for AT&T online billing. There was a link where you got 2,000 Starpoints for doing this.
http://www.att.com/starwood
I tried but it was giving me an error message. I called and they said the offer was expired. However, the webpage etc. is still up and I don't see an expiration date. Does anyone know? Should I try to pursue getting the 2,000 points or am I just being petty? I was able to sign up to get 1 Starpoint per dollar spent on my AT&T bill. But I would still like those 2,000 points.

Maggie

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Reading through all these past posts is so confusing, so I will ask my question NOW......so please forgive me if it has been asked before. OK ?

I currently have a Starpoints balance of 7, 104 from past visits
at the Swan.

I already have ressies for only 3 nights, solo, at The Swan, in early December. So far, I have a standard room.

I would like to upgrade using my points. I want to combine
balcony room WITH club level access. How many points will that be per night ? Do I have enough points for 3 nights ?

Should I call Starwoods NOW, to upgrade for December ?
Or should I call Starwoods when it is close to check-in time ?

Thanks so much for all your help !!!

 

[jaygatz]

I have been told that you must wait until 5 days prior to checkin to use ppoints for an upgrade. I don't know that this is accurate though.