NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[Swan]

Go this e-mail from a friend:

This guy called & asked that we go look at the new Sheraton
Vistana Resort in Florida. He said they would send a town car to
pick us up, feed us a continental breakfast for 90 minutes of our
time to preview the resort. Along withthis he would give us 10,000starwoods points and 50% off coupon for up to 5 nights stay at any resort.

I read this thread off and on and did not see anything about this(may have missed it). Can anyone tell me about this. Is it a good thing? I told her I would check it out.

 

[Piper]

I also got this a few days ago--was wondering if it really just took 90 minutes and if it was hard sell.

 

[ozziewags]

Someone did this, but I can't remember who and said it was 90 min. and got their 10,000 points. She said if you have the time and want the points, it was worth it. I also remember her saying that they picked them up and dropped them off. Sorry I can't give you a first hand report. I declined when they called me, as I just couldn't fit it in our schedule.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I, too, declined b/c I didn't want to give up any time in WDW. I think it was "Muffy" who did the tour.

 

[EiLuvCinderella]

I have ressies for Dolphin (first timer) for July 2004. I have stayed at the Swan once last summer and really was clueless to all these wonderful programs. I am getting the teacher's rate.

I am a spg preferred member. If I get the Starwood Amex, that would upgrade my spg to gold, right? Should I wait until after July this summer so my points from my July 2004 visit will be earned during my first year as a Amex cardholder? Am I making sense in this request?

Then, how likely will I be to get a free upgrade to CL? I only have a mere 2000 points now. I have plenty of time to amass points until my trip, but was hoping to use points as instant rewards there instead of room upgrade.

Also, we have three rooms booked. What is the likelyhood of three rooms upgraded for free to CL with the same set of circumstances? We all have preferred but would get the Starwood Amex....... to get the gold status.

Thanks in advance for whatever help you could give me.

 

[cherylp3]

The starwood amex gives you preferred plus status not gold status.

 

[Muffy]

Yes, I did the tour in Jan. It was not a hard sell at all. It took around 90 min not including travel time. They did pick us up at our resort and bring us back. You do have to see a short film and get interviewed and a short tour. Then you get your points and coupon. We had a short wiat for our towncar to return and then we were on our way. The 10,000 points showed up approximatly 8 weeks later. Hope this helps.

Muffy

 

[laurieny]

A little off topic- Anyone have any suggestions for a Starwood hotel in the LA area for a quick trip this summer? We have some free air tickets to use and that's the farthest we can go. Thinking of doing Disneyland also so a hotel near there may be nice also. Thanks!

 

[Roxie A]

Originally posted by laurieny
A little off topic- Anyone have any suggestions for a Starwood hotel in the LA area for a quick trip this summer? We have some free air tickets to use and that's the farthest we can go. Thinking of doing Disneyland also so a hotel near there may be nice also. Thanks!

Can't help on a hotel but I would recommend that you stay in San Diego, its so beautiful and lot cooler than LA.

 

[pbhunt]

Sheraton Anaheim Hotel
900 South Disneyland Drive Anaheim, California 92802
From $87 per night.

San Diego is very nice, but I think they are planning a trip to Disneyland.

 

[simonmunro]

Perhaps too far from Disneyland but three years ago we stayed at the Westin LAX and the club floor rooms there were georgous!

There's an Anaheim Sheraton but I've never been to it, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel.

 

[KelliR]

laurieny ... yes, San Diego is the most beautiful city! But if you are going to Disneyland I recommend the Sheraton Anaheim. It is nice and it is very close to DL. You can look it up on the Starwood sight and it shows pictures and gives details. I stayed at the Sheraton in Pasadena on points because it was closer to my ister in Glendale ... but for DL the Sheraton Anaheim is the way to go.

I loved the Disneyland hotel but that costs money ... and it is great to stay for free on points!

For even more information, you can check the Disneyland Forum on this board ... I found it helpful.

 

[lonegungirl]

Hi, all.

Here's a question for all you knowledgable Starwood types: I have a standard room reservation at the Swan for the last week of July. I recently got gold preferred status in Starwood from a credit card offer, but only have around 400 points. I was hoping that the gold status might get me a club upgrade (I know--"if available") but recent posts seem to indicate that that is becoming less frequent.

If the room is not available, does that mean that it doesn't matter whether you have points to upgrade or not? I would consider getting the Starwood Amex to try to accumulate points (although I don't think I could get 7000 by then) but if the room isn't available for comp upgrade, then maybe it isn't for point upgrade either? I'm uncertain.

Thanks for any info!

 

[marymrg]

Just wanted to report back that my Starwood Hotel points showed up 1 day after checkout and my "first stay" bonus points (from the Starwood AMex) arrived 5 days later. So, to all of you waiting for your bonus points.......hang in there. Once they award the initial bonus points, you should be well on your way to accumulating more points without any hassle.

MaryG

 

[marymrg]

lonegungirl:
My room was upgraded on my last trip because of my gold status. About 2 weeks prior to my stay, it was upgraded on the website. (I didn't ask.......it just appeared) Since club level is not guaranteed (only for Platinum), I would try to accumulate points to pay for it.......or at least some of it. They can give out "club access" (room on another floor) but that is not guaranteed either. There's no set rule about the complimentary upgrades. They might be given based on how full the hotel is, if there's pixie dust in the air or if you are just plain lucky! I am new to the spg club........so maybe someone else has better advice for you.

Mary

 

[disnurse]

doeos anyone know if the cash/points promo ended. I thought it was till june 15th but now I can't find it on the website. I was hoping for free fridays promo but haven't seen that since last summer.

 

[hookedup]

I believe the Cash & Points promo goes to July 31. If you look under the "special offers" it was listed there last I checked.

 

[Piper]

I have another question--Is the teacher rate only available at the Dolphin & Swan? Or is it abailable at other Starwood properties in the US? Thanks.

 

[opal]

I believe it is available for all Starwood properties. We had it for a stay last fall in San Francisco and I know that is available for the Westin, St John, USVI and for their properties in Europe.

 

[laurieny]

our Disneyland trip is off because we could not get a flight home (flying on passes). So the next furthest location is Denver. Any suggestions on a Starwood hotel in or near Denver? I have never been there so I have no idea where I should be looking!