NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[EpcotKilterFan]

Can someone give me an idea of what the postcard looks like?

We are not sure if one came in.. and promptly got filed

We have 3 people on our account so $2,000 is easy to do. But $4,000 is a bit much.

And, do you have to do something to activate the offer? Or do you think it just happens.

Debbie

 

[dreamflight99]

HAPPY 1000th POST!

 

[Bimmy56]

It was an oversize postcard, one side had a very large DOUBLE POINTS in June and July ad on it. The other side had something about spending $8,000 a month to get double points in much smaller letters. I remember because my husband and I had a good laugh about the "small print" before I threw mine away. it would have been hard to miss.

 

[The Pluto People]

I called AmEx today about the new promo...I couldn't get the ridiculous $8000 amount reduced over the phone. I was given the name and address of someone to write to and I sent off a quick letter. I'll let you know if I ever hear anything...

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

I posted this in the Dolphin thread but since this is the Starwood post, I should have posted it here lol.

Anyway, after seeing the most recent updates to my parents/sisters account , we have 16,000 points! To others that may not be much, but to use that's the most we have had in a while.

Anyway, we plan on staying at the Dolphin like usual! I was wondering if anyone could tell me how many points it would be for 5 nights of a better view/club level/suite?

I wish the SPG.com was more specific for certain hotels

Thanks in advance!

 

[csmommy]

We just spent 3 nights at the Swan 2 weeks ago, & it cost us 1000 points to upgrade to club level.

HTH

 

[ww52]

I read through the last thirty pages of this thread but did not see this question, so I hope someone can help.

We have reservations at the Swan CL at $199 (teacher rate). Didn't know about SPG until after the reservation was made. Joined SPG and we have 50,000 AMex rewards points that transfer 3 to 1 to SPG.

My question: can I use the points to "upgrade" to CL? That is, keep the CL room but pay for it at the $129 regular room rate plus 1,000 points per night?

I was told to call back 5 days prior to arrival; what gets tricky is the transfer of Amex rewards to SPG takes a few days (and you can't transfer back). So I don't want to move the poitns to SPG until I know it will work. The savings is significant ($70 per night).

Related question: I understand the SPG points can be used at the Swan for other things such as restaurants (where 1500 points = $20). How does it work - pay for it in points when you check out?

Thanks

 

[disnurse]

Our CL upgrade was 1250 points per night and a few others both at swan and dolphin were quoted this rate. Lucky so far that those points have yet to be deducted, maybe they forgot

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by ww52
50,000 AMex rewards points that transfer 3 to 1 to SPG.

You are allowed to transfer AMEX MR points to SPG but it is a terrible conversion that I don't recommend unless you just have points to burn. 50,000 AMEX MR points could get you two free roundtrip tickets in the US which could be a better use of MR points.

You should look into getting an AMEX SPG CC which earns you 1 SPG point per dollar spent and the annual fee is only $35 per year. SPG points may be converted into many airline programs at a 1:1 ratio and then if you transfer is chunks of 20,000 points you get a 5,000 mile bonus per transaction.

 

[NancyIL]

Here's a link to info about the Starwood AMEX card: http://www66.americanexpress.com/ca...from=0&mgmID=undefined&request_type=undefined

I agree that the 3 to 1 point conversion from Membership Rewards to SPG points isn't very good. You could also use those 50,000 points for $500 worth of gift certificates. Do the math...after converting to SPG points - will you have enough for at least $500 worth of upgrades?

 

[Kapp]

Anyone have a recent experience with the cost of SPG points to an upgrade to a Jr. Suite at the Dolphin?

 

[ww52]

I really wish we had the SPG Amex card; the Rewards program with a straight Amex card is not as good. For example - someone suggested using my 50,000 points for $500 gift certificate. Actually, the rewards points convert 50,000 to $250 in travellers checks. Regarding airlines - I need to see if they transfer 1 to 1 for miles. The Amex rewards web site does not list the conversion factors - you only find that out when you try to do the conversion or if you call. That's pretty tricky - you think you have all these points and then find out you really only have a fraction of them.

That said, using 18,000 points to turn them into 6,000 Starwood points for six nights of a CL upgrade would be worth it - if I can do it (since I already have the CL reserved, I could see them not allowing it - why give me something for "free" that I was already willing to pay for at the time I reserved.)

Thanks for the information everyone.

 

[Kapp]

What can you use SPG points for besides room upgrades, free-nights, etc.? Can you use these for food? Gifts? and if so, anyone have any recent examples (i.e. points needs and for what)?

Any and all advice would be greatly apprecited!

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Kapp
What can you use SPG points for besides room upgrades, free-nights, etc.? Can you use these for food? Gifts? and if so, anyone have any recent examples (i.e. points needs and for what)?

Any and all advice would be greatly apprecited!

Well you can "use" them by transferring them into any number of airline programs and travel all over the world. SPG points can be transferred with a bonus. If you transfer 20,000 SPG points you can get 25,000 miles with Continental Airlines just to name one airline and fly anywhere within the continental US for that price. 10,000 CO miles will also get you a one way upgrade to domestic First Class. 100,000 miles will get you a international FC ticket.

 

[csmommy]

You can also use them as "instant rewards". When we were at the Swan it was 1500 points for $20.00 you could use it while dining anywhere except Shulas,

 

[sherry8253]

Hi - My DH just bought some Starwood stock. I remember reading that we can get a special SPG membership card because we are stockholders. Is this correct? If so, how do we obtain the card. After he bought it I saw that you get points for opening ameritrade account. Wish he would have bought it through ameritrade. thanks for any info you can give. Sherry

 

[airhead]

Our trip isn't until the summer of '04,but I'm real glad I started to research now!! This is my first trip planning our 10 day stay on my own,and I hope I'm not making a BIG mistake...
After reading the posts on the whole Starwood point program,I went ahead and applied and got approved for the Starwood Amex card. When it arrives,I'll book my room at the Dolphin using the teacher discount rates. Do I tell them then I'm a Starwood member or wait until I check in? I'm not that interested in the club level rooms but wonder if its possible to get a better rate than teacher's rate because of the Starwood membership? Any advice would be helpful!!

CJ(airhead)

 

[Mouseteacher]

airhead ~ You will not get a better rate than the teacher rate. What spg membership and an Amex card (starwood) may give you is an upgrade to a better room, i.e., view, balcony or CL.

 

[Kapp]

If you were going to the Dolphin and had the points for either CL upgrade or a better room upgrade (don't have enough for both), which one would you buy with your points (5 days out) and which one would you think you would have a better shot at getting at check-in? We are a SPG Gold card holder. Never used the SPG points or stayed at the Dolphin so looking for some expert advice!

Any and all help GREATLY appreciated!

Kapp

 

[NancyIL]

Originally posted by ww52
I really wish we had the SPG Amex card; the Rewards program with a straight Amex card is not as good. For example - someone suggested using my 50,000 points for $500 gift certificate. Actually, the rewards points convert 50,000 to $250 in travellers checks.

Actually, you really can get $500 worth in gift certificates with 50,000 AMEX points, if the particular retailers interest you: http://www48.americanexpress.com/en/docs?request_type=un_staticpage&linkid=2