NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[LiLPrincess]

Does anyone know about Preferred Plus?

I just received my Starwood American Express and called Starwood to ask about an upgrade to Gold status. The person I spoke with said Gold was not available on a Starwood AE, only a regular AE.

She did say that she could upgrade me to Preferred Plus status which includes a 4pm checkout and room upgrades if available.

The room upgrade is the reason I was hoping for Gold, but do I really need Gold status now?

 

[Kapp]

Is one better than the other? I am already a GOLD but also a AAA member. Can you count both?

Kapp

 

[madge]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=429512&highlight=starwood

this link has the differences between preferred plus and the gold levels of SPG....

I am already a GOLD but also a AAA member. Can you count both?

yes, they can add AAA promotion to the Gold status.

 

[opal]

I apologize if the answers to the following questions are in the previous 75 pages.....

1) I have had my spg amex since Feb. and I know there is no fee for the first year. It there a fee after the 1st year and if so, how much?

2)Do amex purchases points count as "activity" for the purposes of not losing your points in the event you don't have hotel point activity during a one year period.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jgates]

I found no copyright info in the letter I received in the mail today so this is the bulk of it.

NOTE: CHANGE IN TERMS TO STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST PROGRAM

PHP:
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Dated: August 1, 2003

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Starwood Preferred guest strives to provide its members with unmatched rewards, recognition and service. In attempting to delivery on this promise in our hotels, it has become increasingly more difficult with respect to reservations made through non-Starwood operated Web sites. Before the creation of our Best Rate guarantee, we recognized that members could find better rates by shopping through these sites. Now with the guarantee firmly in place, we are confident that Starwood Web sites offer the best rates available.

Therefore, in order to ensure that we consistently deliver elite level hotels benefits (upgrades, amenities, etc.) we are limiting their availability to reservations made through Starwood Websites, hotels, call centers, and your travel agent or corporate booking tool. This change will take effect for travel beginning on january 1, 2004. The chart below highlights the current policy as well as the upcoming change.

Prepaid Channels (sample list): Expedial.com, Hotels.com, Hotwire.com, Orbitz.com, Priceline.com, Travelocity.com, Travelweb.com, etc.

Current Policy:

Starpoint earning not available. Members can earn on incidental spend during stays.

Stays do not count toward elite level thresholds.

Stays are eligible for elite level hotel benefits.

Policy Effective 1/1/04:

Starpoint: No Change
Stay Credit: No change
Elite Member Benefits: Stays will not be eligible for elite level hote benefits (upgrades, amenities, etc.).

Just an FYI for those it may affect. I book Swan directly at Swan so it doesn't affect me, but could have an upgraded room affect when they show up on Hotwire, Priceline etc. for some.

 

[NancyIL]

Originally posted by opal
I apologize if the answers to the following questions are in the previous 75 pages.....

1) I have had my spg amex since Feb. and I know there is no fee for the first year. It there a fee after the 1st year and if so, how much?

2)Do amex purchases points count as "activity" for the purposes of not losing your points in the event you don't have hotel point activity during a one year period.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

The annual fee is $30 after the first year.

I'm not absolutely positive, but I would assume that points from the Starwood AMEX qualifiy as "activity." Otherwise, they could have a lot of unhappy cardholders!

 

[reeanna]

Hi all! Haven't seen much activity on this board lately and I miss it! Just wondering if anyone has returned from S/D recently & would care to share their experiences with the rest of us?? Anything at all is of interest- anyone upgraded? Did you use points or was it comped? Did you ask or was it offered to you? Were there conventions going on at the time you were there and was it crowded? Did you fax requests beforehand and if so, were they successful? Any word on renovations? etc etc. etc. Just need a Starwood "fix" Thanks!!!

 

[laurabelle]

bump

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Good Morning, I thought I would post the e-mail I received from Starwood on this thread as well:

"You’re invited to enjoy a complimentary weekend night after five consecutive paid nights at a participating Starwood hotel or resort."
Then just pay with your American Express® Card and stay between December 1, 2003, and March 31, 2004. You can earn up to two complimentary weekend nights to use on a future vacation any time from January 5 through June 30, 2004."

We are earning our 2 free nights on our upcoming trip

 

[bobbiwoz]

DH has just used up all of his Marriott points, we have booked a vacation in Key Largo. Since we like staying at the Dolphin so much, he's considering staying at Sheratons on his business trips, and this seems like a good time to switch over from staying at Residence Inns. But, we cannot find out where the info is on how many points it takes for a free night at the Dolphin. We have gone to the starwoods site, and checked out the "earn and redeem points" section.

We stayed at the Dolphin on the Teachers rate over Halloween weekend, this was our 3rd stay there, and we loved it. We were in a newly decorated room, and we were upgraded to a balcony room with a pool view. That may have been because the first room we were checked into was being remodeled, and not fit for occupancy.

Thanks for the help.

Bobbi

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Hi

If you go to www.starwood.com, next click on www.spg.com to take you to their website and then click on earning points, you have to know exactly what hotel you are staying at to get the number of points, but if you will click on book a room from here:

http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/starpoints/redeem_landing.html#1

Then put in city and it will take you to a list of available hotels. I hope I did not confuse you please ask if this does not workout for you You might also be able to use the nights and flights award look for it on the same link above. Here is the amount for the Swan and Dolphin hotels:

Walt Disney World Dolphin
Lake Buena Vista , FL 18.1 Miles 10,000
Category 4
Walt Disney World Swan
Lake Buena Vista , FL 18.4 Miles 10,000
Category 4

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you!!!! Now I'll e-mail DH and tell him that I found it!

bobbi

 

[UponAStar]

We're leaving next week for the Swan and signed up for the "complimentary weekend night(s) after five consecutive paid nights" that Mom Poppins mentioned. We're staying exactly five nights so we lucked out. Yippee! Will post more info. when we get back.

Originally posted by opal
I apologize if the answers to the following questions are in the previous 75 pages.....

2)Do amex purchases points count as "activity" for the purposes of not losing your points in the event you don't have hotel point activity during a one year period.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

I found the following on the Terms & Conditions section of the website:

"You will be considered an "Active Member" so long as you have earned Starpoints as a result of activities at participating Starwood Properties during the previous twelve months. Starpoints resulting from transfers or earnings from other programs do not count toward active status."

So it looks to me as if you have to have "hotel points" to be an Active Member. Has anyone had any experience with this?

 

[disneymom57]

Is the "complimentary weekend night" given when you are staying at a government employee rate?

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Originally posted by MOM POPPINS
Good Morning, I thought I would post the e-mail I received from Starwood on this thread as well:

"You’re invited to enjoy a complimentary weekend night after five consecutive paid nights at a participating Starwood hotel or resort."
Then just pay with your American Express® Card and stay between December 1, 2003, and March 31, 2004. You can earn up to two complimentary weekend nights to use on a future vacation any time from January 5 through June 30, 2004."

We are earning our 2 free nights on our upcoming trip

I am realy curious about this e-mail. My spam blocker somtimes blocks Starwood e-mail and I am not sure we got it. Is there a place on their website that you sigh up for this? I am just curious.

Thanks!
Debbie

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Hi Debbie ~ I would call Starwood to register, tell them it is the promotion that earns you a free weekend night after 5 consectutive nights after paying with your American Express card. I have deleted the email I received. You do have to register for this promotion. I cannot find the link on-line anywhere to register so I would call.

disneymom57 ~ I am also staying on a government rate and I was told our stay was still elgible for the promotion

Uponastar ~ Are you staying with a promotional rate ?

If anyone finds out any new/different information please share with us

 

[pooh31]

Here is the link to the free weekend night

http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/promotions/registration/landing_page.html?promoID=AXN

 

[UponAStar]

Debbie - I found my e-mail and the link, here it is:
http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/promotions/registration/landing_page.html?promoID=AXN

Mom Poppins - We're taking advantage of the Heavenly Paradise Package on the Swan Dolphin website. We have enough points to stay for free but my husband wants to be sure we have a Resort view with Balcony. He's such a romantic and hedonist he coudn't pass up the perks of the package. King Resort View with Balcony, champagne and chocolate upon arrival and breakfast in bed each morning. Who am i to deny him of such things? (I guess you can tell we don't have kids.) http://www.swandolphin.com/include/c_exp_pkg1.html

The Heavenly Paradise Package rates differ depending on how many days you are staying but they do include taxes and the resort fee. For five nights it will be $239/night. Oh well, I guess we'll have even more points - now if I can get DH to use them!

Suzan

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Thanks all!!!

I see a spring trip in the future

Debbie

 

[poohbear7]

Does anyone know who I would write to about a complaint I have with a Sheraton Hotel and Starwood?

Thanking you in advance.