NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[#1hockeymom]

I think Coach put it best when he said that was graciously done! Thank you Dreamflight!

Having Swan/Dolphin withdrawals this week!
Debbie

 

[paras4ri]

Echoing others in saying well put DF!


PrincessDadx2 - in a sense you answered your own question. If you're more comfortable with a suite, and I've also traveled with toddlers so I sympathize, by all means go for it in January. We had a suite this summer and it was great with our older kids too!

 

[dreamflight99]

You guys always put a smile on my face! You always make me feel SPECIAL!

Coach~Thank you for a glowing post! I'll be on my way home in No-time, and am excited to begin PLANNING my trip for 2005 (LOL). It took me seemingly "forever" to break-through Delta's # to reschedule, as I guess EVERYONE else was doing the same. The agent also told me numerous calls were from folks whom delayed their flights/vacations TO Fla., and wanted to travel now. I PRAY Ivan keeps AWAY from your lovely state, and gives you a much-needed rest. Thank you, again, for your unconditional support and shared perspective with regards to the SPG CHECK-IN issue. I have always considered all of us enrolled in the SPG Program to be "FAMILY" (irregardless of membership level)! It's such a pleasure to be associated with this wonderful group of DISers...in the SPG FAMILY.

*P.S. I'll be traveling to Europe (London/Paris) in November, and will keep you apprised of the DESK SIGNS I come across! LOL...

#1 Hockeymom~Hey, Deb! Always a pleasure to see you (*especially when not RUNNING AMUCK in WDW/Dolphin/Swan and/or POOL HOPPING, using reusable mugs...etc.!)

Catch you on the "other" thread!

TTFN...DF99

*OOPS!~You posted as I was typing, GAIL!! Thank you too. XO

 

[Mouseteacher]

Yup - that's our DF!!! ...eloquent, on the mark and says it the way I meant to!

I am Gold spg and on our last 2 stays, we used the "regular" check in as no one was manning the spg desk.

PrincessDadx2~a suite sounds like the best way to use your points - the extra elbow room will be much appreciated by all of you.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher
Yup - that's our DF!!! ...eloquent, on the mark and says it the way I meant to!

I am Gold spg and on our last 2 stays, we used the "regular" check in as no one was manning the spg desk.

PrincessDadx2~a suite sounds like the best way to use your points - the extra elbow room will be much appreciated by all of you.

Hi, Mouseteacher!~Missing you and all the FUN we shared one that SPECIAL (Priceless) afternoon on a summer day in July!

Hope you are adjusting to the "REAL" world...and schedules/appts. & everything else which goes along with it! (LOL).

TTFN...DF99

 

[Jaynerita]

Has anyone ordered the new Starwood Preferred Guest Gift Card? I thought it would make a nice wedding gift until they told me that I would not receive any Starwood Points to my account for ordering and paying for it!!! Does this sound right to you??? I had this whole plan of giving them as Christmas presents as well but I'll think twice about that!!!

 

[coach4448]

I've ordered them, and I agree that they make great gifts. I also agree that it's too bad we don't get the Starpoints for the purchase. I would love to be able to get the points for the purchase.
At least the person that you purchase them for will get the points when they use them.
I'm sure that I will still order them in the furture for gifts.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Jaynerita
Has anyone ordered the new Starwood Preferred Guest Gift Card? I thought it would make a nice wedding gift until they told me that I would not receive any Starwood Points to my account for ordering and paying for it!!! Does this sound right to you??? I had this whole plan of giving them as Christmas presents as well but I'll think twice about that!!!

If you use your SPG AMEX you will earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent.

 

[coach4448]

Originally posted by prncess674
If you use your SPG AMEX you will earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent.

Great point! Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Jaynerita]

The person I buy the gift card for will get the points??? Is that true??? Maybe I'll purchase them for myself as a good way to prepay a vacation.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Jaynerita
The person I buy the gift card for will get the points??? Is that true??? Maybe I'll purchase them for myself as a good way to prepay a vacation.

When you check into the hotel it will be just like a regular stay. Think of the gift card as a pre-paid credit card. Personally I wouldn't tie up too much money in a gift card for a hotel chain till I was absolutely positive. what happens if your vacation gets cancelled at the last minute (for instance: Hurrican Ivan) then you are "stuck" with all your vacation hotel money in a gift card that you can't get back in "real" money.

 

[coach4448]

Originally posted by Jaynerita
The person I buy the gift card for will get the points??? Is that true??? Maybe I'll purchase them for myself as a good way to prepay a vacation.

This is from the website:

28. Do Starwood Preferred Guests receive Starpoints® or miles for Gift Card purchases? [back to top]
Starpoints are awarded to the cardholders upon redemption. Starpoints may not be earned for the purchase of the Starwood Preferred Guest Gift Card or any other Starwood hotel and resorts branded Gift Card.

 

[madge]

Here's a picture of the sign you must be ignoring. This sign is in EVERY SPG hotel.

I use the SPG desk at the Dolphin, and have never seen a sign like that....it says "Welcome Starwood Preferred Guests" or something similar.

 

[paras4ri]

I dug this thread out from obscurity because I have an point question I hope someone can answer. If you're staying at an SPG property that charges a daily fee for a rollaway bed, can Starpoints be used to pay for it??

Thanks!!!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Good question, Gail, but I don't have the answer. Perhaps our resident expert - DF- will know.

 

[paras4ri]

Bumping up to see if anyone has had recent luck in remaining SPG Gold as an AAA member. That's how I did it last year but now I've reverted back to Preferred Plus.

 

[madge]

Bumping up to see if anyone has had recent luck in remaining SPG Gold as an AAA member. That's how I did it last year but now I've reverted back to Preferred Plus.

We got our new card in the mail last week (our expiration was Feb-2005). I was fully expecting to revert back to preferred plus, because we did not have enough stays to maintain SPG Gold. Imagine my surprise when it was a gold card in the envelope! I'd give them a call, Gail....maybe they can change you to gold since that's what you were previously!

 

[marymrg]

According to the SPG site, I have 3 nights in a traditional Swan room, and 1 night in a deluxe room. (the deluxe is my points night) I called the Swan directly to ask them to link my ressies.

So, I have a few questions...

1 - Will I have to check out and check in and get my keys updated?

2 - Since I'm SPG gold, do you think they'll actually bump me to deluxe for the entire stay? I am not even sure what deluxe means other than a better view.

3 - I will call 5 days prior to ask for club level or club level access with points.
If they can't do it, do you think I'll have a good chance at paying for it when I check in?

My main hope is that they bump me to deluxe for the entire stay. I don't mind paying extra for club level.

 

[howtrace]

I have a reservation made thru AAA for the Swan.
I called SPG directly and asked if I can upgrade room using SPG points.

They said that since i have a discounted rate with AAA, all SPG upgrades are blocked and not eligible.

This does not seem fair. Anyone know the best way to approach Starwood on this - who should i speak to?

Any experiences with this issue would be a great help!

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[madge]

According to the SPG site, I have 3 nights in a traditional Swan room, and 1 night in a deluxe room. (the deluxe is my points night) I called the Swan directly to ask them to link my ressies.

So, I have a few questions...

1 - Will I have to check out and check in and get my keys updated?

2 - Since I'm SPG gold, do you think they'll actually bump me to deluxe for the entire stay? I am not even sure what deluxe means other than a better view.

3 - I will call 5 days prior to ask for club level or club level access with points.
If they can't do it, do you think I'll have a good chance at paying for it when I check in?

My main hope is that they bump me to deluxe for the entire stay. I don't mind paying extra for club level.

I would say yes to all three, LOL...the CL is all based on availability, no matter when you try to upgrade.

good luck and enjoy the Swan!!