Starwood Points, Upgrades, s/d

[KIS]

I tried to review the major thread on this subject and I'm still as confused as ever.

I am new to these boards and new to WDW.

I have a reservation for the dolphin for April 24 for seven days.

I applied for a starwood card and gave that card number when I made direct reservations for a teacher's discount. I was told that I would accumulate points, but that I could not upgrade or apply points I was earning on the trip for that same trip.

I've read about an AMerican Express through Starwood or something. I'm not too sure if there are fees for that and how having that card would help.

My family may well come back another time to WDW, but it wouldn't be an annual or semi-annual event. We just don't have that kind of funds or schedule.

So, I'm not too sure if the American Express is for us. Nor am I sure that any Starwood points would accumulate from our trip this next Spring, but that's worth it---I mean the service is free.

How would the Starwood points help me or the club for that matter for the first trip to WDW and to the s/d? Or do these programs help for future ones? The same goes with the Amer Express card -- how would it help for the first trip and if it would be helpful, then how do you obtain that particular AMEr EX card?


Thanks.

Kis

 

[Mouseteacher]

Welcome, Kis. Just some points regarding Starwood AMEX cc. There is an annual fee after the first year. The interest rates are high (alomost 15%). You can apply on-line through the spg site. With that said, the Amex cc does earn points that can be used for upgrades; however, points do expire if you don't use them in a timely manner. For example, I got the card last July and garnered enough points to use it again this July using the cash and points promotion and the teacher rate at the Swan. My points would have expired in Feb 04. Another point, having the Amex cc will upgrade your membership status from "preferred" to "gold" which will give you some type of upgrade at the resort if available. My example - last summer we received a complimentary upgrade to Club Level (we were at the Dolphin in late August - a slower time of year). I had no points at that point but was a Gold status.

I hope this helps regarding the Amex cc. You need to decide if having this card is worth it for you.

 

[KIS]

So, you actually requested the upgrades with the "gold status" or they simply offered you these upgrades upon arrival?

How did you get the card? Where can you apply for the Amer Exp that gets you this gold status? I am guessing that the fee can't be THAT much. May be I could purchase it now and use it to get some points prior to April 2004.

Is that plausible? Can you gather points from purchases outside of WDW? How far in advance, etc?

Your explanation was very helpful. Thank you.

KIS

 

[holidaybarb]

Hope you don't mind my jumping in. I was in your position last fall as I planned my June trip.

You can apply for the Starwood Amex at

www.spg.com

There are some point bonuses for applying similar to what I got last fall. Some lucky folks have gotten bigger bonuses but I haven't heard of anything better available recently. Maybe someone will reply to this thread with more info.

But here's something interesting. Points seem to be applied very quickly to my account. So when I paid the deposit for our stay I got bonus points posted very quickly for my first stay. And since I was reserving more than one room, I got bonus points on those too. These could (and were) used on my June trip since they were already posted to my account.

Points accummulate based on the $$ amount you charge to your Amex, too. So I used it rather heavily during the months prior to our trip and ended up with enough points to upgrade to club level
at the Swan during our recent trip. I "bought" this upgrade by calling SPG 5 days prior to my trip. They charged 1000 points per night (tho some people seem to be charged 1500). If the club floor is full you can request club privileges and stay on another floor. That's what we did. We just wanted access to early morning snacks for the children.

I got the gold SPG card by calling Starwood after I got the SPG Amex card and telling them I had a platinum card and would like to be upgraded to Gold Starwood. No problem. As you may read on the SPG thread here some people have had problems but persistence pays and upgrades to gold are usual.

One feature of the gold card is that you get some sort of automatic upgrade at check-in. We got rooms with balconies which were nice. When the hotel is very busy I wouldn't count on getting an automatic upgrade to club.

Now I have a bunch of Starwood points and it isn't likely that I'll be going back to Disney within a year. But the points can be used at any Starwood property and there are lots of them - Sheratons, Westins, and others. Since I do travel a bit I'll use the points for stays in other cities. The point requirements are pretty low, IMO, as compared to other hotel frequent guest cards. They also have some interesting deals where you can pay $60 a night and use some points to stay.

I think this card is a great deal. You can also trade in SPG points for airline FF miles! I gave up my Delta FF card and use this one now.

The fee is free for the first year and then it's $30 or $35.

Sorry to go on and on. All this info is on the SPG thread but it takes searching through 70+ pages to find it. I thought I'd pass along what I've learned from that and other generous individuals on this board.

 

[KIS]

Thanks. Like I said, I tried to glean pertinent information from the 70 plus pages on the Starwood plan. It was quite difficult. You summed up a lot of useful information. KIS

 

[Mouseteacher]

KIS ~ After I received my Amex cc, I called spg and told them I had the cc and would like to receive gold status. Just tell them you have the platinum Amex card and you will be gold. If it doesn't happen the first time wait a few hours and call back. Then, I e mail my request for a comp upgrade directly to the resort and give your confirmation number and your spg #. magic happens!

The fee is $30. I accumulated a lot of points last August b/c we booked 2 rooms. Then added on to that during the year using the card. I would not be going back to Disney this summer if it weren't for the spg points. Their cash and points deal - $60 + 4000 points a night for a category 4 resort - which included the S/D. I just couldn't pass up a 5 day 4 night stay for such a great rate (we are using the teacher rate on our last night b/c my points only gave us 3 nights).

I believe we received Club Level last summer b/c it was a quieter time of year. But I am sure we will receive some upgrade - hopefully a balcony- on this trip even though it is a much busier time.

 

[Ashley's mom]

for free for the first year - and get the benefit of the Gold Starwood upgrade in the meantime.....

I was quite impressed at how concise the information given in the previous posts on this thread have been...BRAVO.

Going to the trouble of getting signing up for Starwood Preferred and then getting that Starwood AM Express are well worth it. We went to Dolphin in March 2003 and requested a balcony room and they were GOING to upgrade us out of our balcony room - which is something I do NOT recommend since they are so great -and you need to put a note on your reservation for them NOT to upgrade you out of your room - while you're at it, request Room 8029. It has a great view of Illuminations and the big Epcot ball at night - anyway - they gave us club level privileges as our upgrade - which is nice - go for the free breakfast and evening hordevours - some people are too proper to say anything is cool - but after you see the food prices in Disney - well, a free meal just adds a skip to your step.....some people don't feel paying for club level is worthwhile - and I rather agree typically - but if it is a free upgrade it is AWESOME.

Please don't let me hear any crap now from posters saying that if you can't afford Disney food maybe you shouldn't go.... I can well afford the food - I just prefer to manage our money well.....

 

[NotUrsula]

We run nearly all our everyday expenses through our Starwood AMEX, but we pay it off every month and never carry a balance. Gasoline, groceries, work expenses, everything. If we have to replace an appliance or do a big car repair, we run it through the card account and dull the pain with points. It normally takes between 18-24 months to run up the 40K points it takes for a no-blackout 5-day stay.

The really good thing about the SPG program is that if you are doing a points-only stay, blackout dates do not apply. This means that even if you want to travel at peak season, you can still stay on points, provided you reserve early enough. This makes for an amazing bargain at times like Spring Break. Oh, not to mention that late checkout is a priceless perk for us.

DH and I carry separate AMEX Starwood cards because we need to keep them separate for work expenses. However, you are allowed to transfer points within the same household, so as long as one of us stays one paid night in a Starwood anywhere once every 365 days, we never lose points.

 

[jeffreyml]

I was just able to upgrade my Starwood Preferred card to gold by bieng a member of Ameritrade. The gave a code "AP2" and you had to call 1-888-625-4988 press option 3 and tell the receptionist you want to upgrade your card.

It was as easy as that.

 

[KIS]

It sounds great and easy, but one question. What is Ameritrade? How did you get the number?

So far, I've called Starwood and a number they gave me to contact American Express for the card which also accrues Starwood points.

KIS

 

[jeffreyml]

Ameritrade is an on-line brokerage firm. They are aligned with Starwood and therefore provide you with the chance to upgrade your SPG status. I do have an account with them but they also will give you points for opening a new account.

Everything you need to know is on the Starwood website.

 

[luvdisney14]

I just recieved my starwood card - it was green. I don't know if I am understanding this - if I call and give the ameritrade code I can get a gold card. What is the benefit of gold?
We are going to disney in 3 weeks - I hope I have enough time. Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly? Thank you.

 

[jeffreyml]

I printed out a temporary card through the Starwood site before being upgraded to a Gold Member with the Ameritrade Special deal. After Calling the Starwood number and upgrading my status. I printed out my New temp card which was a Gold Preferred.

Once you sign on to your account, on the left column there is a link to get a replacment card.

http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/benefits/index.html
Hope this helps you.


Gold Preferred Guest®

Stay just 10 times (or 25 nights) a year, and earn Gold status. Receive all the benefits of a Preferred Guest® with the following enhancements:

More Starpoints: Earn 3 Starpoints(SM) for every eligible U.S. dollar spent -- a 50% bonus over Preferred Guests, more than any other program -- so you earn free nights faster.
Automatic Room Upgrades: As an elite member, you don't need to redeem Starpoints for a room upgrade --- you'll automatically be given a Preferred Room at check-in when available.
Faster Airline Awards: Enjoy a lower minimum transfer threshold when converting Starpoints to frequent flyer miles -- exchange just 1,500 Starpoints versus 2,500 for Preferred Guests.
Little Extras: Take advantage of a morning newspaper, 4 p.m. late checkout, check-cashing privileges up to $300, and access to the Gold Preferred Guest special customer service telephone number for reservations and information

 

[KIS]

Dear Folks,

So, the first step is to register for the Starwood Point Program. The second is to apply for the AmerexpressviaStarwood. Then, after you stay 10 nights in a starwood hotel you can get the gold card? It's the last point that's confusing me. May be I should just call Starwood again and inquire.

I have been assigned Starwood numbers, but the cards have not arrived by mail yet. I have applied for the AmerEX(linkedwith Starwood), but that card has not come. Do I need to wait before getting the gold card? Do I need to use the regular starwood card for ten nights before I get the gold card?

Thanks for the clarification.

KIS

 

[swilphil]

Do all the Starwood points expire in a year, or just the ones accumulated through the Am Express card?

 

[airhead]

...last week,I mentioned my Starwood membership and the reservationist said I'd get an upgrade at check-in whether I had points or not! But,she also said,to use my card to buy things because any points I accumulate will make for a better upgrade!!



airhead

 

[Mouseteacher]

KIS ~ You have followed the right sequence except one point -
*joined spg
*applied and was approved for Starwood Amex

Now - you do not have to wait for 10 stays to be gold. Once you have your Amex cc# - call spg and tell them you have a Platinum (don't be specific as to which Amex type of card) Amex cc and would like to be upgraded to gold level. The key word is Platinum (that is what the Starwood card is). You may be asked for the cc #.

This is the sequence I followed from advice on these Boards last summer. On my first call, I was granted gold level - I had no stays at all and no points. Some people have said that you might get denied the first time you call - don't give up! - call back and you'll get a different CM. Be insistent but polite that you know it has been done before.

Being gold gives you a better chance for an upgrade even if you don't have points. Good Luck!

 

[luvdisney14]

I upgraded my card with AP2 code and just printed out my new one. It changed from an A to a B in the beginning of my membership number. Thank you for the information.

 

[KIS]

Sherri,

I remember reading somewhere that they expire. Then, when I applied for another Starwood card via telephone, the woman there mentioned that you have to use the card a certain amount of times in a year to stay active.

I sure hope there's a Veteran out there to help us. You and I both seem to run into the same topics and questions.

Is this your first time plannnig for WDW, too? Wait. I think you mentioned it's your second. And I was hoping this all got easier.

KIS

 

[swilphil]

KIS--We just got back from our first stay at the Dolphin as a Starwood member. I don't know when we are going to be able to go back. I'm a teacher, but currently taking an extended parental leave. Couldn't afford two in daycare on my salary.

Anyway, since we're living on one income I'm trying to plan another WDW trip when it is most economical. I would like to go for a family birthday trip next spring. Our birthdays are April, May, June and July. I would like to go in May. Somewhere there is a Starwood thread. I may go there and ask about when points expire. I don't have the AMEx because I don't want to have to pay a yearly fee, but if we do this trip it may well be worth it.