Starwood Points, Upgrades, s/d

[JudyS]

Originally posted by KIS
Dear Judy S,

Did you try to get the AAA SPG gold? I am confused. What did you have and what did you gain by adding the AAA to the AMEX-SPG membership?

I have a SPG gold just from my use of the AMEX alone....

KIS

I have just the plain ol' non-gold SPG card. I called SPG customer services and asked if I could get upgraded to SPG Gold because I had an AMEX Gold card. They said no, my AMEX card didn't qualify for upgrading my SPG card to gold, because my AMEX card was a gold card, not a platinum card.

So, now I'm going to try upgrading my SPG card from "plain" to AAA Preferred Plus, using my AAA card. Or, I may ask about upgrading using the code axsb that was just posted here.

 

[KIS]

Can anybody speak to my recent question? KIS

 

[JudyS]

Kis, I'm not sure which question you're referring to. If you're asking whether AAA adds anything if you already have SPG Gold, I'd guess the answer is no. The AAA Preferred Plus SPG may be just another "brand" of SPG Gold card, because they seem to have the same benefits. But, you could always call Starwood and ask to make sure.

There is a higher level of SPG -- SPG Platinum -- but I don't think anyone here has mentioned qualifying for it.

 

[disyidkid]

I just called the AAA number for Starwood and was upgraded to Preferred Plus. The rep said that the only difference between preferred plus and gold is that with gold you get 3 points to every dollar and preferred plus is only 2 points.

These boards are absolutely awesome!!!!!!

 

[NancyIL]

I called Starwood several months ago to upgrade to AAA Preferred Plus, but my new card didn't get here until after I was at the Swan last week. I asked at the front desk about late checkout as one of my Preferred Plus perks, and the man I spoke with was unfamiliar with it. Fortunately, I was still able to get a 4 p.m. checkout.

 

[disyidkid]

Nancy,
Did you go to through the Starwood Desk? I've found them to be very helpful. I've also found the staff at the Dolphin to be a little friendlier than the Swan, but that might just be me.

By the way, can I still get length of stay passes at the Dolphin?

Thanks!!!

 

[KIS]

I appreciate the feedback on this question. I did want to see if others agreed with what I had heard that the AAA link does not add anything if you already have the SPG gold card.

I think sometimes it can get so confusing. As I explore options, I can overplan and overconsider my options.

Can anyone relate to that?

KIS

 

[ehallison]

It DOES add something...3000 bonus points. The points are 1000 pts each for 3 stays, retroactive to stays as far back as June 2003. I registered for the AAA promotion on Tuesday, and they posted the 3 1000 pt bonuses to my account yesterday! (because we had 2 stays in July and my dh had one this month).

 

[JudyS]

Originally posted by ehallison
It DOES add something...3000 bonus points. The points are 1000 pts each for 3 stays, retroactive to stays as far back as June 2003. I registered for the AAA promotion on Tuesday, and they posted the 3 1000 pt bonuses to my account yesterday! (because we had 2 stays in July and my dh had one this month).

Ooo -- so does that mean one can get the three 1000 point bonuses with AAA, but not with SPG Gold? Ehallison, how did you get your bonuses -- did you call Starwood Preferred Guest Customer Service?

Kis, I can definitely relate! I always feel very bad if I miss even one little "deal" I could have gotten. I'm still kicking myself for not knowing about SPG back when I stayed at the Swan last summer -- maybe I could have had a balcony!

Thanks for all the great info on this thread!

 

[ehallison]

Hi Judy,

I believe the bonus points are automatic once you sign up for the AAA promotion. And you CAN have Gold status and also register for the AAA promotion. Just call the number on the SPG web-site and tell them you want to register for it. (have your AAA card handy; they asked me for my membership number).

Allison

 

[JudyS]

Thanks!

 

[kwdietrich1]

Hello,

Well I called last night to sign up for the AAA preferred plus! However, the rep did not want my AAA membership number. I asked him if the cm at check in would know I was signed up for the Preferred Plus and he said yes. Also, there was no mention of a new card being issued. Now I just have the regular SPG membershio. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[disyidkid]

When I signed up last night for the AAA preferred plus card, my spg number changed from A to B, so I don't think I'm getting a new card either, just a change on the number.

 

[NancyIL]

Originally posted by disyidkid
When I signed up last night for the AAA preferred plus card, my spg number changed from A to B, so I don't think I'm getting a new card either, just a change on the number.

You'll get a new card - but it will take about 2 months to get it.

 

[NancyIL]

Originally posted by kwdietrich1
Hello,

Well I called last night to sign up for the AAA preferred plus! However, the rep did not want my AAA membership number. I asked him if the cm at check in would know I was signed up for the Preferred Plus and he said yes. Also, there was no mention of a new card being issued. Now I just have the regular SPG membershio. Has this happened to anyone else?

Depending on WHO checks you in, the cm may not have a clue what AAA Preferred Plus is.

 

[famcruisefun]

Thanks to all of the great information I've gotten here - we just made reservations for our first stay at the Swan. We are regular SPG members. Made our reservation through Dreams Unlimited with Annual Pass discount. We booked a resort view with balcony room. When I checked the SPG website and checked my reservation there - the "rate plan description" read: Disney Annual/Seasonal Passholder Discount. 50% off rack rate, Category free upgrade. 2pm late checkout.
This appears to me to say we'll be getting an upgrade without requesting- is this because of the SPG and AP? I was seriously considering the SPG Amex - so that we'd be gold level - may still do this. Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience and what the results were when they checked in.
Thanks for all of your great information!
Kelley

 

[famcruisefun]

One other question. How long does it take to get the Amex card? My husband will be staying at a Strwood hotel on business in a few weeks - want him to start using the card so we get some points. Also - he'd like to have the gold status activated by then so he gets the extras. Thanks again!
Kelley

 

[paras4ri]

Originally posted by famcruisefun
One other question. How long does it take to get the Amex card? My husband will be staying at a Strwood hotel on business in a few weeks - want him to start using the card so we get some points. Also - he'd like to have the gold status activated by then so he gets the extras. Thanks again!
Kelley

I can help with this last question! I had my actual card in less than 10 business days from the date I applied online.

 

[sarahsmom73]

I got my card today in less than a week. The I called SPG and a not so nice woman was not so nice and told me I was already at preferred plus and that was were I should be... She didn't have to be nasty about it!

 

[AKbabe]

I have a question for you all. I just recently upgraded my membership to a AAA Preferred Plus. On the website where they list the offer, it says "1,000 Starpoints(SM) on your first three stays (through June 1, 2005)". But when I spoke to the representative, she kept insisting that the offer was only good through 2004 according to her computer. When I told her what the website said, she told me it must be a typo. Anyone have any knowledge of this?