Starwood question

[buckeye]

I'm staying at the Swan in June, so I just joined the Starwood program. There are a few things I don't understand. Since I won't have any points when I go, is there no chance for an upgrade? Is that based on points? Also, about how many points will I earn for a 4 night stay at the Swan? And about how many points would you need to earn to get a free night somewhere? (Sorry, I'm new at this!)

 

[NancyIL]

You will earn 2 Starwood points for every dollar spent on your hotel room (before taxes) and for meals (at the Swan/Dolphin) charged to your hotel room - including room service. If your before-tax room rate is $200 X 4 nights - you'll earn 1,600 Starwood points. It takes 10,000 Starwood points for one free night at the Swan or Dolphin. Go to http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/starpoints/award_search.html for more info about using points for free stays.

Even with zero Starwood points when you check-in to the Swan, as long as your membership number is on your reservation, it can only help your chances of getting a free upgrade.

 

[Poohlovr]

Starwood is currently running a free week-end special. For the 1st 5 nights spent at any Starwood property, you earn 2 free Friday stays (exp Aug,2002, I think). The next 5 nights earn you 2 free Saturday nights. These are in addition to the points you regularly earn.

You can read more (and register)here

An example---I spent 5 nights at the Swan in April, so I earned 2 free Fridays. I am going back to the Swan this month. On this stay, I am using one of my free Fridays, and will also earn 2 free Saturdays.

I will then have 1 full week-end + 1 extra Saturday night to use this summer.
So....we are going to spend a weekend in Chicago and use the free wek-end. ( at the W Chicago Lakeshore ). On our dates, the internet room rate is $209.00/night, so this is a really great deal for us!

Then, in July, we are going to St Louis for a week-end. I am going to use 3,000 of my Starwood points (Altho I haven't decided exactly where, yet) for the Friday night and then use my other free Saturday night.

The Starwood Preferred Guest program is a great thing!

 

[buckeye]

I'm seeing the value of it now. Thanks for the input!