Swan/Dolphin Discounts for 2007 updated 03/24/2007

[jayandstacey]

The only discount I think I qualify for is Entertainment book...and it is showing about $201 for a night.......any chance I could get something lower? thoughts???

Also..does swan/dolphin offer disney bus transportation....would be going over to Downtown disney that night...but will also have a car if needed.

Yes, there are Disney bus stops that will take you to DTD.

My understanding is that it is unlikely to get a better rate as Swan/Dolphin tends to book big conventions, then put the less crowded dates on sale many months out, then raises prices back up as they near capacity. So you are only about 60 days out and seeing higher rates - odds are they are booked pretty well and won't be lowering prices to fill the last rooms.

But I'm no expert. Did I get it right?

 

[duffy]

I'm very confused about the SPG points.

I joined, and applied for the American Express card, which is supposed to give me 10,000 points. I only did it a few days ago, and I expect to see my account credited with the points soon. Am I correct in thinking that just getting the card will give me enough points for one free night at the Swan or Dolphin??

Also, apparently making my first purchase with the card will give me another 10,000 points? So, buying a drink at my local Starbucks, for example, and paying with my new card will get me enough points for another free night?

Seems too good to be true!

Also, apparently it's too early to try to get a good rate for early Feb., right?

Thanks!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

What are SPG Points ....and where do I get them ?
It sounds too good to be true about possibly getting 2 nites for free when you sign up for an American Express Card and then make a purchase !!!
Please fill me in on this great deal !!!

 

[duffy]

What are SPG Points ....and where do I get them ?
It sounds too good to be true about possibly getting 2 nites for free when you sign up for an American Express Card and then make a purchase !!!
Please fill me in on this great deal !!!

Well, I'm not much help, since I'm so confused.

Anyhow, I was browsing the Swan and Dolphin info thread, the one that's like 400+ pages long, and apparently if you go to www.spg.com and join, you are now a Starwood Preferred Guest. Starwood owns and runs the Swan and the Dolphin both, I believe?

Becoming a SPG member means perks. The website says: "Earn 10,000 Starpoints® with your first purchase — enough for up to 3 free nights" But, the Swan or Dolphin are only good for one free night if you have 10,000 points.

I only applied for-and was accepted- the American Express card yesterday. How long until I'm credited the points?

I sure wish an SPG expert would help us out here?

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Any SPG experts out there . Is it worth signing up now for a stay in mid -August !!!! Help !

 

[Ronald Duck]

Any SPG experts out there? Is it worth signing up now for a stay in mid -August !!!! Help !

I'm an SPG newbie, but I'm learning anyway. I signed up last month for a stay in early August.

OK, so the basic level of membership (free, just apply online) is regular SPG. Without any points (which you can earn through stays, special promotions and purchases, or can purchase online), there are really no perks that I'm aware of (though some have reported that just putting their SPG # on their ressie has gotten them a room upgrade). However, if you have 1500 points, you can call and spend the points on a free room upgrade 5 days ahead (or at check-in) and they will give it to you "if available". Since most (not all) other SPG members said that they were upgraded for the entire stay, not just for one night, I decided to buy 1500 points online to give me that option (a good deal for the whole stay).

Then, I learned that if you are also a AAA member (which we are), you can go to a special website (spg/aaa I think) and automatically get upgraded to "SPG Gold" (which I did). Now I can call 5 days ahead or ask at check-in for an "automatic" upgrade (no points needed).

Now I'm hoping for a "double-header", where I spend my 1500 points 5 days ahead for a one-category upgrade, and then ask at check-in my free Gold upgrade. We'll see .

I really don't know much about the American Express 10,000 points offer, but it sounded good to me (you can use 10,000 either for 1 free night OR for an upgrade to a Suite!).

Anyway, you might as well sign up and have fun with it. Good luck.

 

[michboro]

Then, I learned that if you are also a AAA member (which we are), you can go to a special website (spg/aaa I think) and automatically get upgraded to "SPG Gold" (which I did). Now I can call 5 days ahead or ask at check-in for an "automatic" upgrade (no points needed).

Do you have the link to that website? I couldn't figure out how to get to the AAA website. I tried spg.aaa.com and spg/aaa.com and it didn't work. I am a AAA member and would be interested in upgrading to SPG Gold.
Thanks.

 

[Ronald Duck]

Do you have the link to that website? I couldn't figure out how to get to the AAA website. I tried spg.aaa.com and spg/aaa.com and it didn't work. I am a AAA member and would be interested in upgrading to SPG Gold.
Thanks.

Here's the link:

http://ww2.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/AAAOnline?association=aaa&club=097&page=PPLodging05

What I forgot, though, is that this page just gives you a phone number to call (in the little box on the right) in order to upgrade. It was easy, though, and in 15 minutes I was listed on the SPG site as a Gold member.

Just in case the link doesn't work for you, here's the relevant text:

Join Starwood Preferred Guest® today, to enjoy AAA/CAA Preferred Plus® advantages:

Instant upgrade to a Preferred room at check-in, and 4pm late check-out. (Subject to availability).
2 Starpoints for every $1 USD spent.
Instant Awards offering spontaneous indulgences, such as breakfast in bed, massage, and more.
Advance notice of hotel offers and more

Call 1-866-782-7737 to join SPG or to upgrade your account today — simply mention enrollment code "AAA/CAA" to start enjoying the benefits now.

 

[yankeepenny]

not to be stupid here, but does S/D have its own mug? (or refillable mug for that dolphin stay?
Dh used one last year and got the benefit, it was not for me.
I do not drink soda and am not planning on purchasing one.
just wondering.

 

[michboro]

Here's the link:

http://ww2.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/AAAOnline?association=aaa&club=097&page=PPLodging05

What I forgot, though, is that this page just gives you a phone number to call (in the little box on the right) in order to upgrade. It was easy, though, and in 15 minutes I was listed on the SPG site as a Gold member.

Just in case the link doesn't work for you, here's the relevant text:

Join Starwood Preferred Guest® today, to enjoy AAA/CAA Preferred Plus® advantages:

Instant upgrade to a Preferred room at check-in, and 4pm late check-out. (Subject to availability).
2 Starpoints for every $1 USD spent.
Instant Awards offering spontaneous indulgences, such as breakfast in bed, massage, and more.
Advance notice of hotel offers and more

Call 1-866-782-7737 to join SPG or to upgrade your account today — simply mention enrollment code "AAA/CAA" to start enjoying the benefits now.

Thanks so much for the info. I called and was able to upgrade to Gold Account!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Ronald Duck, Thanks for the info ...I'm going to look into that soon !!!

 

[AussieDisneyLover]

Hi Guys - excuse my ignorance as only been to Disney once (this May and loved it!) I'm looking at resorts to stay for next year and to be honest Swan and Dolphin isn't jumping out at me. There is no theming, no monorail, no dining plan... what is the attraction about it? Is it that its substantially cheaper than the other Deluxe resorts?


Aussie

 

[Ronald Duck]

Hi Guys - excuse my ignorance as only been to Disney once (this May and loved it!) I'm looking at resorts to stay for next year and to be honest Swan and Dolphin isn't jumping out at me. There is no theming, no monorail, no dining plan... what is the attraction about it? Is it that its substantially cheaper than the other Deluxe resorts?


Aussie

This thread is spot on...

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1487027

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, but do the discounted prices listed include tax?

Also, if 2 people are in a room, would it be possible to use one person's teacher discount, but the other's Starwood prefered guest account?

 

[peacefrogdog]

FYI - I called today using the number earlier in this thread and was told to call 1-888-625-4988 (option 2) to upgrade to the SPG Preferred Guest account.

Interestingly they didn't ask for a CAA/AAA membership number but advised that they may ask for it when you check in.

 

[dreaminboutdisney]

Does the Teacher/Education Support Staff Discount at the Swan & Dolphin apply to the administrative clerical staff in a school district as well as teachers, administrators, & teacher aides?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

AARP Preferred Plus also has special Starwood benefits - essentially the same as AAA. AARP members can call with their spg account number and they will enroll the new membership info and send a new card which has "AARP Privileges" in the corner. Will be staying at the Swan in Dec to celebrate a special birthday, so am hoping a "preferred room" upgrade will be available at check-in

 

[logpey]

Your info on upgrading your SPG if your AAA. I did it as well, thanks!

 

[Jenny]

is there a time of year when the rate for the teacher's discount goes down to $129 or lower? i'm looking for the lowest rate & that seems to be $149 but i seem to remember it maybe being $129 at some point last year. does anyone know if that happens & in what month? thanks.

 

[kellympmo]

I apologize in advance if this was already asked, but can you book multiple rooms with the teacher discount? My sister is currently a teacher and my mom just retired. (I'm guessing retired teachers do not qualify.) Our group would need 2 rooms, but I was wondering if my sister could book both rooms at the discounted rate. If so, am I also correct in assuming that if my mom & I arrived at the hotel early in the day, we would be unable to check in until my sister got there in the evening to show her credentials? TIA!!