Swan, I don't get it. Can someone explain?

[idontknow]

(Warning: Big Vent)


Ok, I've been reading the posts about upgrades at the Swan/Dolphin that are aquired by using SPG points. I thought that I had read that concierge was what you got for the first upgrade, then if you wanted to spend more points, you could get a balcony. (ie, balconies cost more) After a horrendous ordeal between SPG and the Swan, I finally got the upgrade from a regular, Priceline room to a delux room. Both said it was the other person's job to give the upgrade. I went back and forth 3 times last week and 4 times today. (at our 5 day mark) Last week I was told that the first upgrade would get me concierge and it would cost 1000 points. (after arguing that it is not 2000 points!!! Geez, where do they get some of these programmers for their computers?) If I wanted a balcony, is would cost 1500 points. Today, it was the opposite. I'm not upset that we will have a balcony. I think it will be quite nice, actually. But, I really wanted concierge for the food and drinks. It is only going to be DS and myself this trip and it would save us a stop at the grocery for soda, water and snacks.

I would have waited to see what I could get at check-in, but I've had these points forever and have never been able to spend them. They wouldn't let us use them for anything on our last visit and I ordered an Avis GC last Oct and never got it. (I was told they were having problems with Avis at the time) I just want to use the points and be done with it. I love staying at the Swan and Dolphin, but I've never had any luck with their rewards program.

So, what is the first upgrade that should be given? Is it to conceirge or is it to a delux, balcony room? Atleast they realized it wasn't 2000 points to upgrade. Can someone also remind me what floors have balconies? Or how high up they go? And please tell me it will get better.

 

[maggiew]

I say this with the utmost respect and no flames or bashing intended ...

but I think you are lucky to get any upgrade at all with the priceline deal. I thought those deals were final with NO upgrades available.

We have the Dolphin with the Hotwire rate in June. I have no SPG points to get an upgrade, but I will just smile at check in and see if anything is available. If not, I will accept whatever, because at $81 I can't complain.

Maggie

 

[idontknow]

No flames taken.

I thought that I had read that others had gotten upgrades with Priceline bids on the other threads. We will probably use the balcony regularly, so I'm not upset about that. (can't wait really!) At this point, I'm just purely confused about what is more of an upgrade, balcony or conc.

 

[robinb]

I was given an upgrade to a balcony room on my December 2001 (Christmas, no less) $40 Swan Priceline bid. I included my Starwood number on my reservation and made my request for a balcony overlooking the water. I got just that .

 

[maggiew]

I didn't mean that it wasn't possible to get a complimentary upgrade to balcony or club, I just meant I didn't think you could change the reservation and upgrade with points, etc. on a priceline/hotwire deal.

I have read alot of mixed opinions on which is the more expensive upgrade, and I personally think from the information I have read and the info on their website that the club is the cheaper room and balcony is the more expensive.

Maggie

 

[jgates]

Redeem: Room Upgrades

Use your StarpointsSM for a room upgrade at any participating Starwood® hotel or resort. Arrange for an upgrade to a Specialty Room¹ or Suite² in advance of your stay or right when you arrive at the hotel. You may upgrade from any category of room with a Free Night award or a paid reservation.


Starpoints Required Options

1,000 Specialty 1 upgrade for Categories 1 - 4
1,500 Specialty 2 upgrade for Categories 1 - 4
1,500 - 1750 Specialty 1 upgrade for Categories 5 - 6
2,500 - 2,750 Specialty 2 upgrade for Categories 5 - 6
3,000 Suite upgrade in a Category 1 hotel
4,000 Suite upgrade in a Category 2 hotel
7,000 Suite upgrade in a Category 3 hotel
10,000 Suite upgrade in a Category 4 hotel
12,000 - 16,000* Suite upgrade in a Category 5 hotel
20,000 - 25,000* Suite upgrade in a Category 6 hotel

Contact your Customer Contact Center to Redeem Starpoints for a Room Upgrade.

¹A Specialty Room is defined as a Club Room, Westin Guest Office, Corporate Club Room, Smart Room, or a room on a floor that may include Club Lounge Services or Concierge Services. In some resort locations, upgraded rooms will be based on preferred view or room style offered. Not available at all resorts

²Based on hotel category. In some resort locations will be based on preferred view or room style offered. Not available at all resorts.

NOW - The Swan is a Category 4 hotel. I believe Dolphin is identical. This is directly from the starwood site. I think I typed in either starwood.com or spg.com - don't remember which! Both work I believe.

Consequently, if you read as stated, 1000 points will provide you with Club Level access. Common experience in the past is that the balcony falls under #2 (preferred view or room style) since it is a resort location. However, this is probably why some of the workers get confused - #1 indicates the exact same terminology about preferred room/view.

You could try to get both for 2000 points per night, but I would take the Club Level access and go with the flow on whatever room view you have. I tried to enjoy as much of ours as I could, but for example - at the Courtyard DTD a few years ago - we didn't even bother to look out the window. We were focused on Disney stuff!

I would highly suggest printing this, asking to speak to the reservation supervisor and faxing it if necessary to request the 1000 points upgrade to Club Level. (Hopefully they will let you do it on the Priceline ressie in the long run). Might be easier to gamble and take the printed sheet with you and do it at check-in.

 

[idontknow]

I am printing as I type this. Thanks jgates!!! I knew I hadn't lost my mind.

I did send an email with my reservation number and they already have my Starwood number. (didn't think to add that) I said whatever room would be great, but I had been dreaming of Club Level for the last week since that is what I was told the upgrade would be IF they had the extra rooms. We'll get there and see what they have instore for us, I guess. I will take this print out with me, though. If I get the courage up, I will show it to them and see what they have to say.

 

[kpgclark]

jgates-- Are those points you need for an upgrade PER NIGHT. For example on the lowest level upgrade if you use 1000 points would you get only one night's upgrade or for the length of your stay? I have 2300 points and ressies for 8 nights at the Dolphin over Thanksgiving.

 

[Trekker]

kpgclark - love that countdown - see you then!

 

[maggiew]

The 1000 points for club is PER NIGHT.

Maggie