Starwood Preferred Guest - Does the "Replace Card" function really work?

My Starwood Gold card expired last October, and I didn't receive a replacement (even though the website still shows me as Gold).

I figured it was lost in the mail, so in November I clicked on the "Replace Card" function on the website. I got a card to print out (Gold, but no expiration date) and a screen saying they were mailing a new card.

When it hadn't arrived by mid January this year, I tried again. Again I got a card to print out (again Gold, again no expiration date) and again a promise that they were sending a replacement card.

It still hasn't arrived (either of them). Am I doing something wrong, or does the function simply not work?

I already have 22 nights this year, and two more scheduled for next week, so I should requalify for Gold for 2004 soon. I guess so long as the site shows me Gold, and I get the SPG Elite 50% bonus on my stay points, I shouldn't complain, but I just feel reluctant to pass over an expired SPG card when I check in.

Cards arent sent from Jan-Feb as it's a new year. So this time it should work. otherwise email william as people who had problem in past, he's rectified it for them,

In my experience, it rarely works.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SMessier:
In my experience, it rarely works.</font>

It has always worked for me. But, you have to be patient. It takes 4 to 6 weeks to receive the card.

Cheers.

I seem to recall that Starwood doesn't mail out replacement cards for a several month period that starts late in the year and ends sometime around now.

The reason is that they are sending the next years cards around that time and don't want to send a replacement card if you are about to receive your next years card rigt afterward.

I think they could make it easier on everyone if there was something on the card replacement web page that made this all clear.

Last year when my Gold card went missing I used this feature on the website and the card appeared at my house about 2-3 weeks later (if my memory serves!).

it also worked for me last year. since i still havent gotten my new card, i will use that feature in a week or so.

christian

I've used the replace card function 3 times and after the third time my card finally showed up 3 weeks later. I guess the third times a charm. If only Starwood would give the triple play bonus for the replace card feature. Lurker you might want to look into that.

It's working except for the unique time of year running from late November to late March. Then it can be a crap shoot because we're in elite member card replacement mode.

Anyone that does not have their 2003 Gold elite membership kits by the end of this month should call us to have one expedited to them. Platinum members should call us after March 17th since they actually went out first. Please note that I said to call us. If you prefer, send us an email. Since there are 10 million of you and only one of me, I'd appreciate a break on this one. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

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