Starwood Preferred Guest - do I get stay credit and points by using convention reservation?

I am going to San Francisco in December for a convention. The Moscone convention center has a special rate for Westin St. Francis. To get this special rate, I have to make reservation through Convention Mangement Resources (CMR) and make a deposit of $125 dollars per room. This deposit will appear as a credit in my hotel folio after I check in.

My question is whether I will get credit for hotel stay and earn starwood points by this kind of arraangement. Thank you for your comments/experiences.

The company I work for produces a large number of conferences and events within the US and most of our room blocks are with Starwood hotels. In addition to our conference attendees, the event staff also stays at the given Starwood property using the blocked rooms, which are generally at a better rate than is available to the general public, much in the same way that the Convention Mangement Resources (CMR)blocks thier rooms.

All of my stays, using convention rates, have posted both as room nights as well as points.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by raffy:
The company I work for produces a large number of conferences and events within the US and most of our room blocks are with Starwood hotels. In addition to our conference attendees, the event staff also stays at the given Starwood property using the blocked rooms, which are generally at a better rate than is available to the general public, much in the same way that the Convention Mangement Resources (CMR)blocks thier rooms.

All of my stays, using convention rates, have posted both as room nights as well as points.</font>

Yes, but the rules change after January 1st. I also sometimes book rooms through a convention booking service with preferential rates and am interested in knowing whether I will receive both points and stay credits as well as elite benefits in the new year if I continue to book in this manner. The booking agent that I use for one particular trade show does not require any prepayment or deposit. I am charged the preferential rate when checking out of the hotel.

[This message has been edited by ac/elite (edited 10-11-2003).]

I always get the credits for my stays while attending a conference. If you book through the conference, you may be asked to provide your SPG #, then it is all automatic. Sometimes there is no opportunity to put in a number,. If that happens I call the hotel before the stay to give them my #. You often have to wait closer to the conference to do that since the organizer will provide the info to the hotels after a set date, before that the hotel has no idea who is staying.

I also suggest that you look around. I often find better deals on line than the conference rates.

As long as you personally settle the charges at check-out, you should be credited as normal. If you aren't, send the hotel bill via fax to Program Services at 512-836-4002 and they will be glad to research the stay.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

[This message has been edited by Starwood Lurker (edited 10-14-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Starwood Lurker:
As long as you personally settle the charges at check-out, you should be credited as normal.
</font>

Thanks Lurker. One more question. Will we also receive benefits in accordance with our SPG level if booked on a convention rate?

ac/elite-

I got elite benefits when I stayed at the W FQ in June on a convention rate.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ac/elite:
Thanks Lurker. One more question. Will we also receive benefits in accordance with our SPG level if booked on a convention rate?</font>

It kind of depends upon what the hotel has contracted with the convention people, not the rate. For instance, BoSoxFan45 once stayed at the Phoenician on a group event put together by his then employer. They stipulated as part of their contract that some benefits would not be given to members of the program within their group, so he was a little miffed at not being upgraded. I think he finally understood that the hotel's hands were tied on this one.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com