Starwood Preferred Guest - New Cash and Points Award Nights!

The new CASH and Points Award nights for for travel through November 30th, 2003 is posted today!

Here are the list of participating hotels by region.

http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/starpoints/cash_points_proplist.html?region=NAD

One minor correction...
The Western Cape Hotel and Spa in South Africa is listed under Europe http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

AndrewM

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AndrewM:
The Western Cape Hotel and Spa in South Africa is listed under Europe</font>I'm not 100% sure, but I think this property is owned by or otherwise affiliated with the German/Swiss Arabella group. If true, this might be an explanation for the 'funky' geography...

Andrew, we in flyertalk will know that spg IT guys "get it" when they make this list a downloadable pdf.

IMO, these are the kinds of deals one needs to download, print out, take home for a chat w/ one's spouse over dinner, and/or take with oneself when drinking coffee at the coffeehouse while considering the next family venture...and perusing a hard copy downloadable list makes that very possible.

OTOH -
To have to sit over a computer, online, looking at a linear list where one is unable to compare one fantasy trip over another...well, just tough to get worked up enough to take those discretionary trips. I know - can print it out in HTML (blah)...five pages to get this one printed.

SW Lurker - please pass tip along.

BTW - thanks for getting this posted promptly on the day the window opens. We also realize you gave us a sneak preview over a week ago. Kudos for that favor also.

tia http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks for posting this. I just booked the Bristol Vienna for November.

Dutifully passed along. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

on both accounts

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I am disappointed at this list. There are less good choices this time. Any chance more hotels will be added?

No complaints from me. I actually have an upcoming stay at at least one of the eligilbe hotels.

And to save Lurker some work (since I already considered posting my question here before doing the sensible thing and checking for myself), here are the Terms and Conditions: <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Cash & Points Award Nights Terms & Conditions:

* Offer is valid for all Starwood Preferred Guests.
* Reservations must be made by November 30, 2003 for travel through November 30, 2003.
* Offer is valid at promotion participating properties only.
* Offer is based upon availability and on single or double occupancy; charge may apply for additional guests.
* Guest is responsible for all taxes and service charges affiliated with the award reservation.
* Local guarantee and cancellation policy applies.
* Guest will not receive Starpoints or airline miles for their reservation; therefore, a Cash & Points stay does not qualify as an eligible stay toward earning elite level or toward any promotions requiring nights or stays.
* Due to local currency fluctuations for hotels outside the U.S. the cash component of this award will be quoted at the time of the reservation and will remain static until the reservation is consumed.</font>

There is one little hiccup in the confirmation e-mails however: <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Award Confirmed Rate 1600 StarpointsSM and $ 44.2 USD</font>when in fact it should be $30.00. (And yes, I know the .20 is showing as .2, but that's what the e-mail says.)

Happily, a little further down in the same confirmation, it says: <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Rate Plan: SPG CASH & POINTS 44.20 in AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR per night</font>which is pretty close to USD $30.

I've been looking forward to the new awards, but unfortunately I tried to book mine a minute ago and this is what I got:

The system is temporarily unavailable. For assistance, please call 866-500-8320 in the U.S. or Canada. Residents of all other countries, please see our Worldwide Reservations Offices.

Thank you. We apologize for any inconvenience.

I always find some rankings of these properties odd. For example, the St.Regis in Shanghai is a category 3 while the Westin in the same city is a category 4. Always thought St.Regis' trumped Westins....

I think this is due to the location of the Westin and St. Regis in Shanghai. The Westin is near the Bund and convenient for sightseeing whereas the St. Regis is farther out in Pudong. I still prefer the St. Regis though.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Ken hAAmer:
therefore, a Cash & Points stay does not qualify as an eligible stay toward earning elite level or toward any promotions requiring nights or stays.
</font>
last time through, i thought Cash and Points counted as a stay. is this a change in policy?

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 08-05-2003).]

I tried to book the Sheraton Roma Hotel in Rome, Italy from Nov 29-Dec 1 for my honeymoon using the Cash & Points. But one of the Starwood reps said that that hotel does not participate and another said that it is too early and I need to wait until the end of the quarter (Sept) even though it is listed on the Cash & Points Award website. Has anyone else experienced this problem or any advice?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Andrew, we in flyertalk will know that spg IT guys "get it" when they make this list a downloadable pdf.</font>Better still, make it a spreadsheet. Among other things, that will also make it usable on a Palm Pilots and the like.

Put another way, it's almost like you are buying points, at a tremendous price:

Cat 1 - 800/1800 points for $25, or 3.125/1.389c / point (weekend/weekday)
Cat 2 - 1400/2400 points for $30, or 2.143/1.25c / point
Cat 3 - 4200 points for $45, or 1.071c / point
Cat 4 - 6000 points for $60, or 1c / point

Seems like pretty good value to me.

Going a few steps further, if you save/purchase enough points this way and directly convert them to airline miles (some airlines, anyway) you're looking at 0.8c per airline mile.

Use the flights and nights awards, and you might effectively be paying as little as 0.6c per airline mile (5 x Cat 4 nights and 50K airlines.)

fly co to see the yanks wrote: <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">last time through, i thought Cash and Points counted as a stay. is this a change in policy?</font>

Sadly...nope. Cash & Points stays never officially counted toward your elite or promotion tallies. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif You may have gotten stay credits in the past, but most likely as a hotel generated glitch.

I would definitely use these a lot more often if they did count towards my elite tally!

A few quick cash and points questions.

I currently have a 5 night CAT4 award for the Westin Maui in October and am trying to decide if it is worth changing to a cash and points stay. On the face of it it looks like I will pay USD 300 to save 20K points.

1) Do you have to pay tax on the cash portion of a cash and points stay?

2) I seem to recall that free nights include the resort fee, is this also true of cash and points?

3) Anyone with a strong opinion on whether I should switch?

My $60 Cash & Points booking at the Westin Maui changed some weeks after booking (and viewable online) to $82.44 per night (this was like 2 Cash & Points cycles ago). When I inquired, I was told this was because they added taxes and fees. Don't know or recall all of what those were (or if included the Resort Fee...I seem to recall it did), but yes...they do add stuff to it.

When I checked-out, that's what I paid...$82.44 per. Plus the points which were already deducted, of course.

Many *woods in Hawai'i charge a "resort" fee (somewhere around $12/day) on top of the room charge. Then the tax (about 11% total) is calculated on the total charges, so, for the Westin, that ends up being about right. BTW, you'd have to pay the resort fee+tax even on a totally free stay, I believe.

[This message has been edited by honu (edited 08-04-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> 1) Do you have to pay tax on the cash portion of a cash and points stay?
</font>

I think it varies by property, my confirmation for the Bristol in Vienna showed up as:

Rate Plan: SPG CASH & POINTS
52.25 in EURO per night

Taxes, Service & Other Charges
VAT 10.00 Percent Per room per night IS IN The rate
CITY TAX 2.80 Percent Per room per night IS IN The rate
SERVICE CHARGE 15.00 Percent Per room per night IS IN The rate
Taxes included in the rate¤

Resort fees and taxes are levied on Cash & Points awards.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by honu:
Many *woods in Hawai'i charge a "resort" fee (somewhere around $12/day) on top of the room charge. Then the tax (about 11% total) is calculated on the total charges, so, for the Westin, that wounds about right. BTW, you'd have to pay the resort fee+tax even on a totally free stay, I believe.</font>

Not on a Preferred (free) Night Award. If you are charged either one, contact Hotel Customer Service and have them request a refund of these charges. Call them toll-free at 1-800-328-6242 or contact them by mail at customercare@starwoodhotels.com.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Oops, my bad William. I think I was probably remembering the fabulous free Fridays & Saturdays. For those stays we had to pay the resort fee (and what a deal it still was !).

OK, now four attempts over three days from three different computers and I am still getting the "system unavailable message..." Anyone else having problems booking online?

I am having the same problem with the Sheraton Roma -- always gives an error when you try to book a Cash & Points award for it.

No problems with the Royal Orchid Sheraton, though, in Bangkok -- booking went through without a hitch!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by aplf:
I tried to book the Sheraton Roma Hotel in Rome, Italy from Nov 29-Dec 1 for my honeymoon using the Cash & Points. But one of the Starwood reps said that that hotel does not participate and another said that it is too early and I need to wait until the end of the quarter (Sept) even though it is listed on the Cash & Points Award website. Has anyone else experienced this problem or any advice?</font>

re; Catergory 1 and 2 hotels, none are listed when I went on the website today under the Cash and Points promotion. is this a Glitch or are they updating website? I called Starwood and they didn't even know that their was a Starwood promotion going on for Catergory 1 and 2 hotels. Can Starwood Lurker Help?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by yvonnewong:
re; Catergory 1 and 2 hotels, none are listed when I went on the website today under the Cash and Points promotion. is this a Glitch or are they updating website? I called Starwood and they didn't even know that their was a Starwood promotion going on for Catergory 1 and 2 hotels. Can Starwood Lurker Help? </font>

Believe me when I say that you do not want me to book any award stays. I haven't done this in about three years, so I'm not sure if I even remember how. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Call back to the Customer Contact Center. If they don't know how to do it, ask to speak to their supervisor. They'll know how; and, I'm pretty sure the associate will be taught how shortly thereafter. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Other than that, check the Asia/Pacific hotels on the link provided above. This is the only region offering Cash & Points for Category 1 & 2. You could book it yourself without calling the Customer Contact Center online. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

[This message has been edited by Starwood Lurker (edited 08-05-2003).]

I double checked and there are Category 1 and 2's coming up, but just not in NORTH AMERICA, so I was a little put off but the title Catergory 1 and 2's being 1200 and 1600 points plus cash, when in fact there are none in North America available. Oh well I got excited for nothing. Thanks for you quick response Starwood Lurker. I appreciate it.

Wooo Hooo... Westin Taipei for $45 and 2,800 points! Down from the 7,000 I initially had for a free night.

This is a great deal... just boooked 5 nights at the W French Quarter (New Orleans) for 20K points and $300!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thezipper:
Wooo Hooo... Westin Taipei for $45 and 2,800 points! Down from the 7,000 I initially had for a free night.</font>

I am doing the same...
ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel Frankfurt http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Has anyone heard if Cash + Points will be extended past Nov 30? I called SPG today and they had no clue. Historical precedents?

Thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PHLbuddy:
...Historical precedents?

Thanks</font>

If the historical precendants ring true, no one will know until December 1st. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If the historical precendants ring true, no one will know until December 1st. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>

That may be "officially." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif But there is some other historical precedence. See Starwood Lurker's post of July 24 in this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/002958-2.html

Where we FlyerTalkers got a nice one week advance heads-up on the current listing. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Well, I could be bribed into asking a week early on this one, too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Starwood Lurker:
Well, I could be bribed into asking a week early on this one, too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com </font>

You came through last time William - we didn't even need to bribe you. Hey wait a second, I think I've got a spare SPG50. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fireworksboy:
...Hey wait a second, I think I've got a spare SPG50. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>

To go along with the 40,000 I have in my desk drawer? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I got one of those yesterday for being a Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express cardholder. Nice to know that they actually really do get sent automatically. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Starwood Lurker:
To go along with the 40,000 I have in my desk drawer?</font>

boy, you have a desk drawer that big? you must have one sweet office. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

William,

You must be well connected to get yout 50% off coupon!. I had to call multiple times last year to get mine. Again this year I din't get one at renewal. Not worth the hassle of even trying!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by William Fikes:
...Again this year I din't get one at renewal. Not worth the hassle of even trying!</font>

That's been taken care of. Look for it in the mail in about two weeks. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I got mine yesterday. I guess it has been taken of care of. In my case anyways.

Received my SPG50 automatically the other day. Nice to know that I didn't have to call for it.

Thanks William!

Even if you can't always count on the system, you can always count on the Starwood Lurker!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thezipper:
Wooo Hooo... Westin Taipei for $45 and 2,800 points! Down from the 7,000 I initially had for a free night.</font>


Woo Hoo is right. I was quoted some rate of $6600NT a night online.

*confession time* shhh...marriott plat. here dabbling in starwood so i am on unfamiliar ground. I was able to get the cash and points for sat. and sun. night @ the Westin in Taipei, but I also need Friday night. Do I just keep checking online everyday? call reservations? or can i call the hotel directly? any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks in advance.