Starwood Preferred Guest - Spg Gold Update

Hi all.

Some one know if there is a mode to have the upgrade to Spg Gold, with some affiliate partners ?
For Example joining to amenti club, and naturally pay, there is this upgrade.

Can anybody help me ?

Thanks !

:)

The American Express Platinum card (at least the US version -- $395 annual fee) offers SPG Gold status as one of its amenities.

The American Express Platinum card (at least the US version -- $395 annual fee) offers SPG Gold status as one of its amenities.

The UK AmEx Platinum, including the UK-issued AmEx Platinum dollar card, also gives automatic SGP gold status.

Susan

The American Express Platinum card (at least the US version -- $395 annual fee) offers SPG Gold status as one of its amenities.

I'm from Italy and this card isn't is the italian offer :(
I have gold amex but there is nothing with starwood...

Some else ??

The benefits of Gold are not really worth much. If you want most all the benefits, then my suggestion is either: 1) use AAA, AARP or Travelocity Preferred to get SPG Preferred Plus status; or 2) get SPG Corporate status through your employer/office.

Roughly the benefits of this are:

Preferred Plus via AARP: 2 Starpoints(SM) for every dollar spent Instant room upgrades at check-in 4 pm late checkout $50 savings certificate to enjoy after your first five stays

Preferred Plus via AAA: Same as above, but 1000 bonus points for the each of the first 3 stays

Corporate: basically same as AARP Preferred Plus, but after every 5 stays, 5000 bonus points instead of the $50 savings certificate.

The only real benefit for SPG Gold over Preferred Plus is the one additional point per dollar spent (3 vs. 2), the newspaper and the lower threshold to transfer points to airlines, etc.

Unless you were getting the Amex Platinum anyway, I would not pay $395 for SPG Gold. I would pay maybe $50 dollars for it at most. You can get AAA membership for $50 or so.

Thanks for your suggest !
Now I will see the site you give me.

The only real benefit for SPG Gold over Preferred Plus is the one additional point per dollar spent (3 vs. 2), the newspaper and the lower threshold to transfer points to airlines, etc.

Unless you were getting the Amex Platinum anyway, I would not pay $395 for SPG Gold. I would pay maybe $50 dollars for it at most. You can get AAA membership for $50 or so.

Well, if you stay in Starwood hotels at all, that extra starpoint will have real value. Certainly much more than $50 if you come anywhere near to actually qualifying for Gold. It will probably earn me about 15 000 points this year.

unluckly AMEX have only for USA and UK AMEX STARWOOD...
not for Italy :(

I think if someone stays in those hotels... Gold status, is very good.
Not only for the newspaper at mooring, but for 3 points every $ spend...

No other method to have this upgrade ?

...2) get SPG Corporate status through your employer/office....

Corporate: basically same as AARP Preferred Plus, but after every 5 stays, 5000 bonus points instead of the $50 savings certificate.

my corporate travel group (Amex travel, unfortunately) is clueless about this...is there any group at SPG who can look up my company name and determine if I qualify?

I think Amex Plat is a good deal only if you also want membership in the airline clubs of CO/NW/DL (if you are not a DL Plat or CO/NW/DL Elite)...you get three lounges plus SPG Gold for about the price of one club's non-Elite membership fee.

The American Express Platinum card (at least the US version -- $395 annual fee) offers SPG Gold status as one of its amenities.

Somewhat to my surprise, I learned that SPG has been having a promotion whereby American Express Cardholders of ANY Platinum level card (not just the $395/yr Platinum Card, but Cards like the $135/yr Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex, or probably for that matter a Platinum level of the Starwood American Express) can get upgraded to SPG Gold status.

[private code edited to protect the member]

I don't use SPG a lot, but I would say the extra 50% in points, the guaranteed late check-out, and the occasional room upgrades are not bad for such an easy to attain status level.

probably for that matter a Platinum level of the Starwood American Express) can get upgraded to SPG Gold status.

Not quite. That gets you preferred plus, which is basically gold but without the 50% bonus.

Roughly the benefits of this are:


Preferred Plus via AAA: Same as above, but 1000 bonus points for the each of the first 3 stays




How do you signup for this? I couldn't find anything on the AAA or SPG websites about Preferred Plus.

-------
Preferred Plus via AARP: 2 Starpoints(SM) for every dollar spent Instant room upgrades at check-in 4 pm late checkout $50 savings certificate to enjoy after your first five stays
-------

I see on the ARRP site for this. For the upgrade to SPG Plus, I must so something else to join AARP or I need to comunicate or book on SPG site/AARP ?
In other words, is an automatic upgrade ?

Thanks

my corporate travel group (Amex travel, unfortunately) is clueless about this...is there any group at SPG who can look up my company name and determine if I qualify?

I think Amex Plat is a good deal only if you also want membership in the airline clubs of CO/NW/DL (if you are not a DL Plat or CO/NW/DL Elite)...you get three lounges plus SPG Gold for about the price of one club's non-Elite membership fee.


I would like to second the request for this information. My US based company has a starwood corporate account number for making all reservations and i don't use it much. but how do i get the 5,000 points after every 5 stays? Help please. American properties are very expensive to stay at so I can use the points.

http://www.ameniti.com/ac/browse/hotel.ac?mck=1089272730526

http://www.ameniti.com/ac/browse/hotel.ac?mck=1089272730526


It works only with US resident : (
Nothing for Europe ?

How do you signup for this? I couldn't find anything on the AAA or SPG websites about Preferred Plus.

http://www.starwood.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=AAA

That is the AAA promotion.

-------
Preferred Plus via AARP: 2 Starpoints(SM) for every dollar spent Instant room upgrades at check-in 4 pm late checkout $50 savings certificate to enjoy after your first five stays
-------

I see on the ARRP site for this. For the upgrade to SPG Plus, I must so something else to join AARP or I need to comunicate or book on SPG site/AARP ?
In other words, is an automatic upgrade ?

Thanks

I recommend AAA promotion (if you cannot get qualified for SPG Corporate):

http://www.starwood.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=AAA

The AARP benefit of $50 dollars is worth less than the 3000 points from AAA-linked account.

You need to call either SPG and give them your AAA number or call the number listed in the link I posted above.

Well, if you stay in Starwood hotels at all, that extra starpoint will have real value. Certainly much more than $50 if you come anywhere near to actually qualifying for Gold. It will probably earn me about 15 000 points this year.

AAA Preferred Plus gets you 3000 bonus points (after 3 stays), which is equivalent to the Gold-level bonus points if you spend $3000 (giving 9000 points to Gold members or 6000 for normal SPG -- difference of 3000 points made up for by AAA promotion). For many people here, $3000 of hotel nights means you have already reached SPG Gold (at maybe $1500) and thus are better off with the AAA promotion and moving up to Gold naturally instead of paying a few hundred dollars extra to jump to SPG Gold but losing out on the 3000 SPG points from AAA.

SPG Corporate is excellent (until you hit SPG Gold or Plat), but I do not remember who qualifies for that. There used to be a website URL for that, but it required your SET/Corporate number if I remember correctly.

I would like to second the request for this information. My US based company has a starwood corporate account number for making all reservations and i don't use it much. but how do i get the 5,000 points after every 5 stays? Help please. American properties are very expensive to stay at so I can use the points.

I recommend you call up SPG and have them look it up or better yet ask your travel department.

Lawyers, ABA members get some benefits but the bonus points benefits are 2000 points after the 5th stay and 2000 more after the 10th stay. Apparently, the Corrporate benefits have gone down to 2000 points (from 5k) after each of the first two sets of 5-stays.

http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/corporatePG/corporate_landing.html?partner_code=270121

AAA Preferred Plus gets you 3000 bonus points (after 3 stays), which is equivalent to the Gold-level bonus points if you spend $3000 (giving 9000 points to Gold members or 6000 for normal SPG -- difference of 3000 points made up for by AAA promotion). For many people here, $3000 of hotel nights means you have already reached SPG Gold (at maybe $1500) and thus are better off with the AAA promotion and moving up to Gold naturally instead of paying a few hundred dollars extra to jump to SPG Gold but losing out on the 3000 SPG points from AAA.

Agreed!

And from my experience, gold status is certainly not worth paying hundreds of dollars in fees for. In fact, I don't know I would be willing to pay a fee at all just to get gold.

I should mention though, that even if you ARE or already made gold, you can still sign up for the AAA promotion and get the 3000 point bonus (and NOT affect your gold status). Many people (me included) :) did that when the offer came out a while back.

There was a rather extensive thread about this, but a search failed to find it any longer. :(

Agreed!

And from my experience, gold status is certainly not worth paying hundreds of dollars in fees for. In fact, I don't know I would be willing to pay a fee at all just to get gold.

I should mention though, that even if you ARE or already made gold, you can still sign up for the AAA promotion and get the 3000 point bonus (and NOT affect your gold status). Many people (me included) :) did that when the offer came out a while back.

There was a rather extensive thread about this, but a search failed to find it any longer. :(

Yes the AAA tie-in is good on top of any other promotions you may have, including a corporate account.

If you run a search for AAA and/or "tie-in" you will find the thread.

....deleting my oversight :o

Here's the link to the AAA promotion. http://www.starwood.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=AAA
Sorry didn't include it before.
Cheers,
chop

I posted it above too. :) Time to head out and/or sleep.

I recommend AAA promotion (if you cannot get qualified for SPG Corporate):

http://www.starwood.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=AAA

The AARP benefit of $50 dollars is worth less than the 3000 points from AAA-linked account.

You need to call either SPG and give them your AAA number or call the number listed in the link I posted above.


For Joining AAA I need to be resident in USA or Canada.
In the European Zone, i see there is an affiliation with other AAA partners.
If I join at Automobil Club ( in italy is called ACI ), I have the same vantage of AAA for Starwood ?

Thanks for your link !

I called up, was my sweet as sugar self, asked for a free breakfast for an upcoming stay. Told them I had Hilton Gold( and that I could stay at Hilton for the same price and get a free breakfast) and the SGP agent gave me gold status until Feb 2006. I told her how amazing she was, blah, blah, blah.

It doesnt hurt to ask.

I called up, was my sweet as sugar self, asked for a free breakfast for an upcoming stay. Told them I had Hilton Gold( and that I could stay at Hilton for the same price and get a free breakfast) and the SGP agent gave me gold status until Feb 2006. I told her how amazing she was, blah, blah, blah.

It doesnt hurt to ask.


Great !
Very lucky ! :D

I have joined AARP and I have comunicate to SPG it.
They upgrade me to Preferred Business Guest !
Is the same to SPG PLUS ?

^

Hi,
Have only been an SPG member for a month or so and am still trying to figure out the intricacies. I am AAA and have an AX SPG card (NON-PLatinum).
Is the following correct?

I would be entitled to:
Upgrades if available,
1,000 points for each of first three stays,
Late check-out,
$50 certificate after first five stays,
2 Starpoints for every dollar spent on hotel stays.

Assuming all/most of this to be correct I am wondering what the benefits of making a mattress run in December would be if I am short of Qualifying for gold.
Extra Starpoint per dollar for hotel stay dollars,
1.5 miles per dollar spent on my AX,
(any others)?

This in itself seems to be reason enough to go for the gold if anywhere close.

Am I assessing the situation correctly and are the listing of benefits that I have listed somewhat correct?

Thanks,
Mike

*Hope to soon be familiar with the basics so that I can stop bothering you guys and hopefully make a somewhat more helpful contribution in the future :(

I have joined AARP and I have comunicate to SPG it.
They upgrade me to Preferred Business Guest !
Is the same to SPG PLUS ?

^Their website sometimes shows "Preferred Business" when your membership level is, in fact, "Preferred Plus".

http://www.starwood.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=AAA

That is the AAA promotion.

Thanks. Took me maybe 30 seconds to sign up for the promotion. ^

Hi,
Have only been an SPG member for a month or so and am still trying to figure out the intricacies. I am AAA and have an AX SPG card (NON-PLatinum).
Is the following correct?

I would be entitled to:
Upgrades if available,
1,000 points for each of first three stays,
Late check-out,
$50 certificate after first five stays,
2 Starpoints for every dollar spent on hotel stays.

Assuming all/most of this to be correct I am wondering what the benefits of making a mattress run in December would be if I am short of Qualifying for gold.
Extra Starpoint per dollar for hotel stay dollars,
1.5 miles per dollar spent on my AX,
(any others)?

This in itself seems to be reason enough to go for the gold if anywhere close.

Am I assessing the situation correctly and are the listing of benefits that I have listed somewhat correct?

Thanks,
Mike

*Hope to soon be familiar with the basics so that I can stop bothering you guys and hopefully make a somewhat more helpful contribution in the future :(

If you were upgraded to Preferred Plus because of your association with AAA, the benefits of a Preferred Plus membership in Starwood Preferred Guest are as follows:

- Two Starpoints per U. S. Dollar or equivalent spent on eligible charges.
- Ability to earn Starpoints on restaurant charges when not staying at a participating property. (US$10.00 Minimum)
- Personal profile information, including: floor, bedding, pillow, smoking preferences, and newspaper preferences.
- Choice of National or Financial weekday newspaper.
- Pre-blocked and pre-keyed room on day of arrival.
- Personalized, fast and efficient check-in.
- Special toll-free number for Starwood Preferred Guest related inquiries.
- Unlimited ability to transfer Starpoints between two accounts in the same household.
- Preferred Plus membership credentials.
- Guaranteed late check-out of up to 4:00 p.m., based upon availability at resort properties.
- Upgrade to a Preferred Room, subject to availability at time of check-in.

Then, if you have the A1K promotion code and AAA listed as an External Marketing Partner on your Starwood Preferred Guest account, you can earn a 1,000 Starpoints bonus for up to three qualifying stays until June 1, 2005.

We don't have $50 certificates after the first five stays that I am aware of, so you'll have to enlighten me on that one. :)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I have had the starwood amex for over 2 years and was initially given gold status however they have taken it away from me. now i am just preferrred since i didn't have the 10 night minimum. anyone have this problem? anyway to get back gold status even though i don't stay the 10 night minimum?

I have had the starwood amex for over 2 years and was initially given gold status however they have taken it away from me. now i am just preferrred since i didn't have the 10 night minimum. anyone have this problem? anyway to get back gold status even though i don't stay the 10 night minimum?

Sounds like someone made a mistake and bumped you up to Gold when you first got the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express.

Being Preferred Plus is the benefit for Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express cardholders.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Mr. Starwood Lurker,

I think the $50 cert. is a reference to an AARP promotional benefit for Preferred Plus status. Of course, given the choice of the AAA 1k promotion (up to 3k) or the AARP $50, the points are worth more.

Mr. Starwood Lurker,

I think the $50 cert. is a reference to an AARP promotional benefit for Preferred Plus status. Of course, given the choice of the AAA 1k promotion (up to 3k) or the AARP $50, the points are worth more.

Right you are. It's all right here in the promotion grid as being an AARP promotional benefit.

That being said, I think you'd have to choose to have one over the other.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

If you were upgraded to Preferred Plus because of your association with AAA, the benefits of a Preferred Plus membership in Starwood Preferred Guest are as follows:
...
Then, if you have the A1K promotion code and AAA listed as an External Marketing Partner on your Starwood Preferred Guest account, you can earn a 1,000 Starpoints bonus for up to three qualifying stays until June 1, 2005.
Sincerely,
...


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thanks for the in depth help, I very much appreciate it. Only one other question. As to the A1K promo, the CSR at SPG (Marquise) that I spoke to this evening said it had expired June 1 of this year (and she even talked to a supervisor about this supposedly). I was enrolled but not until July 9th of this year (i.e. after the promo ended).

Do you know something that they don't yet?

Thanks,
Mike

Thanks for the in depth help, I very much appreciate it. Only one other question. As to the A1K promo, the CSR at SPG (Marquise) that I spoke to this evening said it had expired June 1 of this year (and she even talked to a supervisor about this supposedly). I was enrolled but not until July 9th of this year (i.e. after the promo ended).

Do you know something that they don't yet?

Thanks,
Mike

Apparently so. ;)

You could not have been enrolled in a promotion that had already ended. It is systematically impossible because the promotion code would have been deleted.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

[QUOTE=Starwood Lurker]Apparently so. ;)

You could not have been enrolled in a promotion that had already ended. It is systematically impossible because the promotion code would have been deleted.

LOL,
Thanks so much for all your help. Now I personally saw why so many have raved about "the lurker". :D

Again, gracias

Mike

I called up, was my sweet as sugar self, asked for a free breakfast for an upcoming stay. Told them I had Hilton Gold( and that I could stay at Hilton for the same price and get a free breakfast) and the SGP agent gave me gold status until Feb 2006. I told her how amazing she was, blah, blah, blah.

It doesnt hurt to ask.

But did you get the free breakfast???
Don't think that's a perk of SPG Gold :(

But did you get the free breakfast???
Don't think that's a perk of SPG Gold :(

I was told by the front desk clerk at the Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal that I will now be upgraded to club level and that includes a free continental breakfast.

What are the benefits of Gold. For some weird reason, I cant get to the SGP website.

I was told by the front desk clerk at the Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal that I will now be upgraded to club level and that includes a free continental breakfast.

What are the benefits of Gold. For some weird reason, I cant get to the SGP website.

As a Starwood Gold Preferred Guest, you will receive:

-Two Starpoints per US dollar spent on eligible charges plus a 50% bonus on base points earned
-Guaranteed late check-out of up to 4:00 p.m., subject to availability at resorts
-Upgrade to a Preferred room, subject to availability at time of check-in
-Check cashing privileges up to US$300.00 or equivalent per stay
-The ability to earn Starpoints for dining at Starwood dining outlets, even if you are not a registered guest (US$10.00 minimum)
-Personal profile information
-Choice of National or Financial weekday newspaper
-Pre-blocked and pre-keyed room on day of arrival
-Personalized, fast, and efficient check-in
-Unlimited ability to transfer Starpoints between two accounts in same household
-Gold Preferred membership credentials

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

my corporate travel group (Amex travel, unfortunately) is clueless about this...is there any group at SPG who can look up my company name and determine if I qualify?

I think Amex Plat is a good deal only if you also want membership in the airline clubs of CO/NW/DL (if you are not a DL Plat or CO/NW/DL Elite)...you get three lounges plus SPG Gold for about the price of one club's non-Elite membership fee.

You can call Starwood's corporate service (800-328-6242) and ask them to provide you with the phone number and email for the Corporate Set Desk. This is the department that is responsible for setting up corporate accounts. If I could remember the number and email I would give it to you.

-The ability to earn Starpoints for dining at Starwood dining outlets, even if you are not a registered guest (US$10.00 minimum)

How would this work? Say that I'm eating at the Hano Hano Room at the Sheraton Waikiki (and am not staying there), do I just hand them my SPG Gold card?

Appreciate the responses.

aloha

How would this work? Say that I'm eating at the Hano Hano Room at the Sheraton Waikiki (and am not staying there), do I just hand them my SPG Gold card?

Appreciate the responses.

aloha

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170344

You can call Starwood's corporate service (800-328-6242) and ask them to provide you with the phone number and email for the Corporate Set Desk. This is the department that is responsible for setting up corporate accounts. If I could remember the number and email I would give it to you.

I tried that route...in true fashion for my employer, the result was a net rate increase :) Knowing my company, somehow I wasn't surprised :)

Getting points for dining is easy. Depending on the restaurant, you may or may not be able to get it handled there. Your best bet is to either bring your receipt to the front desk or call SPG. They tend to want you to fax your receipt over as proof. Requesting points for dining on the web does not work too well. I didn't get a response the last time I tried that. It was handled quickly with a phone call, though.

After dining at Shula's On the Beach last Xmas, a trip to the Sheraton Yankee front desk was all I needed to get SPG credit for the dinner....just gave them the number, showed the receipt, and it was done...no problems or fuss.

bump thanks

As to the A1K promo, the CSR at SPG (Marquise) that I spoke to this evening said it had expired June 1 of this year (and she even talked to a supervisor about this supposedly). I was enrolled but not until July 9th of this year (i.e. after the promo ended).

I just got around to calling SPG to add AAA to my account since I was booking a reservation. Offer is still good. Also got AAA special of 1 night free with paying for 2 when SPG50 wouldn't work. Two days later, 1000 bonus points showed up in my account.

If I sign up for SPG Gold right now, due to a WP elite offer, how long would my status be good for?

If I sign up for SPG Gold right now, due to a WP elite offer, how long would my status be good for?
My recollection is that status lasts at least twelve months, and is good through the end of the next status year, so signing up now should yield status through 2/06.

Now, if the offer lets you wait until March 1st to sign up, the status would be good until 2/07... or a couple days shy of 2 years.

But YMMV.

Thanks, Gleff. Just what I needed to know.

Thanks for the info about the AAA promo. It looks almost as good as being Gold.
Question: Has anyone used their "Preferred Business Guest" account card in Asia hotels, especially on a Priceline reservation?
I book about half of my hotel stays on PL, half on Starwood.com, because in low season you can get a room from Starwoood for only a little more than the price on PL.
Anyway, I know you don't get credit for stays for PL reservations, but as a Gold (until August this year) on a PL stay for the past 3 years, they always put me on the SPG floors, or in a Club room. Anyone with experience on this?
Thanks!

I got AA Gold and my status lasted all the current year,all the next year, and to April of the following year.