Starwood Preferred Guest - Problem with spg.com website

Hi,

I have been finding a very strange problem with the spg.com web site: If I search for rooms while I am logged in under my ID, it shows a "teaser" rates from xxx.xx, but when I actually drill down to choose those rates, they are not offered on the web site.

The solution? I sign out and then the rate is actually available to me, and then I log in after the rate is shown.

I called the web site and Starwood about this: The people in white planes were nice, but did nothing. The IT support people in Ireland were obnoxious and rude and did nothing.

Is anyone else seeing this problem? It has been there for several months now.


Chris schene

I've noticed a discrepency between the "From $X/night" and the actual rates available as well. However, lower rates aren't offered even if I log out.

I've also noticed that when you "Sort Rates Low-High", lower rates are sometimes found after the higher rates are listed.

Unfortuneatly, SPG.com does have its problems such as these.

I've noticed a discrepency between the "From $X/night" and the actual rates available as well. However, lower rates aren't offered even if I log out.

I've also noticed that when you "Sort Rates Low-High", lower rates are sometimes found after the higher rates are listed.

Hi,

Tried the re-sort and do see some lower rates, but never the lowest teaser rate that is initialy offerred.

Thanks for the reply.

Chris

This can be the result of your preferences. Try changing the smoking preference to "None" and the bed type preference to "None." I always do this when I am determined to find the cheapest rate.

Just to clarify, I have always been able to find the smoking preference I wanted (non-smoking) even though I searched using "None" for the smoking preference. It's just that if you loosen the restrictions, sometimes cheap rates will pop up that didn't show up before. I've seen this happen a few times.

(And of course, it is always important to use the "sort by rate" feature, as mentioned above.)

This can be the result of your preferences. Try changing the smoking preference to "None" and the bed type preference to "None." I always do this when I am determined to find the cheapest rate.

Just to clarify, I have always been able to find the smoking preference I wanted (non-smoking) even though I searched using "None" for the smoking preference. It's just that if you loosen the restrictions, sometimes cheap rates will pop up that didn't show up before. I've seen this happen a few times.

(And of course, it is always important to use the "sort by rate" feature, as mentioned above.)

I've found that if you have a SET number in your profile, it may show a low "teaser rate" and then when you drive down it will show you the SET / Corporate Rates even if the Teaser / BAR / Best Available Rate is lower. I find that you have to clear the SET number and ask for generic rates, promo rates, and AAA rates (assuming you quality) to be sure to get the lowest rate available to you.

I've found that if you have a SET number in your profile, it may show a low "teaser rate" and then when you drive down it will show you the SET / Corporate Rates even if the Teaser / BAR / Best Available Rate is lower. I find that you have to clear the SET number and ask for generic rates, promo rates, and AAA rates (assuming you quality) to be sure to get the lowest rate available to you.
Exactly. Any "preferences" (smoking/non-smoking, bed type, SET number, etc.) that are in your profile can sometimes prevent the lowest rates from showing.

I wouldn't refer to those low rates as "teaser" rates, though. This term implies that they are bogus or unattainable. Clearing all preferences (or logging out as suggested in the OP) will generally make them attainable.

It's a pity that one has to do separate searches for AAA, promo, AARP rates, etc., though. Makes the booking process so much more time-consuming. I have occasionally found that these rates (AAA, for example) are even LOWER than the lowest rate shown on the initial "from" rate. So it's worth the effort to check these.