Starwood Preferred Guest - Non-refundable promos - Do you use them?

I love the Starwoods, especially in NYC. However, they are in general beyond my corporate guidelines. I've always relied on the buy 2 get 1 or buy 4 get 2 promos to bring them within the guidelines.

Last year they were great. This year, they are non-refundable, non-changeable. Draconian, a $1200 penalty for cancellation with the buy 4 get 2.

I guess there are people using them though, otherwise they wouldn't offer them. Do you use them?

PS I just don't get the math. Save 20% on a 7 day stay, but it becomes non-cancellable? My odds of cancelling are at least 1 in 5. And I couldn't expense the cost.

PPS Too bad it isn't like the airlines, non-refundable but applicable towards a future stay after a $100 change fee.

I recently used a similar discountfor a 10 night stay in London. But I found that making two seperate reservations I was able to save more. Because the promo was stay 5 nights and save 25% as oppose to 7 nights and save 20% and then book three seperate night... So I booked two seperate 5 night stays and saved 25% off ALL nights!!

How long ahead did you pay? Were you worried about the potential forfeit of the entire amount if you cancelled?

PS, yes, the best combinations aren't always the obivious one.

.......bump

I made my booking about a month b4 arrival. I only did that after booking my non-refundable Air Canada ticket. So no turning back now... :eek: