Starwood Preferred Guest - Taxes on reward stay?

I booked two nights at the W Los Angeles Westwood using my "stay 10 get 2 weekend nights" promo from last fall. I was told I needed to pay the 12% tax on the room which I have no problem with. I was told if I did not cancel the reservation and failed to show up that I would be charged $560 - no problem. The question is, what rate do I pay the tax for? $560 per night is the "rack rate" while "best available rate" is $319. The tax difference between the two is $57.84 ($560=$134.84 & $319=$76.56).

I booked two nights at the W Los Angeles Westwood using my "stay 10 get 2 weekend nights" promo from last fall. I was told I needed to pay the 12% tax on the room which I have no problem with. I was told if I did not cancel the reservation and failed to show up that I would be charged $560 - no problem. The question is, what rate do I pay the tax for? $560 per night is the "rack rate" while "best available rate" is $319. The tax difference between the two is $57.84 ($560=$134.84 & $319=$76.56).

You do not owe taxes on an award room. What would they base the 12% on? The folio will (should) read $0 owed for the room.

The cancellation policy is a separate matter. If you do not show up, you will be charged a room rate and the corresponding taxes. How much room rate? You'd have to speak to an associate who could look at the reservation and tell you, but it should be set according to the Terms and Conditions of Membership where you find this:

9. Credit cards may be required to guarantee a Hotel Award reservation. Standard guarantee policies apply for all Hotel Awards. Members who fail to cancel a guaranteed Award reservation within the permitted cancellation time will be charged the lowest business (COR) rate applicable on the arrival night as a cancellation fee and/or such no-show may result in a loss of the redeemed Starpoints.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

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I booked two nights at the W Los Angeles Westwood using my "stay 10 get 2 weekend nights" promo from last fall. I was told I needed to pay the 12% tax on the room which I have no problem with. I was told if I did not cancel the reservation and failed to show up that I would be charged $560 - no problem. The question is, what rate do I pay the tax for? $560 per night is the "rack rate" while "best available rate" is $319. The tax difference between the two is $57.84 ($560=$134.84 & $319=$76.56).

I don't recall ever having to pay the taxes on an award stay. If you were required to pay the taxes, it shouldn't be on anything more than what the hotel is getting reimbursed by Starwood. I'd call the hotel back and clarify what they are planning on you paying the tax on and then I'd check with SPG.

Years ago, probably in th 1980s, I had to pay taxes on a one week award stay at the Langham Hilton in London. It came to over $100.00! It was my first award stay overseas and I figured they had different rules/laws there. But on a recent award stay at the same property, there were no taxes. I posted this on the FT Hilton board and was told there used to be some confusion over this at some foreign properties. But even if I still had the receipt and/or remembered the dates of my stay, odds are it's too long ago to get my money back.

I had taxes added at a USA Sheraton a couple weeks ago on award stay.

Got them taken off but it is annoying to need to chase them on this. :mad:

Glen