Starwood Preferred Guest - ... by March 31st

Due to my busy schedule, I ended up earning a maximum of 10 free weekend nights during last year's stay 3 get 1 weekend night free promo. Flushed with all the great mini-trip possibilities, the mind wanders... SF for Chinese New Year... or check out the local W San Diego and find out what the fuss is about... oh Vegas...

I've got a gripe with Starwood's redemption end date for that promo and that is the redemption period, Jan 1 to March 31, is too short. To redeem them all, I'd have to average 2 weekend trips a month (and I've been trying to keep up :p ). But I was late starting b/c SGP never notified any of us how many nights we earned (I found out from this board and had to call them to find out). In a hectic life, trying to make use of these free nights has been hectic. From this experience, I have a couple of suggestions to the SPG marketing group to make these promos better:
1. Please notify us promptly how many nights have been earned by the beginning of the promotion period. It just seems sneaky if I have to call you guys; as if you don't want us to use the free nights. I dislike dealing with sneaky businesses.
2. Give us adequate time to redeem the promos (or allow the nights to be transferrable). Think about this scenario and question: If someone was able to earn the max number of nights during the promo, assume they do lots of travelling and are probably pretty busy. Will they have enough time to use the promotion in this redemption period?

.... a few nights left... hmm... Westin Rancho Mirage to check out the desert blooms after all the rains (damn! all booked up... damn all you peeps looking to redeem by March 31st too! :p ) ...maybe another weekend of debauchery at the W... maybe Lurker will get this to marketing in time and SPG announces the extension of promo redemption dates. Ah, what to do, where to go?

I earned 10 as well that I knew my wife and I would not be able to use by myself. I ended up treating 2 sets of friends to a 3 night stay at the Westin in Mt Tremblant. With the upgrades it ended up being a $1500 gift to both. They bought us some nice meals and were greatful for an awesome trip.

Just an idea as I figure it is unlikely you will see a change in terms for this promotion.

I ended up treating 2 sets of friends to a 3 night stay at the Westin in Mt Tremblant.
That's awesome G :cool: and with the Plat, I'm sure they had a great time.

I actually did the same. Had friends and family come into town, stayed at the W and had a blast ;)

The main reason I posted is hopefully SPG Marketing will get wind and if they ever run this super promotion again, they'd be mindful about the 2 points I made.

Cheers!

I would like to add a related suggestion, which would be to *W's advantage. Let us know on our account page what promotions we are engaged in. For example, if it's a 5/1 promotion, then reminding us it's still going on would encourage us to choose *W.


That's awesome G :cool: and with the Plat, I'm sure they had a great time.

I actually did the same. Had friends and family come into town, stayed at the W and had a blast ;)

The main reason I posted is hopefully SPG Marketing will get wind and if they ever run this super promotion again, they'd be mindful about the 2 points I made.

Cheers!

I used mine at the Westin Excelsior Rome and the St. Regis Rome for an incredible stay and also at the Park Tower in London which also was not bad. ;)

I earned 10 as well that I knew my wife and I would not be able to use by myself. I ended up treating 2 sets of friends to a 3 night stay at the Westin in Mt Tremblant. With the upgrades it ended up being a $1500 gift to both. They bought us some nice meals and were greatful for an awesome trip.

Just an idea as I figure it is unlikely you will see a change in terms for this promotion.


How did you treat your friends? I was not aware that this award was transferrable. Could someone enlighten me, please? I earned 10 nights as well, but will have no time to use any of it :(

How did you treat your friends? I was not aware that this award was transferrable. Could someone enlighten me, please? I earned 10 nights as well, but will have no time to use any of it :(

Book the reservation under your name and just add your friend's name to the reservation when booking.

"... by March 31st"?? :rolleyes:

good thing you are a newbie.

If anyone has any expiring free weekend nights that they won't be using, I could use them for a stay this weekend in Ft. Lauderdale and have some UA stuff to trade. PM me if you would be interested!

If anyone has any expiring free weekend nights that they won't be using, I could use them for a stay this weekend in Ft. Lauderdale and have some UA stuff to trade. PM me if you would be interested!

You might have better luck posting in the Coupon Connection board.

I am faced with the same situation here. I participated in the stay 5 get 1 free weekend night last year. I got the maximum 10 nights.

Was going to go to Melbourne, Australia for the F1 grand prix but work commitments prevented me from doing so.

To spend all 10 nights, I have decided to spend the next 3 weekends away..

That's ok with me since I have not done any flying this year.

... that the reason the period is so short is to not interfere with the spring/summer season and fill up some of these hotels during the winter... no?

I had 9 nights to use - 3 used at the Sheraton Bal Harbour and 6 next weekend at the Westin Times Square for 4 of us!!!! It's funny how happy your friends are about your free nights when you take them to NYC ;)

Enjoy!

T.

I thought the free weekend nights were only to be used by the person who earned them.

Thus, no future in Coupon Connection.

Supposed to be , but all things are possible :)
I would contact William and see about extending or some other option. He has been very fair with me int he past when I pointed out that i had stayed at a SPG property almost every week at a paid rate for work and thought it was a bit much to be expected to spend my weekends there as well.
Starwood has always been understanding to my needs, I am sure they can help you out.

I'll be glad to pass along your comments; however, there won't be any extensions. The award has a unique redemption code which expires on March 31st and they have to be used on weekends before that date.

As long as you are traveling as well, you can book as many as two other rooms using these awards for friends or family.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Cast your vote! Visit www.freddieawards.com and choose your favorite frequent travel programs today.

... that the reason the period is so short is to not interfere with the spring/summer season and fill up some of these hotels during the winter... no?
I would imagine that the simple reason for such a short redemption window had something to do with the marketing genius at SPG who figured out that although many frequent travelers would earn the maximum 10 nights - not everyone would take them up on the offer. I think I’ve used a total of 1 free night from the 10 I accrued. :( Of course, it's completely my fault that I have not taken advantage of the extra nights . . . but it still feels like I'm losing out on the promotion. :eek:

I would imagine that the simple reason for such a short redemption window had something to do with the marketing genius at SPG who figured out that although many frequent travelers would earn the maximum 10 nights - not everyone would take them up on the offer. I think I’ve used a total of 1 free night from the 10 I accrued. :( Of course, it's completely my fault that I have not taken advantage of the extra nights . . . but it still feels like I'm losing out on the promotion. :eek:

Agree completely!

Non-redemption (or "breakage" as it's referred to in the industry) of awards is not only planned, but it's actually formulated into the promotion when determining just what the initial promotion and it's rewards will be.

Anticipated breakage actually often helps sweeten the initial deal. Bad for those that can't or don't utilize their reward. :( Better for those of us that can and do. :)