Starwood Preferred Guest - Targeted Gold Offer

My wife just got this today:



Experience the many benefits of elite status with an exclusive Gold Preferred Guest® membership, valid through February 28, 2006.

To help you maintain your Gold membership through next year, every stay counts as two now through November 30, 2005. That means if you stay three times during the promotion, you’ll receive credit for six stays toward elite status for another year.



She was Platinum until Feb 2003 but has had very little activity since.

Same offer here. Was Gold until Feb 05 and no activity thereafter.

Nice offer, as I was always lucky with decent upgrades as Gold. Might came in handy a couple of times until Gold expires again in Feb 2006, as I have decided not to put as much emhasis on hotel loyalty programs anymore and go for the best properties and best deals across hotel chains.

WOW!!! The 2 preceeding posters must be the only 2 people on the face of the planet who weren't Gold. *Wood started comping everyone with a birth certificate Gold status last year.

I have a birth certificate. Where can I get my Gold ;-)
Hilton comped me, but despite a few SPG stays this year I remain Corp. Pref. +. I'd love Gold but haven't been offered it.

I actually find it a tad insulting when people talk about "everyone being comped". In reality it's usually people being comped because of airline elite status or some such. Not just completely random to people who don't know SPG from a hole in the wall.

WOW!!! The 2 preceeding posters must be the only 2 people on the face of the planet who weren't Gold. *Wood started comping everyone with a birth certificate Gold status last year.


Well you might be right, but for me Gold is better than nothing. Justed posted this as info for others who might be interested in upgrades/comps (and do not have a birth certificate.)

I have a birth certificate. Where can I get my Gold ;-)

Here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=456050), if you've got $10 (you'll get other stuff thrown in, too).

Hmm. I thought the Ameniti offer Gold status would expire when you cancel the Ameniti trial (i.e. < 90 days). Is that not the case? Can you get a whole year of SPG Gold even if you cancel before the $295 charge hits? If so, I'm in :-)

Hmm. I thought the Ameniti offer Gold status would expire when you cancel the Ameniti trial (i.e. < 90 days). Is that not the case? Can you get a whole year of SPG Gold even if you cancel before the $295 charge hits? If so, I'm in :-)
The status does not expire when you cancel Ameniti.

I'd imagine that if you signed up now, your status would expire at the end of February 2007.

The status does not expire when you cancel Ameniti.


YMMV.

I will check it out then and see what happens ........ Thanks!

Would be nice to receive this offer. My travels are all personal and it is tough to reach Gold each year on my own dime.

YMMV.
Indeed, as always.

I haven't seen reports from anyone whose status actually did expire, though I may have just missed it?

I have a birth certificate. Where can I get my Gold ;-)
Hilton comped me, but despite a few SPG stays this year I remain Corp. Pref. +. I'd love Gold but haven't been offered it.

I actually find it a tad insulting when people talk about "everyone being comped". In reality it's usually people being comped because of airline elite status or some such. Not just completely random to people who don't know SPG from a hole in the wall.

Same with me! I would love to have the Gold Status, but I only have the SPG Business Preferred Plus. I agree regarding the Airline elite status. Also people who are gold because of the airline are not earning SPG points... because all of their points earned at SPG hotels are transfered to their airline points miles accounts.

I will check it out then and see what happens ........ Thanks!

I heard that on many occasion the membership with Ameniti was not cancelled even if the request was made for a membership cancellation.
:confused: At 295$ it's a gamble.

Also people who are gold because of the airline are not earning SPG points... because all of their points earned at SPG hotels are transfered to their airline points miles accounts.

That only has to be temporary.......until the person reaches their 10th stay, when they can then request that Direct Deposit be removed so that they can earn Starpoints instead.

I considered the points that were converted to miles during my first 10 SPG stays of 2005 to just be the cost of receiving Gold status.

Personally, I thought it was well worth it...especially considering the occasional upgrade that I receivd over the course of those 10 stays.

After I completed my 10th stay, I simply called SPG and requested to stop automatic Direct Deposit of points into my Skymiles account.

So far, having Gold status has been good to me this year......2 suite upgrades + 3 other upgrades out of a total of 11 stays.

My next stay is based on a SPG50 award (first time I ever used this option)...so, I am quite curious as to how it will differ (if any) from a regular paid stay.

A.J.

I heard that on many occasion the membership with Ameniti was not cancelled even if the request was made for a membership cancellation.
:confused: At 295$ it's a gamble.
I disagree that it's a gamble.

They had a database problem, a whole bunch of people didn't get cancelled properly.

A simple phone call, no hassle, and the charges were reversed within a couple of days.

AFAIK there haven't been reports of this since the first time it happened. No more a gamble than with any other vendor, and this situation clearly wasn't one where a sketchy company was just ignoring cancellations hoping to pocket charges...

Let me ask this:

--I used to be SPG Gold, but that expired some time ago due to decreased travel.

--I am now SPG Preferred because I have the Amex *wood card.

--I have not (yet?) received the referenced email promotion from *wood.

--I've got a paid stay reserved via the SPG web site at a Sheraton in California in 3 weeks.

If I understand the above posts correctly, to get Gold benefits via the Ameniti program I would have to (1) enroll in the Ameniti trial program, (2) cancel the reservation I made via the *wood website, and (3) re-make the reservation via Ameniti.

If I am correct it hardly seems worth it for a two night stay, particularly since Ameniti might not be able to grab the same room or may charge a higher price.

--Bob

Let me ask this:

--I used to be SPG Gold, but that expired some time ago due to decreased travel.

--I am now SPG Preferred because I have the Amex *wood card.

--I have not (yet?) received the referenced email promotion from *wood.

--I've got a paid stay reserved via the SPG web site at a Sheraton in California in 3 weeks.

If I understand the above posts correctly, to get Gold benefits via the Ameniti program I would have to (1) enroll in the Ameniti trial program, (2) cancel the reservation I made via the *wood website, and (3) re-make the reservation via Ameniti.

If I am correct it hardly seems worth it for a two night stay, particularly since Ameniti might not be able to grab the same room or may charge a higher price.

--Bob


I don't know what is an Ameniti trail program nor was I in the program.. But I got the invitation to receive GOLD status until Feb 28, 2006.. ... I used American Express Starwood credit card and had not booked a SPG property since 2003, but last month I paid a Marriott hotel stay with my Starwood AMEX.. so happy to get GOLD despite I don't travel much..

If I understand the above posts correctly, to get Gold benefits via the Ameniti program I would have to (1) enroll in the Ameniti trial program, (2) cancel the reservation I made via the *wood website, and (3) re-make the reservation via Ameniti.

If I am correct it hardly seems worth it for a two night stay, particularly since Ameniti might not be able to grab the same room or may charge a higher price.

--Bob
No.

When you sign up for the Ameniti program, you enter your SPG # onto the Ameniti website and your account is upgraded to Gold.

You don't get the other Ameniti benefits during your stay unless you book through Ameniti.

But you will be a Gold when you check in whether you book through Ameniti or not.

anyone know approximately how long it takes for SPG to show gold status from the time you sign up for Ameniti?

It's very quick, hours or days not weeks if I understand correctly.

That only has to be temporary.......until the person reaches their 10th stay, when they can then request that Direct Deposit be removed so that they can earn Starpoints instead.

After I completed my 10th stay, I simply called SPG and requested to stop automatic Direct Deposit of points into my Skymiles account.

A.J.

For anyone else in this situation: On your 10th stay, call SPG later in the day after you check out and explain that you've just completed your 10th stay, and ask to have your earning preference switched from miles to StarPoints. Tell them you want to be sure the points for the just-completed stay get credited to your Starwood account rather than your airline account. That way you effectively only have to earn miles instead of points for the first NINE stays instead of ten.

gleff, and others, thanks very much for the information.

I think I'll wait a week to see if I get the targeted offer from spg. If I don't (even though I do have a birth certificate) I'll do the Ameniti trial.

I sure wish there was a way to find out if I'm targeted (well, for this offer anyway) but I guess I'll have to wait to see.

--Bob

For anyone else in this situation: On your 10th stay, call SPG later in the day after you check out and explain that you've just completed your 10th stay, and ask to have your earning preference switched from miles to StarPoints. Tell them you want to be sure the points for the just-completed stay get credited to your Starwood account rather than your airline account. That way you effectively only have to earn miles instead of points for the first NINE stays instead of ten.

Heh.....originally, that was what I had planned to do.

However, I simply forgot until right after the points had been credited and then transfered....at which point, I requested the change to my account.

The funny thing is that it took almost 2 months for those miles to show up in my Skymiles account for that 10th stay. :confused: :P

A.J.

I just took the Ameniti trial.. just had some troubles with the US state... errr.. it doesn't let me choose a place outside the US... but anyway, I seem to be accepted and could enter my SPG number.. will see how fast it will change to gold in spg.com.. thanks.

I thought if you had a SPG Amex platinum you automatically were upgraded to Gold as long as you held that Amex card. I also thought all of your *wood points would be credited to your *wood account. What you folks are saying is different. Ntrader

The SPG AMEX gives you Preffered Plus (Not Gold).

The other posters are talking about Gold with Frequent Flyer Miles, nothing having to do with the SPG Amex.

So unless your SPG membership is tied with airline direct deposit, all your points should go to your spg account.

Hmmm, I read the posts again and it still sounds like you are speaking of Gold SPG, not ff Gold. Ntrader

They're speaking of comped spg gold from FF programs, that have direct diposit.

Again, all your *points are deposited into your *wood account normally.

Back to the original Targetted offer. Anyone figure out what params they are targetting?

Would Starwood Lurker be able to tell us who has been targeted when he returns from wherever he is?

I received this targeted offer last week and followed the link, but when I log onto spg.com it still shows me as preferred plus not gold. Does anyone know how long it will take? Do they usually update on a certain day of the week or should it already have been done by now? Any insight from past promos or has anyone that has had this one already kick in?

It took three days for me with the Ameniti link to become Gold in spg.com... quite ok! For that price ;-)

I received this targeted offer last week and followed the link, but when I log onto spg.com it still shows me as preferred plus not gold. Does anyone know how long it will take? Do they usually update on a certain day of the week or should it already have been done by now? Any insight from past promos or has anyone that has had this one already kick in?

Would Starwood Lurker be able to tell us who has been targeted when he returns from wherever he is?
Probably not, I imagine it's something only the marketing gurus know... ;)

Would Starwood Lurker be able to tell us who has been targeted when he returns from wherever he is?

Regrettably, no. :)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Nuts.

:(

But thanks anyway.

I actually find it a tad insulting when people talk about "everyone being comped". In reality it's usually people being comped because of airline elite status or some such. Not just completely random to people who don't know SPG from a hole in the wall.

That insults you? When someone's comments about a loyalty program become insulting, you need help.

deleted

Just got the Ameniti membership for my wife. Looks like a great deal if the SPG gold membership lasts past the 3 months trial. Just have to remember to cance before they charge $295. Of course, they give you 25K united miles with that, so it may not be a terrible deal for a year, but thats a discussion for the United thread....

That insults you? When someone's comments about a loyalty program become insulting, you need help.

When you feel the need to tell someone on a message board that they need help because they find another posters' comments insulting, *you* are the one who needs help.

Back on topic for the adults around here: I signed up for the Ameniti trial and was Gold in about 2 days.

I received this targeted offer last week and followed the link, but when I log onto spg.com it still shows me as preferred plus not gold. Does anyone know how long it will take? Do they usually update on a certain day of the week or should it already have been done by now? Any insight from past promos or has anyone that has had this one already kick in?I was targeted and signed up immediately. I receved the acknowledgement Thursday morning.Thank you for activating your Gold Preferred Guest(R) membership. We know you'll enjoy the many valuable benefits that accompany your elite status, including: ... I am still showing as preferred. I have sent an enquiry via the web site.

What is the URL for this Amenti trial?

Check post #6 in this thread.

Check post #6 in this thread.

Did so, thanks! Signed up. Will keep posted on if/when the SPG gold kicks in. I wonder if Conde Nast will ship to Israel and also if you cancel the Ameniti will the Conde Nast be cancelled as well?

sounds like a great offer....thanks for sharing it. do i need to remain an active member to use those red carpet passes, or do they expire at all? :)

I was targeted and signed up immediately. I receved the acknowledgement Thursday morning. I am still showing as preferred. I have sent an enquiry via the web site.I receved a reply to my enquiry:To: Mr. Serfty
Preferred Guest Account Number: 500••••••••

Dear Serfty,

Thank you for your recent email message concerning your Starwood Preferred Guest account. I apologize for the delay in my response.

Please note that there is a weekly sweep done of all accounts that have registered for this promotional offer, allowing guests a trial gold membership. Your account will not automatically be upgraded to gold level upon registration. Weekly sweeps are usually performed on Saturday nights. If your account has not been upgraded within 7-10 days, please return this email or call 1-888-625-4988 and speak to an agent advising them of the promotion below.I will wait until next Monday and check.

Fortunately, I got the targeted Gold Promo. Unfortunately, I have NO trips planned at all. :(

As to why I was targetted??? I have no Idea. I have only stayed at a Starwood hotel twice in the past 5 years and one was an award night. My Starwood Amex does get a lot of use. Maybe they are trying to get me to stay more often. Hope to take advantage of the Gold.

The account shows GOLD two days after signing up for the Ameniti offer. Now if it can only stay that way after I cancel in 3 months...

I receved a reply to my enquiry:I will wait until next Monday and check.

I'm glad you said something... I had received this targeted offer last week, and promptly signed up last Wednesday. After receiving my confirmation email, i thought i was good... as.... GOLD! I have a stay coming up this weekend, and assumed everything was in order, but double checked after reading this post. I noticed that I too had not been upgraded, so I called the number as my first stay will be on Friday. The helpful representative was able to upgrade me on the spot with the specific promotion.

thanks!
Colby

Did so, thanks! Signed up. Will keep posted on if/when the SPG gold kicks in. I wonder if Conde Nast will ship to Israel and also if you cancel the Ameniti will the Conde Nast be cancelled as well?

Signed up on Aug 2, 05, at 6:58 pm and sometime in the last 8 hours, while I was sleeping ;) my SPG account became Gold Preferred Guest. Now to get a reasonably-priced room in the Hong Kong Sheraton Towers in September.

Thanks for telling us about this promo!

The account shows GOLD two days after signing up for the Ameniti offer. Now if it can only stay that way after I cancel in 3 months...

How long is the Ameniti comp Gold good for? I don't know if I'll make Gold again this year, but if I can sign up for the Ameniti trial membership and get a free year worth of SPG Gold, why not! ^

Is there any other Gold promos around?

Generally membership will be good for a minimum of a year, and expires the last day of Feb...

So if you sign up now, I'd guess status will expire 2/07.

If you sign up in 3/07, status will expire 02/08.

Here is another twist: 4 days ago I signed up for the Ameniti trial offer. Within 48 hours my status on the Starwood web site changed from Preferred to Gold.

About an hour ago I got a targeted email from Starwood that says in pertinent part:

We're making it easy for you to earn Gold Preferred Guest® status! Upgrading to Gold usually requires 10 or more stays in a year, but right now when you register, all your stays will count double through October 31, 2005 — making it easier for you to earn Gold status for 2006! Plus, you'll earn double Starpoints® with every stay.

My guess is this was set up for mailing before the Ameniti-induced status change kicked in.

Be that as it may, I just don't travel like I used to so probably would not have even made the 5 stays; thus I don't think I'll respond to this offer unless someone has a reason they think I should.

--Bob

Still no change; I have sent a follow up email.

Signed up on Aug 2, 05, at 6:58 pm and sometime in the last 8 hours, while I was sleeping ;) my SPG account became Gold Preferred Guest. Now to get a reasonably-priced room in the Hong Kong Sheraton Towers in September.

Thanks for telling us about this promo!

I'm considering the Ameniti offer as well...and for my stay in Hong Kong Sheraton Towers in 3 weeks! I'll be staying there for 1 whole week, so getting an upgrade for that is nice! I read in other forums about the likelihood of getting an upgrade, but it seemed as if they were all plat members =|

Kind of off topic, but there's a current promotion through mastercard where you get nights free if you pay the regular price. (i.e. buy 4 nights, get 2 nights free). Anyone know if this promotion is available for Best Rate Guarantee?

Still no change; I have sent a follow up email.Thank you for your recent email message concerning your Starwood Preferred
Guest account. I apologize for the delay in my response.

Please note that the terms and conditions say that your Starwood Preferred Guest account will upgrade to Gold status in two to three weeks after activation.

We appreciate your patronage of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. If you have any further customer service questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at starwood.preferred.guest@starwoodhotels.com .

Best Regards,

My reply:...
Thankyou for your prompt response.

However, this is different to the response received from <rep> below: "Weekly sweeps are usually performed on Saturday nights.
If your account has not been upgraded within 7-10 days, please return this email ... "

No big deal; my next booked Starwood Stay is not for 5 weeks. However, if I was gold I would consider using your hotels sooner than that.
...

Has anyone had any bad experiences trying to cancel the Ameniti offer? Does it have to be done by phone, or can it be done by email.....?

I was wondering myself why/how I got the mail for the gold status - I thought it was just some credit card scam in the mail at first.

The whole process to get to gold took about 15 minutes, because I had some problems realizing which account was which.

What makes this odd:

1. Although I'm a OnePass member, I have only one segment this calendar year and have never been an elite. (I probably got it from the credit card, also CO)

2. Not only have I never been an SPG member, I've never stayed at a Starwood hotel before. Ever.

Of course, this is good timing for me - I have an upcoming stay at the Walt Disney World Swan (or Dolphin) in November for the annual ASME Conference. If I'm lucky, there won't be too many people with status, because they're academic travelers more than business ones. ;)

I got the Gold card today (thanks to Ameniti)... valid until March 2007, yippih.

How long is the Ameniti comp Gold good for? I don't know if I'll make Gold again this year, but if I can sign up for the Ameniti trial membership and get a free year worth of SPG Gold, why not! ^

Is there any other Gold promos around?

William,
My SPG status is Gold and I received the promotion email as well. If I need sixteen more stays for Platinum status, do I just need to have eight more qualifying stays in the stated time period to earn Platinum status?

It is not perfectly clear to me that the promotion is for anything other than re-earning Gold status.

Has anyone had any bad experiences trying to cancel the Ameniti offer? Does it have to be done by phone, or can it be done by email.....?
Log into your Ameniti account and use the contact form on their website. You should get an email back confirming cancellation by the next business day.

I got the Gold card today (thanks to Ameniti)... valid until March 2007, yippih.

How long from the time you signed up with Amenti until you received the Gold card in the mail? I assume that when I check into an *wood property in two weeks that I would be eligible for Gold benefits (as long as the SPG site says I'm 'golden').

Also, how long before before people are receiving the RCC passes?

Thanks

Took about 3 weeks after it showed Gold in spg.com - but I used the function "send replacement card" in spg.com, so not sure if it was because of that or because of the regular card delivery.

Got the ameniti card and RCC passes about 5-6 weeks after signing the trial (but it was shipped to Europe).

Could cancel the trial by email.


How long from the time you signed up with Amenti until you received the Gold card in the mail? I assume that when I check into an *wood property in two weeks that I would be eligible for Gold benefits (as long as the SPG site says I'm 'golden').

Also, how long before before people are receiving the RCC passes?

Thanks

I signed up for the Ameniti trial offer around 8/1 or so and received the SPG Gold card in the mail on 8/30.

I did have a reservation for a Starwood stay on 8/19 that I had made probably sometime in late June or early July. Although my status changed to Gold on the SPG web site shortly after I signed up for the Ameniti trial offer, when I arrived at the hotel they didn't know about my new Gold status and they were unable to confirm it because their communication link to that department was down (!?!) but they kindly took my word for it.

Ok, just to update, on the 24th August I logged into the SPG Site and there it was: Gold Preferred Guest. So in the end it took about 3½ weeks.

I have since been waiting for my shiny new card.

Anyone know how long this would take to arrive?

Ok, just to update, on the 24th August I logged into the SPG Site and there it was: Gold Preferred Guest. So in the end it took about 3½ weeks.

I have since been waiting for my shiny new card.

Anyone know how long this would take to arrive?

4 - 6 weeks after the upgrade went into effect, generally.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I am now SPG gold and HAVE NOT stayed 10 times at the hotel. I am an AA member as well. The bonus is a nice touch as well!

Jim



Take off with 9,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles


As a valued AAdvantage® member, you have been selected to receive complimentary elite Gold membership in the Starwood Preferred Guest program - status that usually requires 10 stays in a year to achieve! To activate your membership, visit SPG.com/AAgold1.
After you activate your Gold membership, stay at any Starwood hotel through November 30, 2005 and earn 3,000 bonus miles for every three nights you stay. This means if you stay nine nights, you will earn 9,000 AAdvantage bonus miles!

I have now got gold status, I know it takes 4-6 weeks for the card but I have seen "RCC passes" mentioned.
What are they and what other goodies if any can I expect with this fancy new elevation on the status ladder ?

RCC passes come from signing up with Ameniti, another benefit of which is SPG Gold.

The targeted Gold offers sent out to lots of airline FF members do not come with United Red Carpet Club passes.

If you sign up for Ameniti using the typical $200-some option, and cancel within the first 30 days, will your SPG status be revoked? Or will it stay, as it does when you utilize the 3-month trial?