Starwood Preferred Guest - Award Booking future points

Hi,

I believe I remember reading about this somewhere but I don't remember. Right now I've got around 25K pts and I plan on visiting Hawaii next July. I want to book a 5 night award stay for 40K pts at the Westin Maui.

Do I have to wait until all 40K points are in my account or can I make the reservation now?
And if I can how do I go about doing this?

I'll probably have the 40K in Jan/Feb but I'd rather not wait that long to book my stay.

Thanks!

Not sure this is exactly how it is supposed to be done, but I booked Bora Bora with a cash reservation (No deposit was required) and when I have enough points I will convert the reservation. I have done this at other Starwood resorts and have not had any problems. If I dont have enough points for the whole stay, then I use points and cash.

Jim

Not sure this is exactly how it is supposed to be done, but I booked Bora Bora with a cash reservation (No deposit was required) and when I have enough points I will convert the reservation. I have done this at other Starwood resorts and have not had any problems. If I dont have enough points for the whole stay, then I use points and cash.

Jim


Thanks Jim...did you check in advance to make sure you could convert the reservation from a 'normal' cash reservation to a points award?

Anyone else have any experience with this?

IIRC, internally, associates were told to stop changing paid reservations to award reservations, but then, I haven't made an award reservation in about five years, so my memory may be fading on that one. So, officially, YMMV.

Keep in mind that even if you are successful in coaxing an associate to make the change, once the room type originally booked is sold out no one can make any further changes on the Customer Contact Center end of things. So, IMHO, not exactly the best thing to rely upon because hotels are not allowed to make award reservations from their end.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Somehow related:

I have had agents hold reservations for 7 days while I transferred AMEX points.

Somehow related:

I have had agents hold reservations for 7 days while I transferred AMEX points.

Yes. We would be more than willing to do this. But be sure the transfer is made within the time granted or the reservation will be cancelled.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thanks, Lurker. And right you are. The agent offered the hold and was very clear about her terms: if no points were transferred to cover the award, she would cancel the res on the 7th day without notice. My credit card is still on profile and therefore on the res, but the cancellation comes before the penalty phase would begin (YMMV, based on time window between booking and arrival). Nice courtesy!