Starwood Preferred Guest - Paying Points to Guarantee a Bed Type?

I'm wondering if this is, in fact, correct. I was told by an SPG agent that if I wanted two doubles, the only way I can guarantee such a reservation is by paying 1500 points PER NIGHT for such. I am traveling with kids and need two doubles. She said the only thing you are guaranteed without the point premium is adequate "bedding." She elaborated and said that it meant sheets and pillows. Is this accurate? It looked like if I did a point redemption reservation online, I had a bed type option.

Puzzled. Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

I'm wondering if this is, in fact, correct. I was told by an SPG agent that if I wanted two doubles, the only way I can guarantee such a reservation is by paying 1500 points PER NIGHT for such. I am traveling with kids and need two doubles. She said the only thing you are guaranteed without the point premium is adequate "bedding." She elaborated and said that it meant sheets and pillows. Is this accurate? It looked like if I did a point redemption reservation online, I had a bed type option.

Puzzled. Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

Standard award rooms are sold as Run Of House (ROH), which means you will be assigned the most appropriate room at check-in. It may or may not meet up with your preferences for smoking and bedding type. However, if you spend the extra Starpoints for an upgrade award in advance, you are guaranteed a specific room type with specific preferences.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

yeah- i got the same "offer" today for the sheraton sydney but at the bargain price of 1000 additional points per night. :(

It looked like if I did a point redemption reservation online, I had a bed type option.

I've often noticed that online award reservation options specify a bed type and smoking preference (often, only smoking is available). Then some time before I check in, the bed type mysteriously disppears from the reservation. Very strange programming. Yeah, it's in the T&Cs, but it's all a bit misleading if you're not aware that you're not guaranteed anything.

yeah- i got the same "offer" today for the sheraton sydney but at the bargain price of 1000 additional points per night. :(

But you're probably getting a room category upgrade as well, not just your preferred bedding. Maybe worth the points, depending on the property.

I would like to add my point of view for this topic. I really do believe that an award reservation should guarantee that we have at least a non smoking room and a bed type that was selected in advance. Whether or not the hotel or Starwood is making money from us with that stay, they should treat use like a paying customer. After all, people who uses points are loyal guests, is this the way we should be treated? Look at this this way, if I would have a voucher for a free meal at a restaurant and I would make a reservation for a table at that restaurant and I would decide to request a table that's not in the middle of the restaurant or let's say a table by the window... When I get to the restaurant, I am told that I cannot have that particular table because I'm not paying customer and that I have a voucher, certificate or whatever... Would this be reasonable?

...Would this be reasonable?

I don't know. Does the restaurant have this fact printed on the voucher like we do the room preferences on awards at spg.com? ;)

If so, then yes, quite reasonable. :)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I don't know. Does the restaurant have this fact printed on the voucher like we do the room preferences on awards at spg.com? ;)

If so, then yes, quite reasonable. :)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I understand that this is in the terms & condition and that us the members have to agree to them, however, treating a guest in a different way because he is using points is not acceptable, in MY view. Giving us a bed preference is not too much to ask for... paid with cash or Starpoints. I'm not saying to "guarantee" a whole list of preferences, but at least the bed type.

I understand that this is in the terms & condition and that us the members have to agree to them, however, treating a guest in a different way because he is using points is not acceptable, in MY view. Giving us a bed preference is not too much to ask for... paid with cash or Starpoints. I'm not saying to "guarantee" a whole list of preferences, but at least the bed type.

There isn't a hotel that participates in the program that would not be willing to consider your request for a specific bedding type or smoking preference; however, IMHO, it will never be guaranteed on Preferred Night Awards. Your best bet is to make your preferences known to the hotel and let them do what they can to take care of you in the best way they can.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

IMHO, it will never be guaranteed on Preferred Night Awards.

I was always told to never say never. ;)

Starwood and the hotel industry is a business, I get that, however; the customer should always be right... or that is what I was told to believe. ;) But truly, I know Starwood is good to their guests and that's why my business is 95% with them, the other 5% is when there is no Starwood property in that city or destination. Since I'm very satisfied overall with Starwood to this date, I always suggest Starwood properties to relatives, friends and co-workers and hope this will continue. ^ I'm looking forward to many more stays at Starwood properties with Starpoints or cash.