Starwood Preferred Guest - Email from the Westin Diplomat

I received an email from GCCUSTSERVICE@starwoodhotels.com for stays between Aug 13th & Sept 30th but when I try to book a room it says this rate is for employees only. I may be blind but nowhere in the email does it say employees only.....

the offer code reads STARH


The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
3555 South Ocean Drive
Hollywood, Florida 33019 United States
Phone: (954) 602-6000 Fax: (954) 602-7000


Enjoy a beach getaway
from only $69

Book stays between August 13 and September 30, 2006 and enjoy great StarHot rates from only $69!

Enjoy the sizzling nightlife of South Florida, or simply relax and refresh with turquoise ocean waters, gentle breezes and sophisticated service to match - The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa will make you feel like a whole new person.

Hurry! This offer is available for a limited time only.

Book Now »



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I already have a reservation at the Diplomat for Sept 1 - Sept 5 is there a way to use this rate??

Never

I was able to book this. It's a super rate at a super hotel -- barring hurricanes :)

I was able to book this. It's a super rate at a super hotel -- barring hurricanes :)

I can book it as well if I leave out my SPG # and there is also the following in the terms and conditions.....

• Proof of employment is required at the time of check-in. Proof of employment will be a stamped letter issued and validated by the associate's Human Resources department.

• If the employee/guest fails to present the letter at check-in, the discount will not be honored.

Never

If that's a valid rate, I may have to change my address to reflect my new home - just send my mail to the Diplomat. :D

i got this email, too, but it is obviously an employee rate. oops.

i wonder if it will be honored (for non-employees) for this great property.

lurker...or lurker fill-in (with the similar last name)??? :D

I'm sure a current Starwood employee can update the information I'm providing, but back when I was a *wood employee the internal discount rate was called "StarHot", which seems to be what the code the promo email references.

However, back in the day, we had to call an employee only number to book the res. and it wasn't available as a promo code through the website (that I knew).

You could get some pretty wicked deals, generally $25 for lower categories, basically covering the cost of you occupying the room for the hotel.

As far as "providing employee ID", at the hotel I worked at, that was non-existant, so they told us to travel with a pay stub. I was never once asked to produce it (which is a good thing because the payee was the name of the franchisee corp.).

And, for informational purposes only, the *Wood employee benefits paled in comparison to Hyatt's. 12 free nights at any Hyatt hotel in the world (f/t - p/t was prorated based on hours worked in the year). Stipulation was you could only stay a max of 3 free nights at a property. But there was nothing against hotel hopping to extend your vacation in locales that had more than one Hyatt. After you exhausted you free nights there were also employee discounts competitive to what *Wood offers. Those were booked directly through your local HR folks to prevent outsiders from playing games.

Lurker, if I'm publishing a state secret or anything here, I'm sorry, I figured the cat's out of the bag already. Contact me (pm or something) and I'll remove this post ASAP. Just thought it would be interesting for everyone to read that doesn't have hotel industry knowledge.

I'm sure a current Starwood employee can update the information I'm providing, but back when I was a *wood employee the internal discount rate was called "StarHot", which seems to be what the code the promo email references.

However, back in the day, we had to call an employee only number to book the res. and it wasn't available as a promo code through the website (that I knew).

You could get some pretty wicked deals, generally $25 for lower categories, basically covering the cost of you occupying the room for the hotel.

As far as "providing employee ID", at the hotel I worked at, that was non-existant, so they told us to travel with a pay stub. I was never once asked to produce it (which is a good thing because the payee was the name of the franchisee corp.).

And, for informational purposes only, the *Wood employee benefits paled in comparison to Hyatt's. 12 free nights at any Hyatt hotel in the world (f/t - p/t was prorated based on hours worked in the year). Stipulation was you could only stay a max of 3 free nights at a property. But there was nothing against hotel hopping to extend your vacation in locales that had more than one Hyatt. After you exhausted you free nights there were also employee discounts competitive to what *Wood offers. Those were booked directly through your local HR folks to prevent outsiders from playing games.

Lurker, if I'm publishing a state secret or anything here, I'm sorry, I figured the cat's out of the bag already. Contact me (pm or something) and I'll remove this post ASAP. Just thought it would be interesting for everyone to read that doesn't have hotel industry knowledge.

This is very interesting information - thanks!

...i wonder if it will be honored (for non-employees) for this great property...

I'm pretty sure it will be provided the person staying qualifies for the rate and has the supporting documentation from an employee's HR department.

Otherwise, I'm thinking "no, it won't be."

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

...Lurker, if I'm publishing a state secret or anything here, I'm sorry, I figured the cat's out of the bag already. Contact me (pm or something) and I'll remove this post ASAP. Just thought it would be interesting for everyone to read that doesn't have hotel industry knowledge.

No worries. ldsant saw to it being too late to remove anyway.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

No worries.

I'm glad I didn't ruffle any feathers.

Although you might want to let the kids pushing the CRM buttons that generated this email distribution list know about this little goof (the OP's targeted email).

And maybe give the Diplomat a head's up to actual check employee credentials for these rates.

Unless you guys are walking down the road GM paved with employee discounts. :D ^

I'm glad I didn't ruffle any feathers.

Although you might want to let the kids pushing the CRM buttons that generated this email distribution list know about this little goof (the OP's targeted email).

And maybe give the Diplomat a head's up to actual check employee credentials for these rates.

Unless you guys are walking down the road GM paved with employee discounts. :D ^

I don't know if it was a CRM gaffe or not. Who is to say that the OP has never stayed at a Starwood property using the Starhot rate. If he/she has, then CRM would seem to be working according to Hoyle. If not, then it certainly bears some looking into. However, to follow up on that, I would have to have the OP's email address and some other details, which they may or may not be willing to provide.

As for the Diplomat checking employee credentials on this rate plan, I'm pretty sure that DiplomaticAmy has her crew up to speed on that. They seem to do everything else beyond expectations. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I don't know if it was a CRM gaffe or not. Who is to say that the OP has never stayed at a Starwood property using the Starhot rate. If he/she has, then CRM would seem to be working according to Hoyle. If not, then it certainly bears some looking into. However, to follow up on that, I would have to have the OP's email address and some other details, which they may or may not be willing to provide.

As for the Diplomat checking employee credentials on this rate plan, I'm pretty sure that DiplomaticAmy has her crew up to speed on that. They seem to do everything else beyond expectations. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I have stayed at the Diplomat 6 times in the past 4 years and never paid anywhere near that rate nor have I ever heard of STARH. I am currently holding a room @ 185/night but i was hoping to do better.....maybe cash & points.

I have stayed at the Diplomat 6 times in the past 4 years and never paid anywhere near that rate nor have I ever heard of STARH. I am currently holding a room @ 185/night but i was hoping to do better.....maybe cash & points.

So send me your email address and I'll have someone look into it. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

FWIW, I received this email this morning as well. I've stayed at the Diplomat a couple of times and certainly have never been an employee, though I have spoken with DiplomaticAmy a couple of times. She is fantastic! The SPG program there, especially for Plats is the essence of how the hotel should recognize SPG members. They always do a great job.

When I saw the email, I just figured they were offering an extraordinary rate to SPG members for a time when the hotel would otherwise have very low vacancy. Given the storms during this season the past couple of years, I wasn't surprised that it would be willing to offer very low rates. I didn't realize the employee requirement until reading this thread. I guess someone goofed! ;)

FWIW, I received this email this morning as well. I've stayed at the Diplomat a couple of times and certainly have never been an employee, though I have spoken with DiplomaticAmy a couple of times. She is fantastic! The SPG program there, especially for Plats is the essence of how the hotel should recognize SPG members. They always do a great job.

When I saw the email, I just figured they were offering an extraordinary rate to SPG members for a time when the hotel would otherwise have very low vacancy. Given the storms during this season the past couple of years, I wasn't surprised that it would be willing to offer very low rates. I didn't realize the employee requirement until reading this thread. I guess someone goofed! ;)

Perfect. Finally someone who I know is not an employee of Starwood and whose email address I know.

I'll see if we can track what might have gone astray here. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

So send me your email address and I'll have someone look into it. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I have sent my email address to William in an email and I look forward to his respone.

Thanks for your help William

I have sent my email address to William in an email and I look forward to his respone.

Thanks for your help William

No problem. I'm sure we will hear something soon. Thanks to everyone for the head's up.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

William, you have PM to confirm the right email address for me. Thanks. :)

fwiw I got the email as well.. interesting that the corresponding SET code was also in the rate details.

I'll be staying at the Diplomat in Mid-August. The lowest rate I can find is $153 (my corporate rate). Anyone has any suggestions where I can get a better deal?

I'll be staying at the Diplomat in Mid-August. The lowest rate I can find is $153 (my corporate rate). Anyone has any suggestions where I can get a better deal?
Take a job with Starwood and pay $69? ;)

No doubt this has been a bit of nightmare for the good folks at the Diplomat. :eek:

William:

Have you found out anything on this promotional email? I received it as well and have a stay booked at this hotel Sept 14-17 for my anniversary. If I could get this rate, I would love it. I have a copy of the email that was sent to me if you would like to see it.

PM me if you have any updated information Thank you!

The lowest rate I found so far was about US$137 internet pre-paid rate over the labour day long weekend. [resort view though]

Does anyone have experience with upgrades to at least an ocean view room for platinums?

Does anyone have experience with upgrades to at least an ocean view room for platinums?This is the most Platinum-compliant property is all of Starwood. There are ~ 86 suites in the upgrade pool. You'll most likely get a corner suite with ocean view, and if in the south tower also a view of the intracoastal waterway (North tower view of the waterway may be obstructed by construction next door but YMMV). And the club lounge is fantastic.

I'd say that if you're a Platinum you should wind up with a suite, 90%+ certainty, at all times except Christmas/New Years and perhaps a couple other similar high demand dates.

Labor Day weekend should not be one of those dates.

But if you don't get a suite you'll have no problem with ocean view, and you'll have access to their excellent executive club.

William:

Have you found out anything on this promotional email? I received it as well and have a stay booked at this hotel Sept 14-17 for my anniversary. If I could get this rate, I would love it. I have a copy of the email that was sent to me if you would like to see it.

PM me if you have any updated information Thank you!

Yes, I found out that this was intended to be sent to employees of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide who had previous stays using the Starhot rate at the property, so unless you are an employee of the company, or an eligible participant otherwise (meaning parent, spouse, or sibling of an employee), then you would not be able to take advantage of this rate.

My apologies for any inconvenience the mistaken email may have created.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com