Starwood Preferred Guest - help with nagoya castle award night

frankly, I am quite new to SPG
I plan to use SPG points for a night in Nagoya castle
on Dec 2 for one night
there is no availibility when using points.
but I found still a lot of rooms when paid rooms
Is there anyway to get the room?
Use more points? Does my gold status help? or maybe waitinglist?
thanks if anyone can help

Although there may be rooms showing for availability, they may not be STANDARD rooms which have to be available to use points. Did you call spg directly or are you going via the web only?

I tried the web. it showed nothing for redemption. I also called but the staff said not availible for redemption. I asked for better room even requiring more points but she can not understand what I mean. Just said not availble for redemption rooms.

The reason why you have been unable to book a room is that for Dec 2-3, only Executive level rooms are available (no "standard" rooms are currently available) at the Westin Nagoya Castle. The SPG program provides reward access to standard level rooms except during extraordinary demand times, such as special holidays or events. Even in those cases where hotels elect to provide higher category rooms for additional points, there needs to be a minimum of one standard room in inventory to secure the booking, after which you would "upgrade" using additional points. In the current situation, you will only be able to book a reward room if standard room inventory opens up. Compare this situation to the following Saturday (Dec. 9), when standard rooms are available.

My advice would be to take a paid booking for December 2nd and continue to monitor inventory. Many hotels have some inventory open up 3-4 days prior to arrival, at which point you may be able to use points for the stay (and cancel your paid reservation). However, keep in mind the cancellation penalties... I believe you will need to make a final decision 2 days prior to arrival to avoid cancellation penalties.

Good Luck

SG

I tried the web. it showed nothing for redemption. I also called but the staff said not availible for redemption. I asked for better room even requiring more points but she can not understand what I mean. Just said not availble for redemption rooms.

I would call back. There is a room available using the Select upgrade award SPG2S for a nominal extra amount of Starpoints. If the associate you speak to can't book it, I would ask to speak to their supervisor.

My apologies for the inconvenience.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

...Even in those cases where hotels elect to provide higher category rooms for additional points, there needs to be a minimum of one standard room in inventory to secure the booking, after which you would "upgrade" using additional points. In the current situation, you will only be able to book a reward room if standard room inventory opens up...

Er, no. If the upgraded room type is available for sale and it is on one of the upgraded award rate plans, you would be able to book it regardless of there being no standard rooms available. :)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I stand corrected... God (or the SPG equivalent) has spoken. Looks like I just earned a point toward a free Fort Lauderdale HoJo bed. :p

SG