Starwood Preferred Guest - FAQ: Can SPG50s be booked online? Answer: No

Similar to an earlier posed question. Anyone have suggestions for how I might research SPG50 availability via the web? I hate calling everytime to check on this.

Unfortunately the website does not allow you to do this. You do have to call.

As has been mentioned here many times in the past, one cannot book an SPG50 rate directly on the spg.com website. This is one of those rates that simply must be booked by calling *wood directly.

My question is basic: WHY NOT? If we can book other award stays on line using anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000++ points per night, what would be the logic in blocking us from SPG50 availability?

Many of us hold paper SPG50 certs from AMEX and other sources, and all of us have the ability to seek out an SPG50 rate using 1,500 points. It is my great wish that Starwood consider this enhancement for the near future.

Can anyone think of a reason this would not serve Starwood well?

As title. How to book a room with SPG50 rate on starwood.com? I tried put SPG50 as promotion code many different hotels, but no success. Please share with us how.

Can't be done. You'll have to call *wood.

you would think that in this day and age it could be done online...but, i guess not.

(there is a "Promotion Code" field which could handle the complex "SPG50" designation.)

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited Feb 27, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ylee1969:
As title. How to book a room with SPG50 rate on starwood.com? I tried put SPG50 as promotion code many different hotels, but no success. Please share with us how.</font>

Cannot do it, period. This is a significant irritant for me, too.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ylee1969:
As title. How to book a room with SPG50 rate on starwood.com? I tried put SPG50 as promotion code many different hotels, but no success. Please share with us how.</font>

If you need to book online (for promo credit) - go ahead and book a refundable rate online. Then call Starwood with the confirmation number, and see if SPG50 is of any value for that property and date. They can change the res. and you still get online booking credit (once that was very valuable, now only sometimes).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by VolleyballFerd:
If you need to book online (for promo credit) - go ahead and book a refundable rate online. Then call Starwood with the confirmation number, and see if SPG50 is of any value for that property and date. They can change the res. and you still get online booking credit (once that was very valuable, now only sometimes).</font>

However, don't do this and expect to get it changed to SPG50 if the SPG50% Off rate is not available for your travel dates. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Good Evening:

Could anyone tell me if I could make an online reservation incorporating the certificate? I want to be able to take advantage of online booking starpoints opportunity if it is at all possible. Also, I assume that using this cert makes my paid stay (excluding amenities) exempt from receiving starpoints. Any and all help appreciated.

You may not redeem a 50% cert online. What you prob can do is call to see if they have availability on the dates you want, make a room reservation online with whatever rate if online, call back and have them switch to the 50% rate. That MIGHT get you the online bonus.

this has been discussed ad nauseum in this forum....i am still baffled as to why the letters SPG50 cannot simply be entered into the promotional code field to check availability. why is this so difficult for sgp???? starwood lurkers???

"Also, I assume that using this cert makes my paid stay (excluding amenities) exempt from receiving starpoints. Any and all help appreciated."

Still not clarified.

When using a SPG 50 certificate, do you get Starpoints for your stay ?

Is there any trick one has to use in order to get the points ?

"Also, I assume that using this cert makes my paid stay (excluding amenities) exempt from receiving starpoints. Any and all help appreciated."

Still not clarified.

When using a SPG 50 certificate, do you get Starpoints for your stay ?

Is there any trick one has to use in order to get the points ?


you get starwood points and stay credit on spg50 rate

this has been discussed ad nauseum in this forum....i am still baffled as to why the letters SPG50 cannot simply be entered into the promotional code field to check availability. why is this so difficult for sgp???? starwood lurkers???


As we've discussed numerous times here on FT, I fully agree. This is one significant enhancement that I suggest every single time *wood contacts me asking for input or feedback to the total SPG program. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEARCH SPG50 RATES ONLINE -- this would save me time and *wood $$$ (by not tying up their res staff for my phone calls).

PLEASE!!!

The web site does not support 50% off rate plans of any kind being booked online. I don't know why this is, but I do know that it is what it is. I have made numerous suggestions to get the web sites programmed to accept SPG50 % Off reservations; however, anyone who has posted here as the Starwood Lurker - me, Dave, etc. - are in no position to program it on our own.

The powers that be have their reasons why this isn't functional. I don't a clue as to why, personally.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Sorry to create nausea...BARF! I feel like I kicked a fireant hill! I'll be sure to take the same position when asked for feedback by SPG. I would think that they would want to save their CSR's the expense of searching for phone customers.....and can you use it here? here? here? this date? how about this one? no, ok, let's go to August...........

Their dime and salaries..whatever.

I just logged on to spg.com, selected my city and dates, then under ‘Rate Preference’ I selected Promotion Rate and under ‘Promotion Code’ I placed SPG50.

After hitting the search button, I receive the following message: We need you to correct or provide more information. Please see each marked section.

What am I doing worng? Do you have to do something special to make a reservation at spg.com using a SPG50 certificate?

Thank you, Jim

I just logged on to spg.com, selected my city and dates, then under ‘Rate Preference’ I selected Promotion Rate and under ‘Promotion Code’ I placed SPG50.

After hitting the search button, I receive the following message: We need you to correct or provide more information. Please see each marked section.

What am I doing worng? Do you have to do something special to make a reservation at spg.com using a SPG50 certificate?

Thank you, Jim

You can't. What you can do is look for the rack rate and then divide by 2. This will give you an indication of the SPG50 rate. Oftentimes there are cheaper rates. Also sometimes the SPG50 rate is less than half of the rack rate.

You can't. What you can do is look for the rack rate and then divide by 2. This will give you an indication of the SPG50 rate. Oftentimes there are cheaper rates. Also sometimes the SPG50 rate is less than half of the rack rate.
This is an ongoing complaint most people have -- the inability to book SPG50 online. There are also various threads about the usability (or lack thereof) of the certificates. Too numerous to list here, but do a search with SPG50 as keyword, and you'll see multiple threads. Good luck!

You have to call the number that is on the certificate, and have an agent hunt for availability. There is no alternative. :(

I see you are a *wood Gold. Call the Gold Desk, I know the Platinum desk is great about this.

Debbie
edited due to TOS violation - no commercial postings on this forum

I found the site which allows reservation using their 50% certificate(Asian/Australia hotels only).

http://privilege.starwood.com/index.html

I hope SPG allows us to reserve using SPG 50, too.

Let us know if u were able to get a rate that was better than the one already published at their website.

I have tried this cert before, and found that SPG is offering a better rate at their website.

I am pretty happy with SPG50, since the stay can be counted for status. and in my case, the 50% price is ususally the lowest in spg.com. I don't want spend much time on searching best rate in internet. If the rate is really unacceptable, I will use priceline.

My dad and I will staying at the 4-points in Miam Beach from 10/22 to 10/25, for we hope to see our St. Louis Rams beat the Dolphins on 10/24. After looking at each night individually under the Government, AAA & AARP rates, the SPG50 rate beat all other rates by over $20 per night.

I had better luck with the AAA rate. Depends on where you're going and when you want to be there. If you can book 21 days out and don't mind paying it all upfront, the AAA rate is really good. The rack at the Westin at Our Lucaya in the Bahamas is $339 for the cheapest room. 50% off would still only be $169, but the AAA rate that I got was $139. I booked and then promptly signed up for AAA. ;)

Still (to beat a dead horse, Lurker...), it would be nice to be able to search SPG50 rates online.

--Chris

The SPG50 is not worth the paper it is written on. :mad: I sat through the sales pitch in Orlando for two hours, they gave me the SPG 50 and I got a better price going through one of the online hotel web pages. :rolleyes:
The pros and cons of the SPG50 have been discussed quite a bit here on the Starwood forum (search using "SPG50" as the search term to find all the other threads).

Sometimes, 50% off the rack rate is the best deal. Most of the time, it is not.

Since the SPG50 is usually good for a year, you (or a friend) might have the opportunity to use it for another stay.

Do you have to call to check SPG50 availability and pricing, or can you check it on the website?

thanks.

Do you have to call to check SPG50 availability and pricing, or can you check it on the website?

thanks.

You have to call the Customer Contact Center.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

You can also call the individual hotel...sometimes they have availability when the call center shows otherwise, especially on short notice.

Hi -
To not have to spend a lot of time on the phone - to use an SPG50, does "rack rate" have to show as an available rate on the website? I know that's what the discount comes off of, and am wondering if that's a way to easily tell if it would be accepted.

Thanks.

My experience has been that you have to call to find SPG50 availability. It helps to look at the site to see if the 50% off Rack is even worth calling about, in other words that it is less than the other rates available. But the fact that Rack shows up as available does not mean they will accept an SPG50, these are capacity controlled. At some properties I think capacity controlled means approaching zero...

stephem has it right. You have to call the Customer Contact Center in order to find availability for the SPG50 rate plan. Booking RACK online and presenting an SPG50 certificate at check-in won't get it done.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

You have to call the Customer Contact Center in order to find availability for the SPG50 rate plan.

wouldn't it be awesome to be able to book SPG50s on the venerable spg.com? :D

wouldn't it be awesome to be able to book SPG50s on the venerable spg.com? :D

It might be, except that the booking engine does not currently support doing this. Maybe someday, maybe not. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I tried booking an spg50 rate at the St. Regis Ny. They said that the rack rate for their cheapest room is not available ever for SPG50 rates. Is this true? Nevertheless, i booked a grand luxe at $410...

wouldn't it be awesome to be able to book SPG50s on the venerable spg.com? :D

Hey, sure there are some problems with the web site, but do you really think it's fair to associate it with a disease? ( ;) )

One possible aspect of the OP's question that has not been addressed, and which I've wondered about in the past:

If the hotel's rate listing lists rack rates, it allows you to determine whether it's worth calling to ask about SPG50 availability. But if no rack rates are listed, and all you get is the "client/net preferred" or whatever they're called, does that signal that there are no "rack rates" at this hotel and therefore there's no reason to even call about SPG50 availability?

And if you do call a hotel where no rack rates are listed on the web site, and they say, "Yes, you can use your SPG50 on a rack rate of $XXX," how do you know the rack rate they're quoting is not one of these instances where the true rack rate is $YYY, but the rack rate for SPG50 use is $YYY+25 or so?

Helena - Thanks for clarifying my post - that's exactly what I was wanting to know. Any experience or knowledge appreciated!

A good while ago I tried to use a SPG50, the rack rates werent much more then the rates showing. However what killed it was when I was told the rate was much much higher in order to use the Cert, as the rooms showing on SPG.com werent the ones that the hotel allocated to the use of the SPG50, so I had to pay more and get a worse room.

So the Hotels still have any # of ways to still Play with us. Yep I could have booked a cheaper rate for a better room on SPG, then I would have gotten using the cert. So being left with no choice- I did what I had to and booked a room, but at a different Hotel and a different Chain, for less $$. Thats why it pays to be a Top Level Elite with several programs and NOT keep all your eggs in 1 basket. It allows one to shop around and not only get the best rate but also being able to get the Ups and other benefits as well.

Personally, I have never seen a hotel not put a room type as available for selling at RACK or not have the RACK rate available at all times. What would be the reason for doing so? I guess you're going to have to show me an example before I can look into it.

As far as what rooms are attached to the RACK rate and what rooms are attached to the SPG50 rate, it is possible, even probable, that these won't match 100% of the time.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

For 12/1, the St. Francis, W, and St. Regis in San Francisco don't show rack rates, and haven't for the last few weeks. That's the date I was trying for with the SPG50. Might there be a "rack rate" but it doesn't show on the website?

Thanks.

Personally, I have never seen a hotel not put a room type as available for selling at RACK or not have the RACK rate available at all times. What would be the reason for doing so? I guess you're going to have to show me an example before I can look into it.

As far as what rooms are attached to the RACK rate and what rooms are attached to the SPG50 rate, it is possible, even probable, that these won't match 100% of the time.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

For 12/1, the St. Francis, W, and St. Regis in San Francisco don't show rack rates, and haven't for the last few weeks. That's the date I was trying for with the SPG50. Might there be a "rack rate" but it doesn't show on the website?

Thanks.

Technically, there is always a rack rate as that is what discount rates are coming out of. My experience is that the website will only show rack rates if the hotel is nearly full, which means SPG50 rate is probably not available. The only way to check SPG50 availability is to call.

Technically, there is always a rack rate as that is what discount rates are coming out of. My experience is that the website will only show rack rates if the hotel is nearly full, which means SPG50 rate is probably not available. The only way to check SPG50 availability is to call.

i've seen rack rates listed when the hotel wasn't full and plenty of other promotional rates were available (AAA, Taste of Luxury, etc.). i think it's a cr*p shoot.

I read the back of the promo certificate,

I enter this into the promotion code area in the website and it keeps saying its not allowed, I've tried many different properties but what I'm really interested is in Sheraton Hong Kong or Meridien Hong Kong and its just unusable.

Can anyone tell me what I'm dong wrong thanks

The only way to check a rate using the cert is to call reservations. I don't know of any way to check online.

I don't know of any way to check online.
Because there isn't ;)
Must call.

I recieved two SPG50 vouchers while on a recent stay in CA due to some maintenence that required me to switch rooms mid stay.

I've tried to use these certs a few times when booking different hotels, but the online system seems to reject it every time saying the promo is expired. The certs list an expiration date of mid-2007.

Are SPG50 certs impossible to use or has it just been my bad luck with the hotels I want to stay at?

You cannot book them online, you have to call in. thats why you are having the problem.

And keep in mind that the 50% discount is off of the "rack rate" which is the full, undiscounted, posted rate. Many times there are much cheaper rates (e.g., Best Available Rate, Internet Prepaid, etc.) that still work out to be less than 50% off rack. But many times the 50% off rack will offer good savings.
It's really hit-or-miss, but you can usually (not always) see what a property's rack rates are on SPG.com (sort from high-to-low) and compare that to the discounted rates. There have been a lot of postings here over the years about peoples' experiences using these certificates. It seems that they are most frequently useful internationally, but I have certainly seen instances in the U.S. where they would have saved money.
Even if it's only $10-20 less, that can add up on a multi-night stay (each cert is good for up to 5 nights).

And keep in mind that the 50% discount is off of the "rack rate" which is the full, undiscounted, posted rate.

And that said rate is often not easy to find on the website. :(

I have been trying to book a room using SPG50 and it says that the promo has expired, has anyone else experienced this?
I tried it randomly with a few other locations and random dates and still got promo has expired.
Thanks

I have been trying to book a room using SPG50 and it says that the promo has expired, has anyone else experienced this?
I tried it randomly with a few other locations and random dates and still got promo has expired.
Thanks

I assume you tried to book a SPG50 via the website.....right?

The SPG50 rate plan can not be booked online.

You have to call SPG in order to check actual availablity and book a reservation.

A.J.

Thanks, that explains the problem

As title. How to book a room with SPG50 rate on starwood.com? I tried put SPG50 as promotion code many different hotels, but no success. Please share with us how.


Is there a limit of such rooms or will I be able to book a 50 % off room against 1000 points if there is a room available for the normal rate?

Exxuse me, maybe it's pretty obvious, but does spg.com show you what are the rack rates for a particular hotel. I am looking at the W Union Square, showing the most expensive rate of 619USD, whilst the SPG50 rate was quoted for 389USD. Where does spg.com show rack rates?

Exxuse me, maybe it's pretty obvious, but does spg.com show you what are the rack rates for a particular hotel. I am looking at the W Union Square, showing the most expensive rate of 619USD, whilst the SPG50 rate was quoted for 389USD. Where does spg.com show rack rates?

In general it does not show rack rates. Old problem, discussed several times...

Hello all,

I am heading for New York for Christmas and want to use my SPG50 certificate before it expires.

The certificate says "50% off award is valid on regular RACk room rate ...."

what is the rack room rate? I want to book a room at Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo Village. The online rate is $216. when I called them, the hotel staff told me the rate is $265 but he said I can go ahead book online at price of $216 and when I check in, they will take off 50% from $216.

But I am worried that booking online may not qualify for the SPG50 promotion. Can someone shed some light on this question?

Thanks!

...But I am worried that booking online may not qualify for the SPG50 promotion. Can someone shed some light on this question?

Thanks!

Well, they certainly walk to the tune of a different drummer at this hotel. First, inflated Platinum amenity points; now, 50% off any online rate. :rolleyes:

Do yourself a favor and don't try this unless you have written confirmation from either the GM or the Director of Revenue Management at the property.

Otherwise, the SPG50 rate is available at this property for every night in December, including New Year's Eve, at $297.50, which is 50% off the RACK rate of $595. You have to call the SPG Customer Contact Center in order to book it.

If you'd rather pay $216, which certainly understandable, then book it online and be satisfied with that.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

OP, also keep in mind that the cheapest online rate is likely non-refundable pre-paid whereas you may be able to cancel the SPG50 rate. You should, of course, verify the T&C of the SPG50 rate as well.

I don't know how firm your plans are, but this is something to consider.

I've done some searching and looking around the SPG50 FAQ threads but I haven't found the answer. Do you have to have the physical SPG50 certificate when checking in or can it all be handled through the SPG agents on the phone?

I've done some searching and looking around the SPG50 FAQ threads but I haven't found the answer. Do you have to have the physical SPG50 certificate when checking in or can it all be handled through the SPG agents on the phone?

It depends upon how you booked this. If you used 1,000 Starpoints to redeem for the certificate, then the certificate is sent electronically to the hotel. If you booked telling the associate that you had an SPG50 certificate, then you need to take that certificate with you.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

It depends upon how you booked this. If you used 1,000 Starpoints to redeem for the certificate, then the certificate is sent electronically to the hotel. If you booked telling the associate that you had an SPG50 certificate, then you need to take that certificate with you.

It was earned from some recent promo and I never received a physical certificate. I asked the agent in the online chat if I have earned any SPG50 certs and was told that I have.

It was earned from some recent promo and I never received a physical certificate. I asked the agent in the online chat if I have earned any SPG50 certs and was told that I have.

Same as the ones that you use 1,000 Starpoints for, those can be sent electronically because they generate an award order number that is attached to the reservation.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I've done some searching and looking around the SPG50 FAQ threads but I haven't found the answer. Do you have to have the physical SPG50 certificate when checking in or can it all be handled through the SPG agents on the phone?

What Starwood Lurker said.

Using 1000 points I've never been asked for anything at the hotel.
I have never had a certificate from SPG but I've used 50% off certificates from Starwood Privilege and the hotel asks for it at check-in.

Last question before I have to sleep. If you cancel a reservation that you used an SPG50 with (within the cancellation period, etc) do you get the SPG50 put back into your account? It would appear so since the T&C don't say that you forfeit in this instance.

Last question before I have to sleep. If you cancel a reservation that you used an SPG50 with (within the cancellation period, etc) do you get the SPG50 put back into your account? It would appear so since the T&C don't say that you forfeit in this instance.

Hi yosithezet,

I have the following clause to share with you at this moment.

"If you cancel your reservation and do not use this SPG50/50% Off Award, it may not be returned for Starpoint credit."

This also means that I will confirm again as I am not so sure myself.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Hi yosithezet,

I have the following clause to share with you at this moment.

"If you cancel your reservation and do not use this SPG50/50% Off Award, it may not be returned for Starpoint credit."

This also means that I will confirm again as I am not so sure myself.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Thanks Thyetus.

Can you confirm that this means that while the SPG50 can't be converted back into 1000 Starpoints, the electronic SPG50 will still be in the account until it gets used?

Thanks Thyetus.

Can you confirm that this means that while the SPG50 can't be converted back into 1000 Starpoints, the electronic SPG50 will still be in the account until it gets used?

Okay, I think I'm confused now. ;)

If you order an SPG50 award using 1,000 Starpoints, it is just like any other electronic award...the points go back into your account if the award gets cancelled. However, what Thyetus advises rings true in cases where the reservation is not cancelled within policy or if you ask for a paper certificate to be mailed. Those are the only two instances that I can recall where the 1,000 Starpoints would not be refundable.

If you have an electronic award that you were given from completing a promotional offer, you try to use it, but then cancel it, it goes back into your available awards until it expires (usually one year from date of issue).

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Sorry that this is a completely n00b question - I glanced through this thread but didn't see what I was searching for.

On what rate is 50% off applied using the 1000 points? Is it the same (or perhaps slightly higher) than the best available rate quoted on the spg website, or is it a completely different rack rate that may make the difference very small?

ETA: Having now looked at some other threads, I see that rack rates are higher and there's no way to compare these online?

Another question though: How does one check how many people a room at any of the spg hotels can accommodate?

Sorry that this is a completely n00b question - I glanced through this thread but didn't see what I was searching for.

On what rate is 50% off applied using the 1000 points? Is it the same (or perhaps slightly higher) than the best available rate quoted on the spg website, or is it a completely different rack rate that may make the difference very small?

It is based on RACK rates decided by individual properties.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Do you think there's any way we'll ever get Starwood to allow us to search the SPG50 rates online? I don't care about booking, but just allowing us to find the information would be a great boon.

Do you think there's any way we'll ever get Starwood to allow us to search the SPG50 rates online? I don't care about booking, but just allowing us to find the information would be a great boon.

Personal opinion here...but, no. There does not seem to be an equitable way to get this accomplished. If there was, IMHO, it would have been done long ago.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

There does not seem to be an equitable way to get this accomplished.
I'm not sure I understand the use of the word "equitable" here. To me, the current system is non-equitable, as it's hiding information from some people. As long as the same information is provided to everyone, that sure seems equitable to me.

I'm not sure I understand the use of the word "equitable" here. To me, the current system is non-equitable, as it's hiding information from some people. As long as the same information is provided to everyone, that sure seems equitable to me.

I guess equity is in the eye of the beholder then. :) When all parties can benefit without negative consequences, then what you are seeking may be possible. Until then, it is my personal opinion that we aren't likely to see this.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

When all parties can benefit without negative consequences, then what you are seeking may be possible.
Unless Starwood is worried people may be able to save money, I guess I fail to see any negatives, except possibly less work the phone agents (kind of like Japan's "full employment" schemes).

Unless Starwood is worried people may be able to save money, I guess I fail to see any negatives, except possibly less work the phone agents (kind of like Japan's "full employment" schemes).

I would say that they have enough legitimate concerns in several areas that currently make this option implausible; however, I am not a liberty to discuss them. Suffice to say that when obstacles can be overcome, they probably will be.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

they have enough legitimate concerns in several areas that currently make this option implausible; however, I am not a liberty to discuss them.
I can accept that there are internal issues that I am not privvy to. I hope they can be overcome in the near future. Thanks.

Just got my Starwood AMEX and excited to get it under the 30k points promotion. I recieved the SPG50 certificate with my card and through reading I have found that you can only book this over the phone.

I'm curious as if I can figure out what the price will end up being before calling to book? The reason I ask is because I am interested in a few different starwood properties and would rather research myself than bother a customer service representative to find the property that would be of most value to use it.

Thanks, and I look forward to being apart of the board.

Welcome to FT, crm1712!

I'm curious as if I can figure out what the price will end up being before calling to book?
Unfortunately, no. Starwood intentionally makes these very hard to use, which greatly reduces their usefulness. See the 10 posts immediately preceding yours.

Thanks for the quick response! I guess I will just go online for the time period and properties I'm interested in staying in, get the best available rates, and call and compare them.

Also, on the "exciting new benefits" thread someone mentioned because the new benefit will be a promo code so not being able to stack it with other codes. Does this mean that I will be able to stack my SPG50 with say a Buy 3 nights, Get the 4th free promo?

...Does this mean that I will be able to stack my SPG50 with say a Buy 3 nights, Get the 4th free promo?

No. That is exactly what it does not mean. It will have to be one or the other.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Does this mean that I will be able to stack my SPG50 with say a Buy 3 nights, Get the 4th free promo?
To give sort of a technical explanation of this, a reservation can only have one rate assigned to it. It's not possible to assign two rate codes to one reservation.

SPG50 reservations have one rate code, and the Buy 3 Get 4th free promos (Z4H and Z4R) are reserved with a different rate code. So they can't be stacked.

There are other types of promotions which can be stacked because they are not based on assigning a particular rate code to each reservation. For example, Rewarding Returns is a promo which is based on a number of stays as long as the reservations are on eligible rates. The SPG50 rate and the rates behind the Z4H/Z4R promo's rates are all eligible rates, so the Rewarding Returns promo can "stack" on top of these reservations. If a particular airline was also running a bonus 1K miles for all reservations during the month of August, then that promo could also potentially (and probably) stack on top of reservation that are part of the Rewarding Returns promo.

If a promo is rate-based, it can't be stacked with other rate-based promos. If a promo is not rate-based, then it usually can be stacked onto other promos and eligible rates (including eligible discount rates).

There are some exceptions, of course. If there were a bonus miles promo from AA and another bonus miles promo from DL, you probably cannot elect for to get bonus miles from both airlines at the same time.

New to SPG, so please set the flame throwers on gentle setting. I recently signed up for SPG AMEX and got SPG50 certificates. Now trying to book a hotel, but when I enter SPG50 in the promotion box, I am told the promotion is invalid. So, where do I enter the code?

where do I enter the code?

I would try a search or look at one of the stickies.

Hint for your answer: you don't. Research a bit to find out what I mean. ;)

New to SPG, so please set the flame throwers on gentle setting. I recently signed up for SPG AMEX and got SPG50 certificates. Now trying to book a hotel, but when I enter SPG50 in the promotion box, I am told the promotion is invalid. So, where do I enter the code?

Over the phone. Sadly, SPG.com won't allow you to book SPG50 rates. There is a nice resource that a FTer developed that can help in determining the rack rate. www.awardpad.com It doesn't mean that SPG50 rates will be available for a given property, but it's a start at figuring out what the SPG50 rate would be if it were available so you can do some research before calling in.

Over the phone.
Or via online chat (my preferred method).

Or via online chat (my preferred method).

Good point. I prefer it too.

Or via online chat (my preferred method).

Wow! I have never thought about this. Thanks.

Wow! I have never thought about this. Thanks.

i dont get it, why spg is not letting us search this award online.
some times i am skipping spg as the rates are too expensive.

but there might be a spg50 rate. i never bother to check, calling in costs too much time.

just book hyatt or hilton in this case

dp

i dont get it, why spg is not letting us search this award online.
some times i am skipping spg as the rates are too expensive.

but there might be a spg50 rate. i never bother to check, calling in costs too much time.

just book hyatt or hilton in this case

dp

AFAIK this is the last year for SPG50 certificates issued by SPG Amex. My expires in June or July 2011.

AFAIK this is the last year for SPG50 certificates issued by SPG Amex. My expires in June or July 2011.

While this might be true, I don't believe the ability to redeem 1000 Starpoints for an SPG50 is going away.

So far, I haven't found it to be of great use. I did get a rate that's 10 euro cheaper than the lowest prepaid rate. However, I found a discounted (though prepaid) rate for a multi-day stay that was even cheaper. The flexibility was nice but not worth an extra 90 euros over the course of the stay. Esp since my plans won;t be changing (work-related).

SPG50s are (apparently) best for upgraded rooms and suites. I have yet to find one that's a good deal for a regular room.

Do they still send out annual SPG50 award to cardholders? I have not seen one since 09'?

Do they still send out annual SPG50 award to cardholders? I have not seen one since 09'?

Do you mean for SPG Amex cardholders? The last one was mailed to me in 2010.

Do you mean for SPG Amex cardholders? The last one was mailed to me in 2010.

Yes, I meant SPG cardholders.....did not receive one in 2010 or could be that it just got lost in the shuffle. Just spoke to customer service and they advised that 2010 was last year for the SPG50 to SPG cardholders....is that true statement and is there an existing thread on the matter?

Just spoke to customer service and they advised that 2010 was last year for the SPG50 to SPG cardholders....is that true statement and is there an existing thread on the matter?

Correct. However, as stated by me few posts above, my expires June or July, 2011

Got it. Thanks for the response.

So i just booked the last starwood room in the city that allows a spg50 coupon. BUT mine expired, so i have it reserved, paid the 1000 points now have 6 months to find one. I just need to show up with one of the certificate. Because it is a busy time of the year for where i am going, This will save me about $170 a night (4 nights= almost $700)

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

The 1000 points you spent bought you the SPG50 certificate. You don't need a separate paper cert.

yosizeit- Thats what I thought...

I thought I bought the "50% off" with the 1000 points. but the customer service lady that i made the reservations with said otherwise, and the confirmation that was emailed to me says in 2 different locations that I must present the "spg50" certificate upon check in.

Very confusing

yosizeit- Thats what I thought...

I thought I bought the "50% off" with the 1000 points. but the customer service lady that i made the reservations with said otherwise, and the confirmation that was emailed to me says in 2 different locations that I must present the "spg50" certificate upon check in.

Very confusing

Call again.

I lost mine. Anyone have luck calling amx for new one? Do they have personal codes??? Anyone have an expiring one they aren't using? I've thrown all mine away over the years but now have a use next week!