Starwood Preferred Guest - Links for Free nights in conjunction with paid nights - Z2H, Z2R, Z3H, Z3R, etc

Starwood Promotional Offer Links for Free nights in conjunction with paid nights. Offer is valid for stays consumed by December 31, 2009


I just can’t find these promotional discount links through the Starwood sites so I am sure others are not aware of these offers and can also benefit from booking through these promotion links. I am sure this is posted somewhere in this forum, but I can’t find it on Flyertalk either. This is such a good deal that I apologize if it is in another thread. It is worth revisiting.

In London these links can bring the outrageously high $500/night hotels down to $350/night or less.

The regular Starwood booking sites do not pull up these rates if, for example, you plug in a three night stay the pay for two nights and get 1 night free doesn't come up. If you have hotel reservations in Europe, you might want to see if you can get a better rate through these Starwood promotional links.

The link ending with R leads to resort hotels participating in the promotions.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=GENDRE_R

The link ending with H shows other cities with participating hotel properties in promotions.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=GENDRE_H

It is good to check both links since different cities are represented.

Save 20% on a two night stay arriving Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z2H

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z2R

When you go to the link and click on the city, a pop-up window shows all cities offering the rate. Not all hotel properties in the city will necessarily offer the promotional rate.


Buy 2 nights, Get the 3rd Free

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z3H

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z3R

Book two consecutive nights at any participating Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton or W Hotel, and you'll receive our best available rate plus your third night free!

To enjoy this special offer:
• Arrive on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday for a 3-night stay
• Book anytime up to the first day of your stay


Buy 3 nights, Get the 4th free

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z4H

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z4R

Book three consecutive nights at any participating Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton or W Hotel, and you'll receive our best available rate plus get your fourth night free!

To enjoy this special offer:
• Arrive on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday for a 4-night stay
• Book anytime up to the first day of your stay


Save 25% off a 5 night stay or longer

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z5H

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z5R

Book five consecutive nights or more at any participating Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton or W Hotel, and get 25% off our best available rate!

To enjoy this special offer:
• Arrive on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday for a 5-night stay
• Book anytime up to the first day of your stay


Buy 4 nights, Get 2 free

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z6H

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z6R

Book four consecutive nights at any participating Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton or W Hotel, and receive our best available rate plus two additional nights free!

To enjoy this special offer:
• Arrive any day of the week for a 6-night stay
• Book anytime up to the first day of your stay

Good post. I've had this promo page bookmarked because I like to use it often myself. I'll be going to Paris this week and I have already booked the 'Stay Two Nights Get One Free' promo at the Le Merdien Montparnasse.

I'm hoping they add the new Auckland, NZ property to this promo for those of us who got in on the UA deal to NZ.

i have these bookmarked, as well. in the past, i've found them helpful but lately i haven't found availability.

Great info! I normally don't check other hotel forums, but I checked out the Intercontinental link you showed and found pretty good rates in Germany in the summer. My coworker is going to visit this summer and he maybe able to take advantage of it. Thanks ^ ^

I posted some info in the Sheraton North Charleston Master Thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/171718-sheraton-north-charleston-master-thread.html#post11402713) about an oddity in its use of these promo codes. Even though it is officially not a resort, it utilizes the ZxR RESORT promo codes which can be offered for check-in on any day of the week. (Unlike the ZxH promo codes which have restrictions on the day of check-in so that the stay must include at least 1 weekend night.)

I never really paid any attention to this before and so just noticed that the same is true of many other hotels in tourist/resort destinations.

Examples:
Sheraton North Charleston
Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel
Four Points by Sheraton Pleasanton
W San Diego
Sheraton Garden Grove - Anaheim South Hotel
The Westin San Francisco Market Street
The Westin Tampa Harbour Island
The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver
Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel
Four Points by Sheraton Quebec

I can't explain why the following two are in this list other than that I guess they just don't want the restrictions. I wouldn't have even thought that either of these are even remotely resort-like!

Sheraton Raleigh Hotel
Sheraton Suites Houston Near The Galleria

I intend to book a 4 plus 2 free night reservation at the Westin Beijing Chaoyang in May.
Does anyone know do I still qualify for my Plat upgrade and benefits?

Someone on this forum recently referred to using a Z3H or Z3R booking code to obtain good rates at SPG properties. I've just tried that and it seems to work. But is this a code that can be used by anyone at any time? If so, why wouldn't the SPG search engine automatically show prices that reflect these codes (that may be a rather naive question)?

I've just been trying to book 4 nights at the St Regis in Singapore. Without using any special codes I get a best rate of S$320++ (prepaid rate). But using the Z4H code (fourth night free) gets me an average price of S$281 per night (also prepaid). The Z4R code came up 'unavailable'. I'd love to take advantage of the Z4H code but don't want to find I'm presented with an additional bill when I leave.

Any thoughts?

Yes, the codes can be used by anyone. Check the links, and they go to a Starwood page. However, there are some restrictions for many of the codes. For example, you can check in only certain days of the week. Have you checked to see that you have met that requirement?

As for Z4H or Z4R, the H stands for Hotel and the R for Resort. A property will be classified as one or the other. Thus, it would make sense that you find a rate with one but not the other. And no, if you have booked the stay with the code, you won't be presented with an additional bill.

But is this a code that can be used by anyone at any time? If so, why wouldn't the SPG search engine automatically show prices that reflect these codes (that may be a rather naive question)?

I've just been trying to book 4 nights at the St Regis in Singapore. Without using any special codes I get a best rate of S$320++ (prepaid rate). But using the Z4H code (fourth night free) gets me an average price of S$281 per night (also prepaid). The Z4R code came up 'unavailable'. I'd love to take advantage of the Z4H code but don't want to find I'm presented with an additional bill when I leave.

Buy 3 nights, Get the 4th free

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z4H

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z4R

Book three consecutive nights at any participating Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton or W Hotel, and you'll receive our best available rate plus get your fourth night free!

To enjoy this special offer:
• Arrive on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday for a 4-night stay
• Book anytime up to the first day of your stay

Excellent - if only I knew about this 60 nights ago.

It also appears to work for the St Regis, which is not listed in the eligible hotels above.

I tried this (Z4H) for Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Méridien (Dubai). The first screen said rooms available under this promotion, and then the next says promotion code invalid. Am I missing something? Its working for another Meridien property in the same city though.

It also appears to work for the St Regis, which is not listed in the eligible hotels above.
If you're referring to my list above, that's not meant to be a comprehensive list of eligible hotels; it's a short list of examples in which certain Hotels participate under the promos for Resorts.

I tried this (Z4H) for Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Méridien (Dubai). The first screen said rooms available under this promotion, and then the next says promotion code invalid. Am I missing something?
Certainly, it would be better if the first screen were to say that the hotel is known to participate in the promotion, and then the next were to say promotion code unavailable for your selected date range. Beyond that, I don't know why this happens, but it does.


As for Z4H or Z4R, the H stands for Hotel and the R for Resort. A property will be classified as one or the other. Thus, it would make sense that you find a rate with one but not the other. And no, if you have booked the stay with the code, you won't be presented with an additional bill.
However, as my post above explains, a property can participate in a promo set that doesn't match its official classification. Some Hotels are found in the ZxR Resort promos. The distinction between the two promo types are in regards to whether there are built-in restrictions on the check-in dates.

Remember, too, that you can search these codes on the regular individual search screens in spg.com. Choose "Promotion Code" and enter the appropriate promo code for your selected dates.

Ah well.. the mysterious ways of starwood.. :p

Thanks for your reply

For the past couple of months I had been unable to find hotels ( i.e. not resorts) in Malaysia bookable with the ZxH sequence of rates. then I stumbled by chance upon the fact that all the Malaysia hotels were using the ZxR rates. I thought it strange, but just kept booking my stays there in the hotels using the Z6R rates (which are actually better since they're available for stays commencing any day of the week, unlike Z6R

Now, however, I find that although all the hotels in Malaysia while still offered for booking on the Z6R rates e.g. here. (https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/results.html?stateProvince=&promoCode=Z6R&departureDate=2009-04-30&country=MY&submitActionID=chooseHotel&arrivalDate=2009-04-24&pageMode=&city=Kuala+Lumpur)
redirect through an additional useless page that results in the rate being "invalid"

What's going on with Starwood hotels in Malaysia ?

I have had the same problem with The Sheraton Hong Kong and Z2H.
When I put in arrival as 2nd May it lists this hotel as "rooms available" but when I follow it through I get the same "promotion code invalid".

I've been checking the Z2H for the past several weeks and previously it did not list the Sheraton as having rooms available, so it has been added recently but just can't be booked. Same result with Z3H around the same time period. Le Meridien and W Hong Kong work OK but not Sheraton.

Same problem with Z6R at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok. Z3R will book ok, but you're not supposed to do back-to-back bookings under the rate rules.

I have a few weeks so I am just waiting for this anomaly to be corrected.

I tried this (Z4H) for Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Méridien (Dubai). The first screen said rooms available under this promotion, and then the next says promotion code invalid. Am I missing something? Its working for another Meridien property in the same city though.

I am having the same problem for all properties in Bangkok using any of these codes ...

Any suggestions? Is there an in-house SPG ombudsman that can look into this situation?

Thanks!

...Any suggestions? Is there an in-house SPG ombudsman that can look into this situation?

Thanks!

Your best bet would be to call the Internet Help Desk. 888-625-5144, option 3.

Good luck.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Your best bet would be to call the Internet Help Desk. 888-625-5144, option 3.

Good luck.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

WOW that was quick! ... Thank you Mr. Sanders.

I notice that it seems that back to back z reservations can not be made.
Could the poster indicate a link to this rule.
Do the rules preclude doing a z4h rate back to back with a z6h rate?.
Regards

I notice that it seems that back to back z reservations can not be made. Could the poster indicate a link to this rule.
Replace Z4H with the appropriate promo code here:
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/terms_conditions.html?promoCode=Z4H
Consecutive reservations for this offer will not be honored.

Do the rules preclude doing a z4h rate back to back with a z6h rate?
It's unclear (what exactly do they mean hy "this offer"?), but you could definitely book Z3H-paid night-Z6H or Z3H-award night-Z6H.

Many thanks and regards

Your best bet would be to call the Internet Help Desk. 888-625-5144, option 3.

Good luck.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Did anyone have any success after contacting the Internet Help Desk? Even if this is a toll-free number I think I'll be charged if I phone from Australia.

I did phone the local Platinum number and after talking about the problem the CSR suggested transferring me through to corporate services. After a short wait I did hear someone answer but then the line immediately dropped out.

I have a trip coming up and would swap some award stays to paid if I could get the rates to work. From memory, in the past, hotels weren't listed if the rate was unavailable. Now the hotel is listed, shows rooms available for the dates I select but at the final stages says "invalid code".

...I have a trip coming up and would swap some award stays to paid if I could get the rates to work. From memory, in the past, hotels weren't listed if the rate was unavailable. Now the hotel is listed, shows rooms available for the dates I select but at the final stages says "invalid code".

Can you name the hotel and dates you are searching for as well as which offer you are trying to book?

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Can you name the hotel and dates you are searching for as well as which offer you are trying to book?

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com


I get the same error. I was looking at hotels in Tokyo starting May 24th.
Looked like 2 came up, but you eventually get to the invalid code error on both.

I get the same error. I was looking at hotels in Tokyo starting May 24th.
Looked like 2 came up, but you eventually get to the invalid code error on both.

On which offer?

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Can you name the hotel and dates you are searching for as well as which offer you are trying to book?

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Sheraton Hong Kong check in 2nd May for 2 nights. Z2H (from the promo webpage).

I tried other dates just to see if this was date specific but had the same result.

Sheraton Hong Kong check in 2nd May for 2 nights. Z2H (from the promo webpage).

I tried other dates just to see if this was date specific but had the same result.

I'm looking at W Minneapolis and Hotel Ivy Minneapolis for May 4 - 7 with Z3H and get the same error. Says rooms are available, and then the invalid code error appears.

It's worth pointing out that all of these rates require advance purchase, per the T&C.

For some reason I can't get this to work out on any London hotel for a stay in October.

They all report The promotion code you requested is invalid. The following choices are available, and lists regular room prices.

For some reason I can't get this to work out on any London hotel for a stay in October.
Not all hotels offer these specials, and those that do may not offer it for all dates.

Checking BKK hotels today I find that going through starwood's Z*R link
most of the hotels shown as having rooms on that rate plan simply declare it to be an "invalid rate code" or , bump up the price so that it grossly exceeds the rate available without the "promo"

I for one I am sick of Starwood promos that are nothing of the kind. I wish that a consumer watchdog would take a look at this offensive state of affairs

Checking BKK hotels today I find that going through starwood's Z*R link
most of the hotels shown as having rooms on that rate plan simply declare it to be an "invalid rate code" or , bump up the price so that it grossly exceeds the rate available without the "promo"

I for one I am sick of Starwood promos that are nothing of the kind. I wish that a consumer watchdog would take a look at this offensive state of affairs

Hi werldporks,

I am sorry to hear that you do not find this particular promotion code(Z2R) impressive. Perhaps you can provide more details on the dates you are looking into and if any hotel in BKK would be fine for you.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

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

Checking BKK hotels today I find that going through starwood's Z*R link
most of the hotels shown as having rooms on that rate plan simply declare it to be an "invalid rate code" or , bump up the price so that it grossly exceeds the rate available without the "promo"

I for one I am sick of Starwood promos that are nothing of the kind. I wish that a consumer watchdog would take a look at this offensive state of affairs

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Want some cheese with that?

The "invalid rate code" sounds as though there is some technical problem. If this is the case, one can hope that it will be fixed quickly.

Also remember that there is NEVER a guarantee that these rates will be available on particular dates. They are only offered selectively (perhaps when occupancy is predicted to fall below a certain percentage?). I've often found these rates to be excellent value (when they were available) and your comments about "promos that are nothing of the kind" and babble about "consumer watchdogs" and "offensive state of affairs" to be completely off the mark.

Checking BKK hotels today I find that going through starwood's Z*R link
most of the hotels shown as having rooms on that rate plan simply declare it to be an "invalid rate code" or , bump up the price so that it grossly exceeds the rate available without the "promo"

The problem has been fixed since I first reported it a week or so ago. I am also booking for Bangkok SPG properties and the promo rates are there ... you need to use the resort link to the promos and not the hotel links. I believe *wood considers its BKK properties as resorts:

Z2R https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z2R
Z3R https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z3R
Z4R https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z4R
Z5R https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z5R
Z6R https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z6R

i have also been trying to book the Z6r rate at westin kuala lumpur for weeks - always invalid code - so i emailed the hotel who advised this has expired on may 31..even though i had tried prior to that without success...dates arte 24 august 6 nights...

i have also been trying to book the Z6r rate at westin kuala lumpur for weeks - always invalid code - so i emailed the hotel who advised this has expired on may 31..even though i had tried prior to that without success...dates arte 24 august 6 nights...

Where does it say it expires May 31st?

Terms and Conditions:


Offer is valid at participating Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. properties.
Offer is valid for stays consumed by December 31, 2009.
Offer is only valid for a six-night minimum/maximum length of stay.
Consecutive reservations for this offer will not be honored.
Basic room rates do not include additional per room per night charges that may be imposed or state/local taxes.
Rates are based on single/double occupancy.
These offers are based on Starwood’s best available unrestricted retail rates.
Advance purchase required. Credit card will be charged at time of booking. Reservations cannot be changed, are pre-paid and non-refundable; if cancellation takes place, guests forfeit total room charge plus tax.
A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates and additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply.
Offer not applicable to groups or with other special offers.
Void where prohibited by law. Not to be combined with other offers or promotions.


https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/terms_conditions.html?promoCode=Z6R

Where does it say it expires May 31st?...

It doesn't in the Terms and Conditions of the offer; however, that doesn't mean that a participating property might not pull out of it. Still, I would expect them to be deleted from the participating properties list if they did, so Thyetus is looking into this further.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

It's kinda frustrated that even if the search page shows this hotel has available room for the offer, but once it's time to get down to biz, it always says "invalid code".

I'm checking at Sheraton Park hotel&resort in Anaheim, CA; starting from July 25th to July 31.

Tried the 25% off code, and buy 4 get 2 free code, same "invalid" error.

still no joy - hotel is still in list and rate is still invalid - poor from spg

Moderator note:

I have removed a post from this thread which re-printed private correspondence with a Starwood employee (presumably without said employee's permission), which is a violation of FT rules. Several subsequent posts, which quoted the offending post, have also been removed.

-AZ

my apologies for posting a direct reply from spg without their express permission. In summary spg advised that the hotel which shows it is participating has decided to not remove itself but just to block the whole summer period and make any of these codes invalid. I was asked to change my travel dates if i wanted to use these codes..:td:

This may be spreading. The Le Méridien Nice and Westin Auckland Lighter Quay are now claiming an invalid promo code for all dates.

Has anyone found any hotels returning a valid rate for any of these promos since 31 May? Or did they really expire 31 May (against the T&C)?

It's kinda frustrated that even if the search page shows this hotel has available room for the offer, but once it's time to get down to biz, it always says "invalid code".

I'm checking at Sheraton Park hotel&resort in Anaheim, CA; starting from July 25th to July 31.

Tried the 25% off code, and buy 4 get 2 free code, same "invalid" error.

I am having the same issues with the hotels in Vancouver. Want a booking for late July, and all of them indicate "invalid code" even though the search page show all the hotels in YVR are available.

This promo/link used to work fine, but now it is very frustrating that you have to click on each individual hotel just to discover that it's not available.

William and/or Theytus -

So, are these promos officially dead? Did they really expire 31 May as people are seeing as opposed to 31 December as implied by the promo T&C (no book-by date specified, but 31 December specified as the consume-by date)?

Thanks.

William and/or Theytus -

So, are these promos officially dead? Did they really expire 31 May as people are seeing as opposed to 31 December as implied by the promo T&C (no book-by date specified, but 31 December specified as the consume-by date)?

Thanks.

IMHO, and I expressed this earlier, I think many of these hotels and resorts became non-participators in these offers when the original promotion end date was extended to December 31, 2009.

I can have Global Marketing Operations take a look at updating the list of current participants, but I am 99% convinced that this is what is at the bottom of the invalid promo code issue.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I think many of these hotels and resorts became non-participators in these offers when the original promotion end date was extended to December 31, 2009.
That's not it. Both of the hotels I mentioned offered Z3R when I last checked in May. Now they don't. This seems to point to a 31 May expiration for booking.

That's not it. Both of the hotels I mentioned offered Z3R when I last checked in May. Now they don't. This seems to point to a 31 May expiration for booking.

We will see, but I think you are discounting the possibility that the hotels you mentioned wished to opt out when the offer were extended, but were late doing so.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I think you are discounting the possibility that the hotels you mentioned wished to opt out when the offer were extended, but were late doing so.
I believe in coincidence. Coincidences happen every day. But I don't trust coincidences.

If you can point to a single hotel that still accepts a Z3R booking, I'll take that as proof the promo still exists.

...If you can point to a single hotel that still accepts a Z3R booking, I'll take that as proof the promo still exists.

So, do I have to do this now...immediately...or can I wait for Global Marketing Operations to reply to my inquiry first? ;)

Okay...how about St Regis Aspen Resort for June 23rd for three nights?

And that was my first attempt. ;)

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I think there was some kind of glitch on *wood's part as many hotels I checked that had these stays suddenly didn't have them for a few days ....now they're back again. I vote for IT error:(

how about St Regis Aspen Resort for June 23rd for three nights?

And that was my first attempt.
OK, that means the promo still exists. I'll just have to assume that either the properties I'm interested in have backed out or there's a web site problem. Thanks. I guess I'll just use points or C+P.

And the answer is... web site glitch! Those same hotels are now showing Z3R again for the dates I've been monitoring.

I believe in coincidence. Coincidences happen every day. But I don't trust coincidences.

If you can point to a single hotel that still accepts a Z3R booking, I'll take that as proof the promo still exists.

Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok
The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel
Le Méridien Bangkok

Le Méridien Chiang Mai

Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, Thailand

And on and on I can go here ...

Z3R booking dates checked July 13-16, 2009.

And on and on I can go here ...
And if you would actually have read the thread before responding, you'd see we've already determined it's a web site error.

And if you would actually have read the thread before responding, you'd see we've already determined it's a web site error.

I was checking the said promotional rates when you posted your determination about the website error ... I didn't mean to be offensive to you. :)

Hi everyone, :)

I'm sorry if this was posted before, I've searched through various topics but couldn't find a definitive answer on this question:

I'm thinking of booking a room using the Z6H promotion (book 4 nights, get 2 free). Since it's a partially paid, partially bonus stay, will that count as an eligible rate to earn starpoints and a stay record? :D

Thanks! ^

Should count as one stay, six nights. It is essentially a 33% discount off of a rate.

As boifromtroy pointed out, you will get stay credit and points.

Thanks for the advice :)

The Z*H and Z*R are both non-refundable and prepaid SPG.com rates. They are not considered awards so they are fully eligible as stays and you will get night credits for all of the nights.They are set up is to actually average the cost of Y nights over the span of the X nights.

I'm trying to figure out if any of the Niagara Falls *wood properties have any of these promotions. However, if I select Niagara Falls, the website defaults to state of New York, USA. To the best of my knowledge there are not yet any *wood properties on the US side of Niagara. However, if I select Canada, ON, then Niagara, it just keeps telling me to select a state and the website just hangs.

I guess my bottom line question (the reason I was at the above site) is: how can I figure out online if any of the *wood properties on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls are participating?

Thanks

I'm trying to figure out if any of the Niagara Falls *wood properties have any of these promotions. However, if I select Niagara Falls, the website defaults to state of New York, USA. To the best of my knowledge there are not yet any *wood properties on the US side of Niagara. However, if I select Canada, ON, then Niagara, it just keeps telling me to select a state and the website just hangs.

I guess my bottom line question (the reason I was at the above site) is: how can I figure out online if any of the *wood properties on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls are participating?


You can try plugging the appropriate codes into the regular rate search's Promotion Code field. The code must correspond to the requested number of nights.

The Niagara properties have a lot of their own promos, so be sure to check their hotel-specific websites for special offers, too. I also sometimes see them featured on travelzoo.com.

This question is for the Lurkers:

The R codes are no longer working for the SGS BKK ... can you please look into it as I am planning a stay for next week.

I already tried the online CS team but not much help or answers there :confused:

Thank you!

This question is for the Lurkers:

The R codes are no longer working for the SGS BKK ... can you please look into it as I am planning a stay for next week.

I already tried the online CS team but not much help or answers there :confused:

Thank you!

Works for me, as does Z2X

Works for me, as does Z2X

These were my findings as well...for August 28-September 1st, for example.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I'm not surprised that it works for one person but not the next or works one day but not the next. My experience with these codes are that they seem to be designed to frustrate.

For example:

1) I go to https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z3R
2) pick Rio de Janeiro from the drop-down list.
3) I then input my check-in date 2nd Sept
4)Click on Check Availability
5)Search Results page comes back with Sheraton Rio Hotel and Resort Rooms Available-Yes
6)Click the Select button next to the availability confirmation
7)Get to a page where I have to input the same date as in Step3) and click continue
8)Get a page which tells me "The promotion code you requested is invalid"


Why does the specific promo link tell me there is availabilty at step 4 and then make me go through 3 more steps only to tell me the code is not valid?

The ill-will that is generated by being forced to jump through hoops to get nowhere is something that someone in programming at Starwood needs to learn about.

These were my findings as well...for August 28-September 1st, for example.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I have seen the error from time-to-time for Bangkok properties. Currently experiencing it for most of the Beijing experiences. Try St. Regis for Sept. 7-11, using either Z4R or Z4H.

...Try St. Regis for Sept. 7-11, using either Z4R or Z4H.

I'm not so sure this is error, frankly. The terms and conditions of the offer state:

A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates and additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply.

On all of these Buy/Get deals.

I think it is more related to the rate plans not being offered at the time someone wants to travel. YOMV, of course.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

I'm not so sure this is error, frankly. The terms and conditions of the offer state:

A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates and additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply.

On all of these Buy/Get deals.

I think it is more related to the rate plans not being offered at the time someone wants to travel. YOMV, of course.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thanks for the prompt response.

You may be right in that this isn't an error, as in, it's working as programmed. To the lay user, however, it is confusing.

When the search is entered from the promo page, the user is then taken to an interstitial page that indicates what hotels have "rooms available.

The user then clicks through this page to the selected property's search page, with the dates and promo value pre-populated. Upon executing the second search, the complained of results page includes the message "The promotion code you requested is invalid. The following choices are available."

In your scenario, which I accept as true, the promo code is valid, but there are no rooms available under that promo for those dates. Given that, then there are two instances where less than artful human factoring is creating confusion.

1) When a user executes a search from the promo page, and the returned page lists hotels with "Rooms Available," the reasonable person would expect that to mean the hotel has room available for this promo for these dates. Your note indicates that is not the intended message.

2) When the system ultimately returns a rates page that includes a message that says the promo code is "invalid" the reasonable user will not understand that to mean there are no rooms available at this property, for the requested dates, for this promo. Instead, the user is likely to think something is broken - either at the promo code or hotel level.

This stuff is very common with software design. The system works as requested, but the verbiage on the page (which makes sense to the insiders) confuses the outsiders. Now that we know, or at least I think we know, what is intended, we too are insiders :)

Hope that clarified were the complaint lies,

Safe Travels!

Works for me, as does Z2X

These were my findings as well...for August 28-September 1st, for example.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

For SGS BKK August 24-27, I am getting the following message in red:

The promotion code you requested is invalid. The following choices are available.

Then it lists some outrages rates with THB 8100++ (around U$240++) being the lowest rate!!!

For SGS BKK August 24-27, I am getting the following message in red:

The promotion code you requested is invalid. The following choices are available.

Then it lists some outrages rates with THB 8100++ (around U$240++) being the lowest rate!!!

Then, obviously, the Z?R(H) rate is not available for those travel dates. I'm trying to understand what is so difficult about understanding the concept that a promotional rate may not be available every day of the year. :confused:

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Then, obviously, the Z?R(H) rate is not available for those travel dates. I'm trying to understand what is so difficult about understanding the concept that a promotional rate may not be available every day of the year. :confused:

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

We're struggling to understand why you can't understand that when you have several complaints about the word choice on your site causing confusion, then you have a confusing web site.

Rather than fight with the customer (who even in SPG is sometimes right), why not work to get a more intelligent message?

Invalid is simply a horrible word choice, and just because you, as an insider know what it means is not enough. When you are designing products for popular consumption you have to consider how the reasonable user of your products will perceive that product.

Invalid, Adjective

* S: (adj) invalid (having no cogency or legal force) "invalid reasoning"; "an invalid driver's license"
* S: (adj) invalid (no longer valid) "the license is invalid"


There is nothing "obvious" about the use of the word invalid as an adjective that suggests "hey, not good for these dates, but maybe good for other dates."

FT users are, as a group, more sophisticated than your average user. If you are getting negative feedback here, you can better believe you have more in larger marketplace.

We're struggling to understand why you can't understand that when you have several complaints about the word choice on your site causing confusion, then you have a confusing web site.

Rather than fight with the customer (who even in SPG is sometimes right), why not work to get a more intelligent message?

That was reported months ago when the first complaint about the wording surfaced and we were told that the wording cannot be changed to say anything else.

Invalid is simply a horrible word choice, and just because you, as an insider know what it means is not enough. When you are designing products for popular consumption you have to consider how the reasonable user of your products will perceive that product.

My apologies, but it is what it is. EOM.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

That was reported months ago when the first complaint about the wording surfaced and we were told that the wording cannot be changed to say anything else.



My apologies, but it is what it is. EOM.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com
Fair enough. (though utter BS from your AppDev team, but that's not your fault.)

Might I humbly suggest that you use the information above when responding to the complaints as they arise, rather than asserting a claim of "obviously?"

Safe Travels!

Fair enough. (though utter BS from your AppDev team, but that's not your fault.)

Might I humbly suggest that you use the information above when responding to the complaints as they arise, rather than asserting a claim of "obviously?"

Safe Travels!

I must agree with FatManInNYC, being a software developer myself for 14 years. Inability to change error message based on the type of error is very poor application design, give them a good whipping ;)

For SGS BKK August 24-27, I am getting the following message in red:

The promotion code you requested is invalid. The following choices are available.

Then it lists some outrages rates with THB 8100++ (around U$240++) being the lowest rate!!!

August 24 is a Monday. You can't use the Z3 Code anywhere starting on a Monday.

August 24 is a Monday. You can't use the Z3 Code anywhere starting on a Monday.

So would that make it an invalid request? LOL. :)

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

You can't use the Z3 Code anywhere starting on a Monday.
I get the exact same problem using a Sunday (11/22) or Thursday (11/26). And these same dates used to work. I can see a "not available" message if that's the case, but it keeps spitting out that "invalid" message which is simply bogus.

August 24 is a Monday. You can't use the Z3 Code anywhere starting on a Monday.

Then I am extending my current stay at the lovely JW Marriott Bangkok with corner suite and privileges at their awesome executive lounge all for 4720++ ^^^

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/page12/

I'm very disappointed in this. I was just about to book the Sheraton Full Moon and Resort using Z6R, and I called the hotel about it, and they said they'd call me back.

Online I was able to get it to work for the days, and as soon as they got back to me, they are like it is invalid and it doesn't work. I try immediately on their website, and guess what? NOW it is an invalid code. That is just plain wrong on their part to do this.

I'm very disappointed in this. I was just about to book the Sheraton Full Moon and Resort using Z6R, and I called the hotel about it, and they said they'd call me back.

Online I was able to get it to work for the days, and as soon as they got back to me, they are like it is invalid and it doesn't work. I try immediately on their website, and guess what? NOW it is an invalid code. That is just plain wrong on their part to do this.

Hi nchaurdia,

You may like to drop me a PM on the dates you are planning to stay and if possible, the names of the hotel staff you have spoken to.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

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