Starwood Preferred Guest - Guaranteed early check in query

I paid a full room rate at the Sheraton Kuwait last week to ensure I could check in early the next morning after a Red-Eye. This was approx $300. To be fair to the hotel they ensured that fruit, croissants, juice and coffee were waiting for me in the room when I arrived and I managed to get a few hours valuable sleep which was important as I was doing a 4 day lecture course and had to be sharp.

I have just found out, however, that the room did not count as a qualifying night, which is disappointing given how expensive it was. has anyone experienced this before, and does anyone have an opinion on my chances of having the night reinstated as qualifying?? I mean, just because I didn't sleep there the whole night shouldn't bother SPG or the hotel as they got their $300!!!

I think you can find the answer in this thread:


http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=781302

Thanks for the link.

However, this refers to day rates, whereas my bill specifically refers to the charge as "guaranteed early check in".

a subtle difference, but it may be important in this instance.

This specific issue appears not to have been specifically discussed in the past, so it may be useful or others ni the future to know what happened.

1st I sent the following email with a scanned copy of the invoice:-

Hi

I recently stayed at the Sheraton Kuwait for 6 nights, but was only credited 5 nights. Please could you amend my nights stayed figure accordingly

Regards


Then I received a standard "get stuffed" kind of reply :-

Dear Mr. xxx

Thank you for your recent email concerning your Starwood Preferred Guest account. I welcome this opportunity to assist you.

It has been reconfirmed that you have been correctly credited for the amount of money you spent on eligible Starpoint charges during your stay at The Sheraton Kuwait Hotel & Towers January 20-25, 2008. For more information, you may refer to the terms and conditions of your Starwood Preferred Guest account.

We appreciate your continued loyalty to the Starwood Preferred Guest program and welcome any further questions or concerns. Please feel free to contact us at Starwood.preferred.guest@starwoodhotels.com.

Best Regards,

xxx xxxxx
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

To which I replied :-

Hi

I paid for 6 nights on this stay, but was only credited 5 nights. I admit that the 1st night was called "guaranteed early check in", but I did arrive very early and paid the full room rate for 1 night. I think that this is probably the difference. Given that the rate was for the full night (approx $300) I do not see how you cannot award this as an eligable night

Regards

To which they replied :-

Dear Mr. xxx

Thank you for your email reply. I welcome this opportunity to assist you further.

Please be advised that I have reviewed your folio and confirmed that your stay at The Sheraton Kuwait Hotel & Towers has been adjusted to appear as six eligible nights.

Thank you for emailing us today. I would appreciate it if you could fill out a short survey. It will only take a minute of your time and will help us to improve our service to you. We’re always interested in your comments and feedback.


We appreciate your patronage of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. If you have any further customer service questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at starwood.preferred.guest@starwoodhotels.com.

Best Regards,

So persistance was rewarded!!