Starwood Preferred Guest - Old SPG50 Certificates

Let me start by saying..... I have searched flyertalk to see if I could answer this question myself.

Does anyone recall the Starwood Lurker saying at one point in the past that if you had an expired SPG50 you could mail it back to Starwood and get a new, valid certificate?

If so, any ideas on where to send the certificates? Due to a strange set of events, I have five SPG50 certificates that expired 12/31/07.

Thanks!

Using 50% Off Award (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7886551&highlight=spg50)

Thanks! I knew I had seen it!

Let me start by saying..... I have searched flyertalk to see if I could answer this question myself.

Does anyone recall the Starwood Lurker saying at one point in the past that if you had an expired SPG50 you could mail it back to Starwood and get a new, valid certificate?

If so, any ideas on where to send the certificates? Due to a strange set of events, I have five SPG50 certificates that expired 12/31/07.

Thanks!


Try this one: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=566888&highlight=expired+spg50

...as it is timely. I would like to be able to continue to do this, however, some recent developments have caused me to question whether I should or not. I think I have decided to keep on doing this for now, but that may change in the future depending on how this goes.

As of February 1, 2008, if you want me to replace any expiring SPG50 certificates, I need your SPG account number and user id here at Flyertalk. Any requests received without that information included will be discarded. In addition, I am no longer responsible for the failure of the USPS to deliver your certificates to me or the ones I may send to you in return, so if they go missing in the mail, it will be as if you never sent them. I was thinking that I would just require Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested both ways, but that takes the postage from 41 cents to $5.41.

Sorry to have to put some conditions and disclaimers on this, but some people's past experiences have made it necessary for everyone else going forward.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

...as it is timely. I would like to be able to continue to do this, however, some recent developments have caused me to question whether I should or not. I think I have decided to keep on doing this for now, but that may change in the future depending on how this goes.

As of February 1, 2008, if you want me to replace any expiring SPG50 certificates, I need your SPG account number and user id here at Flyertalk. Any requests received without that information included will be discarded. In addition, I am no longer responsible for the failure of the USPS to deliver your certificates to me or the ones I may send to you in return, so if they go missing in the mail, it will be as if you never sent them. I was thinking that I would just require Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested both ways, but that takes the postage from 41 cents to $5.41.

Sorry to have to put some conditions and disclaimers on this, but some people's past experiences have made it necessary for everyone else going forward.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Lurker,

SPG account number and flyertalk ID are required only after Feb 1, 2008 right? Because I sent an expired SPG 50 certificate to you one week ago not knowing these new requirments (they were not on your old post).

Can I suggest going with SPG number OR FT user name? Much as we love the lurker, some people might not want to provide SPG with a potential database linking their FT posts to their SPG account.

Lurker,

SPG account number and flyertalk ID are required only after Feb 1, 2008 right? Because I sent an expired SPG 50 certificate to you one week ago not knowing these new requirments (they were not on your old post).

Yes, anything that is sent after January 31, 2008, but not before.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Can I suggest going with SPG number OR FT user name? Much as we love the lurker, some people might not want to provide SPG with a potential database linking their FT posts to their SPG account.

You can suggest anything you like, but any requests that I handle personally will need to have both pieces of information if sent after January 31, 2008.

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can call the Customer Contact Center to see if they are willing to replace them otherwise. If they aren't, then I still remain an option under the conditions mentioned previously.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Hi William:

Does your generous offer to replace expired SPG 50's extend to and include expired AX 50's?:confused:

Thanks.

Hi William:

Does your generous offer to replace expired SPG 50's extend to and include expired AX 50's?:confused:

Thanks.

Absolutely. In fact, most of the ones I replace are the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express variety.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Does anyone know how we might inspire/coax/cajole/bribe our favorite Lurker to again perform this amazing feat of transformation?

My SPG50 expires at year-end, but it'll be next year by the time I can use it.

Thanks.

Does anyone know how we might inspire/coax/cajole/bribe our favorite Lurker to again perform this amazing feat of transformation?

My SPG50 expires at year-end, but it'll be next year by the time I can use it.

Thanks.

LOL. I'm still entertaining this idea. ;)

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Hi William,

Now that you require SPG number, my question is whether the new cert you issue will be tied to that particular SPG account number.

The reason I'm asking is that my wife and I are both SPG members, and have accumulated about 5 or 6 AMEX certs (without SPG number printed on them). So I want to make sure the new certs can be used by both of us.

Also, my wife doesn't use Flyertalk, so we cannot do this separately unless she creates a new FT account just for this purpose.

And is the mailing address still the following?

Starwood Preferred Guest Customer Contact Center
Post Office Box 143986
Austin, TX 78714

Thanks.

Hi William,

Now that you require SPG number, my question is whether the new cert you issue will be tied to that particular SPG account number.

The reason I'm asking is that my wife and I are both SPG members, and have accumulated about 5 or 6 AMEX certs (without SPG number printed on them). So I want to make sure the new certs can be used by both of us.

No. The reason I need an SPG number now is that I now note that I have sent you X number of SPG50's on X date. After a spate of folks sending me their request, me sending the replacement certificates, and then their denial that they were ever received, I now note the member's account and save the letter I wrote as a back-up.

I am doing this as a courtesy, but I am only doing it once per request. If the USPS can't get it to you (or me for that matter), then I suppose it wasn't meant to be as long as I can prove that I did everything within my power to make it happen.

Also, my wife doesn't use Flyertalk, so we cannot do this separately unless she creates a new FT account just for this purpose.

No worries. Just your information will suffice.

And is the mailing address still the following?

Starwood Preferred Guest Customer Contact Center
Post Office Box 143986
Austin, TX 78714

Thanks.

Yes, that's it.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

William, I appreciate your efforts to continue this practice and your requests of us are more than fair. Thank you so much for your efforts on our behalf.

Best regards, LP.

I can report that Customer Service is no longer doing this favor. I just called. I appreciate your doing this as I tried this year to use the certs but in most cases, a weekend or senior rate beat the cert. However, I would love to use it in Hawaii where those discounts are unheard of. Thank you for continuing this nice Flyertalk perk. Should I address the envelope in care of William Sanders?

... Should I address the envelope in care of William Sanders?

You can address to me in care of the call center.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

LOL. I'm still entertaining this idea. ;)

Excellent news. ^ I have one lonesome SPG50 Cert. remaining that expires at the end of this year.

Crud... I thought they were completely useless after expiration... teaches me not to become a FT slacker! :(

William - thanks for this ongoing kind gesture - came across an expired SPG50 in a drawer last night, which will be winging its way over the Atlantic to you shortly.