Starwood Preferred Guest - Serious need to redesign the written confirmations sent by SPG.com

After making a reservation on SPG.com, the system will send you written. confirmation. Unfortunately, this is a four-page document and the useful information only takes about 2/3rds of a page; the rest consists of headings, photos and boilerplate.

This confirmation is by and large a complete waste of paper; and I usually discard three of the pages when packing for my travels. Starwood could make a small, but positive step towards eco-friendliness if they revise the design of this version so that it takes no more than one page – however small the print for the boilerplate.

An alternative to the cumbersome four page confirmation is to print another version (go to the list of your reservations on SPG.com, click “Details” and then click “printable copy”) but the problem with this, is that it does not display the rate information; which is the somewhat important to have on hand in the event of a dispute at the time of check-out.

Lurker, would you please forward this post to the techs responsible for the web site and ask them to consider it when they do their next update.

I agree totally. A terrible waste of ink if you forget to set your printer to greyscale.

Bondiboy, take notes from BlissWorld. This thread should have started out "Dear Starwood....." ;) :D LMAO!

Yes, I agree, the confirmation page is not properly designed and a waste of paper.

And since we're requesting things....

Dear Starwood, can a system be implemented that enables all property's the capability to email post stay folios?

Thanks!

I cancel the printing after the second page, maybe we should start a petition or something.

I have learned to save paper by only printing Page 1 of the confirmation.

But more frustrating for me if to access a current reservation under "My Stays." Then, when clicking on "View Printable Version" you get details without the rate info! :eek: ...? :confused:

So, I have learned to print the "My Stays" page 1 only, too.

...Alright gentlemen...

(disclaimer - I am not a stakeholder in tripit in any way, I simply use [and love] their service!!)

*trigger infomercial mode*

You're printing confirmation emails from starwood?? Probably carrying them with you, in a folder, on your travels?? I used to do the same thing...

Now be sure to sit down, because td_in_training is about to change your life...

signup for tripit (http://www.tripit.com).

No. Seriously. Do it now.

I forward all of my confirmations to tripit - emails from airlines, hotels, rental car agencies, even outlook meeting invites from my clients...

Tripit consolidates and formats everything into a single "trip view". which can be printed, and brought along for a trip to include all of the 'critical' information.

If you don't carry or rent a GPS while you travel, tripit even generates google maps for you - for instance if my flight confirmation includes IAD, and my hotel confirmation includes the Sheraton Premier in Vienna VA, tripit automagically generates a google map with turn by turn directions from the airport to my hotel. Its awesome.

Setup a rule in outlook to forward confirmations from your travel providers to plans@tripit.com as you book them, and just print your tripit page before you depart.

It's awesome.

...Alright gentlemen...

(disclaimer - I am not a stakeholder in tripit in any way, I simply use [and love] their service!!)

*trigger infomercial mode*

You're printing confirmation emails from starwood?? Probably carrying them with you, in a folder, on your travels?? I used to do the same thing...

Now be sure to sit down, because td_in_training is about to change your life...

signup for tripit (http://www.tripit.com).

No. Seriously. Do it now.

I forward all of my confirmations to tripit - emails from airlines, hotels, rental car agencies, even outlook meeting invites from my clients...

Tripit consolidates and formats everything into a single "trip view". which can be printed, and brought along for a trip to include all of the 'critical' information.

If you don't carry or rent a GPS while you travel, tripit even generates google maps for you - for instance if my flight confirmation includes IAD, and my hotel confirmation includes the Sheraton Premier in Vienna VA, tripit automagically generates a google map with turn by turn directions from the airport to my hotel. Its awesome.

Setup a rule in outlook to forward confirmations from your travel providers to plans@tripit.com as you book them, and just print your tripit page before you depart.

It's awesome.

Thanks, im gonna give it a go.

...
Setup a rule in outlook to forward confirmations from your travel providers to plans@tripit.com as you book them, and just print your tripit page before you depart.

It's awesome.

Gotta agree - who uses printed stuff anyway? I used forward to the emal to something electronic like phone until tripit came along. Now just sync my phone and my cal is filled

On a related matter, I get emails reminding me of an upcoming stay and asking if there's anything the manager of the property can do for me.

A reply sends an email to someone unrelated to the manager at all and results in a rely along the lines of: " err, you'll have to talk to the hotel directly to get those answers"

erg

Why not have the "reply to" set for the hotel's front desk or res mgr?

After making a reservation on SPG.com, the system will send you written. confirmation. Unfortunately, this is a four-page document and the useful information only takes about 2/3rds of a page; the rest consists of headings, photos and boilerplate.

This confirmation is by and large a complete waste of paper; and I usually discard three of the pages when packing for my travels. Starwood could make a small, but positive step towards eco-friendliness if they revise the design of this version so that it takes no more than one page – however small the print for the boilerplate.

An alternative to the cumbersome four page confirmation is to print another version (go to the list of your reservations on SPG.com, click “Details” and then click “printable copy”) but the problem with this, is that it does not display the rate information; which is the somewhat important to have on hand in the event of a dispute at the time of check-out.

Lurker, would you please forward this post to the techs responsible for the web site and ask them to consider it when they do their next update.

I do agree, I have even noticed the customerservice of SPG for this matter. I thought it was my computersystem problem. Good to know every SPG has problems with this.

I think SPG has to offer the service to it's SPG's so it will be easy again to print out the reservation WITH the rate!

Gotta agree - who uses printed stuff anyway? I used forward to the emal to something electronic like phone until tripit came along. Now just sync my phone and my cal is filled

On a related matter, I get emails reminding me of an upcoming stay and asking if there's anything the manager of the property can do for me.

A reply sends an email to someone unrelated to the manager at all and results in a rely along the lines of: " err, you'll have to talk to the hotel directly to get those answers"

erg

Why not have the "reply to" set for the hotel's front desk or res mgr?

Rule no. one of travel. You should always carry a print out of confirmations. If the system goes down of the car rental/hotel/airline had a descrepancy, that is the only way to prove your case. Also, it comes in handy if you lose your PDA or system malfunctions.

There have been countless story's here on FT about people who get to a hotel and the hotel rate is one thing but you "think" or "know" when you booked the rate was another.

Also while we're at it, Starwood needs to provide a feature to add reservations to your calendar automatically like Hilton.

Rule no. one of travel. You should always carry a print out of confirmations. If the system goes down of the car rental/hotel/airline had a descrepancy, that is the only way to prove your case. Also, it comes in handy if you lose your PDA or system malfunctions.

There have been countless story's here on FT about people who get to a hotel and the hotel rate is one thing but you "think" or "know" when you booked the rate was another.

Also while we're at it, Starwood needs to provide a feature to add reservations to your calendar automatically like Hilton.

I disagree. Keep it on your blackberry and save a tree. I have a much greater chance of losing a piece of paper than I do losing my blackberry. Hell, I have a much greater chance of losing my children than I do losing my blackberry.

...

Dear Starwood, can a system be implemented that enables all property's the capability to email post stay folios?

Thanks!

This already exists. As long as a hotel is using Galaxy Lightspeed, they can do this.

Trouble is that not every property uses Galaxy Lightspeed and most of the ones that don't are franchisees who aren't going to spend what it takes to switch in-house property systems, and Starwood doesn't have the spiff to force them to either.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

This already exists. As long as a hotel is using Galaxy Lightspeed, they can do this.

Trouble is that not every property uses Galaxy Lightspeed and most of the ones that don't are franchisees who aren't going to spend what it takes to switch in-house property systems, and Starwood doesn't have the spiff to force them to either.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Yes, I know it exist, that's why I said "all";) However, you've clearly explained why it has not happened system wide.

Issue is now closed for me. :D

Moving on.

This already exists. As long as a hotel is using Galaxy Lightspeed, they can do this.

Trouble is that not every property uses Galaxy Lightspeed and most of the ones that don't are franchisees who aren't going to spend what it takes to switch in-house property systems, and Starwood doesn't have the spiff to force them to either.

Any way to tell ahead of time if a property is "Galaxy Lightspeed" or not? I'm guessing the decision to not use the newer system is also an indication of a properties overall condition and adherence to SPG benefits let alone discrepancy of inventory vs what's shown on spg.com?

Any way to tell ahead of time if a property is "Galaxy Lightspeed" or not?

No way other than to ask them when you check in. ;)

I'm guessing the decision to not use the newer system is also an indication of a properties overall condition and adherence to SPG benefits let alone discrepancy of inventory vs what's shown on spg.com?

No, not entirely. It may be a business decision based upon the fact that the system they are using now works for them, so why change it and incur the added expense?

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

This already exists. As long as a hotel is using Galaxy Lightspeed, they can do this.


Good to know!! ^^^

I'll occasionally receive PDFs from properties, but I usually don't. So I always keep what they slide under the door.

That's about the only thing I miss from Hilton - being able to pull up all of my old invoices online and print them when the USPS decides to lose my reimbursement envelope (yes, this has happened more than once).

-Tim

Good to know!! ^^^

I'll occasionally receive PDFs from properties, but I usually don't. So I always keep what they slide under the door.

That's about the only thing I miss from Hilton - being able to pull up all of my old invoices online and print them when the USPS decides to lose my reimbursement envelope (yes, this has happened more than once).

-Tim

Keep in mind also that Corporate Customer Service is standing by to request any duplicate hotel bills that may go missing, if the hotel is not using Galaxy Lightspeed or just does not use it proactively. Note: You should not request Corporate Customer Care to auto-send post-stay folios. They do not have that capability, but if you lose your folio, they can certainly help you get a copy of it.

You can reach them via phone at 800-328-6242 or by email at customercare@starwoodhotels.com. Just tell them which way you would prefer to receive it - by fax or via email - and they can have one sent to you in a matter of days.

Best regards,

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

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

If you know it prints out 4 pages why not just print 1 of 4.

Pretty basic stuff. not.:rolleyes: