http://www.flyertalk.com/forum en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:18:32 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.flyertalk.com/forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1019188-no-blackout-dates.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:04:42 GMT Just wondering how everyone felt about the "no blackout dates" for starwood redemptions only applying to standard rooms without guaranteed smoking preference? ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest stephen.p http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1019188-no-blackout-dates.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1019134-happy-thanksgiving.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:42:32 GMT Just to wish you all and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving next week. I hope its wonderful. :) Just to wish you all and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving next week.

I hope its wonderful.

:) ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest freeupgrade http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1019134-happy-thanksgiving.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1019056-2-internet-charges.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:30:25 GMT I stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort last week. I carry two computers with me when I travel. I used both in my room at the Sand Key. And I ended up with two internet charges on my bill. I went to the front desk at check-out to have the... I stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort last week.

I carry two computers with me when I travel. I used both in my room at the Sand Key. And I ended up with two internet charges on my bill.

I went to the front desk at check-out to have the charge removed. I made the mistake of volunteering that it probably showed up like that because I was using two computers (I have had the problem occasionally before elsewhere and they always adjust to a single charge).

The front desk told me that if I used two computers, I needed to pay the two charges. They agreed to waive one of them only because I was a SPG Gold.

Any else ever hear of a hotel insisting on you paying two internet access charges for two computers or a computer and a phone? ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest exiled2tx http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1019056-2-internet-charges.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018958-aloft-hotel-stays-posting.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:08:51 GMT Forgive me if there is already a thread on this, FT is barely functioning for me currently :( and doing a search brings me to an IE page saying cannot display web page...eek. For days I have not been able to post on a single thread, so this is at... Forgive me if there is already a thread on this, FT is barely functioning for me currently :( and doing a search brings me to an IE page saying cannot display web page...eek. For days I have not been able to post on a single thread, so this is at least an improvement :D.

So my question is about ALOFT airport hotels. Has anyone else had issues getting the stay/points to post?? Are they particularly slow?

Even more concerning, after booking a prepaid rate, I checked out via automation and I was sent a copy of my folio via email ^ and it said you are eligible to earn ZERO points for this stay :eek:. WHY??? It was a simple prepaid stay advertised on the SPG webpage. I am waiting for this to post to count for my PLAT status, along with the 1000 bonus points for staying there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest Downunder girl http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018958-aloft-hotel-stays-posting.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018924-reservation-within-cancelable-period-rare-hotel-charge-me-now.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:26:37 GMT I have a reservation coming up in late December for an overseas Westin hotel, and know that I can still cancel my reservation without any penalty between now and 11/30 at 12:00am hotel local time. However, when I check my visa credit card online... I have a reservation coming up in late December for an overseas Westin hotel, and know that I can still cancel my reservation without any penalty between now and 11/30 at 12:00am hotel local time. However, when I check my visa credit card online today (11/20), I find the hotel had already charged me the total amount for the entire stay 2 days ago on 11/18.

I'm very angry about it since the reservation is still within the cancelable period, and don't understand why the hotel has to charge on my credit now:mad:. It makes me feel that the hotel is so desperate for money.

I'm sure they will refund me the total amount if I cancel it now, but this Westin is not a local Westin, whenever I receive the refund in foreign amount, it is usually much less than the original amount I was charged right at the beginning, so it makes me feel more angry about it.

Since I'm pretty new to SPG, please let me know if this practice is normal. If not, should I complain to SPG customers service? Thanks for any advice.

I've been the RA at IHG for 4-5 years and Hilton Diamond for 1 1/2 year, and have never come across any hotels would desperately charge so early, except advance purchase rate or reservations already passed the cancelable period. ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest GordonGordon http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018924-reservation-within-cancelable-period-rare-hotel-charge-me-now.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018903-4-points-sheraton-sheikh-zayed-road-dubai-master-thread.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:53:24 GMT Couldn't find a master thread for this hotel so here it is.
Tough to find a Category 5 Four Points Sheraton, but this is the highest category of the 3 in Dubai.

As a plat was upgraded to their business suite which is nice with a small counter and sink, cabinets, mini bar in a separate room with a living room. Balcony with a view of the water. Had 2 queen beds as I was staying with a buddy of mine. Unless you consider 2 bottles of water a plat perk there are no other perks here given. No breakfast, internet, drinks etc.

Our room wasn't ready and there is a Morrocan Lounge with some orange juice, coffee, tea, muffins on the M floor (2nd floor really) that they extended to me complimentary but was told this isn't a lounge that is used complimentary by plats.

God a very good weekend rate of 550 dhs, and 660 usd a.i. is a good value. The location is a little better to see some things than the other 2 four points sheartons. ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest schley http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018903-4-points-sheraton-sheikh-zayed-road-dubai-master-thread.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018848-w-hotels-bed.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:58:06 GMT Ordered a W bed from the website a couple of weeks ago into Winnipeg. Received 40% off - thought it was a great deal so could not resist. We ultimately love the Westin "Heavenly Bed" - we were told this is pretty much the same bed with the pillow top so went for it as could not beat the deal.

Received the bed in less than two weeks and paid $300.00 for shipping etc., Still a great deal. Got the bed and ordered the pillows and duvet from Westin.......oh man !!!! Talk about great sleeps.......Never thought I would say this but can't wait for winter to hit - nothing like crawling in the fart sack in the cold winter night:D

Anybody else order the beds. ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest Bravada04 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018848-w-hotels-bed.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018819-funniest-suite-i-ever-got.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:25:47 GMT This happened last month when I checked into the Sheraton Salzburg and inquired about an upgrade.

I asked a lovely Austrian woman at the desk if she might happen to have an extra suite.

She gave me the biggest smile I've ever seen and slipped away into the office.

Brimming with self-satisfaction, she returned a few minutes later with a gift bag filled with chocolate "Mozart Balls."

I was quite confused.

She said "you asked for a 'sweet'."

I started laughing and said "no I wanted a 'suite' - like a bigger room."

She finally caught on and started laughing too. Then the duty manager came out and asked what was going on. We told her and she started laughing as well.

We were all laughing at the Sheraton Salzburg.

Then I trotted off to a very nice upgraded Executive room. ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest macabus http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018819-funniest-suite-i-ever-got.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018758-some-feedback-spg-reservation-website.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:47:15 GMT I have recently phoned Starwood reservations and booked an upcoming stay at an SPG resort property. Prior to making the reservation by phone I spent a few hours on the website trying to make the booking or at least get price information comparing... I have recently phoned Starwood reservations and booked an upcoming stay at an SPG resort property. Prior to making the reservation by phone I spent a few hours on the website trying to make the booking or at least get price information comparing two different Starwood resort properties and there were numerous issues with the website. I am making this post not in the way of a complaint but rather with the hope that your reservation website might be improved.

I should first say the the reservation agents I spoke with (several calls sorting out the different possibilities before I booked the stay) were polite, patient and great to deal with. Also I appreciated the very brief wait time (less than a minute on hold) before I got a human being on the phone.

The main trouble I found with the website is that there are "special offers" which require several web clicks to navigate through only to find that the offer doesn't apply. For example there is a "B & B offer", go through a few clicks and a couple of minutes later find out that "this offer is not available for the selected dates". Same with the "4th day free offer", the "2nd night half price offer", etc.

I have no problem with special offers not being available for the time I wanted (peak season and short notice). But dangling the offer in front of me, then making me sort through various webpages multiple times only to find the offer doesn't exist, is not good customer service.

The "special offers" and discounts part of your booking website ought to include information about dates unavailable before clicking through to try and make the reservations. The website did show dates available for some of the offers, however even on dates that were supposedly available I got the "offer not available for selected dates" message. Preferably a customized list of special offers should be presented after the customer has chosen the property and dates that he wants. If there are no special offers available for my chosen dates don't lead me on only to disappoint me.

I am not a Starwood person, I am a Fairmont person. As there is no Fairmont on Grand Cayman I am giving Starwood a try. From my experience with Fairmont, website reservations are no hassle and no fuss, and phone reservations are prompt accurate and a breeze to complete. If I want a reservation at a Fairmont property it will be made by phone or by internet within about 60 seconds with no stress. Can Starwood not aspire to the same level of customer service? ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest trilinearmipmap http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018758-some-feedback-spg-reservation-website.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018673-lax-sheraton-gateway-westin-four-points-some-questions.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:23:55 GMT Greetings, I am a lowly gold spg member. I have an upcoming trip and I am flying into LAX with an overnight stop. From the searching that I have done, the Sheraton Gateway, Westin and Four Points are my three choices if I stay within the SPG... Greetings,

I am a lowly gold spg member. I have an upcoming trip and I am flying into LAX with an overnight stop. From the searching that I have done, the Sheraton Gateway, Westin and Four Points are my three choices if I stay within the SPG program. With that said, I do have some questions.

Assuming prices are the same:

1). Unfamiliar with the immediate area surronding LAX, which hotel is the closest to LAX?
2). As a gold member, which would be the better choice regarding benefits or really doesn't make a difference for a one night stay?
3). Each has free shuttle service. Do they share rides with each other and or other hotels? If they do not share, which hotel provides the better service regarding on time departure
4). Regarding cleaniness, which would be the better choice? Or like any other hot it is a roll of the dice
5). I realize that there are many hotels near LAX. How do these three rate against other chains?

Any info would help. Just trying to make a good decision.

Thanks ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest Bishope2 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018673-lax-sheraton-gateway-westin-four-points-some-questions.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018620-starwood-move-hq-ny-conn.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:40:02 GMT Starwood HQ to move from White Plains, NY to Stamford, CN by 2012. http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN1812991820091118 Starwood HQ to move from White Plains, NY to Stamford, CN by 2012.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssC...12991820091118 ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest rwsatl http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018620-starwood-move-hq-ny-conn.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018526-avoid-strike-westin-st-francis-sf-til-sat.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:17:06 GMT Avoid the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco this week, and IMO in the future. The workers are on strike, they are protesting from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Saturday, restaurants are closed, no room service and "minimal" housekeeping (e.g. coffee and towels only). I was supposed to stay there the 19th-21st for my birthday and have dinner at Michael Mina (excellent when open). I got a call from the restaurant today (note: not the hotel staff), letting me know of the strike and closure and therefore canceling my reservation. When I called the front desk, as a Platinum member, the incredibly off putting manager, explained the lack of services, refused to offer any consolations, wouldn't confirm a Platinum room upgrade and said my only recourse was to cancel. I was amazed that a luxury hotel would provide NOTHING when only offering Super 8 service. In addition, he warned me that I would have to push my way through the protesters to enter and would likely be able to hear the noise from the room.

I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a great, but powerless, SPG Platinum concierge, that could offer me nothing more than a comparable room at another hotel for $75 more per night. So, I cancelled and will stay at a neighboring boutique.

Thanks for the early Birthday present Starwood. Maybe, I should start listening to those calls from Hilton and Marriott reps who keep asking me to come over to their side. ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest desselman http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018526-avoid-strike-westin-st-francis-sf-til-sat.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018494-starpoints-transfer-amtrak-guest-rewards.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:07:04 GMT I wanted to transfer some of my Starpoints to my Amtrak Guest Rewards account. The website says that you can, at a 1:1 ratio, and that you have to call, so I did...

The customer service rep, while very nice, didn't know that this was possible at first. I kept asking, and he eventually asked someone else, who said that I had to transfer them in 5000-point increments. Can anyone confirm? (He still seemed a bit unsure... and I don't actually want to transfer that many.)

Also, does anyone have experience with how long the transfer takes?

Thanks! ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest owl49 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018494-starpoints-transfer-amtrak-guest-rewards.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018336-hotel-fails-provide-wakeup-call-comp.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:55:19 GMT The Sheraton Crystal City comps a room night if they fail to provide a wakeup call as promised, according to a card placed in guest rooms. Coincidentally, I was staying at another Sheraton just 2 nights later where this exact situation happened. ... The Sheraton Crystal City comps a room night if they fail to provide a wakeup call as promised, according to a card placed in guest rooms.

Coincidentally, I was staying at another Sheraton just 2 nights later where this exact situation happened. The front desk records showed that the wakeup call went to an adjacent room, not my room. Yet the hotel initially offered only 500 Starpoints, gradually upping it to 1500 when I indicated this was a rather serious violation. (Luckily the alarm clock went off, and I did get up on schedule, but that doesn't absolve the hotel.)

I am not publicizing the name of the errant Sheraton because in other respects they were very good, providing a fine room, shuttle service to a nearby subway station, free internet, an evening appetizer and snacks, and free continental breakfast due to the temporary closure of the club lounge.

What do others think is appropriate compensation for this failure? A free room night seems excessive, but what % off the room rate, or Starpoints value is appropriate? ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest Explore http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018336-hotel-fails-provide-wakeup-call-comp.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018283-5-000-bonus-points-lewestin-montreal.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:26:07 GMT LeWestin is having a promotion where you recieve 5,000 bonus points per stay...pretty sweet deal LeWestin is having a promotion where you recieve 5,000 bonus points per stay...pretty sweet deal ]]> Starwood Preferred Guest UKB http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1018283-5-000-bonus-points-lewestin-montreal.html