StarChoice Program

[jkfb1]

Does anyone know anything about the new (I'm assuming it's new) StarChoice Program? Here's the web site

http://starchoice.starwood.com/

[Richard1148]

This doesn't seem to be available to residents in the US.

[martinplas]

This didnt work for me

[JohnnyP]

Smart... it's a loyalty program for the personal/executive assistants who actually book their bosses travel. They are rewarded for booking their "keep" into Starwood hotels. Not a bad idea.

Points, however, are earned in the "StarChoice" program, not in SPG. So I'm not sure how that works...

[gbeaumont]

William, could you give us the low down on this. If an assistant books the room for the traveller, does the assistant collect Starchoice points AND the traveller collects Starpoints? or is it an either or promotion?

thanks

[shinnene]

The travel assistant can get Starchoice points and stayer can get SPG points if he/she is an SPG member.
It seems to me that Starchoice is available for only Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East/Africa region and to be a Starchoice member is required an invitation by Starwood employee.
Sometimes, Starchoice members can get special prices or benefits from the web site.

Since I became a Starchoice member, I am enjoying it together with SPG!

[shinnene]

Some of you may have noticed already from spg.com that now we can put a number of StarChoice together with SPG number when making a room reservation.
There was nothing ever officially about online booking for StarChoice members so we had to call SPG customer service center, make a direct phone calling/fax/e-mail to the hotel or contact with StarChoice offices (in my case, it was Singapore) if we wanted to book a room, although there was something to get starchoice points from online booking.

Anyway, it's great for me and thanks to both of Starchoice team and SPG team about this new thing.

[jkfb1]

William,

Is there a reason that North America is excluded from the program? Does SPG have an agreement with TA's so that this program violates the terms?

With the shift to make have you're admin make travel arrangements on line, I would think SPG would encourage this, especially for small businesses.

[Starwood Lurker]

Originally Posted by jkfb1

William,

Is there a reason that North America is excluded from the program? Does SPG have an agreement with TA's so that this program violates the terms?

With the shift to make have you're admin make travel arrangements on line, I would think SPG would encourage this, especially for small businesses.

Mainly because few, if any, of the hotels that participate in Starchoice are in North America. Most, if not all, are in Asia Pacific.

Besides this, we developed Starwood Preferred Business for small business owners.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

[jkfb1]

Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker

Mainly because few, if any, of the hotels that participate in Starchoice are in North America. Most, if not all, are in Asia Pacific.

Besides this, we developed Starwood Preferred Business for small business owners.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Got it, but why not open the program to those of us in North America who book extensive travel in Asia.

Also, as a member of the Starwood Preferred Business, the traveler(s) can receive the benefit of the collective points, not the secretary/admin who makes the arrangement, unless the admin has a Starwood Number and travels on his/her own.

[shinnene]

According to Starchoice's new web site...........

Earning Points
1. Subject to point 4 below, Members earn 100 Starchoice points for each night they reserve that results in a stay for corporate travellers other than themselves. Additional points may be earned during special promotions. Members are not eligible to earn Starchoice points for personal reservations but may opt to join Starwood Preferred Guest to earn Starpoints for their own stay.

Although, I will keep sending my company fellows and bosses to Starwood Hotels if they require.

[bostonbali]

N/A..

[bostonbali]

SPG Lurkers - can you please comment on the following questions:

I have enough StarChoice points (from making reservations for others) for a few free nights.

Can I somehow add my Plat # to the StarChoice award reservation in order to get the Platinum benefits (upgrades, breakfast, etc)?
Also, will a StarChoice award reservation count as an eligible stay towards retaining my Plat status?

Thanks,
Bostonbali

[Starwood Lurker]

Originally Posted by bostonbali

SPG Lurkers - can you please comment on the following questions:

I have enough StarChoice points (from making reservations for others) for a few free nights.

Can I somehow add my Plat # to the StarChoice award reservation in order to get the Platinum benefits (upgrades, breakfast, etc)?
Also, will a StarChoice award reservation count as an eligible stay towards retaining my Plat status?

Thanks,
Bostonbali

For any questions related to Starchoice, I would have to refer you to their web site or, if you have questions not answered there, I suggest that you call them directly at +353-21-4511040 or use the drop down box under "Contact Us" to find the toll-free number of the country in which you are residing.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

spgchampion@starwoodhotels.com

[stiwi]

So if I understood correctly, one cannot book stays at SPG for themselves and earn Starpoints, but I assume their wife can...?

I don't know what are the rewards beside the example they provided on the website: 2500pts = $50 hotel voucher which translates to 25 nights.