Decline Housekeeping for 500 Starpoints - a way to help go green
Haven't seen this posted here and I thought it was a unique program (though no doubt many FT regulars will tell me that I didn't do a proper search and that the program has existed for years). The Seattle Sheraton currently awards either a $5 gift card per day to the hotel restaurant or 500 Starpoints per day for declining daily Housekeeping. Since I really don't need six new towels each day and am not a complete slob, this isn't a bad deal.
What a great idea! I ALWAYS put the "Do Not Disturb" sign out, because when I am in the room - I don't care for how long - I don't want them disturbing my stuff, nor even coming in at all. Getting $ or points for that is just a bonus!
If anyone does have information on how to sign up, this is absolutely something I would take them up on!
Again, this is the first time I'd seen it during my current stay at the Seattle Sheraton. There is a hang-card in the room that you simply put on your door prior to 2:00 am and the next morning there is a $5 restaurant gift card slid under your door. You either use that gift card or go to the front desk and exchange it for 500 Starpoints. Very simple; no signup necessary. Not sure if other Sheratons or Starwood hotels are doing it.
Programs: SPG Platinum, Fairmont Platinum, Priority Club Plat, Air Canada MWMMFT (My Work Makes Me Fly Tango)
Posts: 1,260
I agree, but from Starwood's standpoint, do they really want people in their rooms for 5 days without cleaning them (which is what I would do for 2500 pts!). For the upkeep/longevity of rooms, a daily cleaning is definately very helpful, considering how many slobs there are out there that can do alot of damage in a work week.
Sounds like a good idea - but I'd hope there was some sort of minimum (e.g. every other or every third day) to address the issues raised by CanuckFlyHigh.
Programs: UA PremEx, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott, IHG, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 7,824
Per usual, the Seattle Sheraton is ahead of others on good customer service! This must be new. I stayed there two weeks ago and it wasn't offered at that time.
Per usual, the Seattle Sheraton is ahead of others on good customer service! This must be new. I stayed there two weeks ago and it wasn't offered at that time.
It is definitely new, as I had to check with Guest Services about a detail surrounding the program and the rep herself had to check on it before calling me back with an answer. I think it's a great program. The only day you can't receive the card/points is the day you check out, which makes sense, as they will have to clean the room that day (at least one hopes, right? ) So I suppose if you are there for only a one night stay, the program isn't in effect.
Programs: UA 1K, QR Gold, EK Gold, AF Plat, SPG Plat, IC Plat/RA, Hyatt Diam, Shangri-La Jade
Posts: 2,532
CanuckFlyHigh makes a very good point about long-term maintenance of rooms, but that issue aside, I am glad to see this.
This is mostly because it finally makes the hotels put their money where their mouth is, so to speak, about the supposed environmental benefits that they claim to value. For years they have had those cards whereby one could opt-out of getting fresh towels or sheets (at some hotels, one now even has to opt-in).
The hotels have always said that this was for environmental reasons, but, since they were obtaining benefits but not having to pay anything for them, I found it easy to cynically assume that hotels were simply trying to save money. Now they are making some type of investment in the supposedly environmentally-friendly practices, which is appropriate if they are serious.
Programs: UA 1K/MM; SPG Platinum; MHC Lifetime; Tarheel forever; and I "Dig the Pig" at Piggly Wiggly
Posts: 10,812
Great idea! I would opt in during most of my stays.
As I posted in the Palace/Copenhagen thread about the poorly designed bathroom, I clean up after myself. I prefer to use towels more than once. I bring my own toiletries. And I'm not a slob. Other than making a bed and minor touch-ups, there seldom is much to do in my room during a stay.
I get a bit self-conscious about someone seeing my clothes lying about, so I usually tidy before leaving a room. I've thought about trying to negotiate a discount on a room in exchange for no housekeeping, but I didn't want to look like a cheap slob and so I've never done it.
) So I suppose if you are there for only a one night stay, the program isn't in effect.
