Matching a conference rate?
Jul 29, 2014, 9:38 am
#1
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Matching a conference rate?
I'm going to a conference in a few weeks in Vancouver and I'm frustrated at the nightly rates.
The public rates at the downtown hotels are about $450/night. The conference rates (booked through the conference webpage, not spg.com) for the same dates are $200/night.
Is there anything I can do to get a reasonable booking through Starwood?
I know you don't get status nights or benefits for bookings not made through Starwood. I don't think BRG applies to negotiated rates.
Thanks!
The public rates at the downtown hotels are about $450/night. The conference rates (booked through the conference webpage, not spg.com) for the same dates are $200/night.
Is there anything I can do to get a reasonable booking through Starwood?
I know you don't get status nights or benefits for bookings not made through Starwood. I don't think BRG applies to negotiated rates.
Thanks!
Jul 29, 2014, 9:53 am
#2
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If you are going to the conference and have the opportunity for the $200 rate, why not book it?
Jul 29, 2014, 9:59 am
#3
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I'm SPG platinum.
On a conference rate (booked through a third party), you don't get the upgrades, free breakfast, lounge access and status nights.
On a conference rate (booked through a third party), you don't get the upgrades, free breakfast, lounge access and status nights.
Jul 29, 2014, 10:42 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Is the Starwood property participating in the $200 conference rates (albeit through the conference website) or are you just wanting Starwood to match the $200 conference rate that is being offered through the website for a different property?
Jul 29, 2014, 12:41 pm
#5
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I feel like I'm out of luck and should just go ahead and book with the conference. Just curious is the flyertalk community had any ideas of how to improve the situation.
Jul 29, 2014, 12:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Same property. You can book the Starwood property on both the conference and spg.com, but at wildly different rates. I think I'm out of luck here, as the BRG doesn't apply to negotiated rates, like conference rates.
I feel like I'm out of luck and should just go ahead and book with the conference. Just curious is the flyertalk community had any ideas of how to improve the situation.
I feel like I'm out of luck and should just go ahead and book with the conference. Just curious is the flyertalk community had any ideas of how to improve the situation.
I have had luck when say a conference is being held at a Hilton or Hyatt and I would prefer to stay at a Starwood property. I've sent emails to the property and have had them match the conference rate at the other hotel. A few years ago, I was able to get the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio to match a Hyatt rate which was $85 less than the best I could get from the Westin. It certainly made me a repeat customer for the Westin Riverwalk.
Jul 29, 2014, 3:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
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I have always received points, stay/night credits & plat recognition on conference rates in Marriott and Starwood properties.
Make sure you provide your SPG number at check-in!! ..and smile!!
Make sure you provide your SPG number at check-in!! ..and smile!!
Jul 29, 2014, 4:28 pm
#8
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Have you actually checked to determine whether rooms booked on this particular conference rate do or do not receive the perks which concern you?
Yes, it is up to conference organizers to negotiate and they can get a lower rate for fewer perks. Many businesses prefer that because they reimburse their employees meals.
But, until you check directly you won't know.
Yes, it is up to conference organizers to negotiate and they can get a lower rate for fewer perks. Many businesses prefer that because they reimburse their employees meals.
But, until you check directly you won't know.
Jul 29, 2014, 9:44 pm
#9
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Same here, including a conference in Vancouver. (Your conference wouldn't happen to be SIGGRAPH, would it?)
Jul 29, 2014, 10:07 pm
#10
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What happens if you phone spg to make a reservation and tell them you're with the conference?
Jul 29, 2014, 11:03 pm
#11
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Have you actually checked to determine whether rooms booked on this particular conference rate do or do not receive the perks which concern you?
Yes, it is up to conference organizers to negotiate and they can get a lower rate for fewer perks. Many businesses prefer that because they reimburse their employees meals.
But, until you check directly you won't know.
Yes, it is up to conference organizers to negotiate and they can get a lower rate for fewer perks. Many businesses prefer that because they reimburse their employees meals.
But, until you check directly you won't know.
Thanks everyone for replying.
Aug 1, 2014, 11:17 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, AA Plat. Pro
Posts: 400
Last conference I was at was at the Westin Diplomat but was booked through the conference (no web redirection or anything) and I received all the benefits. The rate we paid was lower than the lowest rate on the web, although not a $250 difference like you mentioned and we still got points, stays and all that jazz. I would contact the hotel and see if they know if you will receive credit.
Aug 1, 2014, 1:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Plat
Posts: 295
I just came from a conference in Baltimore. I booked at the Sheraton there through the conference site. I wasn't given a Starwood confirmation number. Then about a week before the conference, I got a confirmation email from the Sheraton with all of my details. My assistant called the hotel, gave them the confirmation number, and asked to add my SPG number. They did.
I then tried to pull it up online after the number was added. Spg.com could find that there was a reservation but I got an error message about the rate and details of the stay.
When I checked in, they said they had my SPG number, and I got all of the SPG benefits.
I then tried to pull it up online after the number was added. Spg.com could find that there was a reservation but I got an error message about the rate and details of the stay.
When I checked in, they said they had my SPG number, and I got all of the SPG benefits.
Aug 1, 2014, 7:15 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CT
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Posts: 340
I also will be at SIGGRAPH in Vancouver and contacted the Westin Wall Centre. I booked through the conference/Experient site (at quite substantial savings) and the property confirmed that I will have full platinum benefits and stay/points credit. (I had a backup reservation at another property in case I was not going to get my benefits, which I have canceled).