Jun 12, 2015, 7:15 pm
Last edit by: KENNECTED
This thread is for discussion of the new benefits & fee structure announced in June 2015. For general discussion of the SPG Amex, see SPG American Express [Master Thread].
Will the additional cardholders on my Starwood Business Amex account get access to the Sheraton Club lounge? What about guests in additional rooms I'm also paying for?
Will the additional cardholders on my Starwood Business Amex account get access to the Sheraton Club lounge? What about guests in additional rooms I'm also paying for?
"This benefit is for Basic Card Members only on Starpoint Eligible Rate reservations...Sheraton Club lounge access is limited to the eligible Card Member and a guest staying in the same room for the duration of the stay, regardless of how many rooms have been reserved." (See Starwood FAQs.)
Which hotel brands with the Sheraton name will offer the lounge benefit?The benefit is offered at all Sheraton-branded properties, including Sheraton Grand hotels, with the exception of any Luxury Collection property. It is not available at Four Points by Sheraton hotels.
Wiil I still get Club access if I book my stay with points or cash+points?Per Starwood Lurker in post #104, yes.
American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits
Jul 16, 2015, 8:45 pm
#302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,222
Ugh, last year my annual fee posted 8/13. If they ding me the extra $30 this year, I'm outtie.
Jul 18, 2015, 6:46 pm
#303
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 190
With the new benefit, does that mean you get better benefit than SPG Gold for $95/year? (Premium Internet and Sheraton lounge access)
Jul 18, 2015, 7:01 pm
#304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,783
Ehh, now you already get internet by booking through SPG channels, so that means I just take the bonus points as a Gold, which isn't much different from what I did before. Most times staying at Starwood properties internet was included in my corporate rate. SPG card isn't going to get you semi-upgraded rooms either.
Jul 22, 2015, 10:30 am
#305
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
Hi mster,
If member has provided his/her SPG account number at the time of reservation or check-in, the hotel will be able to identify if the member is eligible to enjoy the benefits.
Should you come across any issue with access to the club lounge after 11th August, please feel free to contact us and we will follow up with the relevant department.
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
If member has provided his/her SPG account number at the time of reservation or check-in, the hotel will be able to identify if the member is eligible to enjoy the benefits.
Should you come across any issue with access to the club lounge after 11th August, please feel free to contact us and we will follow up with the relevant department.
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
I travel frequently in China and might have to move more of my business over to Sheraton now
Jul 22, 2015, 10:55 am
#306
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 25, 2015, 5:31 pm
#307
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PacNW (SEA)
Programs: AS, IHG and post-loyal
Posts: 523
Darn. Annual fee is September. Guess I'm done as the extra $30 just doesn't seem worth it. Hard call as could nearly hit $30K on the card this year for auto gold (very light hotel year).
Jul 25, 2015, 7:18 pm
#308
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,124
Not the same. This is premium internet - the online booking only gets you the lowest tier.
Jul 25, 2015, 7:20 pm
#309
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
I was wondering why Sheraton lounges seem to be much crowded compare to years past, and now I ready this I know, SPG OPEN card members are getting a free pass....
I must say, adding benefits are great, but for extra $30 I get what as an international businssmen Plat member?
1) FTF - this is good I guess when I'm doing private traveling. Since my company reimburses all my business-aboard charges, this doesn't really help me per say as much as it sounds. Ironically, this actually "harms me" as I don't get FTF charges reimbursements anymore which turns out to be extra points for the year.
2) Free Boingo - ok, but as elite members of airlines I get to use the lounge internet anyway...
3) Free Wi-Fi - again, Plat benefit
4) Lounge - again, Plat benefit, and now I am fighting for seats against exponentially more lounge guests courtesy of OPEN members...
So for $30 more I am getting.... NOTHING... am I'm suppose to be happy about this "enhancement"? If anything I'm calling AMEX and demand that they waive my annual membership fee.
I must say, adding benefits are great, but for extra $30 I get what as an international businssmen Plat member?
1) FTF - this is good I guess when I'm doing private traveling. Since my company reimburses all my business-aboard charges, this doesn't really help me per say as much as it sounds. Ironically, this actually "harms me" as I don't get FTF charges reimbursements anymore which turns out to be extra points for the year.
2) Free Boingo - ok, but as elite members of airlines I get to use the lounge internet anyway...
3) Free Wi-Fi - again, Plat benefit
4) Lounge - again, Plat benefit, and now I am fighting for seats against exponentially more lounge guests courtesy of OPEN members...
So for $30 more I am getting.... NOTHING... am I'm suppose to be happy about this "enhancement"? If anything I'm calling AMEX and demand that they waive my annual membership fee.
Jul 28, 2015, 9:47 am
#310
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 828
Just an FYI - I have 2 upcoming Sheraton stays - 8/13 in Anaheim and 8/15 in San Diego. I called both hotels and neither one knew about the Lounge access for Business AMEX. They asked me to email them the info, which I did, and both hotels added notes to my reservation to confirm complimentary Lounge access. I have also saved the info to my phone in PDF form since this is new.
So if you have an upcoming reservation, I suggest contacting the hotel or at least having a copy of the new benefits.
So if you have an upcoming reservation, I suggest contacting the hotel or at least having a copy of the new benefits.
Jul 28, 2015, 6:08 pm
#311
Used to be 'flymanbeast'
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Delta silver/marriot platinum
Posts: 2,795
Can i access the club lounge at the Sheraton suites if they have a Sheraton club lounge?
Jul 28, 2015, 10:50 pm
#312
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
Just an FYI - I have 2 upcoming Sheraton stays - 8/13 in Anaheim and 8/15 in San Diego. I called both hotels and neither one knew about the Lounge access for Business AMEX. They asked me to email them the info, which I did, and both hotels added notes to my reservation to confirm complimentary Lounge access. I have also saved the info to my phone in PDF form since this is new.
So if you have an upcoming reservation, I suggest contacting the hotel or at least having a copy of the new benefits.
So if you have an upcoming reservation, I suggest contacting the hotel or at least having a copy of the new benefits.
Jul 29, 2015, 1:46 pm
#313
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
It's always good to carry (or know where on the internet) the benefits are listed, especially new ones. Don't count on them knowing what they should of know....
Jul 31, 2015, 12:47 pm
#314
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,124
Just got this in my inbox:
https://www.spgpromos.com/amexuspromo/terms
p.s. - Looks like someone just did a cut-and-paste from the Tribute promo on the confirmation page: "Get to know our newest brand and get rewarded. Reserve your stay now."
Earn 1,000 bonus Starpoints® when you register and stay two or more nights with SPG® hotels and resorts between July 30 and August 30, 2015 -- exclusively for Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card Members.
p.s. - Looks like someone just did a cut-and-paste from the Tribute promo on the confirmation page: "Get to know our newest brand and get rewarded. Reserve your stay now."
Last edited by mahasamatman; Jul 31, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Jul 31, 2015, 12:56 pm
#315
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: DFW -
Programs: AA EXP 5MM, DL DM, Bonvoy Titanium, Avis CHM, National VIP
Posts: 556
Boingo Registration finger-pointing failure
Got the email today regarding the 1,000 bonus points promotion, and also noted the free Boingo benefit - hadn't noticed that before. Went to the website to register, entered my SPG Amex number, and got back a message that "this card is not eligible". Website says to call the number on the back of your card.
I call the Amex customer service number on my card, she looks something up, and says they have a "special number" for the Boingo American Express Preferred Plan and they'll help me. Transfers me there.
Tell my issue to the agent there, and she says I need to talk to American Express - they determine if the card is eligible. So no help.
Frankly, don't think the benefit is valuable to waste any more time on the runaround - but this is so typical of these Amex tie-ins where something goes wrong and each party points to the other one as responsible. Instead of providing a benefit, all they do is create frustration and ill-will because of poor execution.
I call the Amex customer service number on my card, she looks something up, and says they have a "special number" for the Boingo American Express Preferred Plan and they'll help me. Transfers me there.
Tell my issue to the agent there, and she says I need to talk to American Express - they determine if the card is eligible. So no help.
Frankly, don't think the benefit is valuable to waste any more time on the runaround - but this is so typical of these Amex tie-ins where something goes wrong and each party points to the other one as responsible. Instead of providing a benefit, all they do is create frustration and ill-will because of poor execution.