Starwood Black out dates -- "Special Events"
Jan 25, 2011, 9:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
Starwood Black out dates -- "Special Events"
Has anyone experienced black out dates through SPG platinum?
I was under the impression that if a room was available points could be used to purchase it.
Friday i called SPG Platinum and was told that a room at DFW Sheraton could not be purchased with points due to the fact that the hotel was oversold. I could however because of my status purchase at the rack rate of $399.00. Looking at the website today (4 days later), rooms are offered for $319 on SPG.com So i called SPG Platinum again and i was told points can't be used b/c it is a "special event" which equals a black out.
so much for the no black out policy
I was under the impression that if a room was available points could be used to purchase it.
Friday i called SPG Platinum and was told that a room at DFW Sheraton could not be purchased with points due to the fact that the hotel was oversold. I could however because of my status purchase at the rack rate of $399.00. Looking at the website today (4 days later), rooms are offered for $319 on SPG.com So i called SPG Platinum again and i was told points can't be used b/c it is a "special event" which equals a black out.
so much for the no black out policy
Jan 25, 2011, 9:43 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: spg gold, CO Platinum, MR Gold
Posts: 619
Has anyone experienced black out dates through SPG platinum?
I was under the impression that if a room was available points could be used to purchase it.
Friday i called SPG Platinum and was told that a room at DFW Sheraton could not be purchased with points due to the fact that the hotel was oversold. I could however because of my status purchase at the rack rate of $399.00. Looking at the website today (4 days later), rooms are offered for $319 on SPG.com So i called SPG Platinum again and i was told points can't be used b/c it is a "special event" which equals a black out.
so much for the no black out policy
I was under the impression that if a room was available points could be used to purchase it.
Friday i called SPG Platinum and was told that a room at DFW Sheraton could not be purchased with points due to the fact that the hotel was oversold. I could however because of my status purchase at the rack rate of $399.00. Looking at the website today (4 days later), rooms are offered for $319 on SPG.com So i called SPG Platinum again and i was told points can't be used b/c it is a "special event" which equals a black out.
so much for the no black out policy
Jan 25, 2011, 9:47 am
#3
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Jan 25, 2011, 10:17 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
Yes this is superbowl weekend.
The SPG website indicates this is the standard "special event" rate.
I'm not sure how to confirm if this is a standard room, however, i ran into the same issue with the "aloft" property which i've been told has only standard rooms.
The SPG website indicates this is the standard "special event" rate.
I'm not sure how to confirm if this is a standard room, however, i ran into the same issue with the "aloft" property which i've been told has only standard rooms.
Jan 25, 2011, 10:29 am
#5
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 25, 2011, 10:47 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, CO, USA
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AA Gold, UA Gold, DL Silver, HH Gold, Vail Epic
Posts: 9,096
If it's a standard room that is available for cash, then it should be available as an award, too, for the same dates.
Related threads from past "special events" in which Starwood Lurker commented...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...as-2006-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...-question.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...-olympics.html
One way to help determine whether the room type that you are trying to get is a "standard" room is to find that same room type as an award on another date. The Traditional King is offered as an award on 2/8/2011 and is available for cash on 2/4-2/7, so it should be available as an award on 2/4-2/7.
However, there are clearly some minimum stay and/or check-in date restrictions on Dallas hotels that weekend. A shorter stay for 2/5-2/7 is not offered for cash, so it doesn't have to be offered as an award, either.
Based on the above threads, I'd suggest letting Starwood Lurker help. ^
Related threads from past "special events" in which Starwood Lurker commented...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...as-2006-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...-question.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...-olympics.html
One way to help determine whether the room type that you are trying to get is a "standard" room is to find that same room type as an award on another date. The Traditional King is offered as an award on 2/8/2011 and is available for cash on 2/4-2/7, so it should be available as an award on 2/4-2/7.
However, there are clearly some minimum stay and/or check-in date restrictions on Dallas hotels that weekend. A shorter stay for 2/5-2/7 is not offered for cash, so it doesn't have to be offered as an award, either.
Based on the above threads, I'd suggest letting Starwood Lurker help. ^
Jan 25, 2011, 1:16 pm
#7
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Superbowl can definitely qualify as Special Event.@:-)
Jan 25, 2011, 1:20 pm
#8
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Yes, but regular award room bookngs can't be denied on that basis if they are selling the same room types on a Starwood proprietary web site.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 25, 2011, 1:39 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, CO, USA
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AA Gold, UA Gold, DL Silver, HH Gold, Vail Epic
Posts: 9,096
Where there can be some confusion is that Special Events can be used by a hotel to protect themselves from getting overbooked by Plats willing to pay RACK rate. From the SPG T&Cs:
A hotel can apply to SPG to request blackout dates for special events, but SPG has to approve this exemption. The hotel can't just declare exemptions whenever they feel like it. Based on past discussions in this forum, there aren't a lot of these exemptions. They are common, though, for major events such as the Super Bowl and the Olympics.
But none of this applies to awards when standard rooms are still available for cash. The Special Events exemption has nothing to do with standard awards.
(Starwood Lurker, is there an official term for the Platinum force/override option?)
b. If a Platinum Member attempts to book a room at least 72 hours prior to 3pm (hotel time) on day of intended arrival, and the participating property is sold out, the property shall make a standard room available at the regular (RACK) or Mandatory rate. BLACK OUT DATES APPLY AND RESORT PROPERTIES AND CERTAIN HOTELS ARE EXCLUDED....
But none of this applies to awards when standard rooms are still available for cash. The Special Events exemption has nothing to do with standard awards.
(Starwood Lurker, is there an official term for the Platinum force/override option?)
Jan 25, 2011, 1:44 pm
#10
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Feb 23, 2011, 7:39 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington DC
Programs: BA GLD, AA GLD 1MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,698
I have a similar question, but regarding minimum stays.
I'm trying to book the Sheraton Virginia Beach for the night of 9/2 on points; I can book the one night with cash (standard rooms appear to be available), but not with points. I called the Platinum Concierge and they stated that the hotel had a two-night minimum stay at that time.. when I pointed out that the hotel could be booked for one night with cash, PC called the property but was told that there was a two-night minimum stay. Still, I can go right online and book it with cash for the night I want. Any experience with this? Lurker?
I'm trying to book the Sheraton Virginia Beach for the night of 9/2 on points; I can book the one night with cash (standard rooms appear to be available), but not with points. I called the Platinum Concierge and they stated that the hotel had a two-night minimum stay at that time.. when I pointed out that the hotel could be booked for one night with cash, PC called the property but was told that there was a two-night minimum stay. Still, I can go right online and book it with cash for the night I want. Any experience with this? Lurker?
Feb 23, 2011, 8:42 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I have a similar question, but regarding minimum stays.
I'm trying to book the Sheraton Virginia Beach for the night of 9/2 on points; I can book the one night with cash (standard rooms appear to be available), but not with points. I called the Platinum Concierge and they stated that the hotel had a two-night minimum stay at that time.. when I pointed out that the hotel could be booked for one night with cash, PC called the property but was told that there was a two-night minimum stay. Still, I can go right online and book it with cash for the night I want. Any experience with this? Lurker?
I'm trying to book the Sheraton Virginia Beach for the night of 9/2 on points; I can book the one night with cash (standard rooms appear to be available), but not with points. I called the Platinum Concierge and they stated that the hotel had a two-night minimum stay at that time.. when I pointed out that the hotel could be booked for one night with cash, PC called the property but was told that there was a two-night minimum stay. Still, I can go right online and book it with cash for the night I want. Any experience with this? Lurker?
Feb 24, 2011, 7:27 am
#13
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NY
Programs: AA Gold; SPG: Gold:
Posts: 473
I had the exact same issue with the Sheraton Old San Juan hotel in Puerto Rico. It is infuriating.
Feb 24, 2011, 9:48 am
#14
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Feb 24, 2011, 11:02 am
#15
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
I have a similar question, but regarding minimum stays.
I'm trying to book the Sheraton Virginia Beach for the night of 9/2 on points; I can book the one night with cash (standard rooms appear to be available), but not with points. I called the Platinum Concierge and they stated that the hotel had a two-night minimum stay at that time.. when I pointed out that the hotel could be booked for one night with cash, PC called the property but was told that there was a two-night minimum stay...
I'm trying to book the Sheraton Virginia Beach for the night of 9/2 on points; I can book the one night with cash (standard rooms appear to be available), but not with points. I called the Platinum Concierge and they stated that the hotel had a two-night minimum stay at that time.. when I pointed out that the hotel could be booked for one night with cash, PC called the property but was told that there was a two-night minimum stay...
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]