FAQ: How do I book an award for someone else when I won't be present?
Aug 16, 2007, 8:37 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: SPG GL, AA GL
Posts: 2,591
Aug 18, 2007, 1:20 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 108
Everything seems to be nicely sorted out, but my experience is a phone call to the GM after booking for other people usually secure an upgrade. Of course, I am talking about Europe, the land of plenty 
Best,
E
Best,
E
Aug 28, 2007, 5:38 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Sol III
Programs: FPC Plat, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, PC Plt Amb
Posts: 1,329
I wanted to book an award stay in Rome (the St Regis) for my wife. After reading this thread, I decided to call SPG and talk to a live person (BTW, the telephone folks are so very courteous and professional the last four or five times I called. Marvelous). Told her my problem, and she said, "oh, no problem at all!."
Got the award stay set up. My wife's name (she uses her maiden name) is on the reservation -- not as a comment or special request, but the room is reserved with her name on it. Points taken off. No sweat. Received email confirmation with all this info.
So my suggestion is simply to call them. ^
Got the award stay set up. My wife's name (she uses her maiden name) is on the reservation -- not as a comment or special request, but the room is reserved with her name on it. Points taken off. No sweat. Received email confirmation with all this info.
So my suggestion is simply to call them. ^
Aug 28, 2007, 3:48 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: spg, co
Posts: 6
you can do it
yes, i've done it countless times too, on points or for cash. just add them to the reservation. chances of upgrades for elite status are less likely if the elite member isn't actually there.
Oct 23, 2007, 5:44 am
#35
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
Booking award for another party
Is it possible to book an award for another party if you are not staying at the hotel? I have got conflicting answers.
TIA
TIA
Oct 23, 2007, 6:22 am
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Oct 23, 2007, 9:34 am
#37
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: CO Plat, Starwood Plat, Hyatt Plat, Hilton Diamond, CO Pres. Plus, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 1,213
And another yes from someone who just did it again this past September. You do it on the phone with SPG, and make sure you tell them that you will not be the guest staying. You do, of course, have to give them the name of the other person. As a backup just because I wanted to be sure there were no mixups, once I had a confirmation number I emailed the hotel directly to be sure that the other person’s name was in their system. They may also keep yours there as well.
Jan 29, 2008, 5:06 pm
#38
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: AA EXP, United Platinum, SPG Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 31
Award Bookings for Other People
I recently made some award bookings for some friends who are going to be travelling without me and can put some of my points to good use, but I was wondering what the common experience has been in terms of administering Platinum benefits if I am not present, though I am the one whose name the room reservation is under. For example, in hotels that provide breakfast, will this be provided in my absence? Or, dare I ask, upgrades and late checkout?
Not being greedy, just wondering so I can let my friends know what to expect. I did try searching, but the search engine got bogged down when I tried to use more than three words.
Thanks for your wisdom.
Not being greedy, just wondering so I can let my friends know what to expect. I did try searching, but the search engine got bogged down when I tried to use more than three words.
Thanks for your wisdom.
Jan 29, 2008, 5:58 pm
#39
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
I recently made some award bookings for some friends who are going to be travelling without me and can put some of my points to good use, but I was wondering what the common experience has been in terms of administering Platinum benefits if I am not present, though I am the one whose name the room reservation is under. For example, in hotels that provide breakfast, will this be provided in my absence? Or, dare I ask, upgrades and late checkout?
Not being greedy, just wondering so I can let my friends know what to expect. I did try searching, but the search engine got bogged down when I tried to use more than three words.
Thanks for your wisdom.
Not being greedy, just wondering so I can let my friends know what to expect. I did try searching, but the search engine got bogged down when I tried to use more than three words.
Thanks for your wisdom.
That being said, others will tell tales of glorious upgrades for friends, family, and mere acquaintances as well as incidental credits and welcome amenities being credited to their SPG account, so the best answer is probably YMMV.
Hmmm. I wonder what a search for "YMMV" would bring up.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 29, 2008, 7:10 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Norwalk, CT
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, DL Gold, SPG Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 479
Why chance it?
I booked an award stay for my mother today - she wanted to see Joy Behar in Atlantic City, but decided not to because room rates were so high. I called, regular room 7000, for 8000 guaranteed club level, for 8500 studio suite. I asked if studio suite got them club access, PC said no, not per the description, but she called the hotel, made arrangements (no problem!), noted it in the reservation. Seemed well worth the extra few points (plus the excellent help of PC once again!) when gifting a nice stay to friends/relatives.
Jan 29, 2008, 11:27 pm
#41
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: AA ExecPlat, UA 2P, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 75
YM definitely MV. I've had great luck getting upgrades for my friends' stays on my points, though they are never confirmed in advance. I often give stays at nice hotels for wedding/special occasion gifts, and send a note to the hotel noting such. As a result, my friends seem to have better luck getting upgrades than I do on my points, including suites at the Westin Rome, Princeville, and W LA.
Dec 23, 2008, 8:04 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
Booking an award room for someone else.
I would like to book an award room for my parents. How can I reserve a room in their name? I saw an answer in this forum before, however cannot find it. 
Last edited by SanDiego1K; Dec 23, 2008 at 8:36 pm Reason: Merged without edit into newly created FAQ
Dec 23, 2008, 8:34 pm
#43
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
You might like to give your nearest Customer Contact Center or Platinum Concierge a call if you would like to issue an award in another's name.
However, do note that once the award is issued, it is not transferable.
[email protected]
Dec 23, 2008, 8:52 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
Hi TAHKUCT,
You might like to give your nearest Customer Contact Center or Platinum Concierge a call if you would like to issue an award in another's name.
However, do note that once the award is issued, it is not transferable.
[email protected]
You might like to give your nearest Customer Contact Center or Platinum Concierge a call if you would like to issue an award in another's name.
However, do note that once the award is issued, it is not transferable.
[email protected]
Just called and reserved a room for him using cash and points. When I went to retrieve his reservations here is what it shows, even though only one room was booked:
1 Room, 2 Adults per room, 1 King, Non-smoking room,
Room 1: TAHKUCT
Room 2: FATHER TAHKUCT
Is that what it suppose to show in the system?
Jan 8, 2009, 11:46 pm
#45
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
Thanks.
Just called and reserved a room for him using cash and points. When I went to retrieve his reservations here is what it shows, even though only one room was booked:
1 Room, 2 Adults per room, 1 King, Non-smoking room,
Room 1: TAHKUCT
Room 2: FATHER TAHKUCT
Is that what it suppose to show in the system?
Just called and reserved a room for him using cash and points. When I went to retrieve his reservations here is what it shows, even though only one room was booked:
1 Room, 2 Adults per room, 1 King, Non-smoking room,
Room 1: TAHKUCT
Room 2: FATHER TAHKUCT
Is that what it suppose to show in the system?
[email protected]
