Originally Posted by
cocacolaenjoy1
4B.4. An “Eligible Rate” is the rate you pay for your room, but excludes:
...
(e) employee rates;
The friends and family rate is an employee rate as you need to know an individual who works for starwood hotels and resorts worldwide.
(I know people that work there, but the rate was because i live in AZ)
The Friends and Family rate is listed on spg.com and makes no mention that it is just for friends and family of an employee. See the hotel's 'Special Offer" page at
http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels....SOP_US_4P_1256. The rate may have been put on that page by mistake although I did not know it at the time. I made the booking in good faith and Starwood is an ethical company and I am sure they will credit the stay. I will report back on my experience.