Questions often come up about promos when we are into redemption periods, and the Ts and Cs are no longer visible. This time, I'm going to proactively post the FAQ:
Q: Can anyone register for this promotion?
A: Any Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) member may register for this promotion at
www.spg.com/mastercardfreeweekend by January 31, 2011. Non-members may join the programme and register simultaneously, also at
www.spg.com/mastercardfreeweekend. However, stays must have been paid for with a valid MasterCard to be eligible towards earning for the Award.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of Free Weekend Night Award a member can earn?
A: Each member is limited to one (1) Free Weekend Night Award for the duration of the Promotion.
Q: If a member stays at a hotel for three consecutive nights, would he or she earn a Free Weekend Night Award?
A: No. A Free Weekend Night Award is earned for three (3) eligible stays. An "Eligible Stay" is one or more consecutive nights at the same Participating Property, whether or not the member checked out and checked back in, during which the member paid an Eligible Rate and presented his or her Preferred Guest number at check-in. An "Eligible Night" is each night during an Eligible Stay.
Q: How soon will a Free Weekend Night Award show up in a member's account?
A: A Free Weekend Night Award will be credited to the member's account within two (2) weeks after the third eligible stay posts to the member's Starwood Preferred Guest account.
Q: How does a member redeem a Free Weekend Night Award?
A: Advanced reservation for a Free Weekend Night Award stay is required. All Free Weekend Night Award reservations must be made directly through the Starwood Customer Contact Center quoting "3MCFN".
Q: Is there an expiration date for the Free Weekend Night Award?
A: Yes. The Free Weekend Night Award must be completed by February 27, 2011.
Q: For what days of the week can a member redeem the Free Weekend Night Award?
A: Members may redeem their Free Weekend Night Award on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday; however, redemptions are available on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday in select Middle East or African countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Q: Where can a member use the Free Weekend Night Award?
A: A Free Weekend Night Award is redeemable for a single or double occupancy standard room at Category 1-6 hotels in Asia Pacific, Africa or Middle East. W Koh Samui in Thailand is excluded from redemption, as it does not have any standard rooms. Stays are subject to standard room availability.
Q: Can an existing reservation count toward earning a Free Weekend Night Award?
A: Yes, as long as the member is registered for the promotion, the rate is a Starpoints-eligible room rate during the promotion earning dates, and the stay posts to the member's account prior to the promotion ending.
Q: If a member checks in before November 1, 2010, or checks out after January 31, 2011, does the member still earn credit for that stay?
A: As long as one eligible night occurs during the eligible earning window (November 1, 2010 –January 31, 2011), a member would earn a credit toward a Free Weekend Night Award for that stay.
Q: Can a member use his or her Free Weekend Night Award as part of a longer stay that has paid nights?
A: Yes. The Free Weekend Night Award can be used alone or as part of a longer stay.
Q: Can a member gift his or her Free Weekend Night Award?
A: Awards are not transferable and may not be given as a gift.
Q: What would happen if a member makes a reservation using his or her Free Weekend Night Award and then cancels it? Does the member lose it?
A: As long as the member cancels the stay in accordance with the hotel's cancellation policy and additional weekend remains in the redemption period (December 2, 2010 – February 27, 2011), the member may use his or her Free Weekend Night Award on a subsequent weekend up to and including February 27, 2011. However, no-shows and members who cancel outside the hotel's cancellation policy may risk losing their Free Weekend Night Award and penalties may apply.
Q: Do members earn Starpoints for the Free Weekend Night Award?
A: While Starpoints may not be earned on any room award, Starpoints may still be earned on all eligible incidental charges. Please see SPG.com/T&C section 5.1 for a list of eligible incidental charges.
Q: Do members earn a stay credit for a Free Weekend Night Award?
A: Stay credit is only earned on eligible room rates. Award room rates are not eligible; however, if a member has additional nights at eligible room rates, the member will earn a stay credit.
Q: What if a member does not use his or her Free Weekend Night Award by February 27, 2011?
A: Members forfeit unused award. Exceptions to the registration, earning and redemption periods will not be allowed.
Q: How can a member confirm the eligibility of their MasterCard card?
A: Payments made on any credit, debit and/or prepaid card bearing the MasterCard logo may be credited toward the three eligible stays.
Q: Where can a member find information about applying for a MasterCard card?
A: A member can visit his local bank for further information about applying for a MasterCard card or visit
www.mastercard.com for a list of card products and issuers.