It is pretty much the same thing as if you had upgraded in advance 5 days before arrival on a regular paid rate - the distinction being that the Cash & Points rate involves using Starpoints for a portion of the payment, so it's not like a regular paid rate reservation.

The Westin Bayshore is a Category 3 hotel. You can upgrade to a Specialty 1 room for 1,000 Starpoints per night or a Specialty 2 room for 1,500 Starpoints per night, subject to availability at the time of check-in.

Specialty 1 at this hotel is a club level, harbor-view room. Specialty 2 can be anything from a deluxe city-view to a deluxe harbor-view room. All you really need to do is decide what type of room you want or the number of Starpoints you are willing to spend and ask for an Instant Upgrade Award when you are checking in.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Starwood Lurker (edited 11-04-2003).]