<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by WestCoastFlyer:
William,
Can I get a clarification about 3rd party bookings for conventions. I'm attending the On Demand expo in New York in March and hotel rooms are being booked through a company named Ambassadors. The Sheraton NY Towers and Westin are both conference hotels and Ambassadors is offering 500 bonus *wood points for reservations booked through them.
However, as I understand the 2004 rules, I will not receive stay credit or benefits if I book through this convention service. Correct?
By the way, can I claim the best rate guarantee for the rate on the convention site?
Thanks</font>
As far as I know, convention rates have never been eligible for Starpoints and stay credit unless they are set up so you pay the charges at check-out instead of pre-paying the convention organizer.
Provided you pay at check-out, you can get stay credit, but in-hotel benefits may be denied. I'm not saying that they will, mind you, but it is a possibility.
No, you can't use a convention rate as a BRG claim.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]