I stand corrected--it is indeed 10 STAYS, not nights....I was tired when I wrote the above, and besides most of my stays has been indeed 1 nighter.

Thanks! ^

If I understand correctly, if I'm Preferred Business level, I get 2 points per dollar, company gets 1 dollar, and I get all the bonuses (i.e. first point stay, 777 promo, etc.)?
When you quit the company, can you still stay at Preferred Business level or does Starwood check?

Get the Starwood Amex, get the CC sign up/spend bonuses, and get Prefered Plus (virtually the same as Biz).
Join AAA (or AARP I believe) and get P+.
Or don't worry about it, as Prefered guest get 2 points per dollar spent anyway (and qualify for many bonuses).

I'm from Canada, and CAA doesn't even get you P+ (I called in and asked). Late checkout might be useful for me once in December trip, and I would definitely will not have an association with the company by that time. So, as long as Starwood doesn't ask for company ID, I'm fine.

PS. Everything is paid through my own MBNA MC or points.

So, probably no reason to worry, I doubt you'll be asked.

However, CAA does give P+
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promot...RP_syc&back=-1
CAA logo is displayed (rotating gif) in top right corner.

If you're a member already, its a slam dunk. If not, it depends on how much you value that 4pm late checkout. Note, late checkout is not a guarantee - it's "* subject to availability".

This morning, I received an invitation from Starwood Preferred Business to take a survey (no -- no points or incentive offered for taking it). I took the survey, and the survey stated that Starwood is evaluating their business program and is considering changing the way the program works. There were questions as to what effect such a change would have in the way our company books hotels. An example of a change they are considering is that they would no longer grant points to the business account but instead somehow try to develop or work within a corporate travel program for the business. I actually do prefer being awarded points because there is a freedom involved with those points whereas I am concerned that our options would be limited with the new program. (I can't remember all of the things they mentioned as possibilities of the new program but a few I remember are: an additional 2.5% discount off whatever negotiated rates we have with hotels [we currently don't have negotiated rates with specific hotels], a rebate for booking meetings at *wood hotels, and awarding carbon offsets for the company.)

Did anyone else take this survey?

I did, though the program doesn't generate that much interest from me personally for my small company so I blew through it.

So I just recieved an email welcoming me to the corporate preferred program? (which I have aparantly been since my first hotel with SPG in August - when I joined my firm). I have read this thread right back to 04', and I just want to confirm, that the 2000 bonus at the 5 and 10 stay is no longer valid?

Also, are there any other corporate benefits (points per dollar, etc...) that corporate preferred get over normal preferred. I want to ensure I didn't miss out on anything for my past stays.

I am assuming that the answer is no, based on this info I found on SPG

Does the hotel know what type of Corporate Preferred level I am (assuming the 3 levels discussed in an 05' post still exist)? Lurker, are you able to tell me what level I am if I PM SPG number?

This all won't matter, as in 2 nights I will be gold, and will be Platinum by the end of the year, but I just want to know for future reference (in case travel ever diminishes), as well as to pass on to some co-workers, and to make sure I havent missed out on anything on past stays.

Thanks

Hi kendalh,

I do not think the offer is still valid. Not that I know of.

What would your exact definition of "any other corporate benefits" be?

Are you able to point out to me the post that reveals 3 levels of Corporate? I do not recall any information on that currently. Therefore, if you are sending me a PM with your account number, I can only tell that you are a corporate member, not any other Corporate levels.

[email protected]

No, definitely not.

Good question.

Could be one of two scenarios, I'm thinking...

There are a couple of "business" levels in SPG: Corporate Preferred and Starwood Preferred Business.

But, since he mentions three levels, he is most likely making the distinction between his SET account number being SET, SET/SP or SET/GP. That is determined by his company's level of participation in the SET program determined by the number of room nights they commit to.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Yes, this is what I am referring to. It was in a post in this thread. Does the hotel know which level I am, and am I able to know?

Yes, the hotel will know and you should know because these letters will appear on your SPG card next to the SET account number, IIRC:

SET
SET/SP
SET/GP

But, it makes absolutely no difference which one you are except for the rate difference generated by each and that, as previously noted, has already been determined between your company and Starwood.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Thanks very much! I am going to be recieving my Corporate card, and then Gold and Plat status all within a month, so I guess the Plat will trump everything. You guys are a great help, as usual.

I am booked at a Westin over Christmas and wondering if there's a way to increase our chances of getting an upgrade on our Gold membership. Is it just luck of the draw or is there some other way to make it happen?

Not sure how this is related to the topic of this thread, but as everyone states and will state, you most likely wont get a suite as a gold, so if you want one, pay for one with cash or points. Do a search on your specific hotel to see how they treat golds.