Gold members receive Elite bonus Starpoints and they can get to enjoy cash checking privileges where applicable. Corporate members would not be able to receive all these benefits

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Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

My small business has had a Preferred Business account since 2003. We only have 4 employees but one of the employees travels significantly so he always beats the 50 nights a year. I received a notice that my account was being closed as we didn't meet the required 5 employees. I know that it is the requirement, but when we started they didn't have that rule. Why couldn't we be grandfathered. I was really bummed.!!:td:

Have AAA? If not get it and you will be able to get that SPG status.

Also Amex plat gives you Gold status.

Did having AAA to qualify for Corporate Preferred Plus go away? I just called SPG and was told it was not a current offer, and "they never have done that before". Though I know I had it before.

No.

My apologies for the inconvenience, but if it was me, I'd call back...and ask to speak to a supervisor if the asociate couldn't figure this out.

Best regards,

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

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Any thoughts on whether Corporate Preferred versus Preferred Plus is more likely to result in upgrades? I can qualify for both depending on whether I use an organizational membership or SPG Amex (I think), but am wondering which will look better on my account to front desks. I recognize that these levels are at the bottom of the totem pole. I should hit Gold in April so it may not matter any more but because I have a couple of stays coming up would love to get any upgrades I can.

Reading this thread, I can not find a definitive answer to exactly what the difference is between Corporate Preferred and Preferred Plus. Can someone spell it out for me?

no difference for the benefits..

There is a difference though some may find it insignificant. Corporate members will receive one 50% off Rack award after two eligible stays. But the member will have to register as per instructions given in their Corporate Preferred kit.

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Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

where would one get a preferred kit? I am a member through the AICPA but have never received anything from either the AICPA or SPG.

Thank you for the response. I don't think that is insignificant, but alas I am not eligible for the Corporate Preferred just the Preferred Plus.

You may ring up to SPG to request for a membership kit to be sent to you. It should be included together with your membership card.

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Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Where do these two programs fall in the Plat, gold, blue heirachy?

You sure you have the right hotel chain? There is no "blue" level at SPG.

If you were indeed referring to SPG they fall below Gold, roughly on the level of general member and pretty much any general member can get either if they take a few minutes. There are no requirements in terms of stays/nights etc.

Platinum, Gold, Corporate/Preferred Plus, SPG general member in about that order -- at least if ignoring other factors.

Is this still a current benefit of the Corporate Preferred program?

Thanks.

Welcome Gift
 

I've seen this Preferred Plus described as Gold without the 50% bonus, and I've seen it described as 4PM Checkout and non-guaranteed room upgrades. But those aren't the same thing, because Gold members also now get a welcome gift.

Do Preferred Plus members get a welcome gift? It wasn't spelled out in the mailing I received today.

Thanks!

No welcome amenity for that level.

Preferred Guest Plus
 

Does this tier still exist?

I just called to get this re-added to my account (lost it after being elevated to Gold and losing that) and was told that it no longer exists. I got bumped to that as I am a TD Ameritrade client. Perhaps other organizations/affiliation offer it?

I thought it had been given to AAA members.

IIRC there's a corporate version too that's very similar as a tier between member and Gold.

I called last year to add it to my Mother's account (AAA member). The CSR kept telling me that it did not exist. After a little back and forth, she finally went to check with someone and added it to my Mother's account.

I was told that I have this when I requested a late check out. I thought maybe it was a benefit of holding SPG card

Earlier this year, before I earned gold, I called a few times before someone understood what I was talking about.

The first time the agent told me I needed to do this through AAA. :rolleyes:

The second time the agent informed me it no longer existed.

The third time it burned and sank into the swamp.

Ah, but the fourth time.......

The late checkout allowance is key.

Everyone that I know that doesn't have status with starwood has preferred plus through the SPG AMEX CREDIT CARD in Canada.

Thanks, guess I'll keep trying. My experience mirrors yours, except it was through online chat and phone.
Edit: I do have a AAA card somewhere that says I'm good through 13. Hmmmm.

The late checkout and a little leverage to get a better, same type of room (eg. quiet, end of hall) helps, particularly since I have an interview the day after.

It does exist. I called before a stay over Labor Day weekend and had it added to my account through my AAA membership.

Cool, I logged in today and saw that I am now Preferred Guest Plus. The first agent that I chatted with (but was unfortunately disconnected from) after I provided the details must have done it.

PMing Lurker to send a compliment.

so i opened the SPG amex 3 weeks ago and am preferred plus as well. Haven't been able to stay at any SPG hotel yet, but will give my review of the status after my stay!

Going to stay at a Starwood property in Germany and from what I have heard in the past they are not always the most well versed folks when it comes to the SPG program and it's tier level benefits.

My rate is a corporate chainwide discount one (no negotieated rate at that property) and does not have internet included, but as a Corporate Preferred (if really similar to Gold - without 3 points earning etc.) would I be able to chose this as a welcome gift or that welcome gift does not apply either? Just want to be prepared and buy that 3.5-4G SIM card if internet is not free as that is cheaper than paying the overpriced hotel charges.

You mean "Starwood Preferred Business"? I don't see any welcome gift from http://www.starwoodpreferredbusiness.com.

No difference in upgrades - you won't see any suites with either CP or PP though you'll be better off than the average Joe and should be getting rooms that are not the worst ROH. However when you achieve gold you should see better rooms on higher floors though still no suites. SPH Plat is really the only status that count for something.

My status on my SPG card is "Corporate Preferred" and it is an unpublished level within SPG program. That's what the thread is and about and it is labled as such too.

Starwood Preferred Business is a different program for companies.

Hi demue,

Only Gold and Platinum members can choose welcome gifts at check-in.

Best Regards,

Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

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Thanks for the clarification. I guess I will buy that 4G sim card after all. Still way cheaper.

I have a question about the Starwood Preferred Business program. My business was just accepted into the program.

I see in the FAQ on the SPG that in order to see some rates you need to do a search while not logged into your account, if it is linked to your company with a SET#.

I have an employee that asked me if they could just delete the SET number, search, book, and then add the SET number again.

1) Would this work?
2) Will the company still get credit doing things this way? Can the SET number be added after a reservation has been made?

I have been asked if there are any additional benefits for employees beyond those offered to new SPG members, besides the possible discount on rooms. I'm not sure, 4:00PM check out?

Thanks for any info!

As far as I personally know, one can remove and add a SET account number from one's account as many times as you wish; however, the company does not get credited for the consumed booking unless you book the assigned SET rate driven by the number given to you for the company. While it can be added to the reservation after booking by contacting Customer Service, if you did not book the SET rate driven by the number given to you for the company, it would not result in the company getting credit for it.

There's an extensive FAQ at the Starwood Preferred Business web site that should answer this for you. If after reading through it, feel free to ask any additional questions you may have.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

William,
My company is in the process of getting set up with Starwood Preferred Business. My understanding is that all revenue stays earn credit if the traveller's SPG number is registered with the company in the Starwood Preferred Business site and reservations are made through SPG.com or travel agent. See the FAQ "Will my company earn Starpoints if an employee books a rate other than the Preferred Business Rate?"
And continued thanks to your service to this board.
TRRed

Thanks for the correction. So noted.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Hi all,

Lots of helpful info on this thread. I have a specific question that looks like it was addressed, albeit more than 5 years ago, so I'll ask again in case anything has changed:

I'm a Gold SPG member. My company just got enrolled for SPB. I went to the registration page and I had an option to link my SPG account to the SPB program. Is there any benefit to doing this, aside from my company earning points (which I'll probably never see)? It appears from the FAQ on the SPB site that I already get all the benefits of SPB and then some. Maybe I get a better rate with SPB over Gold?

I ask because I'm big on privacy, so I'm not hot on my company knowing when/where I stay on my personal time, but if I get a better rate than Gold, I'll take the privacy hit.

Thanks!

I'm fairly confident regular Gold is better but that assumes you will qualify for it each year.