Sep 5, 2013, 12:24 am
Last edit by: beltway
What are the published terms of the late check-out benefit?
Per Starwood Lurker, the relevant discussion in the 2015 SPG Program Guide is on page 12. May a resort/conference property offer late checkout for a price?
The exact language on the SPG website is
Where can I find these terms stated on the SPG website?
4 p.m. late checkout, where available. [Footnote: Subject to availability at resort and conference center hotels.]
Log into your SPG account and click on My Benefits (or go to https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...ybenefits.html).
Where can I find a list of "resort and conference center hotels" on the SPG website?You can't; it isn't there. However, one of the Starwood social-media representatives has posted (and regularly updates) a list at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18920557-post809.html.
Do front-desk clerks at Starwood properties have a program guide that contains information on this benefit?Whether they choose to print a hard copy for easy reference or not, the current (2014) SPG Program Guide is available through the company intranet site although the information cited now resides on Page 13, where it still says, "Guaranteed 4 pm late check-out (only at Resorts and Conference Centers is it subject to availability)"
Not to anyone entitled to late checkout elsewhere. According to Starwood Lurker, if late checkout is available for a price at resort/conference hotels, then it must be made available at no cost to SPG elites.
FAQ: 4 PM Late Check-Out: A benefit for Platinum, Gold & Preferred Plus
Feb 10, 2006, 3:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,674
FAQ: 4 PM Late Check-Out: A benefit for Platinum, Gold & Preferred Plus
Perhaps our resident lurker or another kind sould could clarify this for me. Having just received my new (2006) platinum card for this year, I (naturally) carefully compare it to last year's card.
Among the changes was the disappearance of 4 pm checkout benefit from the list on the back of the card. The guide mailed together with the card also does not mention this benefit.
Is 4 pm checkout still a benefit for plats?
If this has been mentioned before, my apologies. I did try searching, but nothing relevant came up.
Inserted by moderator: Please see Lurker's post of resort properties (updated July 12, 2012):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18920557-post809.html
For Starwood Lurker's definition of conference hotel and non participating properties, please see:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14407819-post514.html
Among the changes was the disappearance of 4 pm checkout benefit from the list on the back of the card. The guide mailed together with the card also does not mention this benefit.
Is 4 pm checkout still a benefit for plats?
If this has been mentioned before, my apologies. I did try searching, but nothing relevant came up.
Inserted by moderator: Please see Lurker's post of resort properties (updated July 12, 2012):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18920557-post809.html
For Starwood Lurker's definition of conference hotel and non participating properties, please see:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14407819-post514.html
Last edited by AZ Travels the World; Jul 12, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Feb 10, 2006, 3:46 pm
#2
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by blue2002
Perhaps our resident lurker or another kind sould could clarify this for me. Having just received my new (2006) platinum card for this year, I (naturally) carefully compare it to last year's card.
Among the changes was the disappearance of 4 pm checkout benefit from the list on the back of the card. The guide mailed together with the card also does not mention this benefit.
Is 4 pm checkout still a benefit for plats?
If this has been mentioned before, my apologies. I did try searching, but nothing relevant came up.
Among the changes was the disappearance of 4 pm checkout benefit from the list on the back of the card. The guide mailed together with the card also does not mention this benefit.
Is 4 pm checkout still a benefit for plats?
If this has been mentioned before, my apologies. I did try searching, but nothing relevant came up.
3. Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout worldwide upon request. Late checkout is subject to availability at some resort and conference locations during peak periods.
Then under Platinum member benefits it says:
Platinum Preferred Guest Benefits
In addition to all the benefits of Gold Preferred Guest membership, Platinum Preferred Guests also receive the following benefits:
So, I wouldn't worry too much about what appears or disappears from the back of the card. We've changed vendors for them about every year we've been in business, so - no doubt - the cards have changed somewhat as well.
I really would not worry too much unless you see it disappear altogether from the Terms and Conditions of Membership.
I think the true miracle is that anyone has gotten their new 2006 membership card already. It usually takes well into March for that to happen though.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Last edited by Starwood Lurker; Feb 10, 2006 at 5:52 pm Reason: noticed one too many usually's
Feb 10, 2006, 5:00 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
I think the true miracle is that anyone has gotten their new 2006 membership card already. It usually takes well into March for that to happen usually.
[/email]
[/email]
I received mine shortly after new years this year However, my card still has the guranteed 4PM late check out on it. It's still that old silver/bluish image with a castle behind it. I requested a replacement card around Oct/Nov of last year though so maybe I received the older version. My card doesn't expire until Feb 2007. I don't know......
Feb 10, 2006, 5:44 pm
#4
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by BlissWorld
I received mine shortly after new years this year However, my card still has the guranteed 4PM late check out on it. It's still that old silver/bluish image with a castle behind it. I requested a replacement card around Oct/Nov of last year though so maybe I received the older version. My card doesn't expire until Feb 2007. I don't know......
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Last edited by Starwood Lurker; Feb 10, 2006 at 5:51 pm Reason: added a word to clarify
Feb 10, 2006, 8:49 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,674
William,
Thanks for clarifying this so quickly. ^
Thanks for clarifying this so quickly. ^
Feb 10, 2006, 10:57 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,251
I know I am nowhere near as useful as the Lurker himself, but I've NEVER had a late checkout refused after about about 70 nights in 50 different starwood hotels. This was as a preferred and gold.
Mar 22, 2006, 11:47 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3
Denied 4pm Checkout - Sheraton Sand Key Resort
So I decided to try out the SPG program since I've heard good things about it. I booked a trip for my parents 25th anniversary at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Florida, and want to make sure they have a good trip. I gave my parents my card and told them to ask for the late checkout benefit. They were denied since apparently I have to "ask for it when making the reservations." What kind of lame excuse is this? Preferred Plus is still offered a 4pm late checkout isn't it? I've never had this problem with the other rewards programs I use, and this paints a bad picture for me already. My parents have a late flight so they could have really used the late checkout. I have to say I'm quite disappointed.
Mar 22, 2006, 11:51 am
#8
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by PaulNEPats
So I decided to try out the SPG program since I've heard good things about it. I booked a trip for my parents 25th anniversary at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Florida, and want to make sure they have a good trip. I gave my parents my card and told them to ask for the late checkout benefit. They were denied since apparently I have to "ask for it when making the reservations." What kind of lame excuse is this? Preferred Plus is still offered a 4pm late checkout isn't it? I've never had this problem with the other rewards programs I use, and this paints a bad picture for me already. My parents have a late flight so they could have really used the late checkout. I have to say I'm quite disappointed.
Also, they apparently weren't members in the program. Your benefits are not transferrable to non-members or members with a lesser status.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Mar 22, 2006, 12:46 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2005
Location: DCA
Posts: 677
Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Sorry for your disappointment, but this benefit is subject to availability at resorts and conference destinations.
Also, they apparently weren't members in the program. Your benefits are not transferrable to non-members or members with a lesser status.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Also, they apparently weren't members in the program. Your benefits are not transferrable to non-members or members with a lesser status.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
I was denied 4pm check-out at a non-resort non-conference destination (I'm a gold spg member)
Mar 22, 2006, 12:52 pm
#10
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by javabean
Is it guaranteed at other destinations?
I was denied 4pm check-out at a non-resort non-conference destination (I'm a gold spg member)
I was denied 4pm check-out at a non-resort non-conference destination (I'm a gold spg member)
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Mar 22, 2006, 1:01 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Location: DCA
Posts: 677
Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Yes. If denied, you should be contacting Corporate Customer Service. 800-328-6242.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
but the hotel did not seem to know that either
Mar 22, 2006, 1:25 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AS MVPG, SPG PLAT 100
Posts: 1,497
Originally Posted by javabean
thanks for your reply! i did not know it's guaranteed. ^
but the hotel did not seem to know that either
but the hotel did not seem to know that either
Mar 22, 2006, 1:44 pm
#13
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by paullevi
I thought it was 'guaranteed' for Plats and 'if available' for Golds?
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Jun 14, 2006, 9:46 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Southern California
Programs: US Airways,Hilton HHonors, Marriott, National
Posts: 1,341
Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Guaranteed for everyone Preferred Plus (including Corporate) and above, except as outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Membership.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Jun 15, 2006, 5:01 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
my past history indicates that Resorts will stiff you and NOT give you the late checkout... I'm not saying that no one has ever not rec'd a late checkout, just that all my experiences at resorts (including many conference centers which can be just about any hotel with a ballroom) has been negative with this benefit