SPG no longer doing instant internal transfers
#61
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#62
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 348
New rules in transfering points to others
What are the new rules to tranfer points between members in the same household? I tried and they wanted proof of residency.
Wow! What happened?, it use to be a quick call and it was transfered quickly.
Anyone can you please advise.
Wow! What happened?, it use to be a quick call and it was transfered quickly.
Anyone can you please advise.
#63
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Programs: IHG Plat, HH Gold, EZ Pass Plat, Starbucks Gold, Whatever flight is cheapest
Posts: 7,035
Fraud?
Same residence rules apply as per the FAQ.
See also Section 2.5 here.
Same residence rules apply as per the FAQ.
See also Section 2.5 here.
2.5. Starpoints may be transferred between two Program accounts only when each member resides at the same residential address with the exception of Starwood Vacation Ownership Preferred Guest accounts. Starwood Vacation Ownership Owners (“Owners”) may transfer Starpoints between two designated Starwood Vacation Ownership Preferred Guest accounts, regardless of whether the accounts have the same residential address. Members may not transfer Starpoints to/from an account that has an a P.O. Box, APO or SPO as the address. Members may be required to provide proof of residency at the address on their account prior to being permitted to transfer Starpoints between two accounts.
#64
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
i'm sure the Grand Slam promo from US didn't help matters any
#66
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1P, SPG
Posts: 5
I didn't see this thread until this evening. I initiated a points transfer yesterday from my husband's account to mine and didn't know about this new rule. The last time I did an internal transfer, it was instantaneous, so I was surprised when the phone agent told me that it would take 24 hours to complete.
So, as the 24-hour period passed today, I logged in and no points transferred. Continued checking throughout the day, and finally called Customer Service to check the status. The very nice CS agent today checked with a supervisor and came back on to tell me that the system had recently changed for transfers and that it would be 5-6 days (which I ended up get solid reconfirmation of on here).
In any case, it seems that even within SPG, there's still confusion about this if agents taking calls aren't even aware of the changes and are giving out incorrect information (as the woman did yesterday by quoting a 24-hour turnaround for me).
For data point tracking, I'll post back here on what the final elapsed time will have been for this transfer to go through.
So, as the 24-hour period passed today, I logged in and no points transferred. Continued checking throughout the day, and finally called Customer Service to check the status. The very nice CS agent today checked with a supervisor and came back on to tell me that the system had recently changed for transfers and that it would be 5-6 days (which I ended up get solid reconfirmation of on here).
In any case, it seems that even within SPG, there's still confusion about this if agents taking calls aren't even aware of the changes and are giving out incorrect information (as the woman did yesterday by quoting a 24-hour turnaround for me).
For data point tracking, I'll post back here on what the final elapsed time will have been for this transfer to go through.
#67
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AA LT Plat, AC 25K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,137
I didn't see this thread until this evening. I initiated a points transfer yesterday from my husband's account to mine and didn't know about this new rule. The last time I did an internal transfer, it was instantaneous, so I was surprised when the phone agent told me that it would take 24 hours to complete.
So, as the 24-hour period passed today, I logged in and no points transferred. Continued checking throughout the day, and finally called Customer Service to check the status. The very nice CS agent today checked with a supervisor and came back on to tell me that the system had recently changed for transfers and that it would be 5-6 days (which I ended up get solid reconfirmation of on here).
In any case, it seems that even within SPG, there's still confusion about this if agents taking calls aren't even aware of the changes and are giving out incorrect information (as the woman did yesterday by quoting a 24-hour turnaround for me).
For data point tracking, I'll post back here on what the final elapsed time will have been for this transfer to go through.
So, as the 24-hour period passed today, I logged in and no points transferred. Continued checking throughout the day, and finally called Customer Service to check the status. The very nice CS agent today checked with a supervisor and came back on to tell me that the system had recently changed for transfers and that it would be 5-6 days (which I ended up get solid reconfirmation of on here).
In any case, it seems that even within SPG, there's still confusion about this if agents taking calls aren't even aware of the changes and are giving out incorrect information (as the woman did yesterday by quoting a 24-hour turnaround for me).
For data point tracking, I'll post back here on what the final elapsed time will have been for this transfer to go through.
#68
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BDA
Posts: 155
That was Starwood Lurker II.
Still, that is SPG's policy because most airlines don't allow such transfers to go through, so he and I have to be a little more conservative in the answers we give here. Any YMMV's you are most welcomed to advise, however, since there is little to no accountability expected.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Still, that is SPG's policy because most airlines don't allow such transfers to go through, so he and I have to be a little more conservative in the answers we give here. Any YMMV's you are most welcomed to advise, however, since there is little to no accountability expected.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Well, if you are really going to be conservative in your reponses, Starwood Lurker II might want to phrase his responses differently.
"besides a slightly longer period of time needed for the transfer to be approved, there are no other changes being implemented."
What used to take 1 minute to do now takes up to (5 days = 7,200 minutes). 7,200% increase...slightly longer?
For the record, I attempted to move some points from my wife's account to mine a couple of days ago and was told by the first agent an email would be sent out and it would take between 24-48 hours for the transfer. As of today, no email so I called back and was informed it would take up to 5 days. My wife has a different last name than me, but our accounts would have had the same address for at least the past 5 years.
Why does it take so long for the email to be sent? Couldn't the agent send the email while I was on the phone? I guess I am OK with the 5 day wait period, but had I known about it earlier I would have planned accordingly.
I am trying to do a transfer to airline and everyday I wait it seems the availability is decreasing.
I just hope that there isn't a further slight increase in the time it takes to do a transfer! 5 days * 7,200= 98 years. Yikes!
#69
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
...Why does it take so long for the email to be sent? Couldn't the agent send the email while I was on the phone? I guess I am OK with the 5 day wait period, but had I known about it earlier I would have planned accordingly.
I am trying to do a transfer to airline and everyday I wait it seems the availability is decreasing...
I am trying to do a transfer to airline and everyday I wait it seems the availability is decreasing...
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
#70
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They also told us we would get an email to confirm the transfer request, but we never got anything (transfer requested two days ago, on Monday).
#71
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my father was told the same thing last month....he finally got the email 5 days later & the transfer went through on the 6th day....
#72
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: HHonors, Delta
Posts: 222
Your last paragraph is exactly the reason why I think it should remain "household" rather than "family". Definition of a "household" is less contentious than definition of "family", as in some places people living in a single household may not be part of the notion of a "traditional 'family'" in some jurisdictions even as they may be protected from discrimination in others, both while being part of a single household.
As to the notion of relying upon names to determine family relationships, that's a bad idea in a world where people come from various kinds of cultural and sub-cultural backgrounds and make individual choices about how they want themselves and/or their progeny to be known.
As to the notion of relying upon names to determine family relationships, that's a bad idea in a world where people come from various kinds of cultural and sub-cultural backgrounds and make individual choices about how they want themselves and/or their progeny to be known.
#73
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 471
Agreed. My spouse and I don't have the same last name although we DO reside at the same address. We've also never had any problems with SPG internal transfers. I think if the new SPG policy cuts down on "misuse" of SPG points, then it's probably a good thing. As someone said, easier for legitimate members to redeem.
#74
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Posts: 52,140
Data point
Transfer requested Monday.
"We received your request" email received Wednesday.
Transfer completed Friday.
"We received your request" email received Wednesday.
Transfer completed Friday.
#75
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1P, SPG
Posts: 5
Transfer requested by phone Monday December 6 at Noon.
Transfer completed Friday December 10 during the morning.
Total of <48 hours turnaround
No email verifying the transfer request has been received.
Transfer completed Friday December 10 during the morning.
Total of <48 hours turnaround
No email verifying the transfer request has been received.