nevansm

What if there is no "official venue" for the property? I had a little trouble finding the Westin Lake Mary Orlando this afternoon but eventually found it.

awc4

Here's a more detailed explanation:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...oursquare.html

itsaboutthejourney

FWIW: there are less than a handful of Starwood Properties that DO NOT participate in the SPG program @:-) (the bulk of them are in Dubai)

R0adWarri0r

Just remember that the way these social media "check-in" sites work is that they'll share your check-in data with 3rd parties. So, like Starwood will have access to all your check-in data, not just the Starwood check-ins, etc. - if you're cool with giving companies this data, sign up! It's a little wild wild west out there IMHO...

stimpy

Does one really need to use a smartphone to participate in this earning opportunity? You can't sign into the internet once you get checked into your room to do this? Over 90% of my travel is international so I can't really use smartphone data. Does this mean I am not eligible?

Also, is there a Dummies guide for this? Other than casually following Twitter, I'm not a social media guy.

N751PR

Been on the fence and have been tempted as I watched other FTer check-ins via the linking of their Foursquares with their Facebooks. Looks like this is a good enough incentive for me to finally join.

bzz100

I have a question regarding matching profiles on SPG.com and Foursquare (when linked via Facebook). I have a long and difficult to pronounce name. Therefore, I never use my proper name among my freinds and colleagues. I use my middle name as my first name because it is much easier to pronounce. This is the name I have always used. However, my credit cards, bank account, online accounts (including SPG) all use my lengthy proper name. On my Facebook account I use the name that everyone calls me.

So my questions is.... Does my Facebook/Foursquare name have to match my SPG account name in order to to get the bonus? Or, is it simply good enough to link my Facebook/Foursquare account? The reason I ask this is because it doesn't appear you ave to enter in your reservation number when you check in. Therefore, I assume that Starwood is somehow matching my Facebook/Foursquare login name to a reservation. Is this correct? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

LIH Prem

I don't see why the mobile site check-in shouldn't work. I suppose William will have to tell us for sure.

(update: I don't see anything in the t&cs that would preclude check-in via the mobile web site. http://www.spgpromos.com/socialcheck...rsquare/terms/ )

You can do it all via wifi with the app if you want to. (keep location services off for the app, turn it on when needed, connect via wifi, start the app, check-in, exit the app, turn off location services, etc.)

Also, in the setting on foursquare, you can control how much info you share. You can disable most of it, I think. There will be an entry for starwood in apps, once you link the accounts.

bzz100, I think it matched my email addresses. Try using the same email address. (though my name was the same on both accounts too.) Also I didn't link foursquare to facebook, etc. Just did a standalone foursquare (new) account.

-David

points_maniac

Starwood Lurker, if I understood correctly all SPG properties participate. I am staying at the Westin Edina Galleria in Bloomington, MN and it does not show the "Special" icon, but the Westin Minneapolis (which is a different property) shows the "Special" icon. (and yes, I am looking at the official place)

Does this mean that the Westin Edina does not participate in this promotion? If that is the case, the statement about all SPG properties participating in this promotion would not be correct.

Starwood Lurker II

Well, you can use either my posts or William's posts in this thread as proof in order for you to proceed with the registration for the Foursquare special.

[email protected]

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

Starwood Lurker II

Let me conduct a check on this.

Thank you.

[email protected]

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

Starwood Lurker II

“Check in with foursquare” implies that all T&Cs of using the foursquare application would apply for this promotion as well.

Does this answer the question? Please let me know.

Thank you.

[email protected]

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

Starwood Lurker II

According to the presentation I have attended, when you register for this promotion via www.spg.com/socialcheckins, you would be asked to sign in using your SPG account details. After which, you would be guided through a process of linking your SPG and foursquare accounts together. Without completing the linking procedure, your bonus points will not be posted even if you manage to check-in via an official hotel check-in site.

I do not see any indication that the names for both accounts have to be matched exactly.

[email protected]

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

Yankeeflyer

[deleted]

Flews

Actually, I have never posted on Ft's upcoming stay thread. And whenever I post about future stays or trips I am deliberately vague about the actual dates. In fact, I am even vague about actual dates when I post views and/or reviews on past stays. So I am totally consistent. Thanks for asking though.

Cheers,