Promo : Requalification Gift in 2013 : Double Points or 25%(Gold)/35%(Plat) off award

Oct 21, 14, 3:17 am - Wikipost

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This thread is discussing the 2013 gift. For (speculation concerning) a 2014 gift, see here.

A. Eligibility for 2013 Starwood Requalification Gift

1. Who qualifies to receive a 2013 gift?

SPG members qualify for a 2013 gift in one of three ways:

For members who were Gold or lower in 2012,
- by completing 10 stays or 25 nights in 2013, or
- by spending $30,000 in 2013 on an SPG Amex card linked to the SPG account
For members who were Platinum in 2012, by completing 25 stays or 50 nights in 2013

2. I'm lifetime SPG Gold/Platinum. Do I qualify?

Not on that basis, no.

3. I was Platinum in 2012, but only achieved Gold in 2013. Do I qualify?

No.

4. I was Platinum in 2012 and re-earned Platinum status this year. Do I qualify?

Yes -- for the 2013 Platinum gift. You will not receive the Gold gift as well.

5. I was a Gold (or base-level) member in 2012 and earned Platinum status this year. Do I qualify?

Yes. You qualify for both the Gold gift and the Platinum gift. Note, however, that you must register for (i.e., select via the SPG website) your Gold gift prior to qualifying for Platinum. If you reach Platinum status before selecting your Gold gift, the latter will no longer be available.

6. I (re)qualified a few days ago but have received no notice of my gift. Why?

You will receive an email from SPG within 3 weeks after you (re)qualify, though it could come more quickly.

7. I (re)qualified several weeks/months ago but have received no notice of my gift. Why?

There are multiple possible explanations:

You have no email address on file with SPG
Your email address is no longer valid (e.g., address from previous employment)
The email was caught in a spam filter

Even without the email, you may still register for your gift as discussed in section C below.

B. Details on the 2013 Starwood Requalification Gifts

1. What is the 2013 Gold gift?

You may choose one of the following:

double-earning on base points for stays during a future calendar month
25% off a future award stay, subject to certain conditions (described in section B.5 below)

2. What is the 2013 Platinum gift?

You may choose one of the following:

double-earning on base points for stays during a future calendar month
35% off a future award stay, subject to certain conditions (described in section B.5 below)

3. If I opt for double points as my gift, when will the benefit apply?

The answer differs for Gold and Platinum gifts.

For Gold gifts, your month of earning double base points will be the second month after the calendar month in which you register/select your gift. For example, if you register any time in October, your double base points month will be December.

For Platinum gifts, at the time of registration you will be given a choice of the first, second, or third month following the month after which you register. For example, if you register in December, you may select one month from among February, March, or April as your double base points month.

4. If I opt for the 25%/35% award discount as my gift, when will the benefit apply?

The benefit may be used for a stay at any time until the end of the sixth month following the month of registration. For example, if you register in December 2013, you may take your discount stay any time until the end of June 2014 (including any time in December 2013 after your e-certificate is issued; see section B.6 below). Note: Your award stay must fall entirely within the period of validity, i.e., you must check out on or before the last day your gift is valid.

5. What are the "certain conditions" (mentioned in B.2 above) applicable to the 25%/35% award discount?

The award discount gift

applies only to standard rooms
may be used at any category 1-6 property (i.e., excludes category 7)
may be used only for one room
may be used for a single stay of up to 5 nights
may not be used for Cash & Points award stays

6. How soon after registration can I use my award discount gift?

An e-certificate will appear in your SPG account within 7 business days after you register. (Some members report that their certificate appeared much sooner, within 48 hours. YMMV.) Once the certificate has been credited, you may use it.

Note: If you have fewer than 1300 points in your SPG account, the certificate will not be displayed in your account.

7. I have an existing reservation for an award stay. Can I apply my discount certificate to it?

Yes, an SPG phone representative should be able to modify the reservation for you.

8. I already applied my discount certificate to an upcoming reservation, but would now like to cancel the latter. Will I forfeit my certificate or do I get it back?

Your certificate will reappear in your account & remain available for use, subject to the original period of validity (as described in section B.4 above).

9. I had a stay/several stays prior to registration. Can I apply my double points or discount certificate retroactively?

No.

10. Are gift benefits "stackable" with other SPG benefits/promotions?

Yes. Your double base points gift may be earned in addition to any other extra-points promotion. Likewise, your award discount certificate may be applied to a five-night stay on which you also receive the normal Fifth Night Free benefit. (Note, however, that the certificate may not be applied to a Nights & Flights redemption.)

C. Registering for Your 2013 Starwood Requalification Gift

1. Where do I register/select my gift?

Go to https://www.spgpromos.com/elitegift2013/.

2. I just enter my SPG number, click "Continue," then enter my email address and click "Submit," right?

Yes, if you want to choose double points. Note the line above your SPG number that reads, "Would you like to switch to xx% off redemption? Click here." Follow that instruction if you do not want the double-points gift.

3. Oops. I already registered and would like to change my gift. How do I do that?

You can't, not even if you call SPG and ask. Your selection is irrevocable, so choose carefully and wisely.

4. How soon do I have to register?

NOTE: Although it was originally mentioned that registration for this promotion would close at the end of January 2014, it remained open until February 7, 2014. Per a number of posts from FT members, SPG Platinum phone and chat representatives have mentioned that registration will be open throughout various times in 2014. The ONLY official sources for the January 31, 2014 date were multiple Lurkers on this FT thread regarding the promotion (posts #244, #284, #422, #482, #520, #527, #565, and #663, ).

You may register at any time through the end of January 2014; after that, your gift expires and registration will no longer be available. (Tip: If you have not registered by the end of December 2013, register ASAP in January. There is no advantage to waiting until the end of January to register.)
The registration deadline of 31 Jan 2014 has been confirmed here in this thread by the Starwood official representative, though doesn't seem to be stated in any of the promotional materials or emails. Some posters have reported that they have been informed by other SPG channels that registration can be done after this date.

Note also, as discussed in section A.5 above, that 2012 Gold/base-level members who earn Platinum status have a limited window -- between Gold qualification and completing the stays/nights for Platinum -- in which to claim their Gold award.

5. What's the fine print?

The Terms and Conditions for the Gold gift options:

Quote:

Double Starpoints® Month: Registered member can choose to earn double Starpoints on all eligible stays during the calendar month that is two months out from today's month. Members who earn double Starpoints will earn an additional two Starpoints per eligible US$1 spent (for a total of four Starpoints per dollar). Elite-level extra Starpoints earnings and other bonuses will not be doubled. Only the base two Starpoints per dollar earnings are doubled. There is no limit to the number of bonus Starpoints that can be earned during the promotion period. Bonus Starpoints will post to the registered member's account within 2–4 weeks after the qualifying stay posts. An Eligible Night is a night at any of the over 1,100 SPG®-participating hotels and resorts paying an Eligible Rate during the promotion period. An Eligible Rate is any rate that is eligible to earn Starpoints in the Starwood Preferred Guest® program. SPG-participating hotels and resorts and a description of Eligible Stays and Eligible Rates can be found at spg.com under program terms and conditions. See Section 1.4 b iii for the complete definition of Eligible Rates, but note that certain prepaid rooms where the booking is made through a third party (including but not limited to travelocity.com, expedia.com and orbitz.com) are not Eligible Rates and do not earn Starpoints or qualify toward promotional earnings.

25% off Starpoints® Redemption: Registered member can choose one (1) 25%-off redemption award. SPG® members must call 1-888-625-4990 or their nearest Starwood Preferred Guest® Customer Contact Center and mention the Award ID provided on the confirmation page and/or confirmation email. Offer is valid for one award at Category 1–6 hotels and resorts for up to a five-night stay six months from when the member registered. This 25%-off redemption offer excludes Category 7 properties, upgrade awards and award reservations booked online. 25%-off redemption and no blackout dates applies to standard room categories only. 25%-off redemption stay will count toward elite qualification if used by the registered member. Member forfeits percent-off redemption when modifying award reservation outside the offer dates. If a percent-off redemption award is cancelled, only the amount of Starpoints used to order the percent-off redemption award will be credited to the member's account. Other restrictions may apply. Advance reservations required.

Qualifications and Starwood Terms: Members who qualify for the Gold gift must make a selection before they qualify for Platinum in order to take advantage of the Gold gift. After qualifying for Platinum status, the Gold gift selection will no longer be available. Offers are nontransferable and void for Starwood employees. Once a member chooses his or her offer it cannot be changed at any time. All promotions are subject to the Starwood Preferred Guest program terms and conditions, which are subject to change without notice and can be found at spg.com. Offer is applicable to individual members only and not to groups. Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors. Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time. To update your communication preferences or learn about our privacy practices, view our Privacy Statement on spg.com/privacy, or access our privacy information line by calling 1-877-782-0071 in the U.S. and Canada or +353-21-4930474 in all other countries. Starpoints, SPG, Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Element, Sheraton, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. Void where prohibited by law. ©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Terms and Conditions for the Platinum gift:

Quote:

Double Starpoints® Month: Registered member can choose to earn double Starpoints on all eligible stays during the calendar month of their choice from the three months provided as options. Retroactive selecting of the member's bonus month is prohibited. Members who earn double Starpoints will earn an additional two Starpoints per eligible US$1 spent (for a total of four Starpoints per dollar). Elite-level extra Starpoints earnings and other bonuses will not be doubled. Only the base two Starpoints per dollar earnings are doubled. There is no limit to the number of bonus Starpoints that can be earned during the promotion period. Bonus Starpoints will post to the registered member's account within 2–4 weeks after the qualifying stay posts. An Eligible Night is a night at any of the over 1,100 SPG®-participating hotels and resorts paying an Eligible Rate during the promotion period. An Eligible Rate is any rate that is eligible to earn Starpoints in the Starwood Preferred Guest® program. SPG-participating hotels and resorts and a description of Eligible Stays and Eligible Rates can be found at spg.com under program terms and conditions. See Section 1.4 b iii for the complete definition of Eligible Rates, but note that certain prepaid rooms where the booking is made through a third party (including but not limited to travelocity.com, expedia.com and orbitz.com) are not Eligible Rates and do not earn Starpoints or qualify toward promotional earnings.

35% off Starpoints® Redemption: Registered member can choose one (1) 35%-off redemption award. SPG® members must call 1-888-625-4991 or their nearest Starwood Preferred Guest® Customer Contact Center and mention the Award ID provided on the confirmation page and/or confirmation email. Offer is valid for one award at Category 1–6 hotels and resorts for up to a five-night stay six months from when the member registered. This 35%-off redemption offer excludes Category 7 properties, upgrade awards and award reservations booked online. 35%-off redemption and no blackout dates applies to standard room categories only. 35%-off redemption stay will count toward elite qualification if used by the registered member. Member forfeits percent-off redemption when modifying award reservation outside the offer dates. If a percent-off redemption award is cancelled, only the amount of Starpoints used to order the percent-off redemption award will be credited to the member's account. Other restrictions may apply. Advance reservations required.

Qualifications and Starwood Terms: Members who qualify for the Gold gift must make a selection before they qualify for Platinum in order to take advantage of the Gold gift. After qualifying for Platinum status, the Gold gift selection will no longer be available. Offers are nontransferable and void for Starwood employees. Once a member chooses his or her offer it cannot be changed at any time. All promotions are subject to the Starwood Preferred Guest program terms and conditions, which are subject to change without notice and can be found at spg.com. Offer is applicable to individual members only and not to groups. Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors. Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time. To update your communication preferences or learn about our privacy practices, view our Privacy Statement on spg.com/privacy, or access our privacy information line by calling 1-877-782-0071 in the U.S. and Canada or +353-21-4930474 in all other countries. Starpoints, SPG, Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Element, Sheraton, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. Void where prohibited by law. ©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved.

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May 30, 13, 10:07 am

#271

YYJMSP

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: BC, Canada

Programs: Bonvoy LTTE, VSE 5 Star Elite

Posts: 378

Quote:

Originally Posted by awu25

When I booked, it was 35% off immediately. Did not have to spend 100% and then wait for points to be redeposited

Looks like it posted as the discounted points, so the CSR's are not clearly understanding how this works, even after she went off for 5mins to talk to someone else for instructions...

May 30, 13, 12:01 pm

#272

hotelfanatic

Join Date: Feb 2005

Programs: Lifetime titanium, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Silver, Amtrak Select Plus, UA Silver

Posts: 1,568

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeTheLights

I want to use the 35% points award for a vacation in late December. (It is available right now.) I haven't picked my award yet since it can only be used 6 months out. My question is do I need to wait until June 20th (6 months before December 20th) to "pick my Platinum award" or can I just pick the Platinum award on June 1st. I apologize if it is already answered, but it seemed from some of the Lurker and other posts that you could pick the award on June 1st and use it through December 31st. I just don't want to screw it up. Thanks in advance.

I would not take a chance. SPG is pretty sticky about rules. When I redeemed my award, it was valid for exactly 6 months from the day I submit it.

May 30, 13, 12:05 pm

#273

SeeTheLights

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: LAX

Programs: AA EXPPLT, United 1K, *wood PLT, Delta Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Southwest A-list

Posts: 341

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotelfanatic

I would not take a chance. SPG is pretty sticky about rules. When I redeemed my award, it was valid for exactly 6 months from the day I submit it.

Thanks. That is what I figured. I'll just wait until the end of June.

May 30, 13, 5:51 pm

#274

YoungSinema

Join Date: May 2013

Programs: SPG

Posts: 11

Quote:

Originally Posted by YYJMSP

Looks like it posted as the discounted points, so the CSR's are not clearly understanding how this works, even after she went off for 5mins to talk to someone else for instructions...

Actually, it was done right. They were only being redeposited as a request because guests were trying to use their 25/35% off before the award appeared in their account. You do not need 100% of the points in your account if the award is already in your account.

May 30, 13, 10:38 pm

#275

YYJMSP

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: BC, Canada

Programs: Bonvoy LTTE, VSE 5 Star Elite

Posts: 378

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungSinema

They wouldn't let me book until the award was in the account, and they wouldn't let me apply the award against an existing booking, so saying that you have need the full points up-front makes no sense...

Jun 2, 13, 7:36 am

#276

cybaslacka

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: New York

Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Intercontinental Platinum, AA Gold

Posts: 228

Lurkers, any thought on this part of the terms? In the below example, waiting till June is no biggy. However, I wanted to make a redemption in May of next year, so does that mean that I need to wait till Nov/Dec 2013 before I click the link to get the 35% coupon? My hunch is no, but want to check.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotelfanatic

I would not take a chance. SPG is pretty sticky about rules. When I redeemed my award, it was valid for exactly 6 months from the day I submit it.

Jun 2, 13, 9:41 am

#277

josephstern

Original Poster

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: Upper Sternistan

Posts: 8,025

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeTheLights

My plan is the same, and Lurker has confirmed it. See this post:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20683279-post243.html

(not sure how A in that example would be possible at all - 5 months?)

Jun 2, 13, 9:47 am

#278

josephstern

Original Poster

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: Upper Sternistan

Posts: 8,025

In fact, here's the wording in the email (just registered):

Quote:

redeem for up to five nights at any Category 1–6 hotel or resort by December 31, 2013

Jun 2, 13, 10:00 am

#279

cybaslacka

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: New York

Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Intercontinental Platinum, AA Gold

Posts: 228

Quote:

Originally Posted by josephstern

My plan is the same, and Lurker has confirmed it. See this post:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20683279-post243.html

(not sure how A in that example would be possible at all - 5 months?)

That only speaks of the redemption date and not the actual stay date. I want my stay to be in mid to late 2014.

Jun 2, 13, 5:31 pm

#280

MSPDeltaDude

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Minneapolis

Programs: Delta Plat Kool-Aid Drinker, Hyatt Diamond, SPG GM, Marriott GM, Hilton GM, and Priority Club GM

Posts: 1,183

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybaslacka

That only speaks of the redemption date and not the actual stay date. I want my stay to be in mid to late 2014.

Look at post #244......

So your saying can you book register on Dec 31st,2012 then book something in July 2013...for something as far as the hotel is taking reservations....maybe into 2014? Good question!

Jun 2, 13, 7:08 pm

#281

josephstern

Original Poster

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: Upper Sternistan

Posts: 8,025

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybaslacka

That only speaks of the redemption date and not the actual stay date. I want my stay to be in mid to late 2014.

Pretty sure they mean the stay date.

Here is an excerpt from the terms that were emailed to me after registration:

Quote:

Offer is valid for one award at Category 1–6 hotels and resorts for up to a five-night stay through December 31, 2013

Jun 2, 13, 8:14 pm

#282

cloudybw

Join Date: Sep 2012

Location: Up In The Cloud

Programs: UA 1K MM; BA S, AA G; AS G; DL | SPG P50, M G, CC G, IHG P, HLT S | Hertz PC, Avis F

Posts: 667

Can you apply the 35% off retroactively to a stay within 6 months but booked before?

Are there any time limits after qualification to redeem the 35% off rewards?

Jun 3, 13, 3:51 pm

#283

Starwood Lurker

Company Representative - Starwood

Join Date: Nov 2000

Location: Austin, Texas

Programs: Marriott Employee Level

Posts: 31,593

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudybw

Can you apply the 35% off retroactively to a stay within 6 months but booked before?

It depends. If it is a paid-rate reservation, no. They would have to start from scratch. If it is an existing award reservation, then associates are allowed to modify the award.

Quote:

Are there any time limits after qualification to redeem the 35% off rewards?

I believe the time limit after registration is fairly clearly noted in the Terms and Conditions. The very last opportunity to register for using this gift is January 2014.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

Last edited by Starwood Lurker; Jun 4, 13 at 1:10 pm Reason: clarification on existing paid vs. award res

Jun 3, 13, 3:53 pm

#284

Starwood Lurker

Company Representative - Starwood

Join Date: Nov 2000

Location: Austin, Texas

Programs: Marriott Employee Level

Posts: 31,593

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybaslacka

That only speaks of the redemption date and not the actual stay date. I want my stay to be in mid to late 2014.

The last opportunity to register is January 2014. If you register then, the very last date to stay using this award is July 31, 2014. You must redeem and complete the stay before July 31, 2014 if you choose the January 2014 registration date.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

Jun 4, 13, 8:03 am

#285

hotelfanatic

Join Date: Feb 2005

Programs: Lifetime titanium, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Silver, Amtrak Select Plus, UA Silver

Posts: 1,568

I was able to apply the 35% off to an existing future reservation with the help of a very helpful CSR Liz. It took a couple of days but was able to apply it in the end and my points redeposited straight away.

Last edited by hotelfanatic; Jun 4, 13 at 8:59 am

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