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

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Old Jul 15, 2013, 5:21 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Oxon Flyer
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  • Your email address is no longer valid (e.g., address from previous employment)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?
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:
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:
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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Promo : Requalification Gift in 2013 : Double Points or 25%(Gold)/35%(Plat) off award

 
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Old Jul 8, 2013, 4:30 pm
  #346  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by greenepece
Hi,
So my hubby got gold at the end of the year last year, and qualified for platinum in March through a platinum challenge. I tried to register him for this through the link but it says he's not eligible for this offer. Has anyone else experienced this? We would love to be able to get the redemption discounts!
The Platinum challenge is a promotional offer, so getting Platinum this way does not yet qualify him for the gift. Since he is Platinum, he would not qualify for the Gold gift and he won't qualify for the Platinum gift until he has 25 eligible stays or 50 eligible nights credited to his account.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]
Starwood Lurker is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2013, 12:15 am
  #347  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO (San Fran)
Programs: United, Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Elite
Posts: 75
Does the 35% off promo for Platinum Renewal apply for multiple rooms for 1 stay? Say I want to get 4 rooms at 10,000 points each for 2 nights. That's 80K points. Do I get 35% back of that? Or is it only available for one room (20K points -> 35% of that back).

Thanks!
trustful88 is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2013, 2:20 am
  #348  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
Originally Posted by trustful88
Does the 35% off promo for Platinum Renewal apply for multiple rooms for 1 stay? Say I want to get 4 rooms at 10,000 points each for 2 nights. That's 80K points. Do I get 35% back of that? Or is it only available for one room (20K points -> 35% of that back).

Thanks!
Only for one room. (Ignore my emoticon. I keyed in by mistake)

[email protected]

Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Starwood Lurker II is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2013, 4:11 am
  #349  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
Originally Posted by onofre
Based on the terms above--do you think if I wait to register for this promotion until April 1 that I can make June my double points month?
any idea how long I can delay before registration?

I got this email also few days ago. No plan for September. Actually I got a few stays planned for early Aug. too bad.....
lingua101 is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 3:22 am
  #350  
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Wesseling, NRW, Germany
Programs: UA *S , MR LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,940
So now that I got my 35%off coupon, can anyone enlighten me on the rules to use it? I understand it is good for up to five nights, however my intended stay is six nights long.

Hence my question: Can I use the coupon for the full stay as well (so reducing the points for the first five nights and then pay the sixth night in full - but all in one reservation), or do I have to make two seperate reservations (one for five nights and a consecutive reservation for one night) and have the hotel combine these two at checkin?

Also, will the 5th night free discount also be applied before the 35% off, or will these two not combine? And if the hotel offers upgraded rooms: Will the discount also be applicable on the higher redemption rate for these rooms?

Thanks for the clarification!

Greetings - Dirk
djohannw is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 4:07 am
  #351  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
Originally Posted by djohannw
So now that I got my 35%off coupon, can anyone enlighten me on the rules to use it? I understand it is good for up to five nights, however my intended stay is six nights long.

Hence my question: Can I use the coupon for the full stay as well (so reducing the points for the first five nights and then pay the sixth night in full - but all in one reservation), or do I have to make two seperate reservations (one for five nights and a consecutive reservation for one night) and have the hotel combine these two at checkin?

Also, will the 5th night free discount also be applied before the 35% off, or will these two not combine? And if the hotel offers upgraded rooms: Will the discount also be applicable on the higher redemption rate for these rooms?

Thanks for the clarification!

Greetings - Dirk
Answers:

Some answers found here.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20493413-post74.html

Promotion states the 35% off gift is only available for redemption not more than 5 nights so you would have to separate your reservations into two(5 nights and 1 night)

Lastly, you would have to call in to use the gift. An award will be issued on the spot so there is no way in telling whether you will be upgraded until you check in.

[email protected]

Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Starwood Lurker II is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 4:11 am
  #352  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 792
Originally Posted by rooivalk
It excludes award reservations booked online? Does that mean if I book an award reservation online now, I cannot apply the 35%-off to the award booking later? (You mentioned that Associates are now able to modify award reservations.)
Anyone care to answer me?
rooivalk is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 4:31 am
  #353  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,673
Originally Posted by rooivalk
Anyone care to answer me?
i did this last month....the award was booked a couple of months ago & a few days before my stay i qualified for the award....the hotel was completely sold out so i couldn't cancel & rebook....i asked my ambassador if she could apply the award to the existing reservation & she did....got 35% points back in the account right away....
Keyser is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 5:55 am
  #354  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AC Altitude50
Posts: 251
Originally Posted by Keyser
i did this last month....the award was booked a couple of months ago & a few days before my stay i qualified for the award....the hotel was completely sold out so i couldn't cancel & rebook....i asked my ambassador if she could apply the award to the existing reservation & she did....got 35% points back in the account right away....
I had the same experience.My Ambassador applied it to a reservation which I made prior to receiving my award.
I never received notification of the award (35%) being in my account. I had chosen it and one day it was in my SPG account under " My Earned Awards".
canalskater is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 9:11 am
  #355  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: LH Sen, Starwood Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 340
Sorry if this has been answered before. But I completed my 50 nights a few days ago. When should I expect to receive notification of the gift? In the mean time, can I still call and avail of the offer?
Sphinx is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 9:21 am
  #356  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by Sphinx
Sorry if this has been answered before. But I completed my 50 nights a few days ago. When should I expect to receive notification of the gift? In the mean time, can I still call and avail of the offer?
It can take 10 - 14 days from the time of renewal for the email to be prepared and sent. Have you tried to pick your reward by using the url published here and registering your choice?

Once that is done, I would give it another 72 hours and the award should appear in your account under Earned Awards. When you see it there, you can call to redeem it.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]
Starwood Lurker is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 9:59 am
  #357  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: LH Sen, Starwood Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 340
Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Have you tried to pick your reward by using the url published here and registering your choice?
Tried it but was told I wasn't eligible, even though the SPG account shows 52 nights YTD.
Sphinx is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 10:04 am
  #358  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by Sphinx
Tried it but was told I wasn't eligible, even though the SPG account shows 52 nights YTD.
Then I would give it some more time. Like I said, it can take from 10 - 14 days for you to be added to the eligibility matrix, the email prepared, and then sent.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]
Starwood Lurker is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2013, 1:52 pm
  #359  
cln
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Europe/SEA
Programs: TK E+, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Dusit Gold
Posts: 1,714
thank you for the link for the Thank you cards....
cln is offline  
Old Jul 13, 2013, 11:10 am
  #360  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS, SPG Plat
Posts: 423
Anyone else have any issues using the 35% promo? Applying this to a reservation seems to have caused a lot of issues with my reservation. I had originally booked a 4 night award stay for 48,000 points. Once my 35% off coupon was applied to my account I called the PLT line to have it applied to that existing reservation. Issues I've since had:

1. After a very long wait the agent applied the coupon and deducted the new amount (31,200 points) from my account. After hanging up I realized that they never reinstated the 48,000 points. That took another long call the next day to get this reapplied.

2. I now notice that the suit night award request I made for this reservation is no longer tied to the reservation; however, the original 4 awards remain removed from my account. When I try to resubmit the request for the award, I get an error message that some rates do not allow suit night award requests.

Seems to be a bug in the system. Anybody else have similar issue(s) and/or have suggestions for how to get this fixed?

EDIT: I'm now on the phone with the global concierge team and it's a complete cluster. Apparently I have two reservation numbers and they are saying the platinum agent messed up my reservation. I may have two reservations or none at this point. Very stressful and annoying.

Last edited by rikramer; Jul 13, 2013 at 11:28 am
rikramer is offline  


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