Jul 15, 13, 6:21 pm
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?
1. What is the 2013 Gold 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?
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:
2. I'm lifetime SPG Gold/Platinum. Do I qualify?- 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
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:
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- 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- Your email address is no longer valid (e.g., address from previous employment)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.
1. What is the 2013 Gold gift?
You may choose one of the following:
2. What is the 2013 Platinum gift?- 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)
You may choose one of the following:
3. If I opt for double points as my gift, when will the benefit apply?- 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)
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?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.
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
6. How soon after registration can I use my 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
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?Note: If you have fewer than 1300 points in your SPG account, the certificate will not be displayed in your account.
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 Gift1. 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 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.
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 24 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 16 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 Mridien, 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.
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 16 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 Mridien, 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 24 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 16 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 Mridien, 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.
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 16 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 Mridien, 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.
Promo : Requalification Gift in 2013 : Double Points or 25%(Gold)/35%(Plat) off award
Jul 15, 13, 3:50 am
#361
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
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.
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.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Jul 15, 13, 7:43 am
#362
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS, SPG Plat
Posts: 423
May I assume that you have approached one of us for help?
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Jul 15, 13, 6:15 pm
#363
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,112
Thank you all for your interest and questions regarding the new Elite Gift campaign for 2013. In summary, weve enhanced the gift choices this year for both Gold and Platinum members worldwide based on your feedback. The new gift choices include a Starpoints earning option and a Starpoints redemption option for greater flexibility with your travel schedule.
Here is an overview of some of the most frequently asked questions:
1.) Gold members can choose between double Starpoints for a month or 25%-off a Starpoints redemption.
2.) Platinum members can choose between a double Starpoints month of their choice (from the three months listed as options at time of registration) or 35%-off a Starpoints redemption.
3.) The %-off redemption awards are valid for up to 5 nights at a Category 1-6 hotel or resort and are valid for 6 months from the month of registration. Fifth Night Free benefit can be combined with this award.
4.) Earning and redemption dates are served up at time of registration and they will always be in the future (may not be chosen retroactively). If you qualified today but wanted to wait and register later in the year for a double Starpoints month later in the year, or for a later redemption window on your %-off award, you may do so but there is no going back to choose previous months.
5.) Members who earn or requalify their elite status this calendar year (10 stays or 25 nights for Gold; 25 stays or 50 nights for Platinum) will be sent an email letting them know they can choose their gift. If you are not opted in to SPG promotional emails, you will still be able to access the site if you are eligible (spg.com/elitegift2013).
6.) Preferred members who achieve Gold status and Gold members requalifying are eligible for the Gold gift. Gold members who achieve Platinum status and Platinum members requalifying are eligible for the Platinum gift.
7.) If a member obtains Gold status by meeting the spend threshold on their SPG Amex cobrand credit card, they will also be eligible for the Gold gift.
8.) Lifetime Gold members who hit the Gold stay or night thresholds and Lifetime Platinums who hit the Platinum stay or night thresholds will also be eligible for gift selection.
9.) The campaign will run all year so if you havent earned or requalified yet there is plenty of time.
10.) All offers can be used in tandem with other promotions in market.
As always, we would love any additional feedback you have. Thank you.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Here is an overview of some of the most frequently asked questions:
1.) Gold members can choose between double Starpoints for a month or 25%-off a Starpoints redemption.
2.) Platinum members can choose between a double Starpoints month of their choice (from the three months listed as options at time of registration) or 35%-off a Starpoints redemption.
3.) The %-off redemption awards are valid for up to 5 nights at a Category 1-6 hotel or resort and are valid for 6 months from the month of registration. Fifth Night Free benefit can be combined with this award.
4.) Earning and redemption dates are served up at time of registration and they will always be in the future (may not be chosen retroactively). If you qualified today but wanted to wait and register later in the year for a double Starpoints month later in the year, or for a later redemption window on your %-off award, you may do so but there is no going back to choose previous months.
5.) Members who earn or requalify their elite status this calendar year (10 stays or 25 nights for Gold; 25 stays or 50 nights for Platinum) will be sent an email letting them know they can choose their gift. If you are not opted in to SPG promotional emails, you will still be able to access the site if you are eligible (spg.com/elitegift2013).
6.) Preferred members who achieve Gold status and Gold members requalifying are eligible for the Gold gift. Gold members who achieve Platinum status and Platinum members requalifying are eligible for the Platinum gift.
7.) If a member obtains Gold status by meeting the spend threshold on their SPG Amex cobrand credit card, they will also be eligible for the Gold gift.
8.) Lifetime Gold members who hit the Gold stay or night thresholds and Lifetime Platinums who hit the Platinum stay or night thresholds will also be eligible for gift selection.
9.) The campaign will run all year so if you havent earned or requalified yet there is plenty of time.
10.) All offers can be used in tandem with other promotions in market.
As always, we would love any additional feedback you have. Thank you.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 15, 13, 6:23 pm
#364
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 9,686
Anyway, if anyone sees any weirdness here, tell me, and I'll try to fix it.
Jul 15, 13, 7:13 pm
#365
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,112
complicated plans for 35% off and a new hotel
I'm planning to take the 35% off cert and use it for a fifth night free standard points booking for me. The hotel I'm looking at is Category 6 and has standard rooms available for points, but the number of points is different for different days. I assume that fifth night free means that the actual number of points for the fifth night isn't charged (instead of taking the average cost in points for the discount). Is this right? In other words, I would pay 65% of the total actual numbers of points for the first four nights?
If I decide later to cancel this reservation and use the cert instead for the same property for different dates (if available for a standard room), do I get the cert back for reuse for a stay before its expiration date?
What if I decide to use the cert for a new hotel (in the same city and likely to be category 5) that isn't yet available for booking but is scheduled to open a few weeks before my stay? And in this case, what would happen if the new hotel didn't open on time? Would SPG rebook me back into the original hotel at the same number of points or at the original number of points, still using the 35% off? Since I would want to take advantage of the 35% off for my trip to this city, making a double booking in case the new hotel doesn't open in time might mean not getting the 35% off and might even risk having one or both reservations cancelled? Yet by the time the opening date will really be firm, the original hotel is unlikely to have standard rooms available.
I haven't checked the cancellation policies for points bookings at the original hotel, but since this is a city property, my guess is that it would be something like 48 hour notice for cancellations.
If I decide later to cancel this reservation and use the cert instead for the same property for different dates (if available for a standard room), do I get the cert back for reuse for a stay before its expiration date?
What if I decide to use the cert for a new hotel (in the same city and likely to be category 5) that isn't yet available for booking but is scheduled to open a few weeks before my stay? And in this case, what would happen if the new hotel didn't open on time? Would SPG rebook me back into the original hotel at the same number of points or at the original number of points, still using the 35% off? Since I would want to take advantage of the 35% off for my trip to this city, making a double booking in case the new hotel doesn't open in time might mean not getting the 35% off and might even risk having one or both reservations cancelled? Yet by the time the opening date will really be firm, the original hotel is unlikely to have standard rooms available.
I haven't checked the cancellation policies for points bookings at the original hotel, but since this is a city property, my guess is that it would be something like 48 hour notice for cancellations.
Jul 16, 13, 12:50 pm
#366
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
I'm planning to take the 35% off cert and use it for a fifth night free standard points booking for me. The hotel I'm looking at is Category 6 and has standard rooms available for points, but the number of points is different for different days. I assume that fifth night free means that the actual number of points for the fifth night isn't charged (instead of taking the average cost in points for the discount). Is this right? In other words, I would pay 65% of the total actual numbers of points for the first four nights?
But, I would suggest taking the matter up with Platinum Concierge (or a supervisor there-in) first.
If I decide later to cancel this reservation and use the cert instead for the same property for different dates (if available for a standard room), do I get the cert back for reuse for a stay before its expiration date?
What if I decide to use the cert for a new hotel (in the same city and likely to be category 5) that isn't yet available for booking but is scheduled to open a few weeks before my stay?
And in this case, what would happen if the new hotel didn't open on time? Would SPG rebook me back into the original hotel at the same number of points or at the original number of points, still using the 35% off? Since I would want to take advantage of the 35% off for my trip to this city, making a double booking in case the new hotel doesn't open in time might mean not getting the 35% off and might even risk having one or both reservations cancelled? Yet by the time the opening date will really be firm, the original hotel is unlikely to have standard rooms available.
I haven't checked the cancellation policies for points bookings at the original hotel, but since this is a city property, my guess is that it would be something like 48 hour notice for cancellations.
I haven't checked the cancellation policies for points bookings at the original hotel, but since this is a city property, my guess is that it would be something like 48 hour notice for cancellations.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 16, 13, 1:56 pm
#367
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 7,919
Has anyone else had an issue with it taking days for a reservation made with the 35% off, to be issued?
Cashed my 35% off award (thanks SPG!) for a 5 night reservation later this month at a category 6 hotel. Agent on the telephone was very helpful and said it would take him a bit of time that day to get it issued.
The reservation was made on Saturday by the agent, but the points are still in my account and the reservation is showing as 'Free Night Award to be Issued'. I checked yesterday and was told by online chat that it was all fine and would be issued in days. I'm a bit concerned now though as I spoke to the hotel in question today to sort out some transport as well as spa treatments, only for them to say they have no knowledge of the reservation.
All rather curious, but after calling Platinum Concierge just now I've been told it has been issued and is fine. A call back to the hotel yielded the same 'no reservation' response. Anyone else seen a similar time lag with a reservation to be issued?
Cashed my 35% off award (thanks SPG!) for a 5 night reservation later this month at a category 6 hotel. Agent on the telephone was very helpful and said it would take him a bit of time that day to get it issued.
The reservation was made on Saturday by the agent, but the points are still in my account and the reservation is showing as 'Free Night Award to be Issued'. I checked yesterday and was told by online chat that it was all fine and would be issued in days. I'm a bit concerned now though as I spoke to the hotel in question today to sort out some transport as well as spa treatments, only for them to say they have no knowledge of the reservation.
All rather curious, but after calling Platinum Concierge just now I've been told it has been issued and is fine. A call back to the hotel yielded the same 'no reservation' response. Anyone else seen a similar time lag with a reservation to be issued?
Jul 16, 13, 2:15 pm
#368
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CT
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Plat Premier, Hyatt Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 337
Jul 16, 13, 2:26 pm
#369
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,112
What's been the recent experience with how long it takes for the 35% off cert to appear in one's account after it has been selected? The website says to allow up to seven days, but I'm hoping that it's faster in actual practice. Also, I assume that I can't call the Plat Concierge and grab the standard award room availability until I see the cert listed under "earned awards", right?
Jul 16, 13, 2:42 pm
#370
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 7,919
Jul 16, 13, 2:43 pm
#371
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 7,919
What's been the recent experience with how long it takes for the 35% off cert to appear in one's account after it has been selected? The website says to allow up to seven days, but I'm hoping that it's faster in actual practice. Also, I assume that I can't call the Plat Concierge and grab the standard award room availability until I see the cert listed under "earned awards", right?
Jul 16, 13, 2:51 pm
#372
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SoCal
Posts: 676
This is a great award that saved me 35% off of a 90K point redemption---Kudos to Starwood for coming up with such an excellent requalification award!!!
Jul 16, 13, 3:52 pm
#373
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: SPG Plat, Delta Gold, Hertz PC (Prefer Silvercar)
Posts: 43
Anybody else getting an ineligible notice registering through the link? I am a platinum member who re-qualified for Gold a week ago. Emailed the Plat concierge and said I didn't qualify as well. Should I call in?
I'm also assuming this qualifies for one room.
I'm also assuming this qualifies for one room.
Jul 16, 13, 3:59 pm
#374
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 16, 13, 4:04 pm
#375
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: SPG Plat, Delta Gold, Hertz PC (Prefer Silvercar)
Posts: 43
If you are Platinum already, you do not qualify for the Gold gift.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
If so, that's a big bummer, I won't hit that for another 3 months and wanted a vacation for October. No way for them to ignore I'm platinum for this promo? C'mon
