2013 Q4 Global Promo: SPG Take Two, Double Points + 2,500 per 5 nights, Sep 1 - Dec 1
Sep 15, 2013, 10:41 am
#181
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: A Brit living in Los Angeles, California
Programs: SPG Platinum, VS Red, BA Blue
Posts: 241
I just checked out of a 6 night stay yesterday (14th) and this morning I see the 2,500 bonus points and the double points already posted to my account! ^ 
Sep 15, 2013, 10:16 pm
#182
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 4
If I already stayed at a W Hotel during the time period (early Sept) but just signed up for the promo now, will I retroactively get the promotional points? The Terms and Conditions seem to think it's OK, but I bet most automated bonus point systems wouldn't do it
Sep 16, 2013, 4:47 am
#183
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: 100,417
Yes. Starwood does for most promos. Read the T&C of the promo, where this is typically explicitly stated.
Sep 16, 2013, 6:46 am
#184
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: ILM
Programs: SPG Plat, Delta GM, US Gold, Amtrak S+
Posts: 102
Just tab even on the previous page of the thread and you'll find plenty of discussion. And throughout the thread, too.
Bottom line, hotels incur a cost to run the promo, so many choose not to because they calculate the juice isn't worth the squeeze. Simple as that. Actually, on the previous page in the thread you'll find me and others discussing how NYC isn't so bad after all: four hotels in Manhattan take part. My stay at the Sheraton resulted in a very prompt posting of the bonus points, together with my actual stay post (unlike my stay in Prague, which hasn't posted the extras + bonus yet).
SF is in the middle of conference season and Norcal is a desert overall for the promo (saving the wine country properties). Boston and Chicago are also very bad.
It is what it is. When SPG ran a centralized promo and had all hotels taking part, they set up a complex menu-like list of choices to get promotional bennies; to say folks didn't like it around here is to significantly understate the hue and cry about it all. It's going to be a challenge to please everyone in these times given the overall high occupancy rate. The next great promo will come after the next economic bubble bursts
I was more bent out of shape at the late changes to the opt out list. With SPG's propensity for collecting money up front for many reservations, I would have been livid had I not been able to change my reservation if a hotel had dropped off the list at the last moment like the W Times Square did. That should really not be allowed. The rest I may not like, but I understand why it happens.
Bottom line, hotels incur a cost to run the promo, so many choose not to because they calculate the juice isn't worth the squeeze. Simple as that. Actually, on the previous page in the thread you'll find me and others discussing how NYC isn't so bad after all: four hotels in Manhattan take part. My stay at the Sheraton resulted in a very prompt posting of the bonus points, together with my actual stay post (unlike my stay in Prague, which hasn't posted the extras + bonus yet).
SF is in the middle of conference season and Norcal is a desert overall for the promo (saving the wine country properties). Boston and Chicago are also very bad.
It is what it is. When SPG ran a centralized promo and had all hotels taking part, they set up a complex menu-like list of choices to get promotional bennies; to say folks didn't like it around here is to significantly understate the hue and cry about it all. It's going to be a challenge to please everyone in these times given the overall high occupancy rate. The next great promo will come after the next economic bubble bursts
I was more bent out of shape at the late changes to the opt out list. With SPG's propensity for collecting money up front for many reservations, I would have been livid had I not been able to change my reservation if a hotel had dropped off the list at the last moment like the W Times Square did. That should really not be allowed. The rest I may not like, but I understand why it happens.
Sep 16, 2013, 10:32 pm
#185
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,048
After closer review, I did find my points for my first stay. Thanks SPG ^
Last edited by SaigonCyclo; Sep 17, 2013 at 12:34 am
Sep 17, 2013, 12:14 pm
#186
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Mumbai, India
Programs: AMEX Plat, Skywards Gold, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, TAJ Gold Epi Plus, ITC Cul Plus, FlyReturn
Posts: 5
I can see prepaid rates for Hotels in Dubai on the SPG Website.
Do these rates qualify for the SPG promotion?
Do these rates qualify for the SPG promotion?
Sep 17, 2013, 12:22 pm
#187
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]
Sep 17, 2013, 11:00 pm
#188
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
If my stay includes an award night and a paid night, does the award night render the whole stay ineligible or would I receive bonus double points for the paid night? Thanks.
Sep 18, 2013, 3:27 am
#189
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Guangzhou
Programs: SPG
Posts: 1,021
It really depends on how the property posts the stay. Award stays do not count.
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Sep 24, 2013, 10:17 am
#190
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 16
Hi folks, could anyone clarify how this works.
I am a UK based, 'Preferred Guest Plus' member.
I registered for this promo earlier this month.
I have just had a one night stay at the Aloft in London, UK which is not on the 'opt out' list.
The rate was £139 with another £114.25 spent in bar & restaurant. Total spend £253.25
Today I received 454 points but have no idea how Starwood came to this amount and to be honest I was expecting more.
I saw at as £139 x 1.60 (approx exchange rate) = $222
$222 x 2 points = 444 points
444 x 2 (SPG take two bonus) = 888.
This was obviously for the room rate only and if the bar & restaurant spend was added, then that wouldv'e been a bonus too but wasn't expecting that.
Is there a way I can find out how this may have been calculated or could anyone shed any light or correct me if I have this wrong in anyway.
Thanks
I am a UK based, 'Preferred Guest Plus' member.
I registered for this promo earlier this month.
I have just had a one night stay at the Aloft in London, UK which is not on the 'opt out' list.
The rate was £139 with another £114.25 spent in bar & restaurant. Total spend £253.25
Today I received 454 points but have no idea how Starwood came to this amount and to be honest I was expecting more.
I saw at as £139 x 1.60 (approx exchange rate) = $222
$222 x 2 points = 444 points
444 x 2 (SPG take two bonus) = 888.
This was obviously for the room rate only and if the bar & restaurant spend was added, then that wouldv'e been a bonus too but wasn't expecting that.
Is there a way I can find out how this may have been calculated or could anyone shed any light or correct me if I have this wrong in anyway.
Thanks
Sep 24, 2013, 11:26 am
#191
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: 100,417
The double points will post slightly later, as a separate line item on your account.
For the F&B charges, it's complicated. Independent restaurants located within the hotel might not earn points. In some jurisdictions, alcohol can't be given points. Finally, you're not supposed to earn points on taxes, service charges, and many miscellaneous items on your hotel bill.
The observed 454 points is very close to double points for your room charges, depending on exactly what exchange rate was used. Are there F&B charges that you think should count? You can always contact SPG to inquire, for example using the "research" email address that's been posted by the official Lurkers in this forum.
For the F&B charges, it's complicated. Independent restaurants located within the hotel might not earn points. In some jurisdictions, alcohol can't be given points. Finally, you're not supposed to earn points on taxes, service charges, and many miscellaneous items on your hotel bill.
The observed 454 points is very close to double points for your room charges, depending on exactly what exchange rate was used. Are there F&B charges that you think should count? You can always contact SPG to inquire, for example using the "research" email address that's been posted by the official Lurkers in this forum.
Sep 24, 2013, 11:27 am
#192
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
If it were me, I would send the folio from this stay to Program Services attached to an email directed to [email protected] and ask them to look into it.
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]
Sep 24, 2013, 1:43 pm
#193
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: Starwood Platinum
Posts: 3
Really lame Starwood/Boston
I don't understand how SPG can claim to value your platinum loyalty, yet allow all Boston hotels to opt of this promotion because they are "happy with their occupancy level" this fall. Where's their loyalty...?
And just to note....The Westin Copley has removed mini bars from all guest rooms and the Sheraton Boston no longer offers in room movies???
Absolutely absurd! Aren't these basic services that should be expected for Starwood category 5 "Elite" hotels??
Or perhaps they should be downgraded to category 4's.....
And just to note....The Westin Copley has removed mini bars from all guest rooms and the Sheraton Boston no longer offers in room movies???
Absolutely absurd! Aren't these basic services that should be expected for Starwood category 5 "Elite" hotels??
Or perhaps they should be downgraded to category 4's.....
Sep 24, 2013, 3:47 pm
#194
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
I don't understand how SPG can claim to value your platinum loyalty, yet allow all Boston hotels to opt of this promotion because they are "happy with their occupancy level" this fall. Where's their loyalty...?
And just to note....The Westin Copley has removed mini bars from all guest rooms and the Sheraton Boston no longer offers in room movies???
Absolutely absurd! Aren't these basic services that should be expected for Starwood category 5 "Elite" hotels??
Or perhaps they should be downgraded to category 4's.....
And just to note....The Westin Copley has removed mini bars from all guest rooms and the Sheraton Boston no longer offers in room movies???
Absolutely absurd! Aren't these basic services that should be expected for Starwood category 5 "Elite" hotels??
Or perhaps they should be downgraded to category 4's.....
Sep 24, 2013, 5:59 pm
#195
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: Starwood Platinum
Posts: 3
In the future I doubt many hotels will offer in room movies--especially in cities filled with techies like in BOS. Most people staying at business hotels have a device to stream their own movies. Why bother with a system which charges many times more? Same with mini bars. The Westin and Sheraton in BOS are literally a few hundred feet away from any number of places to get food and drink. If few people use a service why invest in a money losing venture? With seamless and other services, pretty much any kind of food and drink can be delivered in a matter of minutes.