KENNECTED

Noted, but based on what has been written, seems like they are not effectively communicating with guests.

Having been put in my place, I'll bow out gracefully!

Starwood Lurker

People are anxious and that is understandable, but there is no reason to have to communicate with them on a daily basis. The team promised to have this sorted out by February 4th, but folks were given a contact email address to use in order to express their concerns and any special needs they felt were necessary to convey. It wasn't intended to be used to check with them daily on their progress. Indeed, it will only slow down the process if they have to take time to answer these kinds of daily inquiries.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

Brendan

Then it's pretty much even. Based on how easy each type of points is to earn & how much we get for each when we spend, most of us regard 1 Starwood point as = 3--3.5 Marriott points.
BTW, both chains (& also Hilton) have the B4G1 rule, so U could have gotten 5 nights for 40K Starwood or 140K Marriott!

Edavid14

William, this "dedicated team" needs to be more dedicated to following through on its promises. I have thus far refrained from posting the name and direct email address of the person "helping" me, even though I have been asked off line by others in the same situation as me. As every day goes by with no communication from her, I'm tempted to post that info here, as well as tripadvisor forums and Aruba.com. The Feb 4 deadline is fine if you are traveling in April or later. It leaves you plenty of time to adjust your plans if necessary. However, my wife and I leave 3 weeks after Feb 4. We need more time in case Starwood fails to take care of their loyal customers and we need to change plans. This company line of Feb 4th is bull@&$&!!!!!

Starwood Lurker

The only promise that I am aware of is that you will be contacted by February 4th as far as relocation is concerned.

Just as an FYI, posting that information here would be a violation of the Terms of Service at Flyertalk.

I'd like to try and convince you that this won't happen, but I'm guessing that would be a wasted effort. My apologies for that and, of course, the fact that this property leaving Starwood has created this issue for you and others.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

Edavid14

Well, I got my confirmation this morning from the rep I've been corresponding with. We've been relocated to the RIU Palace next door in a Jr. Suite w/partial ocean view. Still waiting for the official Starwood email, which should come on the "deadline" of Feb 4 (tomorrow), but I do have a confirmation number! Also awaiting confirmation that this comes with full AI privileges. I just want this to be done so we can look forward to our trip.

Flews

Seems to me you're already getting way more than you booked originally - and now you want All Inclusive too?

I would be happy with this outcome and just move on.

Cheers,

Edavid14

For one, this was a major hassle for the past month and if Starwood is truly committed to an excellent standard of customer service, they should always provide something "extra" for customers who have received poor customer service.

Second, why should we be singled out at the RIU as not receiving the same services as all the other guests?

Third, why should I not ask for what I want? I don't let life happen to me...I go get it! I'm not hurting anybody in the process.

Flews

They did. You didn't.

They're paying for it. You aren't.

By all means go for it. But why stop at AI? Why not go for free massages and a couple rounds of golf? After all, the stress of all this must have been unbearable .

Cheers,

HW75

Flews2014 you are out of line. As a loyal SPG platinum member for 10+ years people like Edavid and I have certainly paid and earned our points. I booked in October and am waiting for my new hotel as well. An AI experience is the least they can do. I for one booked the Westin, why, because I love the Westin brand. Had I known in Oct they would be closed I would have chosen another destination. Period. Now I have non refundable airfare and my family and are at the mercy of SPG. Edavid thank you for the update, I hope you and yours enjoy the AI experience, you deserve it. Months of anticipating a vacation just to have it ripped from under your feet, and waiting weeks for an update. AI is the least they can do.

Edavid14

HW75, thank you for being a voice of reason. He/she is an idiot.

I booked on November 8th and feel exactly the same way. If I knew the hotel was being sold, I would have booked in St. Maarten or Cayman or St. John or the new property in Punta Cana. Now I have non-refundable airfare and Starwood wasn't going to pay my US Airways change fee so I could re-route to one of these other islands. I'm stuck and I feel absolutely no guilt at this "windfall"! I wish you luck with your accommodations. Let us know how you make out. They should be informing you by tomorrow.

HW75

Flews2014, In addition to losing the hotel of our choice, we are losing our stays. We have 10 nights booked at 80,000 points. How much out of pocket expense do you think it would take to earn those points. How many hotel stays? Just food for thought. To say we are not paying for it is offensive. SPG has already received our cash,we have already paid and them some. The handling thus far has been extremely poor by SPG. It is my hope they go above and beyond to make it up to their loyal guests. There has been no communication aside from the first email,no updates, no one to speak with, and no options. I guess we will all see by tomorrow ...maybe..hopefully.

KENNECTED

I find your shortsighted comments about Flews to be inappropriate. In my opinion, he has been a very good FT member and a very knowledgeable member of the Starwood forum. Just because you do not agree, that doesn't mean you need to name call. FT is NOT that type of community!

I thought if the hotel changed and you were forced to move you could still get stay/night count. Double check that. It's not your fault the property has changed brands.

Flews

Surely we can disagree on compensation expectations without you calling me names.

As for my teasing, sorry if it upset you. I was just poking a little fun at your previous 'go get it' line.

Hopefully you will enjoy your vacation.

Cheers,

HW75

KENNECTED,

We called SPG and were advised that we would not receive the stay credit because we were not staying at an SPG property. I remain hopeful that, that too was misinformation due to an unusual and unique situation.