Qualifying stays without staying?
Nov 18, 2008, 8:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL GM, SPG Plat, Hertz #1 Gold, AMEX Plat, Avis CHM, IHG Plat RA
Posts: 95
Qualifying stays without staying?
Can qualifying stays for elite level be earned by purchasing pre-paid nights without actually showing-up?
TIA.
TIA.
Nov 18, 2008, 8:35 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Nov 18, 2008, 12:02 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
Nov 18, 2008, 2:54 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
Qualifying stays without staying?
Nov 18, 2008, 5:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Programs: AA 4MM EXP; Starwood Lifetime Plt
Posts: 2,498
Apparently they do require you to sleep (or at least stay over night) in the room for stay credit. I say that because I once had to check out of a hotel before midnight (having arrived the same day in the morning) and did not get any credit at all. I realize that this sounds like strange behavior on my part, but there were good reasons that are too difficult and personal to explain.
Nov 18, 2008, 5:10 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: YEG
Programs: Aeroplan, SPG Gold, Fairmont PC Gold, IC Gold
Posts: 248
Apparently they do require you to sleep (or at least stay over night) in the room for stay credit. I say that because I once had to check out of a hotel before midnight (having arrived the same day in the morning) and did not get any credit at all. I realize that this sounds like strange behavior on my part, but there were good reasons that are too difficult and personal to explain.
Nov 18, 2008, 5:17 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Apparently they do require you to sleep (or at least stay over night) in the room for stay credit. I say that because I once had to check out of a hotel before midnight (having arrived the same day in the morning) and did not get any credit at all. I realize that this sounds like strange behavior on my part, but there were good reasons that are too difficult and personal to explain.
I booked several nights at the Westin Bristol Place in Toronto because of the price and various ongoing promotions. Checked in, went home and called the next day for my bill!
Nov 18, 2008, 5:17 pm
#9
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
It's hard to say just how Program Services would handle this issue if a missing stay were reported. No doubt you'd have to submit a folio for sure since the hotel will cancel your reservation to return the room to inventory.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Nov 18, 2008, 5:25 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: YEG
Programs: Aeroplan, SPG Gold, Fairmont PC Gold, IC Gold
Posts: 248
No, it would be an issue as far as being credited for the night, as ajnaro points out. After all, you did not stay the night. But, IMHO, you should still get a stay credit without the night credit, like you would for a day rate. Failing that, I think you should be credited for the eligible spending that took place.
It's hard to say just how Program Services would handle this issue if a missing stay were reported. No doubt you'd have to submit a folio for sure since the hotel will cancel your reservation to return the room to inventory.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
It's hard to say just how Program Services would handle this issue if a missing stay were reported. No doubt you'd have to submit a folio for sure since the hotel will cancel your reservation to return the room to inventory.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Nov 18, 2008, 5:26 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Programs: AA 4MM EXP; Starwood Lifetime Plt
Posts: 2,498
No, it would be an issue as far as being credited for the night, as ajnaro points out. After all, you did not stay the night. But, IMHO, you should still get a stay credit without the night credit, like you would for a day rate. Failing that, I think you should be credited for the eligible spending that took place.
It's hard to say just how Program Services would handle this issue if a missing stay were reported. No doubt you'd have to submit a folio for sure since the hotel will cancel your reservation to return the room to inventory.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
It's hard to say just how Program Services would handle this issue if a missing stay were reported. No doubt you'd have to submit a folio for sure since the hotel will cancel your reservation to return the room to inventory.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Nov 18, 2008, 5:28 pm
#12
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
I got no credit at all, and never thought of complaining due to the apparently irrational nature of my behavior. As far as margarita girl's suggestion goes, I had luggage with me. I assume it would have attracted attention to leave without checking out, especially since I normally make use of the bell services.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Nov 18, 2008, 5:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 12
Who actually checks out anymore? I just make sure the bill they slip under my door is correct and I leave. No need to stop by the front desk and wait in line.
Nov 18, 2008, 5:32 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: YEG
Programs: Aeroplan, SPG Gold, Fairmont PC Gold, IC Gold
Posts: 248
I'm sure many people are like me. I charge everything to my hotel room, but at the end, I need to separate things like food (cause thats part of my per diem) and put them on a different credit card.
Nov 18, 2008, 5:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: ALL
Posts: 47
I got no credit at all, and never thought of complaining due to the apparently irrational nature of my behavior. As far as margarita girl's suggestion goes, I had luggage with me. I assume it would have attracted attention to leave without checking out, especially since I normally make use of the bell services.
The only exception to all this is that I do understand why SPG does not want people to game they system by "checking in" for multiple people the same night in the same town, or conceivably all over the country. But one room per night should not even require a physical presence if you are being charged, IMHO