Starwood Lurker

I'm not sure why this hotel would not be bookable for awards online past February 27th. It is readily available for any date through December 31, 2009 by calling the Customer Contact Center.

That may or may not be the case; however, I assure you that they would not be end-dating their award rates to February 27th. What possible reason could there be for that when SPG is going to reimburse them for whatever category rate they are when you stay, not what they were when you booked it.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

SuzanneSLO

Thanks. The website appears to be fixed and allow booking on points after 2/27. -- Suzanne

soitgoes

Indeed.

I'll admit that there are often problems with the award room availability for online booking, but IME it is generally hotel carelessness and not underhandedness.

Starwood Lurker

That's my experience as well...and why in 99.99% of the time, it can be fixed rather quickly.

One thing I did learn today though...sometimes if you do a search, the award availability option does not come up noted by the check mark. But, if you click on Book Now for a paid rate, it sometimes shows up as available on the next page, which will allow you to book an award online unimpeded.

Not sure why that is, but it was passed along to the web gurus as an anomaly earlier today. Might also explain why Cash & Points doesn't appear, but can be readily booked at the Customer Contact Center. We'll have to see how that all shakes out.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

BKKLEE

Then it might be nice to get Seoul properties to input inventory for early 2009 (something Lurker 2 is working on) before the potential increases go into effect.

Starwood Lurker

All three properties in Seoul can be booked for awards through June 2010 by calling the Customer Contact Center. Not sure why you can't get it done online, but if Thyetus is looking into that, then I'm sure it will be fixed soon. In the interim, you have the call center option.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

b8b

That DOES sound like an excellent spreadsheet - where is it?

SleepDoc

Cents per SPG point, at U.S. properties (Excel spreadsheet included)

schoflyer

I'd be very excited if LM Monaco slip back down to a Cat 5. Pretty Please

BKKLEE

As suggested, called my local service center (I'm in Saudi but reached Ireland after bring disconnected 3 times calling the US last night) and they checked their computer for 2-5 Feb 2010 and ALL 3 Seoul properties have not loaded any rates/inventory.

So Pang

I have called spg desk and they cannot help either. All properties in HK are currently listed as not available booking by cash and not by redeeming points.

Starwood Lurker

If you are talking about paid rates, yes, that would be true; however, we've already discussed the fact that hotels are not obligated to sell paid rates 18 months in advance. They have the ability to do so, but it is their choice to take advantage of the opportunity or not.

If you are talking about award rates, then you got someone who is incompetent because I can book all three properties right now for Preferred (free) Night Awards using the same system they would use.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

soitgoes

Very interesting. I thought that one couldn't get award nights if paid nights weren't for sale yet. Very good to know.

Starwood Lurker

It is very unusual for that to happen, and SPG would not force a hotel to do so, but it is apparently possible in this instance or I wouldn't be able to complete an award booking for Seoul right up to June 30, 2010.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Starwood Lurker

Again, this isn't an issue in regard to paid rates. Whenever the hotels in Hong Kong are ready to sell paid rates, then they will load them. End of story.

However, just like the hotels in Seoul, the three properties in Hong Kong are also bookable through June 30, 2010 when it comes to Preferred (free) Night Awards by calling the Customer Contact Center.

I do have to comment further that it is unusual for properties to offer award rooms and none at a paid rate because if they aren't selling paid rates on standard rooms, they don't have to open the award rate plans on standard rooms to sell either. But, apparently the hotels in Seoul and Hong Kong are okay with it. <shrug>

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]