Starwood Preferred Guest

Starwood Preferred Guest ("SPG") is Starwood Hotels and Resorts hotel rewards or loyalty program. Membership is free and instantaneous, either online or with the assistance of a hotel's reception staff member. A temporary membership card can be attained at the time of joining SPG, however the delivery of a laminated card with an introductory package usually takes six to eight weeks time for delivery.

For each applicable US dollar spent (to make the membership universal), a base member guest receives two starpoints. For an accommodation rate to be applicable for the earning of starpoints it must either be a 1) best available rate (BAR rate) to be paid directly the hotel on check out, 2) an internet prepaid rate on a starwood website, 3) or a negotiated corporate rate. Group reservations and reservations made with third party websites are exempt from earning starpoints.

Membership levels
The base entry level of membership is referred to as 'Preferred' and the membership number will feature an 'A' prefix.

Should a guest have a corporate or business relationship with a Starwood property, their membership may be upgraded by invitation only to a Preferred Plus or Business Preferred (B suffix) or Corporate (Suffix C). These levels of membership include a host of additional benefits such as complimentary 4pm check out on request.

Those members who exceed either 10 stays or 25 nights, whichever occurs first, in a calendar year (1st of January - 31st of December) are awarded SPG Gold Membership (Prefix G). This level of membership entitles a guest to earn three starpoints per each eligible US dollar spent, a priority queue for check-in and complimentary 4pm check-out on request.

Those members who exceed either 25 stays or 50 nights, whichever occurs first, in a calendar year are awarded SPG Platinum Membership (Prefix P). This level membership entitles a guest to earn three starpoints for each eligible US dollar spent, complimentary upgrade to a best available room type including standard suites, complimentary newspaper, complimentary Executive Club access, guaranteed reservation with 72 hours prior notice priority queue for check-in and complimentary 4pm check-out on request.

There is also a very rare VIP membership (prefix V) which is by invitation only. This membership is essentially identical to SPG Platinum however allows the member a guaranteed reservation with 7 days notice and guaranteed complimentary upgrade to standard suites.

Lastly, there is also an Employee Level of membership (Prefix E). A Starwood associate (usually reception staff) may earn starpoints themselves for enrolling new members to SPG.

Redemption categories
There are seven categories of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, 1 - 7 and each has a different starpoints requirement for free award night redemption (though some select hotels and resorts, such as the Le Parker Meridien New York, do not participate in Starwood Preferred Guest).

From Category 3 and above, a guest may redeem starpoints for five nights accommodation whereby the fifth night is free.

Subject to availablility, a guest may also participate in the SPG Cash and Points promotion, the redemption of a lesser sum of starpoints and then a small rate payable upon departure.

Category 1 hotels and resorts require 2,000 starpoints for a weekend night (Friday or Saturday) or 3,000 starpoints for a free weekday award night (Sunday-Thursday), or 1,200 starpoints + US $25.00 for a Cash and Points night, if available.

Category 2 hotels and resorts require 3,000 starpoints for a weekend night (Friday or Saturday) or 4,000 starpoints for a free weekday award night (Sunday-Thursday), or 1,600 starpoints + US $30.00 for a Cash and Points night, if available.

Category 3 hotels and resorts require 7,000 starpoints for a free award night, or 2,800 starpoints + US $45.00 for a Cash and Points night, if available.

Category 4 hotels and resorts require 10,000 starpoints for a free award night, or 4,000 starpoints + US $60.00 for a Cash and Points night, if available.

Category 5 hotels and resorts require 12,000 - 16,000 starpoints for a free award night (dependent on low/high season), or 4,800 starpoints + US $90.00 for a Cash and Points night, if available.

Category 6 hotels and resorts require 20,000 - 25,000 starpoints for a free award night (dependent on low/high season), or 8,000 starpoints + US $150.00 for a Cash and Points night.

Category 7 hotels and resorts require 30,000 - 35,000 starpoints for a free award night (dependent on low/high season). Cash and Points is not available for Category 7 hotels.

Partnerships

It has partnerships with firms such as American Express, MBNA Canada and 32 affiliated airlines. According to Starwood Hotels & Resorts' corporate profile, the SPG program has over 41 million members. It was the first loyalty program in the hotel industry with a policy of no blackout dates and no capacity controls.

Awards

Since its inception in 1999, SPG has been awarded the Hotel Program of the Year six times by consumers via the prestigious Freddie Awards. However, in recent years, it has failed to capture this important award.

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