SPG: Free WiFi for All Members Combines with Starwood Luxury Privileges

SPG: Free WiFi for All Members Combines with Starwood Luxury Privileges

 

Starwood Hotels will offer free WiFi for all SPG Members starting February 2, 2015, and this benefit combines with Starwood Luxury Privileges.

This is great news for all SPG members, especially for those who stay at Starwood hotels sometimes, but not frequently enough to have elite status, and don't want to pay the steep annual fee for a card such as the AMEX Platinum, which includes SPG Gold status.

Here are the details:

  • Starting February 2, 2015, an active SPG Member booking an eligible rate for an SPG participating hotel through the Starwood Web site, SPG app or travel professional will receive complimentary in-room Internet access during the stay
  • Bookings made by phone or any other channel do not qualify
  • Access is to standard in-room Internet access

The great news is that this new free Internet benefit combines with Starwood Luxury Privileges benefits, which are VIP benefits only available if you book through TravelSort or another Starwood Luxury Privileges member travel agency. Benefits typically include:

  • Upgrade based on availability
  • Daily breakfast (typically full American or buffet breakfast, but occasionally continental)
  • Early check-in if available
  • Late check-out if available
  • Hotel-specific welcome amenity or hotel credit, up to $100 or so in value, once per stay

Even SPG Platinums come out ahead by booking with Starwood Luxury Privileges, since they receive a hotel-specific amenity typically worth $100 that they wouldn't otherwise get, all while still earning Starpoints and elite bonus points.

FAQ

When Are Regular SPG Members (Non-Elites) Eligible for Free Internet / WiFi?

Starting on February 2, 2015, any SPG member who booked via a Starwood Web site or SPG App or through a travel professional is eligible for free in-room Internet during his/he stay.

 

How About SPG Gold and SPG Platinum Members–Do They Receive Any Additional Benefit?

SPG Gold and SPG Platinum members receive free premium Internet if the Starwood hotel offers it. For SPG Gold members, this means they don't have to select Internet as their amenity; they get an amenity in addition to free Premium Internet.

 

Can a Regular Non-Elite SPG Member Pay Extra to Get Premium Internet?

Typically yes–check with the hotel for the additional fee required for premium Internet.

 

Do SPG Members Still Need to Pay a Resort Fee at Starwood Hotels That Charge One?

Yes, if the Starwood hotel has a resort fee, you'll still need to pay it, but per the terms, you “will be entitled to a replacement benefit for the Internet portion of the resort fee, to be determined at the SPG Participating Hotel’s discretion.”


Are You Sure Starwood Luxury Privileges are Combinable with the Free Internet? 

Yes: terms state that for all SPG members, if you book with a travel agency (including TravelSort and other Starwood Luxury Privileges member agencies) that make the booking on spg.com, you'll receive complimentary in-room Internet during your stay at the Starwood hotel.
 
 
What If I Forget to Put My SPG Number on the Reservation?
 
You need to have your SPG number on the reservation at least 24 hours prior to check-in; if not, you're not eligible for free Internet.
 
 
If I'm an SPG Member and Book Multiple Rooms for non-SPG Members, are All Rooms Entitled to Free Internet?
 
No: only the room that the SPG Member is staying in and paying for is eligible for free WiFi. So ensure everyone has an SPG number included in their reservation at least 24 hours prior to the stay, so that everyone can enjoy free WiFi.

What do you think of Starwood's new policy of free Internet for all SPG Members?

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