First-of-its-kind SPG FLIGHTS Program Allows Members to Book Air Travel on
HUNDREDS of Airlines With NO BLACKOUTS Using SPG Starpoints(R)
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a hotel
industry first, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and
its award winning hotel loyalty program Starwood Preferred Guest(R), are
taking its groundbreaking NO BLACKOUTS policy to new heights with the
introduction of SPG Flights. Launching today, SPG Flights lets members book
flights on hundreds of domestic and international airlines with NO BLACKOUT
dates. Members can simply go to http://WWW.SPG.COM/FLIGHTS, search for and select
their preferred flight and class of service, and redeem their Starpoints
for the entire cost of the flight. Members may even earn airline miles when
booking airfare through SPG Flights.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/starwoodhotels/34621/
The introduction of SPG Flights comes at a time when redeeming an
airline seat using miles has never been more challenging. As airlines
impose further restrictions on previously available awards and the concept
of a "free" seat is becoming almost obsolete, SPG Flights gives members
access to booking flights using points. While airline redemption programs
impose numerous fees on airline mile redemption flights, SPG Flights
redemption includes taxes and booking fees in the price of the flight. The
timing of SPG Flights launch is significant as this new member benefit
reaches beyond the hotel stay and alleviates frustrations, heightened by
today's economy, associated with air travel. With SPG Flights, members will
now be able to get home and see family for Thanksgiving and take the kids
to Disney World during spring break.
"Starwood Preferred Guest broke through the competitive landscape nine
years ago with the launch of No Blackouts, which allowed our valued members
to redeem their points for a standard room whenever Starwood had one
available, with no blackouts or limits on the number of standard rooms set
aside for redemption. SPG was the first program to deliver this benefit to
members," said Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president of Distribution and
Loyalty Marketing for Starwood. "We've now created SPG Flights as a natural
extension of SPG's No Blackouts leadership. With the addition of SPG
Flights, our members will now have the same access to air travel they have
come to know in the hotel industry through SPG -- if there is an available
seat, it's yours."
Starwood Preferred Guest launched in 1999 as the first hotel loyalty
program to offer members No Blackouts when redeeming points, giving
millions of members unprecedented access to more upscale and luxury hotels
in more countries than any of its competitors. Designed as the simplest,
most flexible and rewarding program of its kind, SPG has captivated
travelers and generated loyalty through rich rewards, outstanding member
recognition and distinctive redemption options. SPG is the winner of more
Freddie Awards, known as the frequent travelers' answer to the Oscars, than
any other program.
Earning Starpoints has never been easier. Starwood Preferred Guest
members can earn two Starpoints for every eligible U.S. dollar spent at
over 890 participating Starwood hotels and resorts worldwide. In addition,
everyone can earn Starpoints by using the Starwood Preferred Guest credit
card by American Express which gives new members 10,000 Starpoints with the
first purchase and has no annual fee for the first year. Also, up to 20,000
Starpoints per calendar year can be purchased by going to http://www.spg.com and
there is no Starpoints expiration date for active members.
How many Starpoints does it take to redeem a flight through SPG Flights?
TICKET PRICE STARPOINTS
(Includes taxes & booking fees)
Up to $150 10,000
$150-$215 15,000
$215-$280 20,000
$280-$345 25,000
$345-$410 30,000
$410-$475 35,000
$475-$540 40,000
$540-$605 45,000
$605-$670 50,000
$670-$735 55,000
$735-$800 60,000
$800-$865 65,000
$865-$930 70,000
$930-$995 75,000
HIGHER PRICES (Examples)
$2,880-$3,140 235,000
$4,960-$5,220 395,000
$9,900-$10,160 775,000
About Starwood Preferred Guest:
The SPG program's breakthrough policy of No Blackout Dates at the
world's most sought after collection of hotels, reinvented the hospitality
loyalty program when it launched in 1999. By creating a program centered on
its members, SPG has developed the most passionate and knowledgeable
membership base in the hotel loyalty space. Through its use of new
technologies and innovative channels such as SPG.com, SPG.com/flights,
thelobby.com, SPG Check-In, and others, SPG continues to innovate and lead
the industry. By offering No Blackouts on standard rooms at 890 properties,
No Blackouts on hundreds of airlines, and once in a lifetime experiences
available through SPG Moments, the program has proven to be a big draw for
the world's most frequent travelers, and a significant competitive
advantage for Starwood. For more information about Starwood Preferred Guest
please visit SPG.com or call (877) - STARWOOD.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.:
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel
and leisure companies in the world with more than 890 properties in more
than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed
properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and
franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following
internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R),
W(R), Westin(R), Le Meridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton,
and the recently launched Aloft(SM), and Element(SM). Starwood Hotels also
owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and
operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more
information, please visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com.
SOURCE Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com
http://www.spg.com/flights http://www.SPG.com
CONTACT:
Mary Jane Orman of Starwood Corporate PR,
+1-914-640-5287, Maryjane.orman@starwoodhotels.com; or Julie
Levinthal of Maloney & Fox, +1-646-356-8383,
jlevinthal@maloneyfox.com, for Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc.
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