I set up my account @ Amex.com, so I can see all the CC info. However, when I click on the link that says something like "check your SPG points", I'm just taken to a generic Starwoods page. I would assume that something has already been set up for me (how else would they be able to deposit sign up bonus). How do I find out my membership # so I can log into my SPG account? I read through the ppwk that came with the card, but I don't see any info on this. I also searched CB for the term "starwood", but didn't find anything relevant.

Call the number on the back of the card. If you didn't specify a number when you applied, they generated one for you and customer service can tell you the number.

Thank you very much!

I had to open my own membership with them.

I called the Starwood Preferred Guest Program ("SPG") (got the number off ww.spg.com) and, like SDmuse, opened my own account with them. I told the SPG representative that I had the Amex Starwood. She took the Amex account number and linked it with the account.

She told me to call back in a couple of days (after the system had been updated) so I could request upgrade to a Gold SPG membership (the reason being that my Amex account would qualify me for it). I believe the Gold SPG membership program gives you 3 points for every stay, as opposed to just 2 points.

I called Amex this morning and they gave me a SPG # that had already been setup in my name. I was able to use that # to log into SPG.com just a few minutes ago.

Upgrading to a Gold SPG membership is news to me though. I just call and say I should be upgraded because I have an Amex?

The rep was going to upgrade me but she couldn't since the my membership number was not yet in the system. She advised me to call back and ask to be upgraded based on my Amex account. We'll see how it goes. Good luck.

UPDATE: I called Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) to tell them I had created another membership account by mistake. The friendly SPG rep, Laura, merged the two accounts. I asked her about upgrading to a Gold membership, and she did it right over the phone. YIPPEE!

I just called, and a very friendly rep upgraded me in less than 5 minutes. All he did was verify that I had the Amex Starwoods Plat card. He was so friendly I was tempted to ask him to upgrade my status to Plat.

We'll try for Platinum in a few months, right?

Has anyone called and asked for status upgrade with an established platinum card? They gave us the upgrade the first year but we didn't stay enough PAID nights (they always send us on a few free vacations a year) so we got downgraded. I wonder if we should just call and ask to be upgraded again?

BW

I was just thinking about this regarding my Starwood and Hilton cards. It would have been nice if AMEX would have included the #'s with the welcome material that came with the cards.

Did they really switch you guys to Gold Status with SPG or is it the Preferred Business Guest (Gold w/o the bonus points). Its on the SPG home page after you log in.
I was told about the pseudo-gold status... but if you guys got the full-fledge gold, i might need to make a call

PREFERRED GUEST BENEFITS

1. You will earn 2 Starpoints for the U.S. dollar equivalent of all Eligible Charges paid for at participating hotels. Active Preferred Guests may redeem their accrued Starpoints for various awards offered by Starwood from time to time. Please consult your Award Chart, you're nearest Starwood Account Service Center, or the Preferred Guest Internet site at www.spg.com for specific details.

2. Preferred Guests can earn 2 Starpoints per eligible U.S. dollar spent, at participating Starwood restaurants, without being a registered guest of the hotel, as long as the food and beverage spending is greater than US$10 excluding taxes and gratuities. Members must present their Preferred Guest membership card to the restaurant staff at the time of payment.

3. Starpoints may be transferred to Starwood's designated airline partners as noted in the "Earning and Using Starpoints with Program Partners" section above.

4. Special toll-free local member service numbers for reservations, customer service and award requests are generally available. In certain local markets, a toll-free number may not be available. Consult your most recent account activity statement or member credentials for the number of the Account Service Center nearest you.

5. Preferred Guest rates of 35% off regular ("Rack") rates are available at participating Starwood Resorts and are based upon availability.

6. A personal Preferred Guest preference profile will be maintained for you. The information provided in your personal profile will be used to expedite the reservations, check-in, and checkout procedures for Preferred Guests. The credit card information will be used by hotels to guarantee your stay, and your charges during your stay will be applied to the credit card number you designate in your personal profile. You can change your credit card authorization for future transactions by contacting your nearest Starwood Account Service Center or at time of reservation or check-in. Please notify us at once if your credit card authorized for billing is lost, stolen, invalidated or has expired.

7. Active Preferred Guests have the option to redeem their Starpoints instantly. Members can utilize their Starpoints for a variety of hotel products and services during their stay at Starwood properties. Although the exact services available for Instant AwardsSM and the corresponding Starpoints required for redemption may vary by hotel property and are generally, but not limited to, those items qualifying for Eligible Charges for earning Starpoints (see "Earning Starpoints") will be available for Instant Awards. As determined by the property, Instant Awards may also be used on goods or services ineligible for Starpoint credit but which appear on a member's folio. Instant Awards will be fulfilled through a discount credit reflected on your guestroom account or folio. Only Starpoints posted to your account by time of check-in may be used for Instant Award redemptions. Instant Awards cannot be utilized for free award nights ("Preferred Award Nights"), 50% Discount Off Awards, or in payment of room rates. To utilize Instant Awards, you should inquire at the hotel during your Starwood stay. Taxes, occupancy taxes, gratuities and non-hotel-operated services are not available for Instant Awards. At the hotel'"s discretion, Instant Awards may be offered without the guest staying.



GENERAL MEMBERSHIP RULES

1. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. ("Starwood" or "we") may change the Starwood Preferred GuestSM program (the "Program") rules, processes, regulations, travel or other awards, and special offers at any time, with or without notice. This means that changes may be initiated that affect, but are not limited to, partner affiliations, rules for earning Starpoints®, Starpoint redemption levels required for specific awards, rules for the use of awards, continued availability of awards, award inventory, award types, and the features of special offers. Starwood reserves the right to terminate the entire Program with six months advance notice to all then-Active Members, and immediately upon notice to all then-Active Members in the case of a termination relating to the substitution of a similar replacement program. This means that the right of a Preferred GuestSM (a "Member" or "you") to accumulate Starpoints and claim awards can be terminated six months after we give notice. All Starpoints (and the value thereof) unredeemed as of the conclusion of the six-month notice period shall be forfeited to Starwood without remuneration or any further obligation or liability, and no award claims shall be honored thereafter. You will be considered an "Active Member" so long as you have earned Starpoints as a result of activities at participating Starwood Properties or as a result of use of the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express during the previous twelve months. Starpoints resulting from transfers or earnings from other programs do not count toward active status. Starwood Vacation Ownership Owners are not subject to the minimum stay requirement and will continue to be considered an "Active Member" as long as they own their Vacation Ownership interest and maintain their Starwood Vacation Ownership account in good standing.

Called early this AM to get upgraded to the Gold level, based on my Starwood Platinum.

Had to go through 4 off-shorians first, none of which knew what I was talking about. Finally got a WONDERFUL US-based rep named Linda, who moved me up to Gold level. She is a true gem, and I wrote a commendation about her to Starwood.

I was up early...and, thanks to this thread, I am now SPG Gold!

Congrats on the Gold memberships everyone! Amex Starwood is my favorite card. If anyone wants great tips on SPG hotels, be sure to check out flyertalk's web site --those folks are obsessed about travel & perks the way we CB'ers are about good credit & best cards.

Hey oneshoe!!

Thanks for the reminder. I have not been on FlyerTalk in about 5 months. See you over there!

Don't get me started on applying for this card already, LOL

I do plan on getting Starwood, but I need to hold off for a while...

I called Amex and rec'd my Starwwod number. I registered online at spg.com. I didn't see that I had the Gold status, so I called SPG customer service the rep stated I had the Preferred Guest Level membership. I was confused and told the rep I thought I read online on AMEX's website I would be a Gold member. He said, "ok, I just needed you to ask for it. give me 2 seconds and I will upgrade it for you." So you have to call and ask specifically for the upgrade or you most likely won't receive it.

They give away Starwood Preferred Gold accounts all the time. I got upgraded one time via a forum on Flyertalk.com. Gold is nice to have some of the hotel reps will automatically upgrade your hotel room. Too bad I rarely get points because I use priceline.com Some places are cool about giving you points and mileages, others aren't... I know a little off topic, but it's just a bit of info if anyone is interested in getting SPG Gold without an Amex.

Hope this helps!