SPG Hot Escapes (Week 31)

The weekly SPG Hot Escapes is back and it is looking good if you intend to stay in a participating property in the next 6 weeks. Remember that these are prepaid rates and therefore cannot be cancelled - please book them only if your travel plans are confirmed. 

Click on the following link to access the promotion and to see which are the participating properties: http://www.spghotescapes.com/all

Remember that you get an additional 5% off for being an SPG Member. If you are in the Asia-Pacific region, be sure to check out my previous post to find out how to get SPG Gold in just ONE stay! Click HERE to access the previous article on getting SPG Gold. 

The Westin Singapore offers pretty good rate this time at S$289++ so it might be a good time to consider that staycation and take that obligatory shot by the infinity pool! 

Starwood Properties in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia - Take up to 50% off!

From now until 31 July 2014, enjoy up to 50% off your stay at a participating Starwood property in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. 

Click on the following link to access the promotional landing page:
http://www.asiapacific.starwoodoffers.com/seadeals/en

The Executive Club Rooms at the Westin Singapore are going for S$400++ instead of $510++ (approximately 22% off). However you lose the ability to cancel without penalty if you opt for the sale rate. Do make sure you compare the rates to make sure you choose one that suits your traveling preferences, budget and flexibility. 

Some other hotels may offer more than just a room rate discount. For example, the St. Regis Bali Resort offers complimentary breakfast and VIP airport transfer alongside a room rate discount.

Happy travels! 

Starwood (Asia Pacific) - enjoy up to 50% off!

From now until 13 July 2014, take up to 50% off your hotel stays in a participating Starwood property in Asia-Pacific. This offer is valid for stays up until 31 October 2014. 

Click HERE for the promotional landing page. 

I had a rough look at properties in Singapore and the Sheraton Towers Singapore is enjoying 40% off BAR (S$228++ instead of S$380++). On the other hand, the newer Westin Singapore is getting only approximately 22% off BAR (S$304++ instead of S$390++). Do remember that these promotional rate reservations cannot be cancelled and cannot be modified after you make them. 

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) - Going for GOLD

The Westin Singapore officially opened its doors (again) in November last year after an absence of 12 years. To many frequent travellers, the addition of a new Starwood property spells excitement as there is more to choose from. Like other Starwood properties, The Westin Singapore participates in the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program which allows you to earn Starpoints on eligible hotel spend. 

There are three main tiers in the SPG program - Preferred, Gold and Platinum. Within the Platinum category, there are further sub tiers to reward the frequent and business travellers. Unlike other hotel programs that expire with every year (through a re-qualification process, you may reach a lifetime status under this program, disabling the need to re-qualify for Gold or Platinum statuses - a major incentive to remain to SPG! However such lifetime statuses are difficult to qualify and usually requires a minimum period of 10 elite years. 

Amongst other benefits, the SPG Gold tier allows for a 4pm late checkout, an upgrade (that does not include suites) and a welcome gift (in the form of bonus Starpoints, a welcome drink or complimentary internet access). Full details on the Gold tier benefits can be found here. The usual qualification process requires 10 eligible stays or 25 eligible nights in a calendar year. However, if you hold a World MasterCard in the Asia Pacific region (excluding Japan), you can qualify for the Gold status with as little as just one eligible night stay.

You may sign up for this promotion here.

Upgrade to the Gold status will take up to 4 weeks after your stay. For a cheap way to gain this status, you may consider the Aloft Kuala Lumpur property at Kuala Lumpur Sentral or the Sheraton Singapore if you do not wish to leave the country. Do remember that you need register for the program first, and you have to book directly with the hotel (not through Agoda or online travel agents) in order to qualify for this promotion. Also do note that status earned after 1 April of each year will last longer in absolute terms. 

Additionally, if you book before 6 April 2014, you may qualify for the Book Early or Stay Longer promotion (in Asia Pacific properties only), giving you up to 50% and 10% off respectively. So go on and get your well-deserved Gold status with SPG and enjoy your Gold benefits for a year.