Simple and rewarding.  That’s the way Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide characterizes their new breakthrough frequency program, Starwood Preferred Guest.

Designed to be the easiest, most flexible and rewarding program of its kind, Starwood Preferred Guest offers instant rewards and on-line award redemption, for use at some of the world’s most celebrated names in hotels and resorts.  Travelers can earn points and redeem awards at Caesars World; Four Points Hotels by Sheraton; Sheraton Hotels & Resorts; St. Regis/Luxury Collection; W Hotels and Westin Hotels & Resorts.  Starwood Preferred Guest can be used at more than 550 participating hotels in over 60 countries, making it one of the largest loyalty programs in the lodging industry.  As a complement to the benefits of lodging rewards, the program also features speedy earnings of airline miles/points with most major airline carriers, with low threshold transfer levels and bonus miles.

Two of the best features of the program:  there are no blackout dates and no point expiration dates for active members.  Other key benefits of the Starwood Preferred Guest program include:

• A new global currency called Starpoints, which can be used for free stays, free flights, merchandise, vacation packages, hotel dining and more.

• A fast way to a free night, typically taking three stays, or $1,000 in spending, to earn a free weekend night accommodation.

• Instant redemption of Starpoints, allowing members to instantaneously use their accumulated points for hotel services such as room upgrades, breakfast in bed, and room service.

• On-line redemption on www.preferredguest.com, instantly redeeming points, tracking account information, and accessing special offers.

• A fast way to a free flight.  The program offers members an exchange rate of one Starpoint to one airline mile/point with many major airlines.  Additionally, members receive 5,000 airline miles/points for every 20,000 Starpoints transferred to a participating airline.

• Using Starpoints, members can purchase gift certificates at high-end merchandising partners including AT&T, Franklin Covey, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lands’ End, The Sharper Image and others.

  The program offers members three distinct levels of participation:

   

• Preferred Guest.  This level includes a complete membership profile, preferred check-in, instant awards, and Starpoints earned at a rate of two points for every eligible U.S. dollar spent.  After ten stays within one year, members reach:

• Gold Preferred.  This level features all of the benefits mentioned above, plus an earning rate of three Starpoints per eligible U.S. dollar spent, instant room upgrades when available, 4PM check-out, weekday newspaper, and exclusive events for members.  For Starwood’s most loyal guests - those with more than 25 stays in a year - members will enjoy:

• Platinum Preferred.  This level features an exceptional degree of personal attention and first class benefits, including all the features mentioned above plus automatic Specialty or Specialty Select room upgrades when available, guaranteed preferred room availability when booked at least 72 hours in advance, welcome amenities and more.

Starwood Preferred Guest replaces Sheraton Club International and Westin Premier.  All active members in these programs are automatically enrolled in Starwood Preferred Guest at a level consistent with their current status in the respective programs.  Starwood Preferred Guest members will receive their new cards in the next few weeks, but may continue to use their existing membership cards at participating hotels and resorts in the meantime.

Travelers can enroll in the program via the Internet, and can create their own personalized Web page based on their travel preferences. Full terms and conditions on the program can be found on the program Web site (www.preferredguest.com).