Starwood Preferred Guest, the hotel loyalty program that awards guests points for money spent on stays at their properties, encompasses hotels all over the world under several brand names including Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, W Hotels and St. Regis. Guests can convert those points to frequent traveler miles with select airlines, spend them on rewards items, or redeem them for free nights with no blackout dates at Starwood hotels. Starwood Preferred Guests can also receive upgrades during stays when available by asking, spending points, or paying additional fees.
Navigate to the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) website and sign in to your Starwood Preferred Guest account. Investigate the hotels available in the area you wish to travel. Book the room you want using cash or redeeming points. In the box labeled "Optional Information," fill in the text area labeled "Special Requests" with your request for an upgrade at the same rate if available, noting any special occasions like an anniversary or birthday. Sometimes the hotel will give you an upgrade simply for being an SPG member and asking for it.
Call the hotel directly a couple of days prior to your stay. Speak to guest services. Ask whether your request for a free upgrade could be honored. If not, ask about the charge for an upgrade to a club floor or suite. If you are willing to pay the charge, do so.
Check in for your Starwood hotel stay. At the front desk, ask the clerk about your request for a free upgrade. If none are available, ask for "Instant Awards," which use SPG points for upgrades or other hotel services.
Accumulate enough stays at Starwood properties in a year to earn Gold (10 stays or 25 nights) or Platinum (25 stays or 50 nights) status in the SPG program. Gold members receive an automatic upgrade to a preferred room if available at check-in and Platinum members receive the best available room at check-in.
Accumulate stays toward Gold or Platinum status faster by registering for special promotions and staying during those times. Occasionally, Starwood offers the chance for SPG members to stay once, but receive credit for two or three stays toward their upper-tier status. Find out about these promotions by supplying your email address in your SPG account.
