www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest
Rating (out of five stars): ****
The Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) home page calls attention to SPG’s latest promotions and member benefits with a slideshow that includes images of luxurious Starwood properties in beautiful locations. Across the top are drop-down lists including “Book and Redeem” with quick information on Starpoints and a hotel search,”Inside SPG” offering detailed information about SPG membership benefits and “Account” offering membership log-in or the opportunity to enroll in the program.
The Book and Redeem tab provides information about new hotels and SPG resorts along with a page for planning and booking meetings and events and a page for special offers. Once you have signed in, you can retrieve your current reservations from the My Stays page.
For those interested in an overview of SPG, a short video of the highlights and benefits of the program can be found under the SPG Overview tab under the Inside SPG drop down. Members will also find pages on how to redeem, earn and purchase Starpoints, including information about SPG Moments (exclusive members-only experiences and entertainment events) and how to transfer Starpoints and purchase gift cards.
Members looking to supplement their Starpoints earning can do so by applying for the popular Starwood Preferred Guest credit card by American Express. A link to the credit card application and more information on cardmember benefits can be found in the middle of the home page right next to a display of the most recent SPG member promotions.
We like that bonus promotions are prominently displayed with links providing easy access to registration. On the day we visited, SPG listed seven promotions including a bonus offer for 25 percent more Starpoints when you purchase or gift Starpoints, a promotion offering bonus Starpoints and 40 percent off when you book a suite and on-going promotions such as the Pay the Rate of Your Birth Year promotion. SPG also does a good job of keeping members informed of new benefits and partnerships on the home page with rotating news. For example, members can learn everything they need to know about the new SPG Keyless program and download the SPG app from the home page.
SPG offers members the opportunity to connect with SPG across various social media platforms such as Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Members can share photos and are encouraged to share “your own passion for travel and #SPGlife experiences” through the Connect with SPG tab. SPG gives members a peek into SPG’s Instagram account on the home page, displaying spectacular travel photos that of course feature SPG locations and properties.
We particularly like the bottom of the home page, which provides all the information members might need to know in an easy one-click format. Starwood does a very good job of showcasing its properties located in lovely vacation spots around the world and reminding SPG members why they should remain loyal to the program by visually displaying what their hotels have to offer. The site is flashy, colorful, fresh and designed to work well on mobile devices.
