I'm looking at planning some trips next year already and it seems that a majority of hotels have not loaded availability for C&P for next year. A few have ... but a a lot has not. Is there a corporate policy on when it should be loaded by? Or is this strictly up to the properties themselves?
I am trying a new service I found here on MP called awardspy. It will check for availability for C&P for SPG and send you an alert when it's available. Seems to work like an expert flyer program but for SPG and Hilton. I have only just sent a few alerts so I don't know how well it really works but it's worth a try since it is free.
Thanks for that; but do you know how to see what the Rack Rate is? I see a SPG50 code; but how much is RACK?
Point me to the plane just blogged about a few days ago. I believe you have to call to find out the rack rate. Here is the link to it http://boardingarea.com/blogs/point...-swan-dolphin-hotel-spg50-joke-of-a-discount/
It may be merely a question of semantics, but every property that is required to participate in Cash & Points already has their C&P rate plan extended for sale through December 31, 2013, so if you aren't finding availability for it, they simply don't want to open it up for booking this far out. Best regards, William R. Sanders Social Media Specialist Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide spgchampion@starwoodhotels.com
When you say they don't want to open up booking this far out, you are saying that even though the hotel has already submitted the rate plan/dates; they just aren't allowing booking yet correct? I should just check back every week or so ( or use the service that Platypus suggested) correct? For trip I'm planning to Vancouver/Seattle; all 3 of these properties in both cities (So a total of 6 hotels) have 0 dates for C&P in 2013. The Westin Grand, Vancouver Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver W Seattle Sheraton Seattle Hotel The Westin Seattle
You can check back as often as you like, but this rate carries both black-out dates and capacity controls, so they can open it for sale whenever they please. If I was a DORM, I would not be allowing it to be sold unless I knew it was going to be a slow period for me. Otherwise, I'm costing my property increased income. They may have 0 dates now, but I checked and every one of them has the C&P rate plan active and the sale date extended to December 31, 2013, so they could sell Cash & Points if they wanted to. Best regards, William R. Sanders Social Media Specialist Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide spgchampion@starwoodhotels.com
Thanks for the clarification, it was just my understanding that the properties would have a few rooms @ C&P rates throughout the year, and release more/less depending upon expected capacity of the hotel. It was just weird to see 0 availability for 2013.