Global Hospitality Giant offers meeting planners more perks and new ways to upgrade their Starwood Preferred Planner Status

SINGAPORE, 30 April 2013 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific ("Starwood") today announced the launch of "More Rewards" meeting offer with more than 200 participating hotels across Asia-Pacific. 

This offer is part of the company's first global meeting offer where Starwood's divisions worldwide will feature similar packages with the same structure, but differing Master Bill discounts and value add options during the offer period, which ends 30 September 2013.

"With an ever growing international portfolio, we are committed to being the easiest company to work with," said Alison Taylor, Senior Vice President, Sales, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "The global meeting offer presents meeting planners with the same attractive benefits that they will enjoy no matter which destination they choose to meet in.  This ensures that they get the best value with Starwood."

More Rewards for meetings in 2013

In Asia-Pacific, participating properties are offering 5% off the Master Account, a signing bonus of 1,000 Starpoints® for every 10 room nights booked, and a choice of two value adds from the following:

Double the usual complimentary room allocation, (varies by hotels) Double the usual complimentary suite upgrade, (varies by hotels) Complimentary high-speed Internet in guest roomsComplimentary high-speed Internet in meeting roomsComplimentary welcome reception - selected beverage and canapés for one hourComplimentary use of an LCD Projector in main meeting roomDouble Starpoints®- earn 2 Starpoints for every US$3 spent

In addition, for bookings with a minimum of 150 room nights, meeting planners will also receive a two-night stay at Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central.

Enjoy Elite Bonusing opportunities for Meetings booked at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Starwood Hotels & Resorts offer a new way for members of the Starwood Preferred Planner ("SPP") program[1] to achieve Gold and Platinum status. In addition to earning  one Starpoint® for every US$3 spent, Starwood is for the first time, allowing group room nights consumed in 2013 to be combined with room nights earned through Starwood Preferred Guest® ("SPG") qualifying stays to be counted towards achieving Gold and Platinum membership status. 

Previously SPP members had to achieve an annual revenue threshold of $50,000 and $100,000 to achieve Gold and Platinum status respectively, and group room nights did not count towards membership upgrades.  With the recognition of group room nights, SPP members will be able to achieve faster upgrades: 50 room nights booked in a year for Gold status; 100 room nights booked in a year for Platinum status.

As an added bonus, instead of the usual one Starpoint® for every US$3 spent, Starwood will be giving Gold and Platinum members the chance to earn one Starpoint® for every US$2 spent in 2013.

Starwood Senior Vice President, Sales - Asia Pacific, Ms Alison Taylor, added: "We are pleased to offer SPP members a new way to upgrade their membership. We believe that the elite bonusing opportunity would resonate both with our loyal meeting planners as well as SPG members who have the ability to influence meeting decisions."

The SPP program makes planning meetings more rewarding for meeting planners. As a member, meeting planners earn one Starpoint® for every US $3 of eligible group revenue on each meeting or event they book.  Starpoints® can be redeemed for Free Night Awards (with no blackout dates on standard rooms); room upgrades at more than 1,000 hotels worldwide; and, credit on their next event's master bill through Starwood's Instant Meeting Awards(SM) program and more.  SPP members are also automatic members of Starwood's SPG program, so whether booking for business or pleasure, members can accumulate Starpoints together on the same membership.

To book or for more information, please visit: Starwoodmeetings.com/morerewards.

*Terms and conditions apply.

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About StarwoodMeetings.com

StarwoodMeetings.com is a dedicated meetings and events website created by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. as the point of entry to the world of Starwood for professional and corporate planners as well as the occasional planner, such as those planning family reunions and school events.  The website contains full details of Starwood's more than 1,100 hotels worldwide including hotel features, integrated maps with points of interest, photos, floor plans and on-site meeting services.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,134 properties in nearly 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

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Media Contact:

Punnee Bunma
Starwood Asia-Pacific
Manager, Corporate Communications
Tel: 65 6335 4824
Email: punnee.bunma@starwoodhotels.com