If you haven’t yet taken advantage of Starwood’s free upgrade to SPG Gold status for MasterCard World and World Elite cardholders, don’t fret: the deal has been extended until July 14 2017 for spenders whose wallets sport that super shiny plastic.
Included on that list are the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards, Westpac Altitude Black, Emirates Citibank World and HSBC Premier World cards – serving up free SPG Gold status after a single stay, or even just one night, at Starwood hotels in Australia and the greater Asia Pacific region.
SPG Gold members earn 50% more Starpoints at Starwood hotels and enjoy perks such as welcome amenities, free room upgrades, late check-outs and more at SPG’s range of properties such as Sheraton, Westin, W, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection.
That generous list of perks would normally come only after spending 25 nights in Starwood hotels or making 10 individual stays – so follow these steps and you'll be in the fast lane:
- Contact your bank’s concierge department and request your unique ‘bank promotion code’ for the SPG Gold World MasterCard offer.
- Head to the Starwood website and register for the deal by July 14 2017 using the first six digits of your World or World Elite MasterCard card number and the promotion code you received in step 1.
- During the registration process, sign in to your existing SPG account if you’re already a member, or join Starwood Preferred Guest if you’re new to the program.
- Stay at least once at a Starwood hotel within the Asia Pacific region before July 14 2017 on a room rate that would ordinarily accrue Starpoints – that’s any publicly-available rate when making the booking directly on the Starwood website.
- Pay for your booking in its entirety, including the room rate and any additional charges such as restaurant dining and room service, using the MasterCard World or World Elite card you registered in step 1.
- Wait patiently for 2-6 weeks for your Starwood Preferred Guest status to click over to Gold.
- Enjoy your new privileges on future stays with Starwood!
Also read: Your guide to Starwood Preferred Guest
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
Goody, goody, gum drops
09 Feb 2012
Total posts 23
How long does the status last once earned?
Also, my next trip is to Hawaii - will that qualify?
British Airways - Executive Club
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 47
Status is good for 2 years. So you're expiration would be 2017 I believe. But unfortunately Hawaii is not one of the participating hotels as it is out of the region considered Asia. Australia does count though, so it might be worthwhile for you to consider just checking into a local Starwood for a one night stay to qualify for Gold and then you may get your benefits when you go to Hawaii.
09 Feb 2012
Total posts 23
Looks like it's only 1 year not two. I since registered and the email I got following says:
"Congratulations! You are entitled to recieve Gold Preferred benefits for 1 year after you have made one eligible stay in Asia Pacific using your World or World Elite MasterCard by July 14, 2016."
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 May 2015
Total posts 4
Just got SPG gold through my Commbank MC and a stay in Sydney, valid to 28-2-17
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
Just tried now.
Looks like you don't need a 6 digit code any more, you just enter your card details.
However, it didn't work for me.
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