WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., August 27, 2009 – Starwood Preferred Guest® is the first and only hotel loyalty program to offer members flight redemption on more than 350 airlines with no blackouts. And today, SPG announces the launch of an enhanced Website that features new online search and redemption options to make booking flights even easier. 

Made based on member feedback, the SPG Flights site upgrades include:

• One way and multi-city flight options, in addition to round-trips
• Flight insurance available through Access America for Flights
• Translation into six additional languages including French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese and Italian
• Improved search results driven by leading-edge technology

Since launching last year, members have redeemed nearly 1 billion Starpoints for thousands of domestic and international flights.  As airlines continue to lower fares, the value of SPG Flights rises.  In fact, nearly half of the flights awarded have required fewer than 25,000 Starpoints, which equates to a fare worth up to $345. 

“SPG Flights energized the travel industry last fall by offering our guests unprecedented flexibility, no blackouts and innovative, new ways to redeem Starpoints on air travel. We have now enhanced the travel experience for our most loyal guests with upgraded technology and helpful, new features designed to facilitate hassle-free flight booking,” said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President of Starwood Preferred Guest. “With SPG Flights, our members enjoy the same access to air travel as they do to hotel rooms – if there is an available seat, it’s yours.”

SPG members can simply visit www.spg.com/flights to search for and select their preferred flight and class of service, and then redeem their Starpoints for the entirecost of the flight. SPG Flights includes taxes and booking fees in the price of the flight, and even allows travelers to earn airline miles.

About SPG
Starwood Preferred Guest launched in 1999 as the first hotel loyalty program to offer members No Blackouts when redeeming points, giving millions of members unprecedented access to more upscale and luxury hotels in more countries than any of its competitors.  Designed as the simplest, most flexible and rewarding program of its kind, SPG has captivated travelers and generated loyalty through rich rewards, outstanding member recognition and distinctive redemption options.  SPG is the winner of more Freddie Awards, known as the frequent travelers’ answer to the Oscars, than any other program.

Earning Starpoints has never been easier. Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn two Starpoints for every eligible U.S. dollar spent at over 890 participating Starwood hotels and resorts worldwide.  In addition, everyone can earn Starpoints by using the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card by American Express which gives new members 10,000 Starpoints with the first purchase and has no annual fee for the first year.  Also, up to 20,000 Starpoints per calendar year can be purchased by going to www.spg.com and there is no Starpoints expiration date for active members. 

How many Starpoints does it take to redeem a flight through SPG Flights?

About Starwood Preferred Guest:
The SPG program’s breakthrough policy of No Blackout Dates at the world’s most sought after collection of hotels, reinvented the hospitality loyalty program when it launched in 1999.  By creating a program centered on its members, SPG has developed the most passionate and knowledgeable membership base in the hotel loyalty space. Through its use of new technologies and innovative channels such as SPG.com, SPG.com/flights, thelobby.com, @spginsider, and others, SPG continues to innovate and lead the industry. By offering No Blackouts on standard rooms at 890 properties, No Blackouts on hundreds of airlines, and once in a lifetime experiences available through SPG Moments, the program has proven to be a big draw for the world’s most frequent travelers, and a significant competitive advantage for Starwood.   For more information about Starwood Preferred Guest please visit SPG.com or call (877) – STARWOOD. 

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.:
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 960 properties in 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels 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, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element ^SM.  Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.