Stamford, Conn. – December 10, 2012 – Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG),
the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide,
Inc. (NYSE: HOT), introduces its new mobile application for Android designed to
deliver a personalized experience for members across Starwood’s nine distinct
brands.The SPG
®
App for Android® is part of
Starwood’s ongoing commitment to tech innovation that meets the needs of
today’s connected global traveler.The new Android app caters to frequent
travelers on the go, simplifying their travel in four key ways; enabling them
to discover and book stays at 1,100 hotels around the world, access
personalized benefits, manage their SPG accounts, and connect through
integrated social media.
“We are constantly looking for ways to help members enhance their SPG
experience, in and out of their hotel stay.With the introduction of the SPG App
for Android, our members around the world have greater access in transit to
browse, book and manage their SPG account,” said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice
President of Starwood Preferred Guest. “As constant connectivity becomes a
greater need, mobile devices are becoming the preferred way to book travel, and
providing a seamless guest experience is paramount.”
Connecting to the Savvy Traveler
Growing with the needs of the global, mobile traveler is essential to the SPG
Program.Starwood data shows a 300% increase in mobile booking revenue generated
versus the same time period one year ago.The SPG App for Android meets the
needs of members and makes it seamless for them to browse and book hotels at
all of Starwood’s nine distinct brands at over 1,100 hotels and resorts.During
the duration of a stay, the app provides local information such as weather,
directions, in-room dining selections and other hotel amenities.Integrated
social media channels allow users to virtually “check-in” to their stay, remain
connected to family and friends and engage through SPG’s various social media
channels.
Among the many features of the app, members can store all relevant information
about their SPG profile – such as Starpoint balance, upcoming and past stays,
as well as send a confirmation or other details to others via text or email.
Location-based services are integrated to connect users to the closest customer
care center, along with voice-activated support.
The new SPG App for Android is now available for free download on Google Play
(play.google.com).
# # #
About Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) is an innovative, award-winning frequent
traveler program that unites each of Starwood’s 9 distinctive hotel brands and
includes more luxury hotels in more destinations around the world.SPG
reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its
breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its
tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, SPG
MomentsSM, and most recently Your24TM and SPG
LifetimeTM. In addition to Free Night Awards at over 1,100
hotels and resorts and Award Flights on over 350 major airlines without
blackout dates, the Starpoints® that members earn through SPG can be redeemed
for access like to no other to experiences in music, sports and the arts
through SPG Moments.SPG also has an ongoing commitment to digital innovation to
meet the needs of today’s connected global traveler – from Starwood’s
Best Rate Guarantee on SPG.com, to SPG’s integration within various social
media platforms.Offerings such as these have helped SPG build a passionate
member base among the world’s most frequent travelers.Learn more at spg.com and
spg.com/moments
and connect with us on facebook.com/spg, twitter.com/spg, foursquare.com/spg, pinterest.com/spglife, and
youtube.com/spg.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and
leisure companies in the world with 1090 properties in 100 countries and
territories with 154,000 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, Aloft®, and Element SM.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 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.
About Bottle Rocket Apps
Bottle Rocket Apps (www.bottlerocketapps.com) is a
full-service mobile app development firm, focused on creating hand-crafted apps
for the world's most discriminating brands. Since its founding in early 2008,
Bottle Rocket has completed more than 60 iPhone, iPad and Android apps for many
leading brands, such as NPR, PBS, Disney, ESPN, TBS, TNT, National Geographic,
the National Science Foundation, The Seattle Times, Discovery Channel, BET,
A&E Television, SPIN Magazine, Bravo Television, American Express and
AARP.The company’s apps have won numerous industry accolades including multiple
Apple Hall of Fame awards, and frequently appear at the top of their categories
on the App Store.The Bottle Rocket team of senior strategists, architects,
developers and artists work their magic from the company’s offices in Dallas,
Texas.
Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google, Inc.