Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced a new change to the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program that offers members a faster way to earn elite status – a coveted standing matched with benefits like welcome amenities, room upgrades and more Starpoints earned per dollar. Beginning October 1, 2011, SPG Free Night Awards, promotional awards and combined cash and point stays now count toward Gold and Platinum status.

“We believe loyalty isn’t something that you can buy and we value every night a SPG member chooses to stay at a Starwood hotel,” said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President, Starwood Preferred Guest. “We want our guests to know how much their loyalty means to us. That’s why we’ve strengthened the program to count Award nights and stay redemptions toward elite status.”

As a member of the SPG program, guests are welcomed into a tier based on stay activity. These tiers include Preferred Guest, Gold Preferred and Platinum Preferred. Gold Preferred (reached after 10 stays or 25 nights in a calendar year) and Platinum (reached after 25 stays or 50 nights in a calendar year) are considered elite and enjoy additional benefits.

SPG offers travelers more luxury, in more destinations. With this program change, more members can earn elite status and enjoy their new privileges at over 1,000 incredible hotels and resorts around the world.

To learn more about these exciting changes to the SPG program visit spg.com/awardnightscount.

Tags: rewards, rewards program, Starwood, starwood preferred guest program