Starwood Hotels & Resorts
announced today that the company will enhance its “Best Rate Guarantee” on its branded websites. “Best Rate Guarantee” pledges that Starwood’s branded websites will offer the lowest published rates available anywhere.

Starwood was one of the first hotel companies to launch a rate guarantee program back in May of 2002, and since then, all the major hotel companies have followed suit. Starwood is enhancing “Best Rate Guarantee” to make it easier, faster and more lucrative. Changes include:

  — New Incentive. Originally, if travelers found a lower rate
      through any other online distributor, Starwood would match the
      rate and offer an additional 10 percent off that price. Now,
      travelers will have the option of either 10% off or 2,000
      Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints, which equals one free
      night at some hotels.

  — Easier Claim Process. Travelers can now file claims
      electronically via Starwood.com and they can make a claim
      prior to booking. In addition, travelers can now make claims
      up to 24 hours before their stay instead of the 72 hours
      required before.

  — “Best Rate Guarantee” Expands Globally. “Best Rate Guarantee”
      is now applicable to every Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, The
      Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton and W branded hotel
      worldwide.

“It is our intention to make Starwood’s ‘Best Rate Guarantee’ easier, faster and more lucrative,” said Tom Botts, Starwood’s vice president of distribution and operations. “‘Best Rate Guarantee’ is the best way to not only ensure rate integrity on Starwood’s websites, but also assure our guests that the rates on our sites are the best published rates anywhere, or else we’ll make it right.”

According to Botts, Starwood has seen a significant increase in booking conversions on its sites since launching “Best Rate Guarantee” almost two years ago. The company also has seen a shift in share from travelers booking on third party sites to booking on Starwood’s sites. “It is no secret that we want guests to book through our websites, and by providing the best rates, unmatched service, excellent content and frequent guest benefits and points on our sites, there is no reason travelers should book anywhere else.”
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