Starwood Preferred Guest(R) members can get free nights, room upgrades and Instant Awards(SM) faster than ever now that the number one rated hotel loyalty program has introduced the Starpoint Purchase Plan. Beginning today, members can visit www.spg.com/starpointpurchase to purchase Starpoints starting for as little as $25 for 500 points. Starpoint Purchase Plan is perfect for members who need a few extra points to redeem a vacation or want to customize an online gift certificate for a fun travel gift or even for small businesses who want to reward employees or customers.

“We always strive to offer our members generous benefits and flexible, simple Starpoint earning opportunities, said Jim Berra, vice president, loyalty marketing for Starwood. “We achieve this with our new Starpoint Purchase Plan by offering members an additional way to achieve free nights and room upgrades faster and easier than ever.”

Upon purchase, Starpoints will be deposited automatically into a member`s account using a real-time process that takes only a few minutes—so a member`s Starpoints will be immediately available for use. And, as an added benefit, all purchases made through the end of 2003 will receive a 25% Starpoint bonus. In addition, cardholders of the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express receive a 10% discount on all Starpoint purchases, and as always, earn Starpoints on all purchases charged to the card - even Starpoints.

For more information on the Starpoint Purchase Plan and to purchase points, visit www.spg.com/starpointpurchase.

Recognized with the Freddie Awards` “Program of the Year” since the program`s introduction, Starwood Preferred Guest opens the door to some of the world`s best hotels. Key business destinations around the globe are covered, and leisure opportunities are endless with more than 125 world-class resorts and over 2,700 holes of golf worldwide. In addition, Starwood has the most hotels of any company recognized on the recently announced Conde Nast Traveler Gold List.

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