reward stays count towards status from 1 oct

[kyle]

Just read it on my Facebook news feed

[Saji]

Unless this is a new policy from SPG...the answer is a no. Rewards stays do not give starpoints nor do they count towards a stay.

[KitKat]

this is great!
Does this include the free night promos as well?
Award Winning Benefits - Even Better

Q: What types of SPG Awards now count toward elite status?

A: Regular SPG Free Night Awards, Cash & Points Awards and SPG Award stays such as those earned from promotions (e.g., the SPG Getaway Free campaign Free Resort Night Awards) will count toward elite status. Non-SPG or any other type of SPG Award or Voucher stays, such as Air Canada's Aeroplan awards, etc., will not count toward elite status.
Q: If I redeem Starpoints for five free nights, does the Fifth Night Free benefit also count toward my elite status criteria?

A: Yes, all nights of your redemption stay will count toward your elite status qualification, including the fifth night of a Fifth Night Free Award.

[dajop]

Great news, thanks for posting. With 8 to go to platinum (5 if current bookings go to plan) this will certainly help me! Points + Pay is a good use of points.

[futaris]

Woo hoo!

SPG to count award nights toward elite status [Now Confirmed] - FlyerTalk Forums
Starwood Award Stays Likely to Count Towards Elite Status - View from the Wing
Rumor:Award nights/C+P count as eligible stay effective Oct 1st(a promotion, not permanent benefit) | milepoint

Shame that these won't count for double stays promos, etc.

[drron]

This will certainly make mattress runs a lot cheaper with the cash and points option now counting.Certainly a positive move.

Now just hope the other rumour is true that from 1/3/2012 breakfast will be free for plats.Though with the majority of my stays in Asia this is already available most stays.

[Alanslegal]

this is great news for me who is short of retaining platinum status

looks like i will be doing some MR for the 4th qtr this year to get to platinum

[burrco]

Nice move.

I've already re-qualified for this year but was about to transfer 80k points across to AA - think I'll keep them within SPG for next year now.

[serfty]

Interesting - it will make the HHonors organisation sit up and take notice with their recent embarkation into the realm of "any bed^® rewards"!

[futaris]

I've already re-qualified for this year but was about to transfer 80k points across to AA - think I'll keep them within SPG for next year now.

You may want to still do this. If you transfer this year, they will count towards 1MM, 2MM, etc.

Interesting - it will make the HHonors organisation sit up and take notice with their recent embarkation into the realm of "any bed^® rewards"!

Any Bed rewards?

Now I suppose someone could hotel hop between 2 Cat 1 hotels, and get:

Gold for 20,000 SPG or 12,000 SPG + 250 USD.
Platinum for 50,000 SPG or 30,000 SPG + 625 USD.