Company Press Release: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
December 6, 1999
WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Starwood Vacations® is extending the season of giving into the new year for those who act
now in planning that first trip of the new Millennium. Offering travelers who book a complete vacation by year-end
the choice of either fabulous savings on their trip or an unbelievable Starpoint(SM) bonus, Starwood Vacations
dispels the notion that ``good things come to those who wait.''
For those who desire instant gratification, Starwood Vacations offers a savings of up to $300 per couple on complete
vacations to some of the world's most enticing warm weather destinations - Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico and Florida.
And for those who want to reward themselves on future trips, Starwood Vacations is offering an extremely generous
10,000 Starpoint bonus for complete vacations to any of the more than 70 destinations the program offers -- including
hotels and resorts in Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, Europe, Fiji, the Caribbean and the continental United States. Starpoints
are the official currency of Starwood Preferred Guest®, named the number one hotel frequency program by USA
Today, and are redeemable for airline miles, hotel stays, merchandise or other Starwood Vacations trips. But to
take advantage of either offer, travelers must act fast - both offers require bookings by December 31, 1999.
``Most of the focus on the new Millennium has been on planning that perfect celebration or vacation over New Year's
Eve,'' said Peggy Bianco, Director Leisure Marketing Programs for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
``We wanted to entice travelers to think beyond that one night, when most travel is either limited or hard to come
by, and begin planning their first vacation of the year 2000. And with a choice of two extremely rewarding offers
combined with some of the world's most sought-after leisure destinations, we believe that travelers will agree
they can't afford to wait another day to plan that perfect vacation,'' Ms. Bianco added.
Starwood Vacations offers travelers the choice of six world-renowned hotel brands - Westin, Sheraton, Four Points,
St. Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels - in more than 70 destinations across the globe. Complete vacation
packages feature accommodations, air transportation, ground transportation and optional sightseeing tours. And
all Starwood Vacations come with a host of distinctive value-added features, including: a pre-paid AT&T ten-minute
calling card for domestic vacations; 24-hour traveler assistance; free upgrade to an intermediate car from a compact
car on all car rentals; complimentary amenities at many properties and complimentary sightseeing in select European
destinations.
The Starwood Vacations special savings offer features a discount per couple of $300 off complete vacations to Hawaii
or the Caribbean, $200 off complete vacations to Mexico and $150 off vacations to Florida. Offering the perfect
antidote to the winter blahs, these warm weather destinations include such popular resorts as the Sheraton Waikiki
or The Westin Hawaii Prince Waikiki, the fabulous Lodge at Koele or The Manele Bay Hotel, members of The Luxury
Collection on the exclusive island paradise of Lanai, The Westin Resort St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the
Sheraton Cancun Resort & Towers or Las Brisas in Acapulco or the fabulous Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney
World Dolphin or the Sheraton Suites Key West in Florida, to name a few. Travelers must plan to depart between
January 3 and February 25, 2000, with all travel completed by February 29, 2000. Vacations to Florida and Mexico
require a four-night minimum stay, with trips to Hawaii and the Caribbean requiring a five-night minimum stay.
Discounts are for adult travelers only (ages 18 and older). Offer is subject to change, may be withdrawn without
notice and is not combinable with any other offers. Restrictions may apply.
The Starwood Vacations 10,000 Starpoint bonus offer is almost like getting two vacations in one. That's because
with 10,000 Starpoints, members of Starwood Preferred Guest have enough Starpoints for a free night in most participating
Sheraton, Westin and Four Points hotels and resorts around the world. Or they can choose to boost their favorite
airline frequent flyer program mileage and be on their way in no time to a free flight on most major airline carriers.
This offer is valid for travel to any of the more than 70 fabulous Starwood Vacations destinations in Hawaii, North
America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe or the Fiji Islands. Travelers must book their trips by December 31, 1999,
and plan to depart between now and December 20, 1999 or between January 5 and April 15, 2000, with all travel completed
by April 15, 2000. There is a minimum three-night stay required. Starpoints will be credited to Starwood Preferred
Guest members for new bookings only made between now and December 31, 1999, and will be credited six to eight weeks
after travel. Travel must have occurred in order for Starpoints to be credited. Bookings with consecutive travel
dates made by the same person/group will not be eligible for Starpoint offer. Various cancellation penalties, payment
requirements and holiday/weekend/special event surcharges may apply.
To make reservations for either offer, or for further information, travelers can call their travel agent, call
Starwood Vacations toll-free at 1-800-555-4540 or visit the Starwood Vacations web site at www.starwoodvacations.com.
Starwood Vacations is operated by The Mark Travel Corporation, one of the largest vacation companies and operators
of private-label brands in the United States. Through its association with The Mark Travel Corporation, Starwood
Vacations is a member of the united States Tour Operator Association's $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan and
the American Society of Travel Agents.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., through its St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four
Points and W subsidiaries, is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 700 hotels
in 76 countries and 130,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.