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Starwood New Partnership China Southern Airlines
December 27, 2011
STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES
SPG Members Can Now Transfer Starpoints to China Southern Airlines’ Sky Pearl Club
Sky Pearl Club Members Who Enroll in SPG Can Earn 1,000 Miles During Next Stay at a Starwood Hotel or Resort
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its industry leading loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest, has partnered with China Southern Airlines (CSA). The partnership allows SPG members to transfer Starpoints to CSA miles. Each Starpoint transferred is equivalent to one mile in CSA’s Frequent Flyer Program, Sky Pearl Club.
“China is one of the world’s fastest growing domestic and outbound travel markets and we’ve seen Chinese enrollment in Starwood Preferred Guest jump over 70% by tailoring SPG offerings to meet the needs of local travelers,” said Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty and Partnership Marketing for Starwood. “Partnering with China Southern Airlines gives SPG members the flexibility to convert Starpoints into airline miles with one of Asia’s largest airlines.”
“China is Starwood’s second largest hotel market and in 2011, we have opened one hotel every two weeks in the region. Today, more than 50% of our guests in China are Chinese,” said Qian Jin, Senior Vice President, Operations, Greater China for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “The partnership with China Southern Airlines is an additional benefit to tailor to the Chinese travelers.”
In honor of the new partnership, SPG is launching a new “Access to Your Dream Vacation” campaign, offering Sky Pearl Club members who are not yet SPG members an opportunity to earn 1,000 bonus miles on its Sky Pearl Club for every eligible stay at a Starwood hotel or resort for a maximum of 3,000 bonus miles. To participate, Sky Pearl Club members must join the SPG program and register at http://www.china-spg.com/csa/register.do from now to 29 February 2012. Hotel stays must occur by 31 March 2012. In addition, Sky Pearl Club Silver and Gold members will receive SPG Gold status after their first eligible stay at a Starwood hotel during the campaign period. For further information, terms and conditions on this campaign, please visit: http://www.china-spg.com/csa/register.do.
