31
Aug
More than 60 Starwood hotels in 12 countries from Mexico to Argentina and Chile are running a 20% discount on Best Available Rate offer when using MasterCard to pay for stays. Book by September 30, 2010 for hotel stays through December 15, 2010. This is the second year for Starwood hotels and MasterCard in this Latin America hotels promotion. Use SET/Corporate Account # 200654 to check rates or use this Starwood Hotels/MasterCard link.
Two additional benefits to the MasterCard rate are kids under 12 eat free and either two cocktails per person per stay or a welcome amenity gift like cheese and wine for your room. These should be value-added amenities whether traveling as a couple or a kid-toting family.
As always, you need to compare rates for your specific hotel and dates with AAA and other hotel special offers. In my search of hotels the MasterCard rate was the lowest rate found for Sheraton Colonia. The MasterCard rate is open for cancellation until 24 hours prior to arrival day.
Westin Los Cabos had a much lower rate offer using Starwood’s BirthYear promotion found through the hotel special offers link.
Loyalty Traveler analysis and rate tests:
Sheraton Colonia Golf & Spa Resort, Colonia, Uruguay
Starwood MasterCard Package Rate is lowest rate found for Sheraton Colonia
The Sheraton Colonia is a one to two hour ride across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires. The fast boat makes the journey across the river in around 45 minutes. This is one wide river separating Argentina from Uruguay.
Rio de la Plata view from space. Buenos Aires, AR is city at bottom right, Uruguay is on left
If you haven’t been to Buenos Aires, perhaps you are thinking this is a third world river crossing experience. You will be pleasantly surprised at the low fare and high quality accommodations. In June 2007 I spent the first five minutes on a large modern ferry ship struggling to find a seat among the hundreds of passengers in the lowest priced tier of a three tier ship. After paying an additional $5 to upgrade my fare, I moved up to the premier class level upstairs and sat in a bar room and café with three other passengers in a room designed to hold dozens. I had a full window view and relative quiet which seemed a relief after spending time wandering the streets of BA.
Duty free shopping and exclusive First Class ferry seating up top
Loyalty traveler’s hotel review of Sheraton Colonia from a visit in June 2007.
Westin Los Cabos, Mexico
Starwood BirthYear Rate is better deal for Westin Los Cabos
The MasterCard rate at the Westin Los Cabos is not the best deal for the dates I checked. Under the special offers link was the Starwood Hotels BirthYear rate which is good for two or three night stays. You pay a set rate for the first night and then your birthyear is the rate you pay for the second and third night.
I was born in 1960 so my rate is $60 per night after the first night. This rate offer works out to be $50 per night less than the AAA rate best deal for these dates.
Even if you were born in 1985, the BirthYear rate is the best rate for these dates.
Starwood Pay Your BirthYear Special Rate Offer link
Starwood Resort Hotels 3rd Night Free and other MultiNight Stay Discount Links
Starwood Hotels 3rd Night Free and other MultiNight Stay Discount Links (Different hotel set than resort links)
Loyalty Traveler post on Starwood BirthYear rates
