MasterCard Cardholders Achieve Cost Savings

News Release

MasterCard Cardholders Achieve Cost Savings with a Complimentary Weekend Stay
at over 100 Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Asia-Pacific

October 2008 – MasterCard Worldwide and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific today announced the launch of their complimentary weekend promotion for the second year running. The promotion, which was well-received last year, has been expanded to include an additional 30 hotels and resorts this year. The promotion gives all MasterCard cardholders and Starwood Preferred Guests® (SPG) the chance to receive a complimentary weekend stay at Starwood Hotels across Asia/Pacific, under the brands Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Aloft, Four Points by Sheraton and W hotels in established and emerging cities.   

Travellers who are not SPG members can also register for the promotion by joining SPG at no cost.

To help consumers stretch their travel dollar amidst the rising costs of air travel, MasterCard credit and debit cardholders in Asia/Pacific who are Starwood Preferred Guests will receive a complimentary weekend (consecutive Friday and Saturday) stay at any non resort hotel of the Starwood Asia-Pacific if they have stayed at any Starwood property in Asia-Pacific for at least three occasions during the promotional period. This promotion is valid from 1 October until 31 December 2008. Free weekend stays can be redeemed from 1 November 2008 and 31 January 2009.

“We are excited with this great opportunity, in collaboration with MasterCard, to provide our guests with memorable experiences during their travel in Asia Pacific.  We want to make an emotional connection with our members that go beyond the world of upgrades and free breakfasts.  This promotion allows us to do just that, by presenting them with an opportunity to take a short break during the weekend and visit our properties in Asia-Pacific with their loved ones,” said Nelli Yong, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Asia Pacific, Starwood. “This promotion is a great reason to travel and experience the diverse culture that destinations in Asia-Pacific have to offer.”

The promotion was well received last year and destinations which are most popular amongst members taking advantage of their weekend stays included Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul. 

"The latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Travel report shows that travel has become a necessity for many consumers. Despite the inflation pinch, steady growth in the number of outbound travelers across Asia-Pacific for the second half of 2008 is expected. As consumers continue to travel for both personal and business needs, MasterCard is pleased to be working with Starwood hotels and resorts across Asia-Pacific to help them further stretch their dollar amidst rising costs of living," said Jeff Portelli, Group Executive, Diversification and Business Expansion, MasterCard Worldwide.  

MasterCard cardholders can redeem their complimentary weekend stay between 1 Nov 2008 and 31 Jan 2009 at selected non resort hotels across the brands of St Regis®, Le Meridien, Sheraton, Four Points, Westin, Luxury Collection, W Hotels and aloft.

To automatically stand a chance to receive a complimentary weekend stay at selected  Starwood hotels in Asia-Pacific, MasterCard and SPG cardholders must register and make their room reservations via www.SPG.com/mastercardfreeweekend or via the Starwood call center and mention the promotion code 'MFW'. To become a member of the Starwood Preferred Guests® program and for further information, please visit www.SPG.com/mastercardfreeweekend.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element SM.  Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 18 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.ppr.co.nz

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