Starwood has again been selected as one of four global hotel partners of Cisco to continue with a dynamic pricing model for 2015.
The 3 pricing tiers that were set up in 2013 have continued into 2014 and will roll over for 2015 with NO RFP for your Hotel. The Tiers were formulated in conjunction with & approval from your Divisional Sales & Revenue Management leadership. Starwood provided to Cisco a list of Hotels for each float discount. We categorized hotels based on past production; historical achieved ADR & annual city room night spend into three tiers for ease of identification.
To expedite the process GRST will automatically extend the SETCIS15/20/25 rate plans for 2015 that you have in place for 2014. The only change in terms of rate plan ID will be that the rate plan will be SETCISCO for all hotels in the 2015 program; as it is the floating table that contains the appropriate % discount.
The minimum discount you can offer is 15% off BAR and whilst you can increase the discount off BAR at any time (with approval from your Regional DOSM/ DORM) you cannot offer a lower discount than the float you set up e.g. If you agree to float at 20% off BAR, you cannot then reduce the discount to 15% off BAR.
When completed:
• The rate plan will be a copy of RACK
• The rate plan and float record will be as follows:
o SETCISCO with the appropriate discount % off BAR on the floating table
Eg. 15% / 20% / 25% discount off BAR = SETCISCO rate plan
• GRST has linked your Cisco rate plan to the GDS already and will roll it over centrally
• All hotels will also continue to have a float record for SETGP linked to Cisco, SET number 260247
• As a Reminder- WE WILL NOT USE LANYON FOR THIS PROCESS, same as in 2014
Please read below instructions from the Starwood Revenue Team in direction and guidelines:
If you would like to increase your discount from the minimum, please obtain approval from your Regional Director of Sales & Marketing or Regional Director of Revenue Management. The float discount needs to be changed centrally by Asia Pacific Divisional Revenue Management Team upon approval from your respective RDSM/RDRM.
Please take following actions by November,1st 2014
• Confirm that the rate plan has been built accordingly in Valhalla by GRST
• Confirm that the float record is correctly setup on the float table for SET 260247
o Your property will have two rate plans under set # 260247: SETGP and SETCISCO (with appropriate % discount off BAR)
• If you would like to increase your discount from the minimum, please obtain approval from your Regional DOSM & Regional DORM and send an email of final approval to Sarah Capogreco at Sarah.Capogreco@Starwoodhotels.com no later than October, 15th 2014 to be able to meet above deadline
Please remember that the following amenities MUST be included:
• Complimentary Internet (HSIA) wired and/or wireless
• Complimentary access to Health & Fitness Center ( only if facility is on site)
• 6pm day of arrival cancellation policy
• Complimentary bottled water and/or newspaper
• Waived early departure fee
• FOR CHINA HOTELS ONLY – Breakfast inclusive rate for all city based hotels (not required for resorts)
Hotels should double check the SETCISCO rate plan after is it centrally created and ensure a special services code is attached for a 6pm day of arrival cancellation.
In addition, hotels are able to add more value adds and the procedure for this is the same as all other accounts - please complete the value add request form attached to this email.
FAQ’s
When is the program starting? What should I do at the outset?
• The program started in 2013 and will now roll over to 2015 with NO RFP process so rate validity will be 1/1/2015 – 31/12/2015
• Be sure to check the Cisco rate on the branded website to ensure it is displaying correctly. Check your production twice a month to evaluate year over year changes. Don’t wait until the check of the quarter to understand how the program is working for your hotel.
My hotel’s room nights are declining. What should I do?
• Check your hotel on the branded website to ensure your float is displaying correctly
• Rate check your competition via Hotelligence/ Agency 360 to understand what they are offering
• If your competitors’ rates are lower, consider offering a deeper discount off BAR
What is Cisco bringing to this new partnership?
• All Starwood hotels are considered preferred, whether on a negotiated or dynamic rate
• All accepted hotels will be loaded in Cisco’s Direct Booking Tool
• All room types will be available for Cisco travelers to purchase
• Hotels show in the Direct Booking tool by rate and preferred chain
I want to again thank the Sales and Revenue Management leads from the divisions for their support of this pricing change. Should you have any specific question about the program, please reach out to the Starwood contact in your division: