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Starwood Makes it Easier to Unlock Your Room with SPG Keyless 2.0

June 29, 2016
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2 min read
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Starwood Makes it Easier to Unlock Your Room with SPG Keyless 2.0
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In 2014, Starwood became the first hotel chain to offer truly keyless technology, letting you unlock your hotel room door by using your smartphone or Apple Watch. There were definitely some kinks in the rollout, and by 2015, Starwood was encouraging more people to try out the SPG Keyless service with an incentive of 2,500 free Starpoints.

Yesterday, SPG announced the release of SPG Keyless 2.0, which is set to improve the user experience and sort out any issues that travelers had mentioned in the past. The upgrade, which is now available, includes:

  • Significant expansion of the hotels where you can use it — now including select Westin, Sheraton, Le Meridien and Four Points by Sheraton properties worldwide
  • Multi-key functionality so more than one person can use the same app to check in to the same room
  • Overall increased functionality with a faster door unlock function and improved offline access

SPG Keyless is already available at more than 160 properties in over 30 countries. SPG says that more than 350,000 members have signed up to use SPG Keyless so, with Platinum members being the most frequent users of the technology (no surprise there!). The chain also says that the most popular properties for the Keyless technology are in urban city-center destinations — the top-five markets being New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Miami — and especially at mid-size Aloft and W properties.

Last year, TPG Editor-in-Chief Zach Honig tried out the SPG Keyless technology at the W New York — Downtown and would have had a great experience with the technology if he had booked directly through Starwood rather than through Hotel Tonight. However, the front desk was able to sort out what was wrong, and he had a good stay, successfully using the technology on his Apple Watch.

Have you used SPG Keyless? What was your experience like?

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.