Starwood Preferred Guest took top honors at the 19th Annual Freddie Awards and was named Program of the Year in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific, one of the most prestigious honors in the travel industry. Since the program was introduced in 1999, frequent travelers from around the world have recognized Starwood Preferred Guest as one of the industry’s top-rated loyalty programs. On the heels of celebrating its eighth anniversary, Starwood Preferred Guest took home more awards than any other hotel program including:

• Program of the Year – Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

• Best Elite Level – Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

• Best Bonus Promotion – Asia Pacific

• Best Award Redemption – Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Americas

• Best Customer Service – Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

• Best Affinity Credit Card – Americas

Known as the frequent travelers’ answer to the Oscar and Emmy Awards, the Freddie Awards recognize the best loyalty programs in the world. The awards are voted on by frequent travelers around the world via an Internet survey sponsored by Inside Flyer magazine, giving those who travel most the opportunity to voice their opinions on favorite airlines, hotels and credit card loyalty programs. The Freddie Awards have grown in stature and importance over the past 19 years and are regarded as the most prestigious consumer-generated travel awards in the industry.

“We are thrilled to take home top honors at this year’s Freddie’s,” said Robin Korman, Vice President of Loyalty Marketing for Starwood. “Starwood Preferred Guest was designed to deliver the benefits most sought after by frequent travelers – the ability to redeem free nights instantly anywhere anytime as long as a room is available, the richest elite level benefits, and world class customer service.”

Starwood Preferred Guest made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates and no restrictions on the number of rooms available on any night of the year.

Starwood Preferred Guest also offers members the ability to redeem awards at more resorts, more luxury properties, more European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel program, which has proven to be a big draw for the world’s most frequent travelers, and a significant competitive advantage.

For more information about Starwood Preferred Guest, or reservations, please visit www.spg.com