MONTREAL, Dec. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeroplan today announced that Starwood
Hotels now offers Aeroplan members a totally web-based means to search for,
book and confirm a hotel stay using Aeroplan Miles.
    Aeroplan enables its members to search Aeroplan.com for the Starwood
property of their choice, including Starwood's St. Regis, The Luxury
Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Méridien and W
brands. This allows members to not only book directly online but also to
receive an immediate confirmation of the booking from the hotel. This seamless
process eliminates the need for vouchers and coupons and, because the process
is immediate, there is no longer a need to book days in advance or call the
hotel chain to make the reservation. What's more, reservations may be
cancelled for a full refund of Aeroplan Miles (provided that the cancellation
is made in accordance with the reservation's terms and conditions).
    No other loyalty program in Canada offers this level of self-service
options for booking travel rewards. All Aeroplan Mile travel (flight, car and
hotel) may be booked online, as Aeroplan's three car partners - Avis, Hertz
and National - also offer completely web-based redemptions through
Aeroplan.com.
    "Aeroplan's members enjoy the convenience of booking their reward travel
on the web. Online redemptions for hotels and car rentals continue to grow,
reflecting the ease with which members may take advantage of these popular
reward options," said Craig Landry, Vice President, Member Products and
Services, Aeroplan. "Adding Starwood, with its roster of luxurious worldwide
hotel properties, as a 'direct connect' partner strengthens the entire online
offering for our members and builds on Aeroplan's existing partnership with
Starwood, where members are able to earn Aeroplan Miles at participating
Starwood brands worldwide, through the Starwood Preferred Guest Program(R)."
    "Starwood is pleased to join as Aeroplan's newest online hotel booking
redemption partner. We strive to ensure that our guests have a memorable stay
with us; to be able to book their time with us in such an easy manner is a
great beginning to a rewarding stay," said Stephen Foster, Senior Vice
President of Operations, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

    About Aeroplan

    Aeroplan is Canada's premier loyalty marketing company, dedicated to
developing and executing programs designed to engage the loyalty of its
prestigious membership.
    Aeroplan's millions of members earn Aeroplan Miles with its network of
more than 70 world-class partners, representing more than 150 brands in the
financial, retail, and travel sectors. Miles earned may be redeemed for
Aeroplan's industry-leading ClassicFlight Rewards, innovative ClassicPlus
Flight Rewards, and global Star Alliance Flight Rewards, offering travel to
more than 850 destinations worldwide. In 2006 alone, more than 1.4 million
round-trip flight rewards were issued. Aeroplan's roster of non-flight rewards
includes more than 400 exciting specialty, merchandise, and experiential
rewards, as well as hotel and car rental rewards. Members are encouraged to
stay engaged with Aeroplan and avoid mileage expiration due to inactivity by
earning or redeeming Aeroplan Miles at least once in any
consecutive twelve-month period.
    For more information about Aeroplan, please visit www.aeroplan.com.

    About Starwood

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and
leisure companies in the world with approximately 890 properties in more than
100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of
hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands:
St.Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R),
Sheraton (R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, Aloft(SM), 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.