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Among most miles enthusiasts, SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) Starpoints
has always been the granddaddy of all award currencies, with its ability to
transfer to over 25 airline partners and award nights at hotels at rates substantially
lower than its competitors.
With the current all-time high sign up offers for 35,000
Starwood points for both the AMEX SPG Personal & AMEX SPG Business card,
let’s dive a bit further into the program.
How to Earn
Starpoints
Depending on your status with Starwood, you’ll earn between
2-3 points for every dollar spent at a Starwood hotel. If you hold an AMEX Starwood
card, you’ll earn an additional 2 Starpoints.
If you’re not a Starwood loyalist, the easiest way to
quickly accumulate Starpoints would be through the one of two cards that earns Starpoints,
the AMEX SPG personal card and the AMEX SPG business card.
Currently, the SPG Personal card has a 35,000 sign up bonus
offer after spending $5000, which is the highest sign up bonus ever offered.
The SPG Business card also has a 35,000 sign up bonus, but
only after spending $8,000 in the first three months.
View Current Travel Card Offers Here
The benefits are quite similar, with one notable difference:
The AMEX SPG Business card grants complimentary Sheraton club access.
Best Starpoint
Redemptions
With over 25 airline partners, SPG Starpoints are by the
most “diverse” award currency out there. You’ll receive a 5,000 transfer bonus
for every 20,000 Starpoints being transferred, effectively making each
Starpoint worth 1.25 miles. For those looking to redeem their points for
premium travel, two airline programs stand out among the pack.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines has by far the best mileage program for
premium award travel among US Airlines. While United & American Airlines
have substantially devalued their award chart, Alaska has for the most part
kept the amount of miles required for first class travel consistent.
Qantas First Class
By far the best way to travel to the land down under, Qantas
first class is merely 70,000 Alaska Milles, or 56,000 Starwood Points.
The pride of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific First Class seat is
the oozes subtle luxury, complete with Krug and caviar. Cathay Pacific can be
redeemed for 70,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles, or 56,000 Starwood Points. The
same trip on American AAdvantage would cost 110,000 miles one way!
Asiana
Asiana Airlines only charges 50,000 miles (40,000 Starpoints) for a one way first class ticket
on Lufthansa between the US and Europe. Although you will need to pay a
moderate fuel surcharge of around $200-300, this is less than 50% of what
United charges for the exact same trip!
80,000 Starpoints for
a round trip first class ticket between United States & Europe.
Domestic Flights
& Flights in Economy
For domestic trips or flights in economy, you can also
transfer your Starpoints to both American Airlines & United. Although
Starwood only transfers to United at a 0.5 ratio, due to Starwood’s merger with
Marriott, you can actually convert your Starwood points to United through
Marriott at a rate of 1.34, which is a fantastic ratio.
Marriott Travel
Package
Ever since Starwood’s merger with Marriott, a few exciting
new redemption opportunities opened up for those with Starpoints.
By the far the most lucrative new redemption is Marriott’s Travel Package,
where you can redeem your points for a seven night award stay plus a set amount
of airline miles, depending on the travel package you choose.
Spend a relaxing week
at the Marriott Sukhumvit
The Marriott Travel Package is one of the best points deals
currently available, as you essentially get a free week long hotel stay, along
with the same amount of points as you would have received if you merely
transferred your Starpoints to an airline.
Learn more about Marriott’s Travel Package
Points & Cash
Stays for Category 1-4 Hotels
You can occasionally find stellar deals for lower category
SPG hotels.
I booked a one night stay at the Aloft Kuala Lumpur for 2000
SPG points and $35. Not bad for hotel retailing over $100 a night!
Bottom Line:
Starwood’s award program is among the best in the industry.
With the merger of Marriott & Starwood, I don’t expect the program last
more than a year or two. The sign up bonuses of the AMEX Starwood card are
among the highest we’ve seen, and if you’ve never had a card before, I’d highly
recommend it to be one of your daily drivers.
