The Starwood Preferred Guest Program offers multiple ways for you to redeem your Starpoints for free hotel stays. This article will review the different options for cashing in your Starpoints and it will review some of the rules and regulations of the program. As you are reviewing the information, keep in mind there are ways for you to get extra Starpoints if you need, and the American Express Starwood Preferred card is the best way to get bonus Starpoints and Starpoints for on everyday purchases.
The table below shows you the different options and the corresponding amount of Starpoints it take to participate. The numbers across the top represent the Starwood hotel categories, with category 7 representing the most exclusive Starwood hotels available.
Starpoints Requirements
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Nights-Weekdays | 3,000 | 4,,000 | 7,000 | 10,000 | 12,000-16,000 | 20,000-25,000 | 30,000-35,000 |
| Free Nights - Weekends | 2,000 | 3,000 | 7,000 | 10,000 | 12,000-16,000 | 20,000-25,000 | 30,000-35,000 |
| Cash and Points | 1,200 +$25 | 1,600 + $30 | 2,800 + $45 | 4,000 + $60 | 4,800 + $90 | 8,000 + $150 | N/A |
| 5th Night Free | N/A | N/A | 28,000 | 40,000 | 48,000 - 64,000 | 80,000 - 100,000 | 120,000 - 140,000 |
| Room Upgrades | 1,000 - 1,500 | 1,000 - 1,500 | 1,000 - 1,500 | 1,000 - 1,500 | 1,500 - 2,750 | 1,500 - 2,750 | 1,500 - 2,750 |
| Suite Upgrades | 3,000 | 4,000 | 7,000 | 10,000 | 12,000 - 16,000 | 20,000 - 25,000 | 30,000 - 35,000 |
| 50% off Regular Rack Rates | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Nights and Flights | N/A | N/A | 60,000 | 70,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Free Night – Weekdays
The Starwood Preferred Guest® program allows you to redeem Starpoints® for Free Night Awards without blackout dates or extra point charges on standard rooms–regardless of your membership level. You will need 3,000 Starpoints for a free night during the week at a Category 1 hotel.
Free Night – Weekends
You can save 1,000 Starpoints per night when you redeem weekend nights at Category 1 and 2 hotels. The minimum of 2,000 Starpoints is needed to redeem for a free weekend night in a standard room at a Category 1 hotel. The number of Starpoints needed for a free night in a standard room varies by hotel category. During the peak seasons, some properties will charge higher Starpoints rates. To find the optimal time to redeem, take a look at peak season date ranges for Category 5, Category 6 and Category 7. You will need 2,000 Starpoints® for a free weekend night.
Fifth Night Free
The free night offered with any Fifth Night Free Award applies only to the fifth consecutive night within the same stay for which that award was ordered. There will be no Starpoints refund or free night credit for any unused portion of a Fifth Night Free Award. The Fifth Night Free Award is available for category 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 hotels.
Cash And Points
Starwood Preferred Guest® allows you to redeem free nights using a combination of cash and Starpoints®. The cash components of this award that are confirmed in non-USD will be adjusted, as needed, to reflect the USD equivalent of the award before being posted in local currency to the customer’s bill during the hotel stay.
Room Upgrade
With 1,000 Starpoints® you can get a room upgrade at any of the participating Starwood hotels or resorts. You can arrange for an upgrade within five days of arrival to a Specialty, Specialty Select Room, or Suite on reservations booked at RACK, COR, SET, or BAR. You may upgrade from any category of room on an eligible rate paid reservation. The upgrade Starpoint amounts noted are per room/per night. Upgrade types may include larger rooms, a Club Room, Westin Guest Office, Corporate Club Room, Smart Room, a room on a floor that may include Club Lounge Services or Concierge Services, suites, or a room based on type of view or floor within the hotel. Each type of upgrade room is not available at all properties.
50% Off Regular Rates
You can redeem 1,000 Starpoints® for a certificate offering 50% off regular rack rates for a stay of up to five nights. Unlike the Free Nights Awards, 50% Off Regular Rack Rates awards are subject to availability.
Nights and Flights
You can use your Starpoints to pay for your entire vacation which would include your hotel stay and airfare. The Nights & Flights offer allows you to redeem 60,000 Starpoints for 50,000 airline miles and five free nights at a Category 3 hotel or resort. With Nights & Flights II, you can redeem 70,000 Starpoints and receive 50,000 airline miles and five free nights at a Category 4 hotel or resort. This Award is only offered with airlines with a 1 Starpoint to 1 Airline mile transfer ratio. The maximum transfer to the airline offered in this award is 50,000 miles, so it is each member’s responsibility to verify with their desired airline the value of these miles for air travel awards. Any additional miles required are the responsibility of the member.
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