Tag Archives | starwood preferred guest

Review of the Mariott Rewards Credit Cards

By on January 11, 2010 in travel rewards

The rewards cards offered by Mariott allow you to choose between points, air miles and rewards certificates. The program offers three levels of Elite Membership: Platinum, Gold, and Silver. This article highlights some of the benefits of each of the three cards offered by Marriott and compares the cards to other travel rewards cards such as: the Amex Starwood, Discover Miles, and Chase Sapphire. With this information you can see how they stack up against each other and hopefully make an informed decision on which card or cards will work best for you.

Marriott Rewards Credit Card

The Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card is a rewards card that offers 22,500 bonus points after your first purchase. Once you are approved for the card you will receive a free night stay at category 1-4 hotels. Members also receive 10 nights credit towards Elite status. You can qualify for the anniversary 10 nights Elite status credit, as long as your account is open and not in default on your account anniversary date. The card offers 3 points per $1 spent at Marriott locations and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else. The rate for purchases and balance transfer 9.99% plus the prime rate. The annual fee waived for the first year and $30 thereafter.

Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card

The Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card offers 30,000 bonus points after your first purchase. Once approved as a member you will receive a free night at any category 1-4 hotels. You will also receive a free night stay EVERY YEAR upon account anniversary at any category 1-5hotels and 15 nights credit toward Elite status. For every $1 spent at Marriott locations you will earn 5 points, 2 points per $1 spent on airline, dining and rental car purchases and $1 spent everywhere else. The card offers a purchase and balance transfer APR of 10.99% plus the prime rate. The annual fee is waived the first year and is $30 thereafter.

Marriott Rewards Business Card

The Marriott Rewards Business Card offers 22,500 bonus points after your first purchase. Once approved for an account you will receive a free night stay at any category 1-4 hotels. Account holders also receive 10 night credit toward Elite status. You will earn 3 points per $1 spent at Marriott locations and 1 point per $1 everywhere else. You can get cards for key employees at no additional cost, consolidated monthly billing statements and quarterly management reports. The purchase and balance transfer APR is 9.99% plus the prime rate. The annual fee is waived the first year and is $30 thereafter.

How Do They Match Up

We’ve always been partial to the Starwood Preferred Guest card from American Express. It offers great bonus Starpoints, you can accumulate Starpoints quickly, and they can be used for hotel stays or flights. But each card listed below has pros and cons.

Interest RatesIntro RatesBonus OffersAnnual Fees

Mariott Rewards Visa		9.9% + prime rateN/A22,500 points & free hotel stay$30 - waived 1st year
Mariott Premier Visa10.9% + prime rateN/A30,000 points & free hotel stay$30 - waived 1st year
Mariott Rewards Business Visa9.9% + prime rateN/A22,500 points & free hotel stay$30 - waived 1st year
American Express Starwood11.99% + prime rate2.9% for 6 months25,000 points$45 - waived 1st year
Discover Miles8.74% + prime rate0% for 6 months12,000 miles$0
Chase Sapphire(SM)Prime Rate + 8.99%N/A10,000 points$0

Of the five cards listed the Discover Miles Card offers a low APR at a rate of 8.74% plus the prime rate. All three of the Mariott Rewards Cards offer low rates as well at 9.99% plus the prime rate. The Mariott Cards do not offer any special introductory rates like the Amex Starwood Card, Discover Miles Card, and the Chase Sapphire(SM). However, the bonus offers appear to be on the generous side for the Mariott Cards with all three cards offering bonus points after your first purchase and a free hotel stay once you are approved for the card. The cards also requires an annual fee of $30 that is waived the first year, as does the Amex Starwood Card with a fee of $45. The cards that offer no annual fee are the Discover Miles, and Chase Sapphire cards.

Comments { 0 }

How to Use Starwood Starpoints for Free Hotel Stays

By on January 6, 2010 in credit card rewards

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

1234567
Free Nights-Weekdays3,0004,,0007,00010,00012,000-16,00020,000-25,00030,000-35,000
Free Nights - Weekends2,0003,0007,00010,00012,000-16,00020,000-25,00030,000-35,000
Cash and Points1,200 +$251,600 + $302,800 + $454,000 + $604,800 + $908,000 + $150N/A
5th Night FreeN/AN/A28,00040,00048,000 - 64,00080,000 - 100,000120,000 - 140,000
Room Upgrades1,000 - 1,5001,000 - 1,5001,000 - 1,5001,000 - 1,5001,500 - 2,7501,500 - 2,7501,500 - 2,750
Suite Upgrades3,0004,0007,00010,00012,000 - 16,00020,000 - 25,00030,000 - 35,000
50% off Regular Rack Rates1,0001,0001,0001,0001,0001,0001,000
Nights and FlightsN/AN/A60,00070,000N/AN/AN/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.

Comments { 1 }

How to Use Starwood Starpoints for Free Air Travel

By on January 4, 2010 in credit card rewards

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) was the first hotel loyalty program to allow members to use points for booking an airline ticket on virtually any available flight with their SPG Flights redemption option. And SPG actually offers two different ways to use StarPoints for air travel. First, you can transfer your Starpoints to miles on just about any airline. And second, you can use Starpoints directly to purchase your flight through SPG Flights. Both of these options have pros and cons depending on your specific situation. Let’s take a look at each option.

Note: The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express is a great way to earn Starpoints, including up to 25,000 bonus StarPoints for new card members.

Transfer Starpoints to Airline Miles Programs

You can convert Starpoints to airline miles. Starwood Preferred Guests can transfer up to 79,999 Starpoints per transaction per program to the frequent flyer programs. Plus, for every 20,000 Starpoints transferred within the same transaction, Starwood will automatically add another 5,000 Starpoints. This means that up to 94,999 Starpoints can be transferred into your frequent flyer account, with most airlines, making a free flight that much closer. In fact, for those airlines that require 25,000 miles for a ticket, the 5,000 bonus Starpoints make a ticket attainable with just 20,000 Starpoints.

Transfer maximums are based on a combination of member Starpoints and the Starwood Preferred Guest airline transfer transaction bonus. Only one airline transfer transaction per member per program per 24 hour period is allowed; multiple transfer transactions within the same 24 hour period will be rejected. Both the Starwood Preferred Guest and airline frequent flyer program accounts must have identical member names in order to complete this request.

Here is a table showing the airline miles programs you can transfer Starpoints to, along with the transfer ratio:

Frequent Flyer ProgramExchange Ratio (Starpoints : Miles)
Aeroplan/Air Canada1:1
Air Berlin1:1
Air China Companion1:1
Air New Zealand & Air Points65:1
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan1:1
Alitalia MilleMiglia1:1
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club1:1
American Airlines AAdvantage1:1
Asia Miles1:1
Asiana Airlines1:1
British Airways Executive Club1:1
Continental Airlines(R) OnePass2:1
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles1:1
El Al Israel AirlinesNo Transfer Option
Emirates Skywards1:1
Flying Blue1:1
Hawaiian Airlines1:1
Iberia PlusNo Transfer Option
Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank1:1
LAN LANPASS1:2
Mexicana Frecuenta1:1
Miles and More1:1
Qatar Airways1:1
Saudi Arabian Airlines Alfursan1:1
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer2:1
Thai Airways International Royal Orchid Plus1:1
US Airways Dividend Miles1:1
United Mileage Plus2:1
VARIG Smiles2:1
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club1:1

Transferring Starpoints to airline miles can be really handy when you have some airline miles, but not quite enough for a free ticket. You can use Starpoints to top off your airline miles account for a free flight or upgrade.

Redeem Starpoints for Flights
With this option you redeem Starpoints directly for your airline ticket. Tickets are available for more airlines than those currently listed as Starwood Preferred Guest airline transfer partners. You still have the option to transfer Starpoints to an airline and receive miles with Starwood Preferred Guest transfer partners; however, SPG Flights allows you to skip the transfer step, expands your flight options to include more airlines, and eliminates blackout dates and other restrictions found with many airline mile redemption programs. You can redeem Starpoints in three simple steps.

  1. Go to www.spg.com/flights to search for flights
  2. Select your flight
  3. Redeem Starpoints for an airline ticket

Your Starpoints will be deducted from your account and you will receive email itinerary confirmation. The premise of SPG flights is that you can search for any flight directly from spgflights.com and book it with your Starpoints. Starwood then pays the airline for the flight and you still earn miles for the flight. See the table below to get an idea of the purchase price of the flights. If you need more information check out the SPG Flights Terms and Conditions page.

Ticket PriceStarpoints
up to $15010,000
$150-$21515,000
$215-$28020,000
$280-$34525,000
$345-$41030,000
$410-$47535,000
$475-$54040,000
$540-$60545,000
$605-$67050,000
$670-$73555,000
$735-$80060,000
$800-$86565,000
$865-$93070,000
$930-$99575,000
$995-$106080,000


Buying More Points
One nice feature is that Starwood let’s members purchase up to 20,000 additional Starpoints per calendar year as long as you have been an SPG member for at least one month. You can buy 500 Starpoints for $17.50. The Starpoint Purchase Plan is for members who need a few extra points to top off your balance so you can get your free ticket. There is no minimum Starpoint transfer requirement for Platinum members. Gold members have a minimum transfer requirement of 1,500 Starpoints, and Preferred members have a minimum transfer requirement of 2,500 Starpoints.

Which Is The Best Option
There really isn’t a right or wrong way to go about purchasing your flight. Each situation is unique, and members must consider all factors, such as: flight times and availability, booking fees, number of Starpoints or airline miles available to them, convenience, etc. to best determine whether or not it is more advantageous to redeem Starpoints than airline miles for a flight. Please note that SPG Flights is a new redemption option created to offer Starwood Preferred Guest members greater versatility for using their Starpoints. It was not created to compete with airline frequency programs, although in some situations, there may be better value redeeming Starpoints for a flight.

Comments { 1 }

Review of the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Program

By on January 3, 2010 in credit card rewards

The Starwood Preferred Guest program, or SPG for short, is one of the most rewarding travel programs available. From free stays at 5-star hotels to free air travel on almost any airline with no black out dates, Starwood Preferred has become synonymous with first class travel. And with the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) Credit Card from American Express, it’s easy to earn Starpoints quickly.

Because of the many features that the program offers, we thought a review of the Starwood Preferred Guest program (www.starwoodhotels.com) was in order. In this review we’ll first look at how to join the program and the different levels of membership. Then we’ll cover how you can earn Starpoints. And finally, we will discuss how you can use your Starpoints.

The Starwood Preferred Guest Program

Starpoints® are designed for those who travel. The program consists of three different membership levels. Each membership tier gives you rewards, beginning with valuable Starpoints®, redeemable for Free Night Awards, award flights, room upgrades and a host of travel and entertainment privileges. At each level you’re entitled to the Free Night Awards benefit with no blackouts on standard rooms. The Gold and Platinum levels increase your Starpoints earning by 50% over the Preferred level. A generous package of member privileges earmarks each tier and increases along with your stature.

Preferred
The Preferred program is the base tier level of the program. As part of our program, you will have access to exclusive benefits and redemption opportunities. At the Preferred level, you will earn 2 Starpoints per every eligible dollar spent at over 890 of Starwood’s participating properties. You can redeem Starpoints for a host of rewards, including free nights and airline tickets. With our no blackouts policy, if there is a standard room available, or a flight available through our SPG Flights program, it’s yours. Starpoints never expire as long as you have Starpoints activity at least once every 12 months.

Gold Preferred
To be part of the Gold Preferred program you have to stay at Starwood Preferred Guest participating properties at least 10 times (or 25 nights) in a calendar year. You can earn Free Night Awards faster because your reward increases to 3 Starpoints for every eligible U.S. dollar spent. This is a 50% bonus over Preferred Guests. You are entitled to an automatic room upgrade at check-in when one is available. An enhanced room includes rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, or rooms with preferred views. You also get a 4 p.m. late checkout, when available.

Platinum Preferred
If you stay 25 times (or 50 nights) in a calendar year and achieve Platinum Preferred Guest® status. This is the highest tier of the membership and the one that offers the most benefits. Such beneifts include, but are not limited to: An increased rewards to 3 Starpoints for every eligible U.S. dollar spent — a 50% bonus over Preferred Guests, you can expect automatic upgrades at check-in, including Select Standard Suites, receive personalized service, from making reservations, requesting upgrades, redeeming awards and booking everything from opera tickets and baby sitters to getting information on local restaurants and sights and 4 p.m. late checkout, when available.

How To Get Starpoints

There are a lot of ways to earn Starpoints. Of course, the obvious way is to stay in a Starwood hotel. But there are many other options that can help you accumulate Starpoints fast:

  • Buy Starpoints: Starwood let’s members purchase up to 20,000 additional Starpoints per calendar year if you have been an SPG member for at least one month. You can buy 500 Starpoints for $17.50. The Starpoint Purchase Plan is for members who need a few extra points to redeem a vacation or want to customize an online gift certificate for a travel gift.
  • Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express: This Credit Card from American Express is a great way to get bonus Starpoints. The card offers 10,000 Starpoints after your first purchase, enough for up to 3 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel. You can also earn an additional 15,000 Starpoints when you spend $15,000 in 6 months, enough for up to 3 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel.
  • Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card: American Express also offers a Starwood Business Card, which gives an additional 10,000 free Starpoints after your first purchase. If you have both the business card and the Preferred Guest card, you can get 20,000 Starwood points, which could get you 25,000 airline miles, enough for a free ticket.
  • TD AMERITRADE: When you open and fund an account you can earn up to 20,000 Starpoints, depending on your initial deposit.
  • American Express® Cardmembers: If you are enrolled in Membership Rewards® yo will earn Membership Rewards points whenever they stay at participating Starwood Preferred Guest hotels or resorts and pay with an eligible enrolled American Express Card. Membership Rewards points do not expire and there is no earning cap. You may also transfer your Membership Rewards points into StarpointsSM to redeem Starwood Preferred Guest awards.
  • Hartmann.com: Earn 1 Starpoint for every $1 spent on the luggage and personal leather goods from the Hartmann online store.
  • Earn Club Rewards® points from Diners Club® when you stay at a participating Starwood hotel or resort and pay with your Diners Club Card. Club Rewards points never expire, there is no limit to the amount you can earn, and you can transfer Club Rewards points into Starpoints.


How To Use Your Points
There are a wide variety of ways you can use your starpoints. 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. It typically takes three stays to earn a Free Weekend Night Award. Starwood categorizes its hotels from 1 to 7, with a category 7 hotel requiring a lot more points than a category 1 hotel. To give you an idea of how it works, a minimum of 2,000 Starpoints is needed to redeem for a free weekend night at a Category 1 hotel. The number of Starpoints needed for a Free Night Award vary by hotel category.

You can also use Starpoints for flights. There are two ways to fly with Starpoints. First, you can convert Starpoints to airline miles on most airlines. When you convert 20,000 Starpoints at one time, Starwood throws in an extra 5,000 points. Second, you can use Starpoints to pay for airline travel when you book using the Starwood Amex. You can find additional details of both options here: www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/account/starpoints/redeem/index.html.

You can also redeem your Starpoints for products or gift certificates/cards or you have the option of donating them to one of the SPG charity partners. The charity partners include the following: Camp Sunshine, Special Olympics, The American Red Cross, The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, The Make-A-Wish Foundation and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. You can use your Starpoints to bid on events with the member exclusive online auction site, spg.com/moments. Starwood Preferred Guest also allows members to transfer Starpoints to Amtrak Guest Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. Your Starpoints can also be redeemed for in-hotel indulgences from a massage to dinner and more.

Comments { 5 }