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Starwood is once again offering 35% off on the purchase of SPG Starpoints for purchases through July 20th. I imagine this has to be the last time this will be offered (and I am surprised to see it return this close to the combining of points from the three programs). Purchasing points isn’t always a good move, but it is definitely possible to put these points to use at a greater value than the cash price if you use them strategically.
The Deal
- Purchase SPG Starpoints for 35% off when you buy 5,000+ through July 20, 2018
- Direct link to this promotion (our affiliate link, though keep in mind that you can shop through a portal to go to Points.com to save a bit more)
Key Details
- You can buy a maximum of 30,000 points per year (though there are ways around that — see below)
- Sale valid until 11:59pm ET on July 20, 2018
- While transactions are processed by Points.com,
many members have reported earning 2x on point purchases in the past when paying with an Amex SPG cardUpdate: While many members have reported earning 2x with the SPG card in the past, I did not receive 2x in the latest sale, nor did many others. YMMV.
Quick Thoughts
With the SPG and Marriott programs set to merge in August, this certainly looks like a last opportunity to buy Starpoints as we know them. These points would convert to Marriott at a ratio of 1 SPG point to 3 Marriott points, so 30K Starpoints is really 90K Marriott points down the road. See our Marriott SPG Ritz Transition Guide for more on the future of the programs.
While there is a 30K limit per person in purchased points per year, Greg has previously written about how to get around that (See: How to buy more than 30K SPG points).
The maximum 30K points will cost you $682.50. Category 1 Starwood properties cost 2,000-3,000 points per night and Marriott’s chart starts at the equivalent of 2,500 SPG points per night. If you were to get ten nights out of the points, an average cost of $68.25 per night would probably put you ahead in many instances. If you take advantage of 5-night bookings for the 5th night free, you can do even better. Properties at the top end of Marriott’s chart today cost 45K Marriott points — the equivalent of 15,000 Starpoints. Two nights at a current Category 9 Marriott for $682.50 can still be a deal in some markets. In fact, I used 90K Marriott points for 2 nights at The Algonquin in New York City this past weekend and got a nice upgrade to The Dorothy Parker Suite.
That said, the better move here is generally using points to either transfer directly to airlines or to buy Marriott Travel Packages (See: Why are Marriott Travel Packages a good deal?). If you’re able to use Greg’s techniques above to purchase the 90K Starpoints necessary for a 270K Marriott package, that would get you 120K airline miles in a number of programs and a 7-night Category 1-5 certificate for $2,047.50. Considering the fact that 120K is enough miles for round trip business class to most locations around the world (provided you transfer to the partner with the sweet spot you wish to exploit), that could be a deal if you value the 7-night certificate at all. I’ve previously written about that idea: Business Class to Europe + 7 hotel nights for $2225: Investing in Marriott Travel Packages. Note that while that post references a transfer bonus, many airlines now exclude the Marriott Travel Packages from earning the transfer bonus (but it can still be a solid deal).
Greg has written about possible opportunities regarding travel packages — see: Marriott Travel Package Arbitrage. That said, we are awaiting clarity as to how unused certificates will convert and what the new travel packages will look like. There should be a value play one way or another.
While I don’t generally buy points, there are a variety of reasons why it might make sense in this situation if you can get significantly more value out of the points than the cost to purchase. It’s worth running the math if you’ve got some redemptions in mind.
[…] 35% off Starpoints is back (Expires 7/20/18) […]
[…] Starwood is once again offering 35% off on the purchase of SPG Starpoints through July 20th. This means that it’s possible to buy Starpoints for 2.275 cents each. And, since Starpoints convert to Marriott Rewards points 1 to 3, that’s equivalent to buying Marriott Rewards points for 0.75 cents each. Considering that Marriott sells points for 1.25 cents each, this is a relative bargain. […]
what would be better to buy the points with spg card or chase reserve card?
SPG, hands down. You’ll get 2x SPG vs 1x on the CSR.
I know data points are mixed, but I did NOT get 2x using my spg bus. I thought I read somewhere that ink preferred codes as 3x. Seems like that may be the better option.
Same happened to me this time. I did not get 2X with SPG. I don’t know if IBP codes as 3X
Same here. Updated the post.
[…] H/T Frequent Miler […]
. “In fact, I used 90K Marriott points for 2 nights at The Algonquin in New York City this past weekend and got a nice upgrade to The Dorothy Parker Suite.”
I am considering this hotel for my family for the Macy’s Christmas parade. Thrilled to see your mention—how do you feel about it overall? Thanks in advance and thanks for all good travel info. Cheers!!!!
The hotel itself is really cool — definitely has a classic / old glamour feel if that’s what you’re after. Service was absolutely fantastic – notably so. The only NY hotel where I’ve had comparable service in the Park Hyatt, and the Algonquin felt considerably “warmer” whereas the Park Hyatt felt more polished. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly bags arrived and the bellman proactively asked if we needed a fridge (with a baby, it’s a necessity for milk), made a call, and it was there in less than 5 minutes. Same wait time on getting a crib. To me, that’s notable in a NY hotel with small elevators. I called for a toothbrush at a NYC hotel last year and it took like 40 minutes.
Things I didn’t like:
1) Destination fee. This is $25 per night. These ridiculous fees drive me nuts (and Marriott charges them on award nights). Soon they will charge a “linens” fee and the restaurant will charge a “pots and pans” fee. /rant. In exchange for the fee, you get a $25 per day food credit (can’t be combined – use it or lose it each day) and a $15 laundry credit (same thing – use it or lose it). Since breakfast isn’t included for anyone on the weekends, it would seem to be handy to have the credit. Pro tip: grab the free coffee that they put outside of the elevators from 6am to 2pm and carry that in to breakfast. Otherwise, a cup of coffee is $8. Pro tip #2: they also include a NYC hop on/hop off bus ticket with the destination fee. Greg discovered that it appears to be an open-ended ticket, so I grabbed a ticket for 2 to use on our next trip (“cash price” of $60pp according to the ticket…though I’m sure they regularly sell for much less).
2) No room service. I don’t often order room service, but would have on this trip. The restaurant is a really beautiful space. At night, it’s got great atmosphere. They had a piano player on Thurs night. People were well-dressed. Classy, old NY feel. We didn’t think the other patrons would appreciate our son screaming throughout dinner (since we arrived near bedtime), so I would have liked to have gotten room service that night. They said you could grab and go from the restaurant, ordering something to bring with you. I attempted to do that later in the evening to grab dessert (to use our $25 credit). The first person told me it wasn’t possible (despite the front desk saying it was). He got a second person who said yes, but I had to sit at a table and order it. They then bagged it up for me (and it took about 15min). A slice of cheesecake and a piece of flourless chocolate cake came to more than the $25 credit.
3) I got an awesome upgrade to a suite. It was so clutch for us given the situation (we’d been traveling for 3 weeks and had way too much stuff + baby + crib….I had work to do in the room at night and would have woken him up if we were in the same room). It was really, really good to get that upgrade. However, I will say that the layout of the suite was a little weird. There was a little entryway to the suite with a short (5 or 6 foot) hallway to the living room. In that short little hall space, there were 2 doors to adjoining rooms (one on either side). Those doors seemed very thin — I could hear the TV and a complete phone conversation someone had in one of those rooms very clearly. It wasn’t a problem for me, but it made me nervous for them during the times when the baby got fussy (he has a very strong set of lungs and likes to exercise them when he’s over-tired). Nobody complained, and our son sleeps through the night with no issue so it’s possible nobody was even there during the times when he cried. But the takeaway here is this: if you get a room with an adjoining door, privacy may be limited.
Otherwise, I have all good things to say about the place. If you want to stay in midtown, the location is great. I was surprised at how far I had to walk to get a decent slice of pizza, but there were plenty of cheap food options nearby (if you don’t want to pay $8 for a cup of coffee and $25 for a breakfast entree, I got a bagel w/ cream cheese one morning for $1.91 with tax at a deli nearby). The block it’s on is kind of cool (there is a place next door with gourmet Daniel Boulud burgers, the Harvard Club of NY is a few doors down, etc). You’re two blocks from Bryant Park / NY Public Library (good for the Shops @ Bryant Park during Christmastime) and about 2 blocks from Times Square. Right in the heart of things without having to fight through a crowd on the way in or out.
I definitely wouldn’t be disappointed to stay there again. That said, I’d be more likely to stay at a Hyatt property if I can get a Globalist to book me a Guest of Honor rez since there will then be no fees, parking would be included (w/ Globalist status), and I could get room service breakfast (at least at the Andaz and Park Hyatt). But I’d definitely be sacrificing on the “cool” factor. If you seek out more unique properties, you wouldn’t be disappointed in the Algonquin.
Thank you so much. That was a thoughtful review, not unexpected, but greatly appreciated.
Often a battle, Andaz v. World….will examine it all and thanks again.
[…] (Tip of the hat to Frequent Miler) […]
[…] (Tip of the hat to Frequent Miler) […]