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Here's our complete Advertiser Policy. They can help stretch our points to cover a small shortfall, gain an extra night in a property when on vacation, stay additional nights in the final push for an elite status tier, and even help us in the eternal quest for suite upgrades. While Free Night Awards are the holy grail of hotel rewards travel it's hard to beat free right? We'll step through the example below at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort in Australia, and see how the numbers roll out.

So our equation looks like this. While it may seem like a trivial amount, this is one night and doesn't include any promotions, extend that over multiple nights and it starts to add up fast. Running the numbers is vital to determine if you are getting the best value for your points, and working out which strategy best fits your financial and travel goals. You can earn points for stays at Starwood properties, double dip on points with Starwood's airline partners , get bonus points on Uber rides, through regular SPG promotions , participate in dining programs, and you can also buy Starpoints through Points.

After linking your SPG and Marriott accounts, points will transfer instantly between programs at a rate of 1 Starpoint to 3 Rewards points.

This is not a recommended use of your Membership Rewards points unless you are topping off a few thousand points for a specific redemption. MR points convert to Starpoints at a 3: Not a good use of your points.

The last thing you want to do is work hard collecting points and miles, only to leave value sitting on the table due to not pricing in one factor. The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser.

Reading all of this is really making me wonder what a category 7 property looks like in real life. Seems better than the Marriott option. I guess it is always doing the math either way. It would be such a shame when SPG fully integrates with Marriott.

Bonus Starpoints For Making A Cash & Points Booking (Targeted) - One Mile at a Time

Hope we see the best of both worlds in the merger. Once again, great information in the blog! I keep going back and forth on the best way to use these points. The coming together with Marriott should hopefully improve that longer term though. Have been using SGP pts for about five years now and always feel as if I could never have enough of them since they are so versatile.

I love when you guys really break down the use of points and miles. It really helps to have someone explain out the good vs bad use of them! Unless a person really sits down and looks at all the programs they have and the rules.. You make it SO easy to understand! Thank you so much! At this point any guess is really just a stab in the dark. What is the availability like? Or is it just luck? I guess I was wrong — good thing I read this post!

I find using the cash plus points useful in cities that charge very high tax rates on room rates. Click here to cancel reply. Qualify as elite night credits. Retain Starpoints for future use.

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Having points available when Starwood has one of its regular promotions means you are in a position to take advantage of the deal straight away. With a balance of Starpoints at your disposal, you can leverage maximum value from your points. Receiving the 5th night free with Starpoints. This is due to the complimentary 5th night when booking Free Night Awards.

Did you know that you can easily find out when any account was last updated synchronized and when the next update is scheduled to occur? Comments March 29, at 4: March 29, at 8: March 29, at 9: April 1, at 9: Do you earn points for a cash and points stay? March 30, at 2: March 30, at March 30, at 7: Good summary of this program. Would be good to see the same for other hotel chains.

March 30, at 4: March 30, at 6: March 31, at How long do you est. March 31, at 4: That same for all major chains? April 1, at April 1, at 4: April 2, at 1: Leave a Reply Click here to cancel reply.

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Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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