SPG offers a 25% discount on Starpoints purchases through December 13, 2013. There are a couple reasons why this can be a good deal to consider.
Gary at View From the Wing favors these points for airline miles. I find Starpoints best for hotel stays since there are so many opportunities to get hotel rate discounts using Starpoints.
Paying $26.25 for 1,000 points is a good price that you can certainly get back in value through Starwood Hotel reward nights.
That is the primary reason I see this as a good deal.
The other reason why this can be a good time to buy points is the annual purchase limit of 20,000 points is based on a calendar year. This means you can buy another 20,000 points on January 1 when the price will likely be $35 per 1,000 points or wait for the next sale in 2014 which is usually a 20% discount at $28 per 1,000 points. These sales happen every few months.
Hotel Reward Night Analysis
Basically you can buy 40,000 points over the next two months for $1,225. That is sufficient for a 5th night free reward stay at a category 4 hotel. With a household partner you can reduce this to $1,050 to buy 40,000 points and then combine your points for a reward stay.
New Orleans is blocked out for reward nights during Mardi Gras, but the week before and after are open for reward stays,
W New Orleans room rates are $312.75 per night February 19-24.
W New Orleans 5-night stay = $1,563.75.
This category 4 hotel is available for the same five nights with 40,000 points.
Walt Disney World Dolphin is another category 4 hotel with similar room rates and savings in February 2014.
A couple can get 80,000 points for $2,450 when each buys 20,000 points now and another 20,000 points each at full price in 2014. That is sufficient for a 5th night free award at a category 6 hotel. A 20% sale on points in 2014 would reduce the cost to $560 per 20,000 points.
Westin Paris Vendome, SPG category 6
July 1-6, 2014 five night stay.
- $601.65 (prepaid, nonrefundable)
- $642.21 (day before arrival cancellation with no penalty)
- 80,000 points (day before arrival cancellation with no penalty)
$2,450 to buy points with 40,000 points purchased between two people during the current sale at $525 per 20,000 points and 40,000 points purchased in January 2014 at $700 per 20,000 points. (or wait for another 20% sale in 2014 and total cost = $2,170 for 80,000 points).
$2,450 is $490 per room night compared to $642.21 per room night at the regular rate for Westin Paris Vendome.
Spreading out points for low category hotels.
Personally I tend to use my Starpoints for category 2 hotels on weekend nights at 3,000 points per night or weekdays for 4,000 points or for Cash & Points awards.
One of my frequented hotels on Starpoints is Four Points Ventura Harbor on my road trips to southern California.
November 15-17, 2013 this hotel has room rates at $135 per night with day before arrival cancellation without penalty ($150 after tax). $125 for prepaid, nonrefundable rate.
Buying Starpoints at $26.50 per 1,000 points makes this hotel $79.50 per night for Nov 15-17 weekend rather than the $150 rate.
This is the true redemption value I find with Starwood Hotels and SPG points. There are places all over the country where $50 per 1,000 points redemption value can be found.
Personally I do not find much value in getting a $650 per night hotel room in Paris for $500. I find great value in getting a $150 hotel night for $80.
That is why I find good value in this Starpoints sale for up to 25% off the price of points purchased by December 13, 2013.
HT: Gary at View From the Wing
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