Maximizing Starwood Points for Room and Suite Upgrades
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
In light of the current 30,000-point sign-up bonus for the Starwood Amex and my recent giveaway of 60,000 Starpoints, I thought I'd go through some of the Starwood hotel redemption opportunities that aren't just free-night redemptions, or my favorite value proposition, Cash & Points. So today I wanted to talk about using Starpoints for room and suite upgrades.
Sort of like Hilton's premium room rewards and upgrades, SPG members can use Starpoints to upgrade to premium rooms and suites. However, also similar to Hilton, one of the biggest issues with these options is the lack of consistency from property to property on what type of room or suite you'll get for your upgrade. Some redemption rates even vary across different dates at the same hotel, meaning one day they might allow for an upgrade to a large suite, but another day they would only upgrade to a junior suite, yet the upgrade price would still be the same in terms of points.
On top of this, it can be very difficult to reap real value out of these upgrades, so always be sure to do the math and evaluate your options carefully when booking.
The Rules
Room upgrades start at 1,000 Starpoints per night and suite upgrades start at 3,000 points depending on hotel category. With both, upgrades can only be requested and confirmed 5 days prior to arrival if space is available, and you must be booked with a flexible rate which include RACK, COR, SET, or BAR rates.
Starwood upgrade award chart
However, you can use points to book premium rooms and suites on point stays when you make your reservation at a rate that's equivalent to the number of points necessary for a free night redemption plus the points necessary for an upgrade.
So, for instance, if you wanted to stay at the Category 4 Sheraton Keauhou Resort in Hawaii, you'd need 10,000 Starpoints for a standard Mountain View room, but could get a Partial Ocean View room one category up for 11,000 points at the time of booking - again, though, you have to make this reservation over the phone.
Starwood's site mentions that upgrade types may include larger rooms, a Club Room, Westin Guest Office, Corporate Club Room, Smart Room, or a room on a floor that may include Club Lounge Services or Concierge Services. Suites can range from small junior suites, to some very large suites depending on the property.
The Process
In order to check upgrade availability, you must call Starwood at 888-625-4988 to see what each property offers for upgrade options, since each hotel determines what they consider an upgraded room or suite. I wanted to check a few properties from different categories to get an idea of the value and the type of rooms or suites that were available.
Category Scenarios
Category 4: At the W Atlanta Midtown, a Category 4 property where free room rates cost 10,000 points, SPG members can upgrade for 10,000 Starpoints to a Fantastic Suite, which on the dates I checked in August cost an additional $200, meaning you'd be getting 2 cents per point in value. If you didn't want to shell out 10,000 SPG points, you could use 1,000 points for a room upgrade and at this property it would be to a Spectacular Room - these same dates, that room cost $30 more than a Wonderful room, so your points for this upgrade would be worth 3 cents each.
The W Atlanta Midtown's, a Category 4 hotel, lowest flexible rate was $239 for a Wonderful Room.
A Fantastic Suite is the suite upgrade option at this property using points, and 10,000 Starpoints equates to an extra $200 in room rate.
Category 5: At the Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago, a Category 5 property where free night redemptions are 12,000-16,000 points, you could use 2,500 points to upgrade to a Deluxe room (it cost about $30 more than a standard room, so 1.2 cents per point in value), or opt to spend 12,000 points per night for an upgrade to an Executive Suite, which was going for about $540 - $271 more than a standard room. So in this case, your points would be worth 2.26 cents each.
Lowest prices room at the Westin Michigan Avenue, a Category 5 property was $269 a night.
An upgrade to an Executive Suite would be 12,000 SPG points.
Category 6: Next up was the St. Regis Princeville, a Category 6 property (that I love!) which normally costs 20,000-25,000 points for a free-night redemption for a standard room. This resort actually has a few decent room upgrade deals. Standard rooms were going for $400 on the dates I checked.
The lowest-priced room at the St. Regis Princeville was $400 a night.
On the same dates, the resort would allow guests to upgrade an ocean view room for only 2,500 points per night instead of the $175 upcharge, so points equate to 7 cents each in value.
You can upgrade for 2,500 per night vs. $175 a night. A great use of Starpoints.
If you wanted a suite, the best you could hope for would be a junior suite. It was going for $650 on the nights I checked, so $250 more than a standard room. However, this upgrade would cost a whopping 20,000 Starpoints, meaning you'd be getting a measly 1.25 cents of value out of each of your points. I think I would save my points on the suite upgrade and use one of my Suite Night Awards here in that case, since for that amount I would only get a junior suite anyways.
A junior suite at the St. Regis Princeville goes for $250 more than a standard room, but would require 20,000 more Starpoints - not a good value.
Category 7: Last, I wanted to see the options at a Category 7 property in my own backyard, the W South Beach. Here, free nights go for 30,000-35,000 points a night. For the dates I checked in November, a Wonderful Studio was the lowest-priced room for $429 per night.
The W South Beach lowest rate was $429 for a Wonderful Studio.
A room upgrade at this property is to a Fantastic Suite - don't let the name confuse you, this still just counts as a room upgrade, and would cost either $50, or 2,500 points a night, so you'd get 2 cents per point in value.
A room upgrade at the W South Beach is to a Fantastic Suite, and 2,500 points equates to just $50 in value.
My thoughts
Though outright free night redemptions and especially Cash & Points redemptions with Starwood can present fantastic value opportunities, room and suite upgrades do not offer the same value for your points. That's most true for suite upgrades where you basically have to spend the same number of points as for redeeming for a room outright, the suites you're allowed to upgrade to are usually on the lower end of the suite category spectrum, and it makes more sense to just pay the price difference or use Suite Night Awards rather than using thousands of extra points for a minimal upgrade.
Even more than most point redemptions, the value you get from upgrading to a better room or suite depends completely on the property. That's because the categories of rooms/suites to which you are allowed to upgrade vary from hotel to hotel, and the paid rate differentials are constantly changing, meaning you have to check back every time you want to upgrade to make sure you are getting sufficient value from your points. In general, though, it seems like the room upgrades, when you use 1,000-2,750 points per night do offer some potential to maximize Starpoints.
The other issue I have with Starwood's upgrade policy is that even if you want to use your points for an upgrade when you want to make the reservation, you can't confirm an upgrade until 5 days prior to arrival, so you'd have to take a chance and hope the room category you wanted was still available close in.
I do like the flexibility of upgrading from both paid or award stays and the fact that if it's an award stay, you can upgrade at the time of your booking, so you don't have to leave anything to chance.
Have any of you taken advantage of Starwood upgrade awards? Feel free to share your personal experiences in the comments section!
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.