Use The Combined Power of Your Marriott Rewards and Starpoints to Get to Antarctica
Antarctica is often the 'final frontier' for world travelers longing to experience a continent that is relatively untouched by tourists. Historically, it's been next to impossible to use points to reach the ice-covered continent — but not anymore. Starwood is offering an incredible opportunity through its SPG Moments program to get to Antarctica.
You can now bid Starpoints to purchase a trip for two as part of "Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent" from National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Your 14-day trip to Antarctica will begin November 6 from Santiago, Chile and will end November 19. You'll spend two weeks aboard the comfortable, ice-class National Geographic Orion ship that has a capacity of just 102 guests. During your time in Antarctica, you'll have the opportunities to make memories that will last a lifetime by seeing magnificent mountains, icebergs and glaciers. You'll explore in Zodiacs and kayaks, by foot and even cross-country skis on a frozen sea, and spend time making friends with gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins.
As of the time of this posting, the high bid for the expedition is approaching 250,000 Starpoints, with almost a week left to place bids. TPG values Starpoints at 2.5 cents each, which means that the high bid of 250,000 translates into a cash value of approximately $6,250 — a tremendous deal considering the price of this trip ranges from $13,360 to $28,340. Surely, as the closing of the auction comes closer the bids will increase in price, but it would still represent one of the most unique ways to use your points, and a great way to get maximum value from transferring Marriott Rewards to your SPG account.
Is anyone planning on bidding for the "Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent"?
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| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
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