Book an Overwater Bungalow Starting at 31,200 Starpoints per Night
Starwood Preferred Guest is running a promotion for its top resorts: For stays now through March 5, 2018, you can get 35% off the award cost. Unlike a promo that ran back in February, this offer doesn't have a landing page or "book by" date. Since it could end at any time, you're going to want to jump on this right away.
I spoke with a Starwood Preferred Guest booking agent this morning. As far as we could tell, the discount is loaded for the following three (incredible) properties:
| Hotel | Points per night | Points for 5 nights | Transfer cost (round-trip) | Base Room Rate per Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
58,500 | 234,000 (46,800) | $645 | $1,436 | |
Le Méridien Bora Bora | 39,000 | 156,000 (31,200) | $88 | $1,069 |
W Retreat and Spa Maldives | 58,500 | 234,000 (46,800) | $515 (plane) $350 (boat) | $1,250 |
Thanks to Starwood's fifth award night free policy, you can maximize this promotion by booking a five-night stay. Between the 35% discount and the fifth night free, you can drop the cost from the standard 60,000 points per night to just 31,200 at the Le Méridien Bora Bora and from 90,000 to 46,800 per night at the Maldives locations.
However, the Starpoints aren't the only big cost to enjoying this luxury. SPG realizes that you can't drive yourself to these island resorts, and they price the airport transfers in line with the cash price they're assuming you're paying. Transfers from the airport to the resort can set you back at least $350 round-trip (speedboat to the W Maldives). The seaplane to the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli costs $645 round-trip per person. The Le Méridien Bora Bora is more reasonably priced at "just" $88 round-trip from the airport to the resort.
Don't Miss: TPGtv St. Regis Maldives Review:
Note that these rooms can't be booked online; you must call (888-625-4988) SPG in order to book your award. When you do, make sure that you're getting the best room for the points. For example, the agent defaulted to offering the King Beach Bungalow for 156,000 points for a five-night stay at Le Méridien Bora Bora. It was only when I asked about the award cost for the Overwater Bungalow that she mentioned it too was 156,000 points for a five-night stay.
Assuming you're sold on the St. Regis Maldives or W Retreat and Spa Maldives, now the question is how to get to the Maldives. Thankfully, we have a comprehensive post on just this topic: The Best Ways to Get to the Maldives on Points and Miles.
If you need more Starpoints, there are a couple of immediate ways to get them. First, remember that Marriott points transfer to Starwood at a 3:1 ratio. Still need more? You can buy up to 30,000 Starpoints per calendar year. We typically recommend waiting until SPG puts buying Starpoints on sale, but buying at full price could make sense if you need to top off your account for an awesome redemption like this.
H/T: Dan's Deals
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.