Buy Starpoints at up to a 50% Discount (Targeted)
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Now through the end of the year, you can buy Starpoints at a discount of up to 50% off. Note that this promotion through Starwood Preferred Guest is a targeted offer, so the discount you'll get will vary. Three TPG team members were targeted with a 35% discount; one got a 30% offer; and others got the full 50% discount. To check what you're eligible for, go to SPG's Points.com page and log in.
In order to get the discount, you need to purchase a minimum of 5,000 Starpoints. Starwood normally charges 3.5 cents per point, which is the rate you'll be getting if you choose to purchase anything less than 5,000 points. However, once you've passed the 5,000-point threshold, you'll get the 30% discount (or more, depending on what you're targeted for). With the 35% discount, Starwood is selling each point for a significantly lower rate of 2.275 cents apiece, so it could definitely make sense to leverage this offer if you have a specific redemption in mind.
However, where this offer is really intriguing — and an especially good deal — is if you're targeted for the 50% discount. With the discount, which is possibly the largest that SPG's ever awarded, you'd be buying Starpoints for just 1.75 cents apiece!
If you're targeted for the 50% discount, you might want to consider buying a good bulk of points to top off your account, especially if you have a specific award stay in mind for the future. Given the deeply discounted cost per point, higher-category redemptions could provide you with even more value.
Take, for example, the St. Regis Mauritius, which is an SPG Category 6 property, requiring 20,000-25,000 Starpoints for a free night. For a three-night stay over the Christmas holiday, the property is going for 1,057 euros (~$1,166) per night. Instead, you could redeem 21,666 Starpoints for a free night. In his most recent valuations, TPG values Starpoints at 2.7 cents apiece, so the redemption is worth about $585 per night.
This is a great time to buy Starpoints, especially if you have a specific redemption in mind and you're targeted for the 50% discount. Note that you have a while to take advantage — until December 31, 2016. If you're looking to top off your SPG account any further, consider signing up for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express. The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 25,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. You'll earn up to 5x points on eligible SPG purchases (including the points you'd earn directly through SPG), 2x purchases on eligible Marriott purchases and 1x points on everything else.
Will you be taking advantage of this buy miles promotion?
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Unlimited up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and 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
- Housing payments may include transaction fees, depending on the payment method
- 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 3 months + $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.