The Best SPG Redemptions for the Holiday Season
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Cold weather and the holiday season may seem far away, but if you're planning to get away this winter, it's better to book sooner than later. Luckily, there are plenty of great points properties to consider for travel in December — TPG Intern Michael Spelfogel takes a look at some of the most luxurious picks in the Starwood portfolio below.
The holiday season is still several months away, but hotels and resorts are already selling out for that tremendously popular travel period. To help with your vacation plans, we took a look at some of the most spectacular Starwood beach and ski resorts around the world to find the ones that offer maximum redemption value. From overwater bungalows in the Indian Ocean to ski chalets in the Rocky Mountains, this list covers some of the best-value redemptions for Category 6 and 7 SPG properties around the world.
If you're short a few Starpoints, consider signing up for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express and/or the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card American Express. The consumer card is currently offering 25,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, while the business card offers the same bonus, but after $5,000 in spend in the first three months.
For each property, we found the average daily rate with tax during the last week of December 2016, and the number of points required per night based on a five-night stay. The rates below are for a base room or suite at each property, with the exception of the St. Regis Maldives, where we included an overwater villa, instead. Note that SPG offers a free fifth night with these redemptions, so you should plan to stay five nights in order to maximize the award.
Keep in mind that Category 7 hotels vary from 30,000 to 35,000 points per night depending on season. Use the rates in the chart below as a benchmark, but bear in mind that they could change.
| Hotel Name | Daily Rate | Award Per Night (5th Night Free) | Value Per Point |
|---|---|---|---|
The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort | $7,224 | 24,000 | 30 cents |
The St. Regis Aspen Resort | $3,618 | 24,000 | 15 cents |
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort | $3,104 | 26,000 | 11.9 cents |
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico | $2,698 | 24,000 | 11 cents |
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort | $2,230 | 28,000 | 8 cents |
The St. Regis Deer Valley | $2,227 | 28,000 | 7.9 cents |
W Vieques | $888 | 16,000 | 5.6 cents |
W South Beach | $1,569 | 28,000 | 5.6 cents |
Some of the hotels represent spectacular value. A five-night stay at the St Regis in Punta Mita, for example, would cost more than many new cars, but is just 24,000 Starpoints per night with a five-night stay. And the new St. Regis Maldives resort offers overwater bungalows for 32,500 points per night, or just 26,000 points per night with a five-night booking. Many of the hotels have limited availability, so if possible, book now and cancel later if necessary.
St. Regis Punta Mita:
One of the nicest beach resorts in North America, the St. Regis Punta Mita is located about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. The hotel is reasonably priced during low season, but stays during peak times can be quite expensive. Luckily it provides for a terrific points redemption. Note that December 25-30 requires 28,000 points per night based on a five-night stay, but you can stay December 20-25 or December 30-January 4 to get the lower redemption rate.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort:
Located in the resort city of Aspen, Colorado, this St. Regis is one of the premier ski hotels in the world. While not ski-on/ski-off, the hotel is located just steps away from Ajax mountain and a short drive from Snowmass, one of the largest ski resorts in the world.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort:
Not opening until September, this Maldives resort offers overwater bungalows and beach villas on its own island. It remains to be seen just how cutting-edge the resort will be, but the pictures sure do look fantastic. Note that you must take a private seaplane from Male Airport (MLE) to get to the property.
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico:
A short drive from San Juan, this St. Regis property offers unmatched service and comfort in the Caribbean. A short flight from many East Coast cities, the resort is not only accessible, but it also provides guests with unobstructed beach access as well as several pools.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort:
This Bal Harbour resort is just a few years old, and it offers a level of luxury rarely seen in the US. Conveniently located near Miami, this property is a three-hour flight away from many cities.
The St. Regis Deer Valley:
Deer Valley regularly wins the award for the best ski resort in North America, and for those who like to be pampered, the St. Regis offers the pinnacle of "après-ski," with direct slope access and Michelin-quality restaurants. If you're looking for a spectacular ski vacation, this is the place to go.
W Vieques:
The W Vieques is the only Category 6 property on the list, but it still provides a terrific points redemption. Located on the island of Vieques off the coast of Puerto Rico, the resort is a bit harder to access than many others on the list, but it's a great option for guests looking for quiet, comfort and unmatched service.
W South Beach:
The last property on the list is the W South Beach. It's a stylish and modern hotel with a great location right on the water. For people looking for a vacation without a long flight, this is a great option at 28,000 points per night.
Bottom Line
Starwood has tons of incredible properties in its portfolio, many of which provide amazing award redemption opportunities. This list shows the very best redemptions for the holiday season, but there are also dozens of other properties that provide great value year-round. Always search for award redemptions at spg.com, and if you find the lowest category room available, but no points option, call Starwood at 1-888-625-4988 to book a room.
Are there any other great Starwood properties that make for great holiday-season award redemptions? Share your favorites in the comments below!
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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
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- 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.
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- 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.