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The SPG program will roll into Marriott Rewards beginning on August 1, 2018, but you now have one final chance to purchase discounted SPG points before that happens. Given what we know about the coming combined program, purchasing SPG points now with a 35% discount may make a lot of sense…
We know the end date for the Starwood Preferred Guest program as we know will be July 31, 2018. After that date, the SPG program will be combined with Marriott Rewards. From that day forward, the new combined award chart and program rules will kick in and SPG as we know it will be no more. We recently saw the end of a discounted SPG points promotion, and I wasn’t sure if the promotion would return again before the end of the SPG program. But as it turns out, the discounted SPG points promotion has returned! This means that you have a final chance to purchase discounted SPG points before the program rolls into Marriott Rewards and SPG points convert at a 3x ratio into Marriott Rewards points.
Last chance to purchase discounted SPG points
If you purchase at least 5,000 SPG points, you can get a 35% discount on the purchase until July 20, 2018. This drops the per point cost to 2.275 cents per point. Remember, the final day of the Starwood program is July 31, 2018, so unless they run something crazy in those final ten days after this promo ends, this is likely your last chance to purchase discounted SPG points.
Purchase SPG points with a 35% discount
Strategizing for the August 1st program combination
We already know that the top tier Category 7 SPG resorts will actually temporarily get cheaper in the new program. Currently, it costs 30,000 to 35,000 points SPG per night to book award stays at Category 7 properties including St. Regis Princeville in Kauai, St. Regis Punta Mita in Mexico, St. Regis New York in Manhattan, the St. Regis Aspen, St. Regis Deer Valley in Utah, and many more.
However, from August 1 until they add a Category 8 in 2019, you will be able to book all of those properties for a maximum of 60,000 points per night in the new program. This is the equivalent of 20,000 SPG points. If you book five award nights, you will only pay for four nights. This drops the per-night price to just 16,000 SPG points per night. That is almost half off the current maximum rate of 35,000 points per night, and it may present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay at these world-class resorts for a reasonable award rate. This can make topping up your account with a discounted SPG points purchase a good call.
At 2.275 cents per purchased point, 16,000 points per night comes to $364 per night, which certainly isn’t cheap, but is much less than what these resorts can often sell for with cash. We don’t yet know what the full SPG and Marriott Rewards combined award chart will look like, though I anticipate those details to be released at any point.
Book SPG Category 1 stays from just $45.50 per night
On the other end of the spectrum, a SPG Category 1 stay on the weekend costs just 2,000 SPG points per night, which is the same as $45.50 per night at 2.275 cents per point. Even if you don’t actually need a Category 1 stay, that may help those who are pushing to qualify for Platinum status with 25 stays one final time.
Use free household transfers so that family can purchase more points
You can purchase a maximum of 30,000 SPG points per year, but remember that SPG allows for free transfers between household members. This means that your partner with the same address could do the same. Then and your household member could combine your points down the line.
Pay with your SPG Amex to earn more points
Finally, if you do make a purchase of discounted SPG points, remember to pay for your points with your SPG Amex cards in order to earn 2x SPG points on the purchase.
Will you be picking up discounted SPG points with this (final?) 35% off sale?
Earn 2 free night awards (valued at 35,000 points) when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. On top of the welcome bonus you'll earn 6x points at participating Marriott and Starwood properties and 2 points on everything else plus a free reward night (worth up to 35,000 points) every year after your account anniversary.
- Earn 2 Free Night Awards (each valued up to 35,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get the card that helps you earn more with U.S. News & World Report’s No.1 Hotel Rewards Program, Marriott Rewards.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn 6X points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Rewards & SPG hotels.
- 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year.
- Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.
- Coming in 2019, 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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