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"?
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.