SPG points are considered one of the most valuable of all loyalty points including those from both hotels, airlines and credit cards. Mainly because they are so versatile. They can be used for hotel room redemptions, cash & points hotel room redemptions, or transferring those points into airline miles. In fact, SPG has an extra bonus of 25% when redeeming 20,000 Starpoints into many airline programs that results in 25,000 airline miles.
Because Starpoints are so valuable, they are very difficult to earn by hotel stays alone. Preferred Members of the SPG program get 2 Starpoints for every dollar spent at a Starwood property, Gold and Platinum members receive 3 Starpoints for every dollar.
However, there is a relatively easy way to rack up a bunch of Starpoints quickly at no cost and with a little effort. Enter the Best Rate Guarantee program of SPG. If you can find a lower rate on a competing website, Starwood will either offer you an extra 2,000 Starpoints or 10% off the lower hotel rate.
The 10% is rather low compared to other hotel programs, such as Marriott which provides a 25% rate reduction or Hyatt which provides a 20% rate reduction for finding a lower rate on a competing website.
In order for a Preferred Member to get 2,000 Starpoints one would need to spend $1,000, whereas a Gold or Platinum Member would need to spend nearly $700 for 2,000 Starpoints.
Below are some examples of recent stays I have at Starwood properties where I found lower rates on competing websites. Not only did I get a lower rate than what Starwood was offering directly from their website, I also got an extra 10,000 Starpoints for a little bit of research.
Hotel Name: Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate : 139.00
Other Company room provider :www.kayak.com
Actual Confirmed Rate : 114.00
BRG Reward : points
Hotel Name: W San Diego
Room Type : Wonderful Room
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate : 229.00
Other Company room provider :www.onhotels.com
Actual Confirmed Rate: 176.63
BRG Reward : points
Hotel Name: Sheraton Cerritos Hotel
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate : 110.00
Company room provider : travelocity.com
Actual Confirmed Rate : 93.73
BRG Reward : points
Hotel Name: The Phoenician
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate : 189.00
Other Company room provider :www.olotels.com
Actual Confirmed Rate : 161.86
BRG Reward : points
Hotel Name: The Westin South Coast Plaza
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate : 165.00
Company room provider : Hotels.com
Actual Confirmed Rate : 132.94
BRG Reward : points
The other great thing about the SPG Best Rate Guarantee program is that if you find a lower rate on a pre-paid or non-refundable rate, you can submit a claim first before having to commit a booking. Once the pre-paid or non-refundable rate has been confirmed by SPG then you can book the room, email them back the Confirmation # and the rate change will be made to your reservation.
This is significantly different and more advantageous than Marriott in which you must make the booking first and then submit your claim after, hoping that the claim will be approved.
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