Starwood Preferred Guest - Transfer of Starwood Points to United Miles no Longer allowed?

I was going to transfer some points to United Mileage Plus to keep the miles in the Mileage Plus account from expiring. However, I got a message that United does not participate in this program. What gives? I'm sure I checked this a couple of months ago and remember that the transfer ratio was less efficient than for other airlines, but still an option.

(a search of this forum failed to turn up any inforrmation on this.)

Well, I'm confused, but it seems if you go through your credit card first, it tells you United does not participate. But if you log in through Starwood, then you are given the option.

Now gotta figure out whether when United says "Any activity on your account whether you earn or redeem miles, keeps your mileage balance intact for the next 18 months" it really means they will count the transfer of the miles into the account from another program.

I would imagine that a Car Rental credit or Hotel credit would keep it active, if nothing forth coming then purchase something via their Shopping Mall. Just make sure you will get the needed credit before the due date for losing the Miles.

Well, I'm confused, but it seems if you go through your credit card first, it tells you United does not participate.

Maybe I'm confused. How would one transfer Starwood points, other than by logging in to a Starwood account or by contacting a Starwood agent?

Did you get somebody at Amex who thought you were trying to convert Amex Membership Rewards points to UA miles? It does not appear that UA is a Membership Rewards partner. But that has nothing to do with transfering Starwood points...

Now gotta figure out whether when United says "Any activity on your account whether you earn or redeem miles, keeps your mileage balance intact for the next 18 months" it really means they will count the transfer of the miles into the account from another program.

Yes - a transfer from starwood counts. As does MileagePlus Mall purchase or any other partner transaction.

Yes - a transfer from starwood counts. As does MileagePlus Mall purchase or any other partner transaction.

Thanks! I tried to do some MileagePlus mall purchases starting about 3 weeks ago. None of them posted, and UA apparently has no way to show you how or if the transactions are being processed. I'm getting worried about the miles for these purchases not being processed before 12/31/07, hence the reason I am exploring something like a conversion of some Starwood points into MileagePlus. I assume it only takes a few days for the miles to show up in the FF account?

Yes - a transfer from starwood counts. As does MileagePlus Mall purchase or any other partner transaction.

Keep in mind that the transfer rate isn't very good at 2:1 (meaning 10K SPG points will yield you only 5K miles)... most of the other airlines have a 1:1 ratio.

the other day i transferred 500 points to united to keep my ual mile alive. starwood took the miles out immediately. anybody no how long it should be before ual posts them?

the other day i transferred 500 points to united to keep my ual mile alive. If you transferred just 500 SPG points, you must be Platinum. Why didn't you transfer just 2 SPG points?

If you transferred just 500 SPG points, you must be Platinum. Why didn't you transfer just 2 SPG points?

i thought about it but for some reason 500 just looked better. will actually use them on united at some point so it is not a complete waste.