Buy Starpoints Limited time offer - Save 20%
Nov 2, 2011, 1:35 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
No argument that buying points saves time over an MR. AA is running a DEQM promo now though. If you live in the ORD/DFW/SFO/LAX markets, you can rack up 22K+ RDM (plus the 15K+ EQM) for $400-$500.
Nov 3, 2011, 1:53 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Does anyone know of a rewards card that will give you better than 1 point per dollar for purchases of star points? In other words, will any of the cards that award extra for travel expenses (I think Chase Sapphire and Amex Gold and maybe others) code this as travel?
Nov 3, 2011, 2:05 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
$14 for 500 points....not bad....i have a couple of weekend stays coming up at a cat 2 property for about $135 a night....i could buy 6k points for $168 & save about $100....^^
Nov 3, 2011, 9:21 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: AUS
Posts: 690
Also, you get a single Starpoint per dollar when paying with an SPG AmEx.
Nov 4, 2011, 10:29 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Thanx, Moriens. I wondered about whether the SPG Amex would classify this as Starwood spending. Now U have answered NO.
Nov 4, 2011, 11:35 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Yup. It would be nice to earn an extra 560 points or miles somehow on the purchase, but it doesn't seem too easy. I know chase ultimate rewards is pretty generous about the "travel" category, so maybe one could talk them into it.
Nov 4, 2011, 1:23 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA PLT/1.9MM
Posts: 500
Anybody else having trouble buying Starpoints today? After going through the first two screens, including adding my credit card info, I click through for confirmation and receive the following message: "System Error. An unexpected system error has occurred."
I've tried using different browsers and credit cards, and still get the same error.
I've tried using different browsers and credit cards, and still get the same error.
Nov 4, 2011, 4:36 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Starwood Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 159
While typically buying points is not a great deal, there are times when purchasing SPG points can really work in your favor, especially when 20% off.
For example, a category 2 hotel requires 3K points to redeem. If you purchase these points it will cost you $84. In my experience, $84 for a hotel room is really cheap! Now keep in mind, these are still low category hotels, and typically consist of airport hotels in the US. However, in Asia there are some great category 2 hotels!
You will find this with other expensive hotels as well that buying points might actually save you money! http://boardingarea.com/blogs/dealsw...ts-at-20-less/
For example, a category 2 hotel requires 3K points to redeem. If you purchase these points it will cost you $84. In my experience, $84 for a hotel room is really cheap! Now keep in mind, these are still low category hotels, and typically consist of airport hotels in the US. However, in Asia there are some great category 2 hotels!
You will find this with other expensive hotels as well that buying points might actually save you money! http://boardingarea.com/blogs/dealsw...ts-at-20-less/
Nov 4, 2011, 5:17 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
It's working again now. My purchase just went through.
Nov 4, 2011, 11:17 pm
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
I thought the common wisdom was to get very close to 1 MM or 2 MM, etc. but not go over until next year to maximum the length of the time the EVIPS are good.
Nov 4, 2011, 11:25 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Actually, 1mm does not look like it will get evips after 12/1. So if you are close to 1mm, and you qualify for evips instead of stickers (Eg, EU address) it is better to hit 1mm before 12/1 unless you prefer 35k miles to the evips. If you have a US address, it doesn't much matter when you get 1mm, except the 35k bonus miles will count toward LTP if you get them before 12/1 but not if you get them after. For 2mm it is better to wait.
Nov 6, 2011, 9:10 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, SPG Gold, HH Gold, PC Platinum
Posts: 232
I would take 4 evips rather than 35K miles.
Nov 11, 2011, 9:57 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Re: Moriens & Lkar above:
Maybe something has changed where we will earn 2 pp$ after all when buying *points with SPG Amex. I just bought 9K & it has posted thusly:
"STARWOOD BY POINTS POINTS.COM IL"
My statement will print on Nov. 26, so I should get my points on the 28th. I shall report whether I get 1x or 2x. If 1x, I'll call Amex to say, 'It says Starwood, so shouldn't it be doubled?'
Maybe something has changed where we will earn 2 pp$ after all when buying *points with SPG Amex. I just bought 9K & it has posted thusly:
"STARWOOD BY POINTS POINTS.COM IL"
My statement will print on Nov. 26, so I should get my points on the 28th. I shall report whether I get 1x or 2x. If 1x, I'll call Amex to say, 'It says Starwood, so shouldn't it be doubled?'