Canadian SPG American Express
#1802
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,916
I think something is wrong with these calculations. I believe starpoints are billed in USD, and GST apply. So it may be significantly more than 525$ ?
#1803
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Alaska, Marriott
Posts: 435
Yes, it is USD. I got the email recently and went to check it out. Their FAQ says no tax on Starpoints purchases though.
Didnt seem worth it to me.
Since you used your SPG card to purchase the points, you'll get dinged for an additional 2.5% in FX. It will probably work out to around $650 CAD for 20K points, or 3.2+ cents per point, which is likely above most redemption values. Definitely will be some places where it seems worth it.
Didnt seem worth it to me.
Since you used your SPG card to purchase the points, you'll get dinged for an additional 2.5% in FX. It will probably work out to around $650 CAD for 20K points, or 3.2+ cents per point, which is likely above most redemption values. Definitely will be some places where it seems worth it.
#1804
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
Unfortunately I won't be able to redeem the points against this booking for another 1-2 months as we're dual citizens and have 3 accounts in the family registered to different addresses, so I have to wait and go through the 30-day routine with each one to dump them all into a single account. Hopefully I won't have any issues with availability when it comes time to redeem for points in June/July!
#1805
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
Yes, it is USD. I got the email recently and went to check it out. Their FAQ says no tax on Starpoints purchases though.
Didnt seem worth it to me.
Since you used your SPG card to purchase the points, you'll get dinged for an additional 2.5% in FX. It will probably work out to around $650 CAD for 20K points, or 3.2+ cents per point, which is likely above most redemption values. Definitely will be some places where it seems worth it.
Didnt seem worth it to me.
Since you used your SPG card to purchase the points, you'll get dinged for an additional 2.5% in FX. It will probably work out to around $650 CAD for 20K points, or 3.2+ cents per point, which is likely above most redemption values. Definitely will be some places where it seems worth it.
Last edited by OliverB; Apr 30, 2015 at 4:50 pm
#1806
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,608
Thanks for letting me know; I normally wouldn't have bothered were it not for our upcoming stay, which makes it more than worthwhile as we'll be staying for nothing (zip! zero! zilch!) in a room which would otherwise run higher than 10k Euros (with tax etc) for 10 full nights! So as far as I'm concerned, the points purchase in this instance was a great value and while the forex fees are a pain, I suppose it's nice to know I can expect a higher Starpoint earning (~650 vs 525) on the next statement at least, hehe...
Nonetheless, based on the numbers you provide for that redemption you should get CAD5c of value per point (10k Euro/267k SPG points), which is pretty darn good!
Enjoy your trip and good luck with the booking. Keep in mind, it does take another 3-5 days to transfer from one family member to the other, on top of the 30-day qualification period.
I also received a call from SPG about the transfer (as did my wife who transferred to me). They are on the lookout for fraud, as some people sell the points, I guess, by pretending to share an address.
#1807
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
Not to burst your bubble...but you are paying something for that room. Annual fees on the cards, the points you purchased, opportunity cost for not using a different credit card (e.g. cashback).
Nonetheless, based on the numbers you provide for that redemption you should get CAD5c of value per point (10k Euro/267k SPG points), which is pretty darn good!
Enjoy your trip and good luck with the booking. Keep in mind, it does take another 3-5 days to transfer from one family member to the other, on top of the 30-day qualification period.
I also received a call from SPG about the transfer (as did my wife who transferred to me). They are on the lookout for fraud, as some people sell the points, I guess, by pretending to share an address.
Nonetheless, based on the numbers you provide for that redemption you should get CAD5c of value per point (10k Euro/267k SPG points), which is pretty darn good!
Enjoy your trip and good luck with the booking. Keep in mind, it does take another 3-5 days to transfer from one family member to the other, on top of the 30-day qualification period.
I also received a call from SPG about the transfer (as did my wife who transferred to me). They are on the lookout for fraud, as some people sell the points, I guess, by pretending to share an address.
Re. the telephone call; is that a new policy enacted by SPG in which they now need to confirm every transfer?
I initiated a transfer the other day and apart from the final confirmation screen, I received no email notification, confirmation number, or any sign that a transfer was processing. The transfer page indicated that it could take up to 5 business days but otherwise, my balance has not been affected and everything on my account seemingly remains as it was prior. Is this normal?
Last edited by OliverB; May 1, 2015 at 9:19 am
#1808
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
Re. the telephone call; is that a new policy enacted by SPG in which they now need to confirm every transfer?
I initiated a transfer the other day and apart from the final confirmation screen, I received no email notification, confirmation number, or any sign that a transfer was processing. The transfer page indicated that it could take up to 5 business days but otherwise, my balance has not been affected and everything on my account seemingly remains as it was prior. Is this normal?
I initiated a transfer the other day and apart from the final confirmation screen, I received no email notification, confirmation number, or any sign that a transfer was processing. The transfer page indicated that it could take up to 5 business days but otherwise, my balance has not been affected and everything on my account seemingly remains as it was prior. Is this normal?
#1809
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,846
SPG Is Sooo Dependable!
My SPG Amex Bonus came over like clockwork - and same with transfer to BA Avios, plus two transfer bonuses! I sure love this card...! ^
#1812
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
Guys, a Q for clarification. I was about to renew my SPG Amex and a friend of mine told me Amex instituted the "once a lifetime" bonus scenario. I thought that was only in the US.
Can anyone confirm the situation in Canada?
Can anyone confirm the situation in Canada?
#1813
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
All Personal Amex-Canada card products started showing the "once a lifetime" in the footnotes, on July 1st, 2015. The Business versions do not say the same though. Anyway, people have reported getting the welcome bonus once more, on Personal SPG card applications submitted after July 1st, but no guarantees.
#1814
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
Thanks for the info!
#1815
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,846
Does anyone have any updates on Marriott buying out Starwood? My year is almost up and I am not sure if I should renew and pay the AF if the card will be phased out of Amex's lineup....