Starwood Points Redemption Increase - 2007
Dec 15, 2006, 8:58 am
#316
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Just like Thunderroad, I have not had a chance to go though this whole thread. I just want to confirm that the expected category increase date is still February 1, 2007. In other words, all award reservations made or modified after January 31, 2007 will be at the new rates.
Thanks!
Thanks!
We've really been discussing two separate issues, but that has gotten muddled along the way.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Dec 15, 2006, 12:14 pm
#317
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Mom & Dad always said, "Son, never throw gasoline on a fire." But, I got some more news today concerning Category 7 redemptions and wanted to share them with all of you. These are what Category 7 hotels and resorts are going to cost in February 2007:
Standard SPG7
30,000 Lo
35,000 Hi
SPG7S
31,500 Lo
36,750 Hi
SPG7SS
32,500 Lo
37,500 Hi
SPG7SU
60,000 Lo
70,000 Hi
SPG7SU2
75,000 Lo
87,500 Hi
SPG7SU3
90,000 Lo
105,000 Hi
SPG7SU4
120,000 Lo
140,000 Hi
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Standard SPG7
30,000 Lo
35,000 Hi
SPG7S
31,500 Lo
36,750 Hi
SPG7SS
32,500 Lo
37,500 Hi
SPG7SU
60,000 Lo
70,000 Hi
SPG7SU2
75,000 Lo
87,500 Hi
SPG7SU3
90,000 Lo
105,000 Hi
SPG7SU4
120,000 Lo
140,000 Hi
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Dec 15, 2006, 12:22 pm
#318
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD), Phoenix AZ (PHX)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Starwood Platinum, a nothing in several others
Posts: 5,176
Dec 15, 2006, 12:23 pm
#319
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: USA
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Gold, PC Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Silver
Posts: 15,249
). Not sure what all those upgrade categories mean, but those are some hefty redemption rates. 
That effectively takes the Cat 7 properties out of the program (which perhaps was the intent all along).
Last edited by cactuspete; Dec 15, 2006 at 4:51 pm Reason: sp.
Dec 15, 2006, 12:32 pm
#320
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA1K, HH Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 558
There is one way to put an end to all of the moaning about point devaluation...
SPG members keep earning points at the current rate. There would then be a fixed redemption rate for a stay at a hotel, eg. a $100 room costs X points, a $200 room costs 2X points and so on. To redeem, you simply find a room, and pay with points instead of $.
This has a lot of advantages:
Room inflation in real terms (ie $) is equally reflected in the rate at which points are earned and redeemed.
If you want to spend less points you find a 'low season' date when rooms are cheaper.
If you wanted a nicer room, you redeem more points.
The no blackout date feature continues, if a room is available for $ and you have enough points you've got the room.
Platinums could enforce the 72 hour guaranteed availability, and pay the rack rate with points
The only issues becomes how many points = $1?
SPG members keep earning points at the current rate. There would then be a fixed redemption rate for a stay at a hotel, eg. a $100 room costs X points, a $200 room costs 2X points and so on. To redeem, you simply find a room, and pay with points instead of $.
This has a lot of advantages:
Room inflation in real terms (ie $) is equally reflected in the rate at which points are earned and redeemed.
If you want to spend less points you find a 'low season' date when rooms are cheaper.
If you wanted a nicer room, you redeem more points.
The no blackout date feature continues, if a room is available for $ and you have enough points you've got the room.
Platinums could enforce the 72 hour guaranteed availability, and pay the rack rate with points
The only issues becomes how many points = $1?
Dec 15, 2006, 12:52 pm
#321
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Ellicott City, MD USA
Programs: SPG Plat and that is that!
Posts: 253
Cat 7 - Seriously?
OK -
I was skeptical at first that a free room would cost 30,000 points - 60,000 points. But now to see that quite possibly it would be 120,000 points or more.
I mean, seriously, who would possibly redeem that many points? Could it POSSIBLY be worth it? That is outrageous - granted I'm a new daddy with 2 kids who doesn't do the luxury trips anymore, but really. 120,000 points is like 15 nights EASILY at a $200/night hotel, not to mention value on CC, or other arenas - what rack rate is possibly $3000/night to get that value?
There is inflation, and there is absurd. This is just absurd. I appreciate the heads up, but Bora Bora will just have to wait for that.
If someone has 120,000 / night to spend on a hotel room please let me know.
Other thought - is there anything even comparable in any other program? What is the highest hotel cat in HH, MR, etc. This is just bad for SPG business...I agree, those hotels will have little to no redemption, which of course is the point.
Even my property tax on my highly over-priced home doesn't rise that fast...
I was skeptical at first that a free room would cost 30,000 points - 60,000 points. But now to see that quite possibly it would be 120,000 points or more.
I mean, seriously, who would possibly redeem that many points? Could it POSSIBLY be worth it? That is outrageous - granted I'm a new daddy with 2 kids who doesn't do the luxury trips anymore, but really. 120,000 points is like 15 nights EASILY at a $200/night hotel, not to mention value on CC, or other arenas - what rack rate is possibly $3000/night to get that value?
There is inflation, and there is absurd. This is just absurd. I appreciate the heads up, but Bora Bora will just have to wait for that.
If someone has 120,000 / night to spend on a hotel room please let me know.
Other thought - is there anything even comparable in any other program? What is the highest hotel cat in HH, MR, etc. This is just bad for SPG business...I agree, those hotels will have little to no redemption, which of course is the point.
Even my property tax on my highly over-priced home doesn't rise that fast...
Dec 15, 2006, 1:17 pm
#322
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: united airlines
Posts: 4,967
There is one way to put an end to all of the moaning about point devaluation...
SPG members keep earning points at the current rate. There would then be a fixed redemption rate for a stay at a hotel, eg. a $100 room costs X points, a $200 room costs 2X points and so on. To redeem, you simply find a room, and pay with points instead of $.
This has a lot of advantages:
Room inflation in real terms (ie $) is equally reflected in the rate at which points are earned and redeemed.
If you want to spend less points you find a 'low season' date when rooms are cheaper.
If you wanted a nicer room, you redeem more points.
The no blackout date feature continues, if a room is available for $ and you have enough points you've got the room.
Platinums could enforce the 72 hour guaranteed availability, and pay the rack rate with points
The only issues becomes how many points = $1?
SPG members keep earning points at the current rate. There would then be a fixed redemption rate for a stay at a hotel, eg. a $100 room costs X points, a $200 room costs 2X points and so on. To redeem, you simply find a room, and pay with points instead of $.
This has a lot of advantages:
Room inflation in real terms (ie $) is equally reflected in the rate at which points are earned and redeemed.
If you want to spend less points you find a 'low season' date when rooms are cheaper.
If you wanted a nicer room, you redeem more points.
The no blackout date feature continues, if a room is available for $ and you have enough points you've got the room.
Platinums could enforce the 72 hour guaranteed availability, and pay the rack rate with points
The only issues becomes how many points = $1?
Last edited by itsme; Dec 15, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Dec 15, 2006, 1:19 pm
#323
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Yes, but I'm not the one you need to convince. They're watching, however. 
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
They're watching, however. Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Dec 15, 2006, 1:26 pm
#324
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: united airlines
Posts: 4,967
Yes, but if you think a change like that one might serve the interests of everyone, feel free to advocate for such.
Yes, but I'm not the one you need to convince. They're watching, however.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
They're watching, however. Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Dec 15, 2006, 1:40 pm
#325
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: Various Programs of Interest & LT Collector.
Posts: 1,483
Can someone explain the differences between the category 7 sub categories; SPG7SU, SPG7SU1, SPG7SU2, SPG7SU3, and SPG7SU4?
I tried a google, yahoo, and FT search on SPG7SU4 and nothing but this thread came up.
Are they different number of nights, different hotels, something else?
Thanks.
I tried a google, yahoo, and FT search on SPG7SU4 and nothing but this thread came up.
Are they different number of nights, different hotels, something else?
Thanks.
Mom & Dad always said, "Son, never throw gasoline on a fire." But, I got some more news today concerning Category 7 redemptions and wanted to share them with all of you. These are what Category 7 hotels and resorts are going to cost in February 2007:
Standard SPG7
30,000 Lo
35,000 Hi
SPG7S
31,500 Lo
36,750 Hi
SPG7SS
32,500 Lo
37,500 Hi
SPG7SU
60,000 Lo
70,000 Hi
SPG7SU2
75,000 Lo
87,500 Hi
SPG7SU3
90,000 Lo
105,000 Hi
SPG7SU4
120,000 Lo
140,000 Hi
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Standard SPG7
30,000 Lo
35,000 Hi
SPG7S
31,500 Lo
36,750 Hi
SPG7SS
32,500 Lo
37,500 Hi
SPG7SU
60,000 Lo
70,000 Hi
SPG7SU2
75,000 Lo
87,500 Hi
SPG7SU3
90,000 Lo
105,000 Hi
SPG7SU4
120,000 Lo
140,000 Hi
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Dec 15, 2006, 1:47 pm
#326
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Can someone explain the differences between the category 7 sub categories; SPG7SU, SPG7SU1, SPG7SU2, SPG7SU3, and SPG7SU4?
I tried a google, yahoo, and FT search on SPG7SU4 and nothing but this thread came up.
Are they different number of nights, different hotels, something else?
Thanks.
I tried a google, yahoo, and FT search on SPG7SU4 and nothing but this thread came up.
Are they different number of nights, different hotels, something else?
Thanks.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Dec 15, 2006, 2:06 pm
#327
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: Various Programs of Interest & LT Collector.
Posts: 1,483
Thanks for the reply - I just have to say wowwwww.
Is there any place to see a listing of the different type.
It sounds like SPG suites in cat 7 hotels are now, from a practicality perspective, out of reach for most people if there are many put in the upper buckets.
It use to be I would just feel fortunate to get a suite in a nice hotel. That looks to be gone now. Mind you I just started staying with SPG properties but for any suites it looks like other chains are the place to be. Meaning a fixed number of points for a suite. Sometimes you got a normal suite, others times a presidential one.
On the other hand for people who do want to burn this many points it looks like SPG will give them a better chance to get very nice ones.
SPG7SU SPG7SU2 SPG7SU3 SPG7SU4
60,000 Lo 75,000 90,000 120,000
70,000 Hi 87,500 105,000 140,000
If you convert to the price SPG sells (lmited) points at ($0.05) the 140k is a whopping $7000 per night.
Is there any place to see a listing of the different type.
It sounds like SPG suites in cat 7 hotels are now, from a practicality perspective, out of reach for most people if there are many put in the upper buckets.
It use to be I would just feel fortunate to get a suite in a nice hotel. That looks to be gone now. Mind you I just started staying with SPG properties but for any suites it looks like other chains are the place to be. Meaning a fixed number of points for a suite. Sometimes you got a normal suite, others times a presidential one.
On the other hand for people who do want to burn this many points it looks like SPG will give them a better chance to get very nice ones.
SPG7SU SPG7SU2 SPG7SU3 SPG7SU4
60,000 Lo 75,000 90,000 120,000
70,000 Hi 87,500 105,000 140,000
If you convert to the price SPG sells (lmited) points at ($0.05) the 140k is a whopping $7000 per night.
SPG7SU is a standard suite award. SPG7SU2 is a category 2 (better) suite award, SPG7SU3 is a category 3 suite award (even better than 2), and SPG7SU4 is a category 4 suite award (best). What kind of suites a property has determines which one is used for redemption purposes.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Dec 15, 2006, 3:43 pm
#328
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, SPG LTP
Posts: 1,526
Hello Categories 8 through 13. 140K points for a night is called a blackout in my book.
Dec 15, 2006, 4:23 pm
#329
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Terp Country
Programs: All the regulars for an American. Retired now so peon on all of them
Posts: 654
Double post
Last edited by deckman; Dec 15, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Dec 15, 2006, 4:27 pm
#330
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Terp Country
Programs: All the regulars for an American. Retired now so peon on all of them
Posts: 654
980K points for a week at the top of the top of the line in season. For me that's about a careers worth of points. Rock star rates. I agree with Sam P. Goodman, it's defacto blackout range.