Originally Posted by
singletraveler
Don't waste your time searching for one - they are WORTHLESS - I have never in my many years as an SPG Amex cardmember found a hotel that would take one.
Well, the hotels don't "take them" if by that you mean offering them at time of check-in. SPG50 stays have to be booked through Starwood over the phone.
I've used them a number of times, two in the U.S. (Chicago and Seattle) and the rest in Europe or Africa. One time, in Cape Town, the SPG50 saved me about $600 over a five-night stay. Not too shabby! There's a thread
here that gives some other experiences, and some tips.
The SPG50 certificates are very useful sometimes, but sometimes the hotel has a lower rate than you would get with the SPG50. And sometimes the availability is gone. It never hurts to ask, though.