Bumped as
Starwood Lurker has just updated this thread. Of particular interest to me is this:
The Luxury Collection & St. Regis – choice of 500 Starpoints or a locally-selected property amenity*
*This begins for arrivals on or after November 1, 2009 at all SPG-participating St. Regis and Luxury Collection properties in the North American Division. Up until that date, only The Palace Hotel, San Francisco and the St. Regis Houston are approved to offer a choice of 500 Starpoints as an alternative to the locally-selected property amenity.