Originally Posted by
sfozrhfco
Unfortunately the calculation above is highly flawed as there are very few properties that charge the high season cat. 6 rates with Starwood and if they did, the rate would likely be much higher. It is more likely that a $350 cash rate would be a weekday rate at a category 4 or 5 property which would be 10k or 12k. Also SPG gold members now get an additional 250 points as an amenity. Thus the rate with SPG is going to be much higher than the calculation above.
I am seriously considering moving to SPG.
Reasons:
1- Redemption rates for every dollar is currently very close to hilton (I just need to look at the bonus program and promotions they have).
2- I already have free gold status with AmEx Platinum. So i would not worry about loosing my status (I don't travel as much as some do here).
3- In Canada, we have SPG AmEx although has a steep annual fee and we don't get extra points for paying at SPG properties. Never the less, I could potentially shift a lot of $$ to SPG.
4- And this is the most important thing, I will need to check if their properties are available in the location I travel.