Originally Posted by
flyboy60
If this is in fact typical, than IMHO, Starwood has rendered the C+P program nearly worthless with the new valuations.
Strong words, man.
Cash & Points provides a set of rates that are not necessarily in lockstep with cash rates. And that's a good thing. It works both ways.
Right now, I've got a Cash & Points booking that would be $459 as a cash rate, or 5000 + $75 / night on Cash & Points. Actually, it's 4000 + $60 per night, because Starwood let us know about the upcoming changes in rates, so I had time to book at the old rate.
This experience is not guaranteed with every other property, and that's the whole reason FT'ers like this sort of thing: If you really want everything smoothed out so there's no discrepancies, ever, then there won't be any deals, either.
In your case, yeah, you've found one or two rates that don't work as well. There's probably lots more that are like that. But on balance, Cash & Points still works out great.
If you don't want to use a Cash & Points rate, then don't.