Marriott has let us know that we can book level 7 Starwood properties at level 6 point redemption levels between August and December 2018. For ease of discussion, let's talk Starwood points. This means that a property that currently costs 35,000 points will cost 20,000 points during that window. Marriott equivalents are 105,000 and 60,000. I have some questions:
- What about all suite properties such as Al Maha? Currently Starwood charges double points for all suite properties. Does this mean there is not a multiplier? That would mean that a room (suite) at Al Maha, normally 70,000, would be 20,000 during this window. I believe there are all suite properties in the Maldives and French Polynesia; perhaps in Thailand.**
- Will we be able to book out to the end of the booking window? This would mean by late December 2018 we can book to late November 2019.
- Do we need to make a fresh booking from August 1? This is my current assumption. Otherwise, I could book Las Alcobas (Helena) today for spring 2019, then call and ask for points to be returned.
- If a fresh booking, how fast do you think award nights will go once the booking window opens?
**PLEASE NOTE: Free Night Awards at the following locations require higher Starpoint redemption amounts either because the hotel does not have standard rooms or the standard rooms it offers have a mandatory Full Board requirement in peak seasons: St. Regis Resort Bora Bora, and Le Méridien Bora Bora, Bora Bora, French Polynesia; W Maldives, Maldives; Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Westin Resort, Key West, Florida; Mystique, Santorini, Greece; Pine Cliff Residences, Albuferia, Portugal; and Cala Di Volpe, Hotel Pitrizza, and Hotel Romazzino, Porto Cervo, Italy. The minimum number of Starpoints required for a free night at The Resort at Singer Island, a Category 5 property, ranges from 24,000 to 64,000 Starpoints; the minimum number of Starpoints required for a free night at the Pine Cliff Residences, which is a Category 6 hotel, is 40,000 to 100,000 Starpoints; and the minimum number of Starpoints required for a free night at the other listed properties, which are all Category 7 properties, ranges from 60,000 to 140,000 Starpoints depending on the hotel, its category, its room types, the time of year, and/or its mandatory requirements. Redemptions at these hotels must be booked through your local customer contact center.
Here is a list of
Starwood's level 7 properties. There are 51 properties. There are 10 properties that currently are special cases. Note list above. Should they remain special cases, there are still 41 properties to consider.
I definitely want to try Las Alcobas in Helena, Napa Valley. I loved St Regis Punta Mita and might want to return. Those are both easy access from where I live. I'm looking at the Gritti Palace in Venice and Cristallo in the Dolomites as part of a European trip in 2019. Where do you hope to book?