Transfer Starpoints to airline miles? It really depends on your own personal travel patterns and preferences. If you have a surfeit of Starpoints, and a shortage of airline miles, then it might make sense.
But I'm in the opposite situation. I accumulate far more airline miles than hotel points, and burn more hotel points than airline miles, so for me it is NOT something I normally want to do.
If you DO decide to transfer Starpoints to air miles, consider one of the "Nights and Flights" awards. Those are a somewhat sweeter redemption deal than the normal ones.
Nights & Flights Awards
Combine your StarpointsŪ and miles to pay for your whole vacation package!
With Nights & Flights, you can redeem 60,000 Starpoints for 50,000 airline miles and five free nights at a Category 3 hotel or resort.
With Nights & Flights II, you can redeem 70,000 Starpoints and receive 50,000 airline miles and five free nights at a Category 4 hotel or resort.
To redeem your travel awards, please call your local Customer Contact Center.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...landing.html#6
Normally, five free nights at Cat. 3 would cost 28,000 Starpoints; at Cat. 4, 40,000 points. And for most airlines, 50,000 airmiles would cost you 40,000 Starpoints.
So instead of 68,000 points for the Cat. 3 package, you are paying only 60,000; a savings of 8,000 points. Instead of 80,000 points for the Cat. 4 package, you are paying 70,000, a savings of 10,000 points. This is a good deal for some people (not me)!