I always run the math when getting involved in any program. This credit card gives 1 point to one mile, but once reaching 20,000 points you get 25,000 frequent flyer miles. Why would carry an airline card if it takes 25,000 when you get 25,000 miles for only charging 20,000. Another way to do the math, is if your enrolled in AMEX Membership points they only give you .33 for every point. ( I have both cards I am drastically avoived using it when the Sheraton card gives one to one versus 1 to .33. Basically that means they value Starwood points as worth 3 times the value is this correct? YES 25,000 frequent flyer miles is worth a free ticket or maybe $350. Charge 25,000 dollars on the Sheraton card and you will have 6 nights in Cancun value worth over $1200. Give it some thought.

Hi Milesrus
I notice you mention "25,000 dollars on the Sheraton card and you will have 6 nights in Cancun value worth over $1200".
Could you explain how this is possible? Is there some travel package offered by Starwood that will get you airline tix and a hotel room for 6 nights in Cancun for 25000 points? I have nearly that many points in my Starwood account and have been thinking of cashing in so that 6 night deal in Cancun sounds awesome. Pls explain how that is possible with 25,000 pts. Thnx.!

I think he was saying that you could just get 6 nights hotel in Cancun for 25,000 miles. I can't imagine that airfare from the US would be thrown in for that too... But I could be wrong!

I too was using my Sheraton card as often as possible until the recent Delta promotion. You get 10,000 bonus miles if you charge $25,000 in one year plus double miles for groc. and gas. I also got 10,000 miles for signing up. I heard on one of these boards that if you were one of the first 10,000(?) to apply they would also match up to 50,000 points from any other frequent flyerprogram. I have not yet heard if I was one of the 10,000 but your post reminded me to call and find out!

Sorry If I mislead you, you only get the lodging. I was comparing the value of this card to an airline frequent credit card. My wife and I have a Citibank Visa with Advantage. It takes $25,000 to get a ticket with the Visa card.Once I charge $20,000 on the Sheraton I can convert it 25,000 or better yet convert it to hotel nights. Good Luck!

You are absolutley right, the Sheraton card is one of the best deals around. It's unfortunate that it is not recognized as a general travel card like the AMEX Membership Rewards program or Diners Club. All those airline options . . . and it's FREE! The real beauty, though, are the hotels. Two weekend nights in Atlantic City -- 6,000 points, weeklong vacations for 24,000 points.

One reason: I don't expect to charge anywhere near $20,000 on a C/C, it would take multiple years. Therefore, the exchange ratio available for high spenders isn't of interest to me.

To be a ff, you have to be a high spender. How do you expect to be interested in this board unless you fly frequently and stay in hotels frequently? My airline, hotel and car rental charges alone on my corporate Diner's Club add up to about $4000 per month and I think that is probably low, since I buy only cheap nonref. US travel only tickets. My home phone bill, wireless bill, groceries, gas, state car registration, everything are all paid by C/C. If you don't spend at least $20,000 by C/C, it either because you are using too much cash or checks or you are fiscally challenged .

do the miles that you get on this card get deposited directly into your ff account for you to use later, or must you take those 20k points and immediately exchange them for an actual ticket?

if it's the former, it's great for those of us who are saving, say, for first class to australia for two people

if it's the latter, it's useless for any looking to exchange credit card points for miles to go anywhere except domestic us destinations

or am i confused? i know the larger point is you're better off using the points for hotel stays, but i'd still like to know about whether those 20k hotel points equal 25k airline points in your actual airline account

Miles are deposited in your frequent flyer account. So, yes, you can save them for big ticket awards. However, Starwood has a maximum number of miles they will transfer to frequent flyer accounts. This limit varies by airline. For info check at http://www.preferredguest.com

20,000 Starpoints= 25,000 miles??? I thought the point conversion is alot less than that according to the Starpoint membership guide.

Al

20000 points = 25000 miles is correct, with a few restrictions on where the 20000 points come from, which we're not really sure are enforced since nobody's ever reported a turn-down on the transfer based on the restrictions. There are threads in the Amex and Starwood forums which delve into this in excruciating detail.

Oops!


[This message has been edited by anthonyanthony (edited 12-17-2000).]

This is a response to "outoftown". What a snob!!! Some of us have lots of fun just flying for vacations or family visits. We also value ways to get miles and I personally have about 12 free tickets that I've earned via credit cards (which I pay immediately) partners, etc. To imply that those of us who aren't platinum or whatever don't have a place in this website is selfish and disgusting.

Couldn't have said it better, Marysunshine.