Nov 12, 2013, 11:05 am
Last edit by: Oxon Flyer
UPDATE AS OF 28 NOVEMBER 2017 :
For our members with SPG Lifetime status: Well always recognize your lifetime achievement. And starting now, your Starpoints will never expire.
When do my SPG points expire?
Per the SPG T&C,
What activity counts towards keeping an account active to prevent points from expiring?
"Any account activity resets the clock. Earning, burning, transferring, buying...anything that creates activity." (from Starwood Lurker, post #78)
This means your options for resetting the clock are
What happens if I am a SPG Lifetime Platinum or Lifetime Gold?
According to the T&C, your lifetime status will be lost and your points forfeited after the period of inactivity.
Starpoints never expire for Lifetime Platinum members.
For our members with SPG Lifetime status: Well always recognize your lifetime achievement. And starting now, your Starpoints will never expire.
When do my SPG points expire?
Per the SPG T&C,
Forfeiting Starpoints. Except for SVO Owners to whom the obligations in Section 9 apply, Starpoints earned or otherwise obtained by an SPG Member will forfeit without notice if the SPG Member becomes Inactive, even if the SPG Member has achieved SPG Lifetime Gold or SPG Lifetime Platinum status. An SPG Member is considered "Inactive" if during a 12 month period: (a) the SPG Member has not had an Eligible Stay at an SPG Participating Hotel; (b) the SPG Member has not earned or redeemed any Starpoints, or (c) the SPG Member's account has been cancelled.
"Any account activity resets the clock. Earning, burning, transferring, buying...anything that creates activity." (from Starwood Lurker, post #78)
This means your options for resetting the clock are
- Earning points via a paid (cash) hotel stay
- Earning points via an SPG Amex card
- Earning points from food/beverages >$10 purchased at a Starwood property
- Make sure that server understands that SPG # must be added to system
- This option does not apply to alcohol purchases in CA, OR, HI, or MA
- Earning points in any other legal manner.
- Redeeming points for an award (such as a hotel stay, SPG Moments, etc.)
- This includes booking and then canceling an award; see post #155
- Purchasing SPG points (you can purchase 500 points for $17.50; takes 24-hours to hit your account) https://storefront.points.com/spg/en-US/buy
- Transfering SPG points to/from the SPG account of another member of your household (note: now requires transfers in 1,000-point increments)
- Transfering SPG points to or from your linked Marriott Rewards account (FYI, the reverse does not count as qualifying activity for your Marriott Rewards account)
- Transfering SPG points to an airline or other travel partner
- Transfering Amex Membership Rewards Points into your SPG account
Starpoints never expire for Lifetime Platinum members.
How to keep SPG points from expiring after 12 months of account inactivity
Sep 30, 2016, 9:30 am
#196
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,659
If the answer is yes, this is an easy easy way to keep SPG points active. Transfer over to Marriott for a week then transfer back to SPG. I was thinking I would have to get another SPG AX credit card when the 12 months of no activity comes up and I really don't want one.
Sep 30, 2016, 4:11 pm
#198
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,134
That is specifically mentioned in the FAQ : yes.
If the answer is yes, this is an easy easy way to keep SPG points active. Transfer over to Marriott for a week then transfer back to SPG. I was thinking I would have to get another SPG AX credit card when the 12 months of no activity comes up and I really don't want one.
Oct 6, 2016, 7:23 am
#199
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 730
can anybody state how long delta crossover awards took to post? I have a flight 10 days before my pts expire, I imagine it wont be enough time
Oct 6, 2016, 8:01 am
#200
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,168
It will be interesting in 2018 to find out whether SPG (1 year) or Marriott (2 year) points expiration prevails.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Oct 6, 2016, 8:25 am
#201
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: AC 50k, Marriott LIfetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 20
http://members.marriott.com/faq/#if-...nts-expiration
Direct link above doesn't work. Click on Points Transfer and then the 9th question down.
Oct 6, 2016, 8:30 am
#202
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,112
2 FAQs :
Q: If I transfer points from my Rewards account to SPG, does it count as activity against points expiration?
A: Transfers don’t count as a qualifying activity in the Rewards program, so transferring points won’t keep your points balance from expiring.
This applies to your Rewards account : links and transfers do not count towards keeping your Rewards account active.
Q: If I transfer points from my SPG account to Rewards, does it count as activity against points expiration?
A: SPG Starpoints don’t expire as long as your account remains active. Linking and transfers count as activity.
This applies to your SPG account : links and transfers do count towards keeping your SPG account active.
HTH!
A: Transfers don’t count as a qualifying activity in the Rewards program, so transferring points won’t keep your points balance from expiring.
This applies to your Rewards account : links and transfers do not count towards keeping your Rewards account active.
Q: If I transfer points from my SPG account to Rewards, does it count as activity against points expiration?
A: SPG Starpoints don’t expire as long as your account remains active. Linking and transfers count as activity.
This applies to your SPG account : links and transfers do count towards keeping your SPG account active.
HTH!
Last edited by Oxon Flyer; Oct 6, 2016 at 8:35 am
Oct 6, 2016, 8:57 am
#203
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1K, Delta Plat
Posts: 117
99% chance it won't be enough time. I use Emirates Your Worlds and points from my last emirates flight has not posted yet. It's been 3 weeks. I wonder if Delta is more efficient.
Oct 6, 2016, 9:00 am
#204
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Vistana Chairman
Posts: 6,178
Oct 6, 2016, 9:04 am
#205
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,168
For those who are worried about points expiring & how long it takes to transfer from airlines & are facing a tight deadline, why not just buy 500 points for $17.50? SPG's site says it takes 24-hours to deposit/hit your account. Don't know if it truly takes 24 hours or, if like Marriott, it actually hits your account within an hour or so of purchasing the points, but even 24 hours isn't bad & $17.50 is probably worth the piece of mind.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Nov 3, 2016, 10:47 am
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, AS MVP, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,853
Q: If I transfer points from my Rewards account to SPG, does it count as activity against points expiration?
A: Transfers dont count as a qualifying activity in the Rewards program, so transferring points wont keep your points balance from expiring.
This applies to your Rewards account : links and transfers do not count towards keeping your Rewards account active.
Q: If I transfer points from my SPG account to Rewards, does it count as activity against points expiration?
A: SPG Starpoints dont expire as long as your account remains active. Linking and transfers count as activity.
This applies to your SPG account : links and transfers do count towards keeping your SPG account active.
HTH!
A: Transfers dont count as a qualifying activity in the Rewards program, so transferring points wont keep your points balance from expiring.
This applies to your Rewards account : links and transfers do not count towards keeping your Rewards account active.
Q: If I transfer points from my SPG account to Rewards, does it count as activity against points expiration?
A: SPG Starpoints dont expire as long as your account remains active. Linking and transfers count as activity.
This applies to your SPG account : links and transfers do count towards keeping your SPG account active.
HTH!
Dec 30, 2016, 11:36 pm
#207
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 136
How Should I Extend My SPG Point Expiraion Date?
I have 121,000 SPG points that are due to expire January 13, 2017. I want to extend the expiration date without much hassle or expense. There is a Sheraton close by, and I suppose I can go over next week and have an overpriced chicken salad, as the rep told me a restaurant purchase of at least $10, not including tax and tip, will extend the expiration date.
The SPG rep told me that I could transfer my points to Marriott and back to SPG, and that would extend the expiration date. However, my Marriott account has been inactive for years--I just made a purchase through their online shopping, so it's going to take up to 60 days to get that account active. The Marriott people told me if I transfer the points over now, then they will disappear.
My question to you is: Are they any online quizzes, or stuff like that available for Starwood, that earn points? I don't want to purchase points, so the chicken salad seems the best option at this point, I guess. Any other ideas?
Thank you!
The SPG rep told me that I could transfer my points to Marriott and back to SPG, and that would extend the expiration date. However, my Marriott account has been inactive for years--I just made a purchase through their online shopping, so it's going to take up to 60 days to get that account active. The Marriott people told me if I transfer the points over now, then they will disappear.
My question to you is: Are they any online quizzes, or stuff like that available for Starwood, that earn points? I don't want to purchase points, so the chicken salad seems the best option at this point, I guess. Any other ideas?
Thank you!
Dec 31, 2016, 12:06 am
#208
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,691
I have 121,000 SPG points that are due to expire January 13, 2017. I want to extend the expiration date without much hassle or expense. There is a Sheraton close by, and I suppose I can go over next week and have an overpriced chicken salad, as the rep told me a restaurant purchase of at least $10, not including tax and tip, will extend the expiration date.
The SPG rep told me that I could transfer my points to Marriott and back to SPG, and that would extend the expiration date. However, my Marriott account has been inactive for years--I just made a purchase through their online shopping, so it's going to take up to 60 days to get that account active. The Marriott people told me if I transfer the points over now, then they will disappear.
My question to you is: Are they any online quizzes, or stuff like that available for Starwood, that earn points? I don't want to purchase points, so the chicken salad seems the best option at this point, I guess. Any other ideas?
Thank you!
The SPG rep told me that I could transfer my points to Marriott and back to SPG, and that would extend the expiration date. However, my Marriott account has been inactive for years--I just made a purchase through their online shopping, so it's going to take up to 60 days to get that account active. The Marriott people told me if I transfer the points over now, then they will disappear.
My question to you is: Are they any online quizzes, or stuff like that available for Starwood, that earn points? I don't want to purchase points, so the chicken salad seems the best option at this point, I guess. Any other ideas?
Thank you!
The reason of SPG having points is to use them! Just pick a destination that you like and book it. Note that award reservations could be cancelled with no penalties (within the dates specified by the hotels).
While having that cancellable reservation you can also:
1) Stay in another hotel
2) Transfer points to an airline
3) Have a chicken salad or a drink
Dec 31, 2016, 12:10 am
#209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,182
Look here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...nactivity.html (click on the wiki
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...hout-stay.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...nactivity.html (click on the wiki
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...hout-stay.html
Jan 1, 2017, 12:00 am
#210
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 136
Thank you, Alex and Mwenenzi.
Mission accomplished. I booked a 10,000 point stay, and cancelled it five minutes later, and like magic, it extended my expiration date another year.
My son, who is an mileage/points whiz, kept telling me to book a stay and cancel. Silly me, I thought he meant to book a stay with a credit card, and not a points stay, so it never seemed to work. I guess it was a communication problem between us.
Anyway, thanks to you both. I really didn't want to bother with the chicken salad.
Mission accomplished. I booked a 10,000 point stay, and cancelled it five minutes later, and like magic, it extended my expiration date another year.
My son, who is an mileage/points whiz, kept telling me to book a stay and cancel. Silly me, I thought he meant to book a stay with a credit card, and not a points stay, so it never seemed to work. I guess it was a communication problem between us.
Anyway, thanks to you both. I really didn't want to bother with the chicken salad.