Jul 15, 2013, 5:21 pm
Last edit by: Oxon Flyer
This thread is discussing the 2013 gift. For (speculation concerning) a 2014 gift, see here.
A. Eligibility for 2013 Starwood Requalification Gift
1. Who qualifies to receive a 2013 gift?
1. What is the 2013 Gold gift?
1. Where do I register/select my gift?
2. I just enter my SPG number, click "Continue," then enter my email address and click "Submit," right?
A. Eligibility for 2013 Starwood Requalification Gift
1. Who qualifies to receive a 2013 gift?
SPG members qualify for a 2013 gift in one of three ways:
2. I'm lifetime SPG Gold/Platinum. Do I qualify?- For members who were Gold or lower in 2012,
- by completing 10 stays or 25 nights in 2013, or
- by spending $30,000 in 2013 on an SPG Amex card linked to the SPG account
- For members who were Platinum in 2012, by completing 25 stays or 50 nights in 2013
Not on that basis, no.
3. I was Platinum in 2012, but only achieved Gold in 2013. Do I qualify?No.
4. I was Platinum in 2012 and re-earned Platinum status this year. Do I qualify?Yes -- for the 2013 Platinum gift. You will not receive the Gold gift as well.
5. I was a Gold (or base-level) member in 2012 and earned Platinum status this year. Do I qualify?Yes. You qualify for both the Gold gift and the Platinum gift. Note, however, that you must register for (i.e., select via the SPG website) your Gold gift prior to qualifying for Platinum. If you reach Platinum status before selecting your Gold gift, the latter will no longer be available.
6. I (re)qualified a few days ago but have received no notice of my gift. Why?You will receive an email from SPG within 3 weeks after you (re)qualify, though it could come more quickly.
7. I (re)qualified several weeks/months ago but have received no notice of my gift. Why?There are multiple possible explanations:
Even without the email, you may still register for your gift as discussed in section C below.
B. Details on the 2013 Starwood Requalification Gifts- You have no email address on file with SPG
- Your email address is no longer valid (e.g., address from previous employment)
- The email was caught in a spam filter
Even without the email, you may still register for your gift as discussed in section C below.
1. What is the 2013 Gold gift?
You may choose one of the following:
2. What is the 2013 Platinum gift?- double-earning on base points for stays during a future calendar month
- 25% off a future award stay, subject to certain conditions (described in section B.5 below)
You may choose one of the following:
3. If I opt for double points as my gift, when will the benefit apply?- double-earning on base points for stays during a future calendar month
- 35% off a future award stay, subject to certain conditions (described in section B.5 below)
The answer differs for Gold and Platinum gifts.
For Gold gifts, your month of earning double base points will be the second month after the calendar month in which you register/select your gift. For example, if you register any time in October, your double base points month will be December.
For Platinum gifts, at the time of registration you will be given a choice of the first, second, or third month following the month after which you register. For example, if you register in December, you may select one month from among February, March, or April as your double base points month.
4. If I opt for the 25%/35% award discount as my gift, when will the benefit apply?For Gold gifts, your month of earning double base points will be the second month after the calendar month in which you register/select your gift. For example, if you register any time in October, your double base points month will be December.
For Platinum gifts, at the time of registration you will be given a choice of the first, second, or third month following the month after which you register. For example, if you register in December, you may select one month from among February, March, or April as your double base points month.
The benefit may be used for a stay at any time until the end of the sixth month following the month of registration. For example, if you register in December 2013, you may take your discount stay any time until the end of June 2014 (including any time in December 2013 after your e-certificate is issued; see section B.6 below). Note: Your award stay must fall entirely within the period of validity, i.e., you must check out on or before the last day your gift is valid.
5. What are the "certain conditions" (mentioned in B.2 above) applicable to the 25%/35% award discount?The award discount gift
6. How soon after registration can I use my award discount gift?- applies only to standard rooms
- may be used at any category 1-6 property (i.e., excludes category 7)
- may be used only for one room
- may be used for a single stay of up to 5 nights
- may not be used for Cash & Points award stays
An e-certificate will appear in your SPG account within 7 business days after you register. (Some members report that their certificate appeared much sooner, within 48 hours. YMMV.) Once the certificate has been credited, you may use it.
Note: If you have fewer than 1300 points in your SPG account, the certificate will not be displayed in your account.
7. I have an existing reservation for an award stay. Can I apply my discount certificate to it?Note: If you have fewer than 1300 points in your SPG account, the certificate will not be displayed in your account.
Yes, an SPG phone representative should be able to modify the reservation for you.
8. I already applied my discount certificate to an upcoming reservation, but would now like to cancel the latter. Will I forfeit my certificate or do I get it back?Your certificate will reappear in your account & remain available for use, subject to the original period of validity (as described in section B.4 above).
9. I had a stay/several stays prior to registration. Can I apply my double points or discount certificate retroactively?No.
10. Are gift benefits "stackable" with other SPG benefits/promotions?Yes. Your double base points gift may be earned in addition to any other extra-points promotion. Likewise, your award discount certificate may be applied to a five-night stay on which you also receive the normal Fifth Night Free benefit. (Note, however, that the certificate may not be applied to a Nights & Flights redemption.)
C. Registering for Your 2013 Starwood Requalification Gift1. Where do I register/select my gift?
2. I just enter my SPG number, click "Continue," then enter my email address and click "Submit," right?
Yes, if you want to choose double points. Note the line above your SPG number that reads, "Would you like to switch to xx% off redemption? Click here." Follow that instruction if you do not want the double-points gift.
3. Oops. I already registered and would like to change my gift. How do I do that?You can't, not even if you call SPG and ask. Your selection is irrevocable, so choose carefully and wisely.
4. How soon do I have to register?NOTE: Although it was originally mentioned that registration for this promotion would close at the end of January 2014, it remained open until February 7, 2014. Per a number of posts from FT members, SPG Platinum phone and chat representatives have mentioned that registration will be open throughout various times in 2014. The ONLY official sources for the January 31, 2014 date were multiple Lurkers on this FT thread regarding the promotion (posts #244, #284, #422, #482, #520, #527, #565, and #663, ).
You may register at any time through the end of January 2014; after that, your gift expires and registration will no longer be available. (Tip: If you have not registered by the end of December 2013, register ASAP in January. There is no advantage to waiting until the end of January to register.)
The registration deadline of 31 Jan 2014 has been confirmed here in this thread by the Starwood official representative, though doesn't seem to be stated in any of the promotional materials or emails. Some posters have reported that they have been informed by other SPG channels that registration can be done after this date.
Note also, as discussed in section A.5 above, that 2012 Gold/base-level members who earn Platinum status have a limited window -- between Gold qualification and completing the stays/nights for Platinum -- in which to claim their Gold award.
5. What's the fine print?The registration deadline of 31 Jan 2014 has been confirmed here in this thread by the Starwood official representative, though doesn't seem to be stated in any of the promotional materials or emails. Some posters have reported that they have been informed by other SPG channels that registration can be done after this date.
Note also, as discussed in section A.5 above, that 2012 Gold/base-level members who earn Platinum status have a limited window -- between Gold qualification and completing the stays/nights for Platinum -- in which to claim their Gold award.
The Terms and Conditions for the Gold gift options:
Double Starpoints® Month: Registered member can choose to earn double Starpoints on all eligible stays during the calendar month that is two months out from today's month. Members who earn double Starpoints will earn an additional two Starpoints per eligible US$1 spent (for a total of four Starpoints per dollar). Elite-level extra Starpoints earnings and other bonuses will not be doubled. Only the base two Starpoints per dollar earnings are doubled. There is no limit to the number of bonus Starpoints that can be earned during the promotion period. Bonus Starpoints will post to the registered member's account within 2–4 weeks after the qualifying stay posts. An Eligible Night is a night at any of the over 1,100 SPG®-participating hotels and resorts paying an Eligible Rate during the promotion period. An Eligible Rate is any rate that is eligible to earn Starpoints in the Starwood Preferred Guest® program. SPG-participating hotels and resorts and a description of Eligible Stays and Eligible Rates can be found at spg.com under program terms and conditions. See Section 1.4 b iii for the complete definition of Eligible Rates, but note that certain prepaid rooms where the booking is made through a third party (including but not limited to travelocity.com, expedia.com and orbitz.com) are not Eligible Rates and do not earn Starpoints or qualify toward promotional earnings.
25% off Starpoints® Redemption: Registered member can choose one (1) 25%-off redemption award. SPG® members must call 1-888-625-4990 or their nearest Starwood Preferred Guest® Customer Contact Center and mention the Award ID provided on the confirmation page and/or confirmation email. Offer is valid for one award at Category 1–6 hotels and resorts for up to a five-night stay six months from when the member registered. This 25%-off redemption offer excludes Category 7 properties, upgrade awards and award reservations booked online. 25%-off redemption and no blackout dates applies to standard room categories only. 25%-off redemption stay will count toward elite qualification if used by the registered member. Member forfeits percent-off redemption when modifying award reservation outside the offer dates. If a percent-off redemption award is cancelled, only the amount of Starpoints used to order the percent-off redemption award will be credited to the member's account. Other restrictions may apply. Advance reservations required.
Qualifications and Starwood Terms: Members who qualify for the Gold gift must make a selection before they qualify for Platinum in order to take advantage of the Gold gift. After qualifying for Platinum status, the Gold gift selection will no longer be available. Offers are nontransferable and void for Starwood employees. Once a member chooses his or her offer it cannot be changed at any time. All promotions are subject to the Starwood Preferred Guest program terms and conditions, which are subject to change without notice and can be found at spg.com. Offer is applicable to individual members only and not to groups. Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors. Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time. To update your communication preferences or learn about our privacy practices, view our Privacy Statement on spg.com/privacy, or access our privacy information line by calling 1-877-782-0071 in the U.S. and Canada or +353-21-4930474 in all other countries. Starpoints, SPG, Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Element, Sheraton, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. Void where prohibited by law. ©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved.
25% off Starpoints® Redemption: Registered member can choose one (1) 25%-off redemption award. SPG® members must call 1-888-625-4990 or their nearest Starwood Preferred Guest® Customer Contact Center and mention the Award ID provided on the confirmation page and/or confirmation email. Offer is valid for one award at Category 1–6 hotels and resorts for up to a five-night stay six months from when the member registered. This 25%-off redemption offer excludes Category 7 properties, upgrade awards and award reservations booked online. 25%-off redemption and no blackout dates applies to standard room categories only. 25%-off redemption stay will count toward elite qualification if used by the registered member. Member forfeits percent-off redemption when modifying award reservation outside the offer dates. If a percent-off redemption award is cancelled, only the amount of Starpoints used to order the percent-off redemption award will be credited to the member's account. Other restrictions may apply. Advance reservations required.
Qualifications and Starwood Terms: Members who qualify for the Gold gift must make a selection before they qualify for Platinum in order to take advantage of the Gold gift. After qualifying for Platinum status, the Gold gift selection will no longer be available. Offers are nontransferable and void for Starwood employees. Once a member chooses his or her offer it cannot be changed at any time. All promotions are subject to the Starwood Preferred Guest program terms and conditions, which are subject to change without notice and can be found at spg.com. Offer is applicable to individual members only and not to groups. Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors. Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time. To update your communication preferences or learn about our privacy practices, view our Privacy Statement on spg.com/privacy, or access our privacy information line by calling 1-877-782-0071 in the U.S. and Canada or +353-21-4930474 in all other countries. Starpoints, SPG, Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Element, Sheraton, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. Void where prohibited by law. ©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Terms and Conditions for the Platinum gift:
Double Starpoints® Month: Registered member can choose to earn double Starpoints on all eligible stays during the calendar month of their choice from the three months provided as options. Retroactive selecting of the member's bonus month is prohibited. Members who earn double Starpoints will earn an additional two Starpoints per eligible US$1 spent (for a total of four Starpoints per dollar). Elite-level extra Starpoints earnings and other bonuses will not be doubled. Only the base two Starpoints per dollar earnings are doubled. There is no limit to the number of bonus Starpoints that can be earned during the promotion period. Bonus Starpoints will post to the registered member's account within 2–4 weeks after the qualifying stay posts. An Eligible Night is a night at any of the over 1,100 SPG®-participating hotels and resorts paying an Eligible Rate during the promotion period. An Eligible Rate is any rate that is eligible to earn Starpoints in the Starwood Preferred Guest® program. SPG-participating hotels and resorts and a description of Eligible Stays and Eligible Rates can be found at spg.com under program terms and conditions. See Section 1.4 b iii for the complete definition of Eligible Rates, but note that certain prepaid rooms where the booking is made through a third party (including but not limited to travelocity.com, expedia.com and orbitz.com) are not Eligible Rates and do not earn Starpoints or qualify toward promotional earnings.
35% off Starpoints® Redemption: Registered member can choose one (1) 35%-off redemption award. SPG® members must call 1-888-625-4991 or their nearest Starwood Preferred Guest® Customer Contact Center and mention the Award ID provided on the confirmation page and/or confirmation email. Offer is valid for one award at Category 1–6 hotels and resorts for up to a five-night stay six months from when the member registered. This 35%-off redemption offer excludes Category 7 properties, upgrade awards and award reservations booked online. 35%-off redemption and no blackout dates applies to standard room categories only. 35%-off redemption stay will count toward elite qualification if used by the registered member. Member forfeits percent-off redemption when modifying award reservation outside the offer dates. If a percent-off redemption award is cancelled, only the amount of Starpoints used to order the percent-off redemption award will be credited to the member's account. Other restrictions may apply. Advance reservations required.
Qualifications and Starwood Terms: Members who qualify for the Gold gift must make a selection before they qualify for Platinum in order to take advantage of the Gold gift. After qualifying for Platinum status, the Gold gift selection will no longer be available. Offers are nontransferable and void for Starwood employees. Once a member chooses his or her offer it cannot be changed at any time. All promotions are subject to the Starwood Preferred Guest program terms and conditions, which are subject to change without notice and can be found at spg.com. Offer is applicable to individual members only and not to groups. Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors. Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time. To update your communication preferences or learn about our privacy practices, view our Privacy Statement on spg.com/privacy, or access our privacy information line by calling 1-877-782-0071 in the U.S. and Canada or +353-21-4930474 in all other countries. Starpoints, SPG, Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Element, Sheraton, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. Void where prohibited by law. ©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved.
35% off Starpoints® Redemption: Registered member can choose one (1) 35%-off redemption award. SPG® members must call 1-888-625-4991 or their nearest Starwood Preferred Guest® Customer Contact Center and mention the Award ID provided on the confirmation page and/or confirmation email. Offer is valid for one award at Category 1–6 hotels and resorts for up to a five-night stay six months from when the member registered. This 35%-off redemption offer excludes Category 7 properties, upgrade awards and award reservations booked online. 35%-off redemption and no blackout dates applies to standard room categories only. 35%-off redemption stay will count toward elite qualification if used by the registered member. Member forfeits percent-off redemption when modifying award reservation outside the offer dates. If a percent-off redemption award is cancelled, only the amount of Starpoints used to order the percent-off redemption award will be credited to the member's account. Other restrictions may apply. Advance reservations required.
Qualifications and Starwood Terms: Members who qualify for the Gold gift must make a selection before they qualify for Platinum in order to take advantage of the Gold gift. After qualifying for Platinum status, the Gold gift selection will no longer be available. Offers are nontransferable and void for Starwood employees. Once a member chooses his or her offer it cannot be changed at any time. All promotions are subject to the Starwood Preferred Guest program terms and conditions, which are subject to change without notice and can be found at spg.com. Offer is applicable to individual members only and not to groups. Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors. Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time. To update your communication preferences or learn about our privacy practices, view our Privacy Statement on spg.com/privacy, or access our privacy information line by calling 1-877-782-0071 in the U.S. and Canada or +353-21-4930474 in all other countries. Starpoints, SPG, Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Element, Sheraton, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. Void where prohibited by law. ©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved.
Promo : Requalification Gift in 2013 : Double Points or 25%(Gold)/35%(Plat) off award
Jul 4, 2013, 3:27 pm
#331
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
If I make a reservation using the cert and need to cancel it can i reuse for a different reservation as long as it is within the expiration date?
Jul 4, 2013, 3:42 pm
#332
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: SPG Plat / Marriott Plat / Hertz PC
Posts: 174
Jul 4, 2013, 5:04 pm
#333
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum Pro (LT Gold), Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium, National Exec,Hyatt,Melia, BA Exec, Iberia+
Posts: 527
used my platinum requalification gift to get 5 nights in Chicago at the W Lakeshore during the Chicago marathon for 31,200... simply an amazing value. thanks for the gift SPG... Showing my appreciation with 10 paid nights at SPG properties starting tues (4 at W barcelona, 4 at hotel maria cristina san sebastian, 2 at marques de riscal in elciego... very excited).
Jul 4, 2013, 5:05 pm
#334
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: OW Emerald
Posts: 524
This re-qualification award is a nice bonus to re-qualifying for Plat this year... 9 more nights to go before I hit 50 nights!
A nice change up from last year's Plat requalification award, the ~$40 off your reservation coupon the Sheraton I stayed at struggled to figure out how to post.
A nice change up from last year's Plat requalification award, the ~$40 off your reservation coupon the Sheraton I stayed at struggled to figure out how to post.
Jul 4, 2013, 10:01 pm
#335
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Guangzhou
Programs: SPG
Posts: 1,021
Could you please let me know your account details via private message so that I may check for you?
Best regards,
Christina Zhou
Specialist, Social Media
[email protected]
Jul 5, 2013, 12:16 am
#336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,649
Jul 5, 2013, 3:41 pm
#337
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: WI
Programs: A bunch
Posts: 488
Hi Stoutman11,
Could you please let me know your account details via private message so that I may check for you?
Best regards,
Christina Zhou
Specialist, Social Media
[email protected]
Could you please let me know your account details via private message so that I may check for you?
Best regards,
Christina Zhou
Specialist, Social Media
[email protected]
Thanks
Jul 7, 2013, 10:22 am
#338
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,828
Enjoy double Starpoints or 25% off a redemption
Hi, which one you guys think it is more worth.
The double points for the whole months will be 2 months from this month, which is September. No plan yet for September. I will have quite some stay in August (too bad).
For redemption, it only 1 redemption for the next 6 months for up to 5 nightss for category 1-6. Again no plan for now and only have 30,000+ points
The double points for the whole months will be 2 months from this month, which is September. No plan yet for September. I will have quite some stay in August (too bad).
For redemption, it only 1 redemption for the next 6 months for up to 5 nightss for category 1-6. Again no plan for now and only have 30,000+ points
Jul 7, 2013, 10:26 am
#339
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ヒルトン大阪
Programs: ゴールデングローブ
Posts: 1,982
Hi, which one you guys think it is more worth.
The double points for the whole months will be 2 months from this month, which is September. No plan yet for September. I will have quite some stay in August (too bad).
For redemption, it only 1 redemption for the next 6 months for up to 5 nightss for category 1-6. Again no plan for now and only have 30,000+ points
The double points for the whole months will be 2 months from this month, which is September. No plan yet for September. I will have quite some stay in August (too bad).
For redemption, it only 1 redemption for the next 6 months for up to 5 nightss for category 1-6. Again no plan for now and only have 30,000+ points
Most likely it is better value to redeem
Jul 7, 2013, 11:24 am
#340
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,521
Of course it depends on your planned stay pattern.
As a generic model, if you are a Platinum-75 guest whose stays are evenly spread out over the year, then you are averaging around 6.2 nights per month. An average of $200 per night means you're spending $1,240 per month. So you'd earn around 5,000 base Starpoints in two months (1,240 x 2 x 2), so the doubling would be worth that many points.
You'd have to have a single redemption worth around 20,000 points, or a two-night stay in a Cat. 4, to gain more points than under the double-points option. To concur with TallestHotelInJapan's point, I assume that most people who redeem probably spend more than 20,000 points on a typical redemption. Maybe my assumption is wrong.
Looking at it another way, the maximum possible value if you take the redemption discount is 25,000 points -- if you take a five-night stay (but only pay for four anyway) at the maximum Cat. 6.
Obviously these are simplistic scenarios. My conclusion: it's not a very useful promotion unless, of course, you will be staying a lot or making a major redemption during that period.
As a generic model, if you are a Platinum-75 guest whose stays are evenly spread out over the year, then you are averaging around 6.2 nights per month. An average of $200 per night means you're spending $1,240 per month. So you'd earn around 5,000 base Starpoints in two months (1,240 x 2 x 2), so the doubling would be worth that many points.
You'd have to have a single redemption worth around 20,000 points, or a two-night stay in a Cat. 4, to gain more points than under the double-points option. To concur with TallestHotelInJapan's point, I assume that most people who redeem probably spend more than 20,000 points on a typical redemption. Maybe my assumption is wrong.
Looking at it another way, the maximum possible value if you take the redemption discount is 25,000 points -- if you take a five-night stay (but only pay for four anyway) at the maximum Cat. 6.
Obviously these are simplistic scenarios. My conclusion: it's not a very useful promotion unless, of course, you will be staying a lot or making a major redemption during that period.
Jul 7, 2013, 11:30 am
#341
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,828
Of course it depends on your planned stay pattern.
As a generic model, if you are a Platinum-75 guest whose stays are evenly spread out over the year, then you are averaging around 6.2 nights per month. An average of $200 per night means you're spending $1,240 per month. So you'd earn around 5,000 base Starpoints in two months (1,240 x 2 x 2), so the doubling would be worth that many points.
You'd have to have a single redemption worth around 20,000 points, or a two-night stay in a Cat. 4, to gain more points than under the double-points option. To concur with TallestHotelInJapan's point, I assume that most people who redeem probably spend more than 20,000 points on a typical redemption. Maybe my assumption is wrong.
Looking at it another way, the maximum possible value if you take the redemption discount is 25,000 points -- if you take a five-night stay (but only pay for four anyway) at the maximum Cat. 6.
Obviously these are simplistic scenarios. My conclusion: it's not a very useful promotion unless, of course, you will be staying a lot or making a major redemption during that period.
As a generic model, if you are a Platinum-75 guest whose stays are evenly spread out over the year, then you are averaging around 6.2 nights per month. An average of $200 per night means you're spending $1,240 per month. So you'd earn around 5,000 base Starpoints in two months (1,240 x 2 x 2), so the doubling would be worth that many points.
You'd have to have a single redemption worth around 20,000 points, or a two-night stay in a Cat. 4, to gain more points than under the double-points option. To concur with TallestHotelInJapan's point, I assume that most people who redeem probably spend more than 20,000 points on a typical redemption. Maybe my assumption is wrong.
Looking at it another way, the maximum possible value if you take the redemption discount is 25,000 points -- if you take a five-night stay (but only pay for four anyway) at the maximum Cat. 6.
Obviously these are simplistic scenarios. My conclusion: it's not a very useful promotion unless, of course, you will be staying a lot or making a major redemption during that period.
Jul 7, 2013, 11:37 am
#342
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Hi, which one you guys think it is more worth.
The double points for the whole months will be 2 months from this month, which is September. No plan yet for September. I will have quite some stay in August (too bad)............
For redemption, it only 1 redemption for the next 6 months ..........
The double points for the whole months will be 2 months from this month, which is September. No plan yet for September. I will have quite some stay in August (too bad)............
For redemption, it only 1 redemption for the next 6 months ..........
Clearly you haven't chosen yet, as you're asking the oft' posed question in the original thread.
Read the T&C's and/or the original thread.
Jul 7, 2013, 7:39 pm
#343
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,859
As a generic model, if you are a Platinum-75 guest whose stays are evenly spread out over the year, then you are averaging around 6.2 nights per month. An average of $200 per night means you're spending $1,240 per month. So you'd earn around 5,000 base Starpoints in two months (1,240 x 2 x 2), so the doubling would be worth that many points.
In my opinion it's a very useful promotion. You get either a choice of the month for double points (which you can pretty much tinker with to get a result you want by the end of the year) or a major discount on points redemption (which can be valid till middle 2014). Either way, if you're and active member, you're coming out on top. If you're not - then you shouldn't have even qualified for it...
Jul 8, 2013, 2:57 am
#344
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,521
Jul 8, 2013, 4:03 pm
#345
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3
Hi,
So my hubby got gold at the end of the year last year, and qualified for platinum in March through a platinum challenge. I tried to register him for this through the link but it says he's not eligible for this offer. Has anyone else experienced this? We would love to be able to get the redemption discounts!
So my hubby got gold at the end of the year last year, and qualified for platinum in March through a platinum challenge. I tried to register him for this through the link but it says he's not eligible for this offer. Has anyone else experienced this? We would love to be able to get the redemption discounts!
