New York Trip Advice
Apr 15, 2013, 1:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
New York Trip Advice
I am going to New York for three days in October.
I got an SPG Amex card, with 25K points bonus after spending $5K. My plan is to spend $11K to get 36K points (25K bonus plus 11K for the $11K spend) and redeem for three nights at the Sheraton midtown (somewhere around 51st and 7th).
Just wondered if any one had any advice. Is availability limited? Are there any other tricks or angles to get the most freebies for the least money in my stay? Will whatever status comes with the SPG card get me anything?
The trip will be Thursday through Sunday, some weekend between early October and early November.
I got an SPG Amex card, with 25K points bonus after spending $5K. My plan is to spend $11K to get 36K points (25K bonus plus 11K for the $11K spend) and redeem for three nights at the Sheraton midtown (somewhere around 51st and 7th).
Just wondered if any one had any advice. Is availability limited? Are there any other tricks or angles to get the most freebies for the least money in my stay? Will whatever status comes with the SPG card get me anything?
The trip will be Thursday through Sunday, some weekend between early October and early November.
Apr 15, 2013, 2:49 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, SPG Plat
Posts: 293
That area has quite a few hotels, so you should be OK. Do you have any status at SPG? The card doesn't really provide any benefits at hotels.
Apr 15, 2013, 5:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Alaska Air, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9
Check out the Westin Grand Central. Newer property to Starwood. Or check out the Elements or Four Points Time Square (Mid Town). Small but a good value.
Apr 15, 2013, 6:07 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: LAN, AA, SPG
Posts: 1,965
Keep in mind that and that the NYC marathon is November 3rd. I would try to avoid that week. In any event, the time of year you are planning to go is one of the most popular for tourists (personally October is my favorite month in the city) so I would not expect many deals to be had.
Apr 15, 2013, 8:04 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,303
Get the business version of the card and get 25k more.
You can get a room upgrade award (see here http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer.../upgrades.html) that you can use. Perhaps will get you lounge access (I think there is a lounge there, make sure it's open on weekends).
Without status, you will be back of the upgrade line during that busy season.
You can get a room upgrade award (see here http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer.../upgrades.html) that you can use. Perhaps will get you lounge access (I think there is a lounge there, make sure it's open on weekends).
Without status, you will be back of the upgrade line during that busy season.
Apr 15, 2013, 8:05 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 224
You can also look at a C&P option at Westin Times Square which would be 10K and $180/night
Apr 15, 2013, 8:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,584
The Westin GC (formely the Helmsley) is likely your best option, at 12,000 spg points/night. My personal preference is the Sheraton NY Hotel & Towers. They have a lounge, but its 16,000 spg points. Both properties have been recently renovated.
Apr 15, 2013, 10:08 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 792
Hi all,
I also plan to visit NYC sometime in May next year (I know it's far out). It'll be my first time there! I'm looking to redeem at a Category 5 hotel, preferably close to the happening places? My options are Element Times Square, Westin GC (which everyone says is great!) and the Sheraton New York Times Square. Would I be best going with the Westin GC?
Thanks!
I also plan to visit NYC sometime in May next year (I know it's far out). It'll be my first time there! I'm looking to redeem at a Category 5 hotel, preferably close to the happening places? My options are Element Times Square, Westin GC (which everyone says is great!) and the Sheraton New York Times Square. Would I be best going with the Westin GC?
Thanks!
Apr 16, 2013, 3:44 am
#9
Used to be RichardKopf
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: SPG LTP/IHG Pl/Hilton D/Shang-Taj D/VA Plat/QFClub/Hertz Pres/Avis Pres
Posts: 932
This doesn't suit your criteria, but we struggled finding a NYC Starwood over New Year. They all get average reviews, have small rooms, or are very high priced. We finally decided it was worth the short ride on PATH and booked W Hoboken on points. I am usually very big on central locations, but this seemed like a worthwhile compromise.
Apr 16, 2013, 4:59 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,783
Keep in mind that and that the NYC marathon is November 3rd. I would try to avoid that week. In any event, the time of year you are planning to go is one of the most popular for tourists (personally October is my favorite month in the city) so I would not expect many deals to be had.
Apr 16, 2013, 8:47 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
My trip date is based on a conference (Baron) which I will not have control over. In past years the date has varied. I don't remember it overlapping the Marathon, although I know it's overlapped the World Series.
Westin GC is an option, but we'd probably prefer to be closer to Times Square.
I plugged in some dates (Oct. 17-20) and there were no points and cash options.
The info posted so far has been helpful. Thanks.
Westin GC is an option, but we'd probably prefer to be closer to Times Square.
I plugged in some dates (Oct. 17-20) and there were no points and cash options.
The info posted so far has been helpful. Thanks.
Apr 16, 2013, 9:49 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: LAN, AA, SPG
Posts: 1,965
My trip date is based on a conference (Baron) which I will not have control over. In past years the date has varied. I don't remember it overlapping the Marathon, although I know it's overlapped the World Series.
Westin GC is an option, but we'd probably prefer to be closer to Times Square.
I plugged in some dates (Oct. 17-20) and there were no points and cash options.
The info posted so far has been helpful. Thanks.
Westin GC is an option, but we'd probably prefer to be closer to Times Square.
I plugged in some dates (Oct. 17-20) and there were no points and cash options.
The info posted so far has been helpful. Thanks.
Apr 16, 2013, 12:32 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 224
My trip date is based on a conference (Baron) which I will not have control over. In past years the date has varied. I don't remember it overlapping the Marathon, although I know it's overlapped the World Series.
Westin GC is an option, but we'd probably prefer to be closer to Times Square.
I plugged in some dates (Oct. 17-20) and there were no points and cash options.
The info posted so far has been helpful. Thanks.
Westin GC is an option, but we'd probably prefer to be closer to Times Square.
I plugged in some dates (Oct. 17-20) and there were no points and cash options.
The info posted so far has been helpful. Thanks.
Apr 16, 2013, 3:43 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: columbus,ohio, USA
Posts: 103
This doesn't suit your criteria, but we struggled finding a NYC Starwood over New Year. They all get average reviews, have small rooms, or are very high priced. We finally decided it was worth the short ride on PATH and booked W Hoboken on points. I am usually very big on central locations, but this seemed like a worthwhile compromise.
Apr 16, 2013, 9:38 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Toronto
Posts: 61
This doesn't suit your criteria, but we struggled finding a NYC Starwood over New Year. They all get average reviews, have small rooms, or are very high priced. We finally decided it was worth the short ride on PATH and booked W Hoboken on points. I am usually very big on central locations, but this seemed like a worthwhile compromise.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at W Hoboken. The PATH or the Hudson ferry was easy access to Manhattan. The hotel is right on the boardwalk for outstanding views of the cityscape. And just 2 blocks west to Washington Street for restaurants and bars.
cleo