JIMCHI

Will be spending about $2000 at a Starwood Hotel. Is it true I would get 2 points per dollar (e.g. 4000 points) and I could transfer them to American Airlines AAdvantage? Is there a minimum number of points which have to be transferred, or some multiple of points?

Thanks

Beckles

For regular Starwood Preferred Guest members the minimum transfer is 2000 points, and I don't believe they have to be transferred in any particular increments (so you can transfer 8132 points to AA miles if you want, not just 8000).

Also, they were running a promotion for their "direct deposit" option where they would give you a bonus if you had your points converted directly to airline miles, but I don't know when that promotion runs through or if AA is participating (anyone?).

ALW

The AA site lists the same bonus as Canadian's (which I can't find on their site). Double miles when you take the Direct Deposit option (phone SPG and ask for promo L4, best to check aa.com's partners listing first). Ends September 6/99.

The Canadian deal worked out well. I got my double points (6/$) for my two trips. This direct deposit is nice in that there's a 1000pt minimum (with CP at least), corresponding to the flat 1000pt you get with a CP card. But this way you also get credit for stays (e.g. towards Free Fridays, and towards SPGGold). I suppose you do lose the 25% bonus when transferring 20000 miles, though.

It will be interesting to see what promos there are this fall, if any. Are they more common in summer?

andrew

grant_jerry

I signed up for the summer double miles promotion but I'll probably cancel it after the 6 september .
The direct transfer was marginally worthwhile but not available for QANTAS where you already get double points ( although admittedly not an Apples for Apples comparison ).
You also miss out on the 25000 vs 20000 bonus this way.
Are their any other advantages that I can't see ??
Jerry