best use of points for 50th night?
 

So I'm sitting at 49 nights (and haven't hit plat on stays), and it's clearly worthwhile to find one additional night somewhere. I live in the NYC area where all the hotels are pricey. Ideally would just book an airport hotel night somewhere for the ~3k points, but I believe I'd need to check in, which means actually being there.

Any ideas for how to do this efficiently?

thanks

the alofts and four points properties are super cheap today.

You do have to physically check in to a property to earn a stay/night credit. Lots of threads about this here on the board:)

Thx - yeah I've read a few of the other threads. Haven't seen a definitive answer on whether anyone has had success remotely checking in. If not, is it possible to have a friend check in for me if I call the hotel to authorize that? I have a few friends in locations with category 2 hotels.

NO. That is violating the T&C of the SPG program.

To get credit, you need to book using your account, you need to physically check in and pay using your credit card. There is no such thing as a "remote" check in.

ahem .....

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...er-thread.html

So what happens if you "remote" check-in but don't actually Bluetooth-enter your room. Are you considered to have shown up?

This would be really helpful to understand as it would solve my problem. I'll prob just end up paying for one of the NYC Aloft properties, but helpful to know here.

I can only go by the experience of following up on past promotional offers where someone used SPG Keyless to check-in, but never ended up opening the door using their device. Invariably, they never got the bonus points automatically posted to their account.

But, YMMV. My advice...book the stay, check-in for real (not by surrogate), and if you want to go home after messing up the bed, then do so.

Just my two cents. ;)

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Are you in Jersey? Might be easy enough to take a drive.... The Sheraton Eatontown is 4k points; Sheraton Edison is 7k points. Both are about ~$100 before taxes.

There must be some relatively inexpensive SPG properties located very close to train stations in New Jersey or Long Island....or check Brooklyn and the Bronx.

Thanks all for the help. Going to just spend the $100 on an Aloft night where I can go myself in person - seems like the best way to guarantee success here.