schley

I haven't used this option since they changed the number of points and cash needed several years ago. Prior to that I used it for over half my stays as it then counted towards status. Brief honeymoon as I haven't used it since they changed the levels of cash and points.

When do you use it now? Rationale?

CPRich

The "cost" equation between the two is about even now - C&P used to be a great deal. So with a large points balance, I prefer to use a depreciating commodity (points) and invest the cash. I also haven't had a C&P reservation since the change.

Orwaid

Hi -

I have used them on some Cat 2 US properties for midweek stays. Rates were running all in around $150/night and I got 2K points + $40.

But I agree, C+P is not as compelling as it used to be.

UA-NYC

Agreed - I rarely use them any more, they killed all the value.

I have (and earn) enough points that I'll still use them on cat 6/7-type properties where I might only get 1.5 CPP...would just rather use points than spend ~$1K for a 3 day stay.

pewpew

I can get 3-4cpp out of them, so I still use them every now and then. In fact, I just checked out of a C&P stay at an LC

margarita girl

If I find a hotel too expensive, I create my own C&P when necessary on multi-night stays. I do revenue nights (95% of the time with BRG) and combine it with some reward nights. The revenue nights also have the added benefit of counting towards promos whereas reward nights and C&P nights don't.

Here's a recent example. Category 4 hotel is 10K pts/night or 5K pts + $75. I BRGed my stay for 133 Euros + tax or 153 Euros (tax included). This rate also included half board (breakfast and dinner). So if I did 2 revenue nights + 2 reward nights, it would have cost me $356 (tax incl) + 20K points or an average of $89 + 5000 pts/night. But don't forget, my rate included half board for 2 of the nights! If I had done SPG C&P, I would have only received my Plat breakfast.

As it turns out, I did 4 revenue nights and 2 rewards nights as I thought the BRG rate was too good to pass up. Couldn't get as good a deal on my final 2 nights (was going to cost me over 200 Euros per night) so I opted for reward nights.

To answer your question, I NEVER use SPG's C&P rates!

clublounger

Not for the current promo:

from T&C's posted on current promo thread -

"If part of my stay was reserved using a Free Night Award or SPG Cash & Points, will my stay qualify?

No. Stays booked with Free Night Awards or Cash & Points do not count as qualifying stays for this promotion. Even if part of the stay is reserved using an Award and part is paid, the SPG Member will not receive bonus Starpoints for any part of the stay."

schley

ouch... also you don't get double stays/nights on award stays or c&p.

margarita girl

Have you ever been able to get reward nights followed with revenue nights (or vice versa) to post as one stay? Me neither.

craigthemif

C&P isn't all that easy to find these days it seems to me.

That's a bigger concern than the value proposition, although that has admittedly gone down a bit now that points can be bought at 2.28 cents.

drron

Well I certainly at times get good value.Latest at 4 Points Orlando.Staying there as driving through.C&P 2000 points + $40.SPG rate $240.

ckendall

Recently at W Union Square, 10K points plus $180 versus something like $500+ for the room.

Beltway2A

Not anymore. At most of the places I've been staying with Starwood, the Cash component of C+P is only about $20-30 less than a purely cash rate.

Collierkr

Intresting because with Marriott award stays count as stays and nights towards award levels.

margarita girl

They do with SPG too. They just don't count towards promotions.