[Extended] Save 35% when you purchase 5,000+ Starpoints, 19 Apr - 20 Jul 2018
Jul 1, 2018, 12:52 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,461
Would you know how long this may take to appear?
I actually hadn't checked my AMEX statement yet, but had noticed it from earning activities on my SPG app. Normally, my base SPG AMEX spend total and the additional one point AMEX/SPG bonus are exactly the same, as I only use the card for SPG/Marriott hotel stays + F&B in respective properties. This past statement period - it is off exactly $682.50 (well, $683 based on rounding) from 30K points purchase at 35% off between base and bonus.
Jul 8, 2018, 8:38 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Any update on the SPG Amex bonus point front? Need to snag mine but if it's not coding for the 2x will throw it on my CSR for the extra 342 UR instead of putting it on the SPG
Jul 14, 2018, 1:15 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,715
I rarely buy points unless I need a few to fill out a large award but it seems like there might be some limited opportunities here due the temporary reductions for top SPG properties in 2nd half of 2018 from 30k->20k per night. So what is the over/under?
30k points = $682.50 x 2 (spouse) = $1365-> 60k points Add 20k from existing balance = 80k points which come August 1st -> 5 nights (4+1) at Cat 7 properties. Add value of 20k to 60k and the total cost for the 5 night Cat 7 award is $1706.
So this makes sense only if you need at least 5 nights and can find a room that would normally cost >$341/nt including tax (I'm not factoring the points you would earn from the stay/spend).
Hmmm, I'm thinking there are some St. Regis properties that probably fit the bill, plus the usual high cost locations such as NYC, Venice, etc.
Any other suggestions?
Addendum: Interesting, the link is down @midnight PDT, hopefully just maintenance
30k points = $682.50 x 2 (spouse) = $1365-> 60k points Add 20k from existing balance = 80k points which come August 1st -> 5 nights (4+1) at Cat 7 properties. Add value of 20k to 60k and the total cost for the 5 night Cat 7 award is $1706.
So this makes sense only if you need at least 5 nights and can find a room that would normally cost >$341/nt including tax (I'm not factoring the points you would earn from the stay/spend).
Hmmm, I'm thinking there are some St. Regis properties that probably fit the bill, plus the usual high cost locations such as NYC, Venice, etc.
Any other suggestions?
Addendum: Interesting, the link is down @midnight PDT, hopefully just maintenance
Jul 15, 2018, 1:51 am
#49
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 30
Questions
hi, i have some questions and wondered if anyone can advise please;
1) I’m based in the U.K, if I purchase points will I be charged in US $ if I pay with a visa debit?
2) any idea how quickly points are added to your balance?
many thanks
1) I’m based in the U.K, if I purchase points will I be charged in US $ if I pay with a visa debit?
2) any idea how quickly points are added to your balance?
many thanks
Jul 15, 2018, 4:43 am
#50
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,663
W Paris
Greek isles properties?
W Maldives
probably mostly St. Regis, Chatwal, etc., other than that.
Jul 15, 2018, 9:42 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,703
Note it seems at least in some instances the internal transfer process has slowed down. I am past the five days promised to process on an internal transfer and I have seen others reporting the same. Time is getting short so if you are going to do this I would start it sooner rather than later. I did another transfer earlier this year and that was 3-days even with submitted proof of same address. I am sure they are slammed right now.
Jul 15, 2018, 11:10 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
I rarely buy points unless I need a few to fill out a large award but it seems like there might be some limited opportunities here due the temporary reductions for top SPG properties in 2nd half of 2018 from 30k->20k per night. So what is the over/under?
30k points = $682.50 x 2 (spouse) = $1365-> 60k points Add 20k from existing balance = 80k points which come August 1st -> 5 nights (4+1) at Cat 7 properties. Add value of 20k to 60k and the total cost for the 5 night Cat 7 award is $1706.
So this makes sense only if you need at least 5 nights and can find a room that would normally cost >$341/nt including tax (I'm not factoring the points you would earn from the stay/spend).
Hmmm, I'm thinking there are some St. Regis properties that probably fit the bill, plus the usual high cost locations such as NYC, Venice, etc.
Any other suggestions?
Addendum: Interesting, the link is down @midnight PDT, hopefully just maintenance
30k points = $682.50 x 2 (spouse) = $1365-> 60k points Add 20k from existing balance = 80k points which come August 1st -> 5 nights (4+1) at Cat 7 properties. Add value of 20k to 60k and the total cost for the 5 night Cat 7 award is $1706.
So this makes sense only if you need at least 5 nights and can find a room that would normally cost >$341/nt including tax (I'm not factoring the points you would earn from the stay/spend).
Hmmm, I'm thinking there are some St. Regis properties that probably fit the bill, plus the usual high cost locations such as NYC, Venice, etc.
Any other suggestions?
Addendum: Interesting, the link is down @midnight PDT, hopefully just maintenance
We thought our 5 night point stay at the St Regis Aspen a couple of summers ago was one of our best redemptions.
They upgraded us to a 1 Bedroom Suite that sells for over $1100/night, but even the basic rooms start at over $600.
Aspen in the summer was wonderful- we definitely will return.
Jul 15, 2018, 11:55 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,715
points.com interface seems to be working again, and the SPG points posted overnight. ^ 
I am seeing peak season award night inventory @ 20k (currently30k) SPG or almost 10 cent/point at some stellar properties - hopefully still available next month after the conversion to Marriott.
I am seeing peak season award night inventory @ 20k (currently30k) SPG or almost 10 cent/point at some stellar properties - hopefully still available next month after the conversion to Marriott.
Jul 15, 2018, 7:23 pm
#55
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,889
Jul 16, 2018, 3:50 am
#56
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,014
Recent political and economic events have (from a U.K. perspective) depressed the exchange rate, so for U.K. purchasers this isn’t as good a deal as it would have been a few months (or years) ago.
Jul 18, 2018, 6:07 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 30
Thanks for the responses.
In case anyone else has the same questions, points showed almost instantly and I was able to make my booking straight away. The transaction went through in US$ which my credit card co then transferred to sterling.
In case anyone else has the same questions, points showed almost instantly and I was able to make my booking straight away. The transaction went through in US$ which my credit card co then transferred to sterling.
Jul 18, 2018, 9:40 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 24
Hi, has anyone be able to successfully purchase points from points.com recently? My puchase checkout always failed with invalid credit card information, even though I tried different credit cards. I also called the credit card company, and they mentioned that there was not authorization issue, and I can see the pending charge in my credit account. There is no points.com customer service number that I can reach out. Any suggestions here? Thanks.
Jul 18, 2018, 10:44 am
#59
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Asia
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Marriott / SPG PLAT Premier, USELESS Accor Plus PLAT
Posts: 165
Just purchased 10,000 Starpoints successfully around 15 minutes ago. No problem at all.