AZ Travels the World

And it does. I just checked an itinerary PHX-MCO for an award ticket I've been trying to snag for someone, but there's no availability. They want F, and are prepared to pay the 50K miles to get it. Through SPG Flights, I'm able to get a number of good itineraries, with dates and times that are ideal, booked in F, for 60K miles.

Now, that's obviously 50% more than the 40K Starpoints that it would take if I were to transfer to a program and have an award ticket issued, but that's not an option in this case, so a 50% premium is a viable option if you have plenty of points.

As an added bonus, via the SPG Flights route, the person would get a First Class bonus for a revenue F ticket, and earn miles on the trip.

I can't see myself doing this much, if ever, but for a number of my friends who struggle with the whole 'frequent flyer thing,' who are never able to redeem miles for airline tickets they really want, if they've got a boatload of SPG points, this type of premium would be a no-brainer.

However, 1.7 million SPG points () for that single F ticket to DPS that I just priced -- I'm hoping my friends would call me before hitting that purchase button.

I can definitely see a place for this program and applaud SPG for adding it. I'm not sure that all the fanfare for this particular audience bought them much, but there is definitely a niche of cardholders that will get value from this option.

3544quebec

If we find a $27 mistake fare from Bucharest to Raratonga in 1st class will we be able to buy it for 2700 Starpoints??????

soitgoes

The minimum point cost, for a ticket up to $150, is 10,000 Starpoints.

schriste

I found a flight for 1.6 million points using BA F from JFK to NRT.

STM

I have to slightly disagree here. Yes, this is a cynical bunch, but Starwood hyped this a fair amount and the reality (for most) is that it really isn't that useful. Is it bad? No, because it didn't remove anything from the program. The negative reaction is just a matter of (reasonable) expectations not being met. The presentation of the program is the key here. Had Starwood simply sent out an e-mail or website post announcing this enhancement, it would have likely been met with a positive reaction; however, the FlyerTalk pre-announcement hype, conference call, etc. all served to raise hopes. . . perhaps unrealistically.

prettyricky2001

agreed with STM. The hype automatically makes the human mind expect something stronger than this. Maybee even 4 points instead of 3, I don't know something stonger.

swps

I listened to the call this morning while I waited for my flight to leave and I was disappointed. As most everyone has pointed out, this is not a great value in a way to use your points and is really just another "option", marketing nothing more. I was hoping there would be some sort of announcement that would give me some reason to make SPG my #1 hotel program, rather than my #2. You know something that would make me go from 30-50 nights a year to 75-80. Oh well, maybe next time. I was glad to hear that the people who actually make a difference read our posts...now if they choose to act on them is another matter.

Starwood Lurker

So, tell us what you really think about SPG Flights.

https://survey.opinionlab.com/survey/s?s=2262

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

stimpy

Not quite true in Europe. Costs are MUCH higher here, especially at the high end properties. The deal I had isn't really that extraordinary and it can be found at many Luxury Collection hotels in Europe.

dibby

And earn a few points to put towards those flights while you're at it - thanks!
(although it did involve filling in name and number - hopefully this will be separated from the data in the processing).

3544quebec

Lets see - if I complete the survey 4000 times I'll have enough points for a SYD-EZE return in F. RSI here I come

BVsmurfette

Yup, ditto. Thanks Lurkers and SPG for considering our input.

swag

The FAQ says:
It looks like Southwest falls into that last category. Has anyone found other non-participating airlines?

19103_aa

1) What happens to current transfers?
2) What happens to nights and flights (IMHO, one of the best benefits).
If there are tinkered with, bad, bad Starwood

bizaro86

Westjet, up here in Canada, doesn't seem to have any availability.

Michael