g7mcmug

according to the conference call, the current transfer benefits remain

jumpdogjump

Yes, I can see it now - Presenting the newest flight availability tool - spgflights.com

on a more serious note - can anyone confirm if these come out of paid inventory?

sbtinme

yes sirree.

ajnaro

I agree entirely with the above poster's point of view. And I do think that in the current market Starwood will need to add some features of real value to SPG. Otherwise, Starwood's occupancy rates will see a significant decline simply because other loyalty programs offer more attractive options. The list of desirable SPG improvements consists of the obvious: confirmed upgrades, breakfast, internet, parking, weekend nights, etc. It is hard to believe that SPG's marketers are not aware of what they need to offer to attract guests. This flights thing is not what is needed. My guess is that it will have very little impact.

worldtrav

Let's hope the Q4 promo holds more excitement than this long awaited announcement. (That won't be difficult)

sophiegirl

STARWOOD hyped? There was ONE post on FT giving the times and call in details for a conference call. It seems to me the remainder of the "hype" came from FT'ers trying to figure out what the announcement might be!

Each FT'er should certainly decide whether they like this enhancement, and can post accordingly if they choose to do so. To complain about the method in which it was presented makes us look juvenile.

jrzyshawn

This is not bad, but I value my SPG points, so I most likely will not use this new redemption feature, but it is good to know it is there. I also like how it shows you the booking class before purchase so you will know exactly how many EQM's you will earn from your FF program ^. I am with Continental, so if I cash in this reward, most likely I will only net 50% EQM's . That is a big factor in not taking advantage of this.

I think I will continue to save my points for a week in Bora Bora or maybe Europe.

MichaelColey

If you value your Starpoints at more than about 1.3 cents (and it's hard not to), SPG Flights is never a good deal. The exact amount varies depending on the value of the ticket, but for most tickets you're getting anywhere between 1.1 cent and 1.35 cents worth of ticket per Starpoint.

Comparing SPG Flights to a transfer and FF redemption, there will be some advantages to SPG Flights, but that's not a valid comparison. To get the full picture, you really need to compare 1) SPG Flights, 2) transfer and FF redemption, and 3) paying cash for a flight. In that case (as long as you value your Starpoints at more than about 1.3 cents), SPG Flights is never the best value.

I can see where this would be useful to the people who earn so many Starpoints that they can't easily spend them all, as they could care less whether or not they get a good value out of them, but for most of us we value them much higher. I know that I typically value them at 2.5 to 3 cents per Starpoint and sometimes I've been able to get as much as 8.5 cents worth of value out of them. If I can't get at least 2.5 cents of value, I pay cash or look at other options.

ijgordon

Um, I'm pretty sure your "modified" suggestions are already happening at Starwood-branded hotels all around the world. No out-of-the-box thinking required.

lilpisher

+1. I think we owe Starwood and the execs a big ^ for embracing the Flyertalk community as much as they have. They were the first to dedicate (amazing) representatives through William and Thyetus to Flyertalk, and they are now holding special sessions to announce changes to the program. On the call they appeared to say that these calls would become a more regular feature of Starwood's outreach to Flyertalk members.

Since this was the first change for which a call was held, it is natural that expectations went through the roof and that there was no way that they could ever meet everyone's expectations. However, regardless of the value that SPG Flights has for each of us, I think we can all agree that there is tremendous value that Starwood embraces Flyertalk as much as they do.

Where is the emoticon for getting off a soapbox?

ijgordon

Look folks, paying CASH for a F/J ticket is NEVER a good "value" so I don't know why anyone would expect paying SPG points for the same ticket would be a good value either.

Similar to the SP50 certificates, there will be times this program may be useful and other times when it may not be. But the option is there.

troyintn

I agree the cost of the flights seems a little high, but not crazy. I just booked some flights last weekend BNA/ SJU on AA for 60k in F. TH eflight I wanted was not available so I took a later flight. SPG had the noon flight home for 85k. Which I would have taken. Teh rest of the flights were all 60k on AA, but still 85 k on SPG . so for the 10k points you can earn some miles on the airlines.

camping

A simple math for me: I use my Starwood CC instead of 2% cashback CC whenever possible. So it is at least 2 cents/pt for me.

broadwayblue

Yeah, I'm not sure who values their Starpoints at 1.3 cents or lower. I usually get over 4 cents (or at the very least well over 3) on mine.

By the way, what credit card offers 2% CB on ALL purchases? Or does your cashback card limit you to 2% on select categories?

stimpy

Wait a minute. I am not a fan of this flight program, but I don't think there is anything wrong with the SPG program as it is. I think SPG (as a Plat) has the best hotel redemption offerings world-wide. That is the number one benefit to me. And I am very well taken care of at all SPG hotels. For my travels, SPG and IC RA are the best programs and I will continue to stay at these hotels.