The true value of elite status comes from how often you can use the benefits. If you never earn a first class upgrade on an airline, getting them for free as a benefit is pretty useless. Similarly, if I don’t get suite upgrades from a hotel chain, the free upgrade benefit is kinda like a pet rock.
One of the most valuable benefits of the SPG program is the transfer ratio to many airlines. Because of the transfer ratio between Virgin America and Alaska Airlines, there’s an opportunity right now to earn a 60% bonus on your Starpoints. That will be going away shortly.
The Best of the Rest is my effort to summarize all the travel/miles & points stories that interested me on a daily basis but didn’t have time to write about in length. Culled from over 100 blogs/authors I follow, some are passed along without comment, while I add my analysis to others. This is your shortcut to find out what’s going on in the travel world without having to read dozens of travel blogs to get all the best info.
It’s a double points promo, but is it really? There are a few wrinkles in this joint promotion. Let me walk you through it.
Is the definition if insanity doing the same thing and hoping for a different result? Help me make this decision for next year.
A new Delta benefit is available to elite members of both Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards. Make sure you know the details and sign-up!
There’s been a lot going on with Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest since the merger between the two hotel companies was finalized. It’s only been about a month since the merger was finally approved. Immediately thereafter, Marriott and Starwood Preferred Guest had great news for…
Lucky travelers who qualify for this offer can earn double and triple SKyMiles on Starwood hotel stays. For occasional and business travelers, taking advantage of bonus offers should be a huge part of your strategy.
Folks who stay in hotels enough to earn loyalty benefits over the course of a year maintain their loyalty because of the benefits they receive. People have different opinions on their favorite benefit, but few would deny they enjoy a beautiful suite if they don’t have to pay for it.
Starwood Preferred Guest has offered suite upgrades to their top elite members for quite some time. Marriott has not. I asked SPG how they feel about their suite upgrade policy now and also asked how Marriott feels about this benefit for the future.
Earning lots of Starpoints is hard, especially if you don’t have lots of hotel stays. They don’t have any bonus categories with their credit card, nor much in the way of earning partnerships. So, any extra is a plus.