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SPG was running this same 35% off Starpoints sale in May, which I thought would be the last time we’d see them on sale before SPG and Marriott’s reward programs merge August 1. Wrong! The sale is back, and you have through July 20th to decide if buying points is a good deal for you. Buy up to 30,000 Starpoints with up to a 35% discount on the normal purchase price

Starpoints are normally sold in increments of 500 points for 3.5 cents per point. Getting a 35% discount brings the price down to 2.275 cents per Starpoint.

This is not the lowest price for Starpoints I’ve ever seen. It’s the standard sale price we’ve seen recently. The reason it’s interesting is because Marriott and SPG are merging their rewards programs August 1, 2018 (all Starpoints turn into Marriott Rewards at a rate of 1:3) and this is likely the last time we’ll see them on sale. Missed that news? Catch up:

Again, why should you care about this Starpoints sale?

Once the merger occurs August 1, SPG and Marriott properties will be priced by the following award chart:

A closer look shows you that the most you’ll pay for a night at a top tier SPG property before 2019 hits is 60k Marriott Rewards, which is the equivalent of 20k SPG points. Category 7 SPG hotels currently cost anywhere from 30 to 35k SPG points. In 2019 many of these SPG hotels will increase to 85k to 100k a night, but in the meantime, you can book those dream hotels for way less. Booking four nights will earn you a fifth night free, which brings the price down to 16k SPG points per night. That is a killer deal for SPG Category 7 hotels.

The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice that currently costs up to 35k Starpoins/night. In August through December 2018, it will only cost 20k SPG points/night.
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Venice that currently costs up to 35k Starpoins/night. In August through December 2018, it will only cost 20k SPG points/night.

So if you need some points to top off your account for a redemption on one of those top tier SPG properties, this sale should catch your eye. 

Sale Details

The minimum amount you can buy to trigger the sale is 5,000 points (for $113.75). The maximum amount you can buy is 30,000 (for $682.50), and that limit is set on a calendar year basis. Your account also must be at least 14 days old to qualify for the discount.

Someone else in your household could also buy Starpoints, however, and you can combine them for free. You can transfer your Starpoints to another person’s SPG account as long as you and that person have the same household address on both of your accounts. You don’t need to be married, just living together at the least.

I don’t have any SPG points. Is this sale worth it to buy all the points necessary for a redemption?

Maybe. You’ll need to do the math and then compare to the cash price to see for yourself.

For example, let’s say you book a four night stay, therefore earning the fifth night free, at the Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice pictured above. The cost of a night come August is 20,000 SPG points. 20,000 x 4 = 80,000 SPG points for a five night stay. 80,000 x .02275 (how much the points cost through this sale) = $1,820.

The next step would be comparing that $1,820 price tag to the cash price of a five night stay.

Yep, I’d say that’s a MUCH better deal to buy points and book in August.

$1,802 USD < $5,433.69 USD

That’s an extreme example of a very luxurious property, so the difference won’t always be that great. But I would work out your own math to compare if you have an idea of a future trip. It very well could be worth buying points outright.

Bottom Line

Buy SPG points by July 20 if you want them for 35% off. This could be a fantastic opportunity to book luxurious Category 7 SPG properties for massive discounts come August, whether you want to top off an already existing Starpoint balance or start from scratch.

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