I Chose a 35% Award Discount On A Cat 2 Property as My SPG Platinum Requalification Gift

A few months ago, I recently re-qualified for SPG Platinum on 25 stays. I came across a post from May by Brian from The Points Guy had me thinking about choosing my SPG Platinum requalification gift. For me, the 35% Award Discount was a no brainer since I don’t value Double Starpoints as much since I am always redeeming and staying at hotels averaging at $100/night.

I signed up for the 2013 Elite Gift (Platinum status requalification in 2013 only): Registration Link

You must enter your Starwood number to see if you qualify.

Initially, the screen will say “You have chosen Double Starpoints”, but there is a link saying “Would you like to switch your gift to 35% off a Starpoints Redemption?” (Be aware that you cannot make changes to your gift selection after you hit the Submit button)

You will receive a confirmation on the next screen and also an e-mail confirmation of the successful registration.

I am aiming for 50 nights again this year for the coveted 10 Suite Night Awards which can be confirmed 5 days prior to arrival. I used 8 Suite Night Awards so far this year and they have been a godsend. I have an upcoming trip to The Charleston Sessions hosted by First2Board which will be an amazing event. Even though the event is only three days, I will be staying in Charleston for five nights.

There is only one Starwood property in Charleston and that’s the Category 2 Aloft Charleston, also the host hotel of The Charleston Sessions. The nightly rate is $109.

For 5 nights at $109+tax, the total is $618.58.

For 5 nights at a straight points redemption, it costs 18,000 Starpoints which I value at $540 (at cents per Starpoint). I would also be earning 5 nights using this method since award stays count towards Starwood elite status.

Using the 35% award discount on 18,000 Starpoints, I would save 6,300 Starpoints bringing the total cost at 5 nights to 11,700 Starpoints. I value 6,300 Starpoints at 3 cents per point, so I saved $189 using this promo. I find using 11,700 Starpoints for 5 nights at a hotel a bargain, even though it was a lowly category 2 hotel.

What do you think about my redemption choice?