The biggest complaint most people, including myself, have about loyalty programs is the inability to use or redeem the points for free stays/flights/travel when you actually want to use them. I have been saying for years that the best loyalty program in travel is the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program. The main reason is there are no blackout dates. If there is a room available, you can use your SPG Starpoints to get a free stay. This is invaluable.
I just got back from Los Angeles where I stayed at the W Hollywood Hotel using my SPG Starpoints. I have literally stayed in that hotel 20 times and was even there opening night for their big opening bash 4-5 years ago. People might think that it is difficult to book a popular hotel like the W Hollywood in a major city around the holidays. I took the holiday challenge, if you will, and I used 20,000 Starpoints for two free nights and was even upgraded to a suite because of my Platinum status. I have actually been Platinum with SPG for nearly 10 years and almost always get upgraded to suites. That’s another great benefit of being an SPG elite member.
This may seem like an exaggeration or you may think I only got this because I am working with SPG on this project. That is not the case. I booked this stay with Starpoints. It wasn’t booked by SPG or by W Hotels and I didn’t call a special number or Platinum Concierge. I just did it online, like I always do, and like always-it was no problem and very easy to do.
I challenge you to try with your SPG Starpoints. Take the holiday challenge! Book a stay at any Starwood property around the holidays. You should have no problem doing so. Like I said, if there is a room available, you will get it! I did it in Hollywood; I guess that makes me most likely to spot a celebrity during the holiday season-or at least their star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame!
Disclaimer: I was provided SPG Starpoints by Starwood to book this stay at the W Hollywood. I was also provided flights to and from Los Angeles. All other expenses were paid by me including food, drinks, and transportation to/from airport and around Southern California. My relationship with Starwood and SPG on this project is separate from my relationship with American Express on other projects.
Take the SPG Holiday Challenge!
December 19, 2013 by 11 Comments
I totally agree that the SPG program is the best out there. I have been gold for years and it’s easy to rack up free rooms and points. I never quite make platinum though-can you help?!
Haha, Erika I wish I could! But yes it is pretty easy as long as you travel a little bit.
Why Adam Sandler?
Jessica, his star is right outside the hotel and given the others stars in the immediate area, he was my best choice!
Cool post, seems like a fun program. Can you give away another 70,000 points?!
Next year there will be more giveaways…I do enjoy those as well…the last one had a huge amount of entries.
That was very nice of them to give you points for a free stay. What did you have to do in return?
I wrote this story and went out to California for the stay Gary plus some tweets and face booking
SPG are the best points!
Tara, agreed 100%
I, too, am a SPG fan!! I love them and have for years and years, even bought a Starwood property and I love the points it gives me. And you are right, they are almost always available, even Christmas and New Years in places all over the world! I love my SPG and the SPG Amexi too!