Should I bother with SPG?

[get me outta here]

And, another Q as a noob still, is there a brand in this program that has kitchen(ettes) in the USA?

 

[big_RED]

I was getting married at an SPG hotel in Hawaii earlier in the year so I got the American, Amex SPG card which came with 25k bonus points, but also 5 points per dollar spend at SPG hotels.
For me this was a no brainer as we were getting married at an SPG, and our honeymoon locations were going to then be at SPG locations.
Also SPG links with Uber... not a massive points earner by any means, but I'v probably put 1k more points on SPG this year through using Uber a lot.

After the wedding I came out with 94,000 points. Luckily at the time SPG had a double and triple your points promotion on so I was BURNING up points and was very happy.

I've just redeemed 76,000 points for a holiday in Canada next year in January. No CAD Taxes at one hotel on the ski fields so that was 40,000 points for a nice room for 5 nights (5th night free offer).
And the second hotel was 36,000 for 4-5 nights for a Club Lounge room and $31 CAD in taxes.
So I'm really happy. SPG call centre is always very helpful and there's never any waiting time on hold. This is my first time booking with SPG on points but I've had a great experience with them this time, and when booking our wedding and honeymoon locations.

 

[Moindardt]

I was getting married at an SPG hotel in Hawaii earlier in the year so I got the American, Amex SPG card which came with 25k bonus points, but also 5 points per dollar spend at SPG hotels.

Out of interest, how were you able to get the SPG card? Do you have a SSN?

 

[fairbasa]

And, another Q as a noob still, is there a brand in this program that has kitchen(ettes) in the USA?

Element by Westin is the only brand I believe...

 

[get me outta here]

I moved my Marriott points to SPG and I got 59,999. I called SPG and said I wanted to transfer them to AA and could I plse have one more point. And, they gave it to me.

Thanks fairbasa, Element does indeed have kitchenettes. Even though the SPG operator said not.

 

[Moindardt]

Element by Westin is the only brand I believe...

There are also rooms like the suites at Westin Whistler that have them.

 

[big_RED]

Out of interest, how were you able to get the SPG card? Do you have a SSN?

It was a bit of a round about way.

They did ask for a social security number, however I don't have one. I believe what helped was having a US Bank account.
However I've been with Australia Amex since 2011 and in the sign-up process they said they'd use my AUD account standing to confirm if I was eligible. I did have to get on a 3 way call between Bank of America, US Amex and myself to get my bank details confirmed, and my US residence of that bank account.

 

[MikeeB]

It was a bit of a round about way.

They did ask for a social security number, however I don't have one. I believe what helped was having a US Bank account.
However I've been with Australia Amex since 2011 and in the sign-up process they said they'd use my AUD account standing to confirm if I was eligible. I did have to get on a 3 way call between Bank of America, US Amex and myself to get my bank details confirmed, and my US residence of that bank account.

Round about alright! But good work!! Wish I could do the same to get the American version of the Platinum Charge, much better value and much lower cost!

 

[theiml]

Hey everyone
I've been a bit of lurker for years. I also read PointHacks a lot and they seem to be great fans of SPG. I don't stay at SPG properties much but will soon in Hawaii but I couldn't see why PointHacks thought it was good. I may have missed something. I can see some benefits in terms of flexibility with points and other points earning options. So I did some research and still remain unconvinced of it as a useful program. I read an article that pretty much says you need to stay 21-27 nights to earn a free night. Is that right? It seems an awful lot. What are other's experience with SPG and earning free nights?

 

[theiml]

Okay, doesn't seem to be a lot of SPG fans here. I think this was an interesting summation of my post.
http://frequentpoints.com/spg-hotels-rewards-program-guide.html

 

[serfty]

I rarely use my SPG account other than to wash points through to airlines.

A bit busier than normal this month as I convert parcels of 40000 Amex MR to 31250 AAdvantage.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I've made great use of my SPG/Marriott memberships to book around 90 days in the US for the second half of this year.

 

[amaroo]

Unlike most hotel schemes SPG has a few really classy properties.

 

[big_RED]

I highly rate the SPG program. I don't know all its ins and outs, but it's been great for me so far in regards to being able redeem many nights overseas at Westin and Sheraton properties.

The membership also gives you I think 10% off food when you find at SPG properties.

The points required to book rooms I feel is very good. And for me the taxes I had to pay for the redeemed rooms was absolutely minimal.

If you travel a lot and can get your hands on the SPG American Express I'd 100% recommend that as you get 5 points per $1 at SPG hotels.

SPG is also very well known for its airline partnerships and the wide variety of partners you can redeem you points at.

So I feel it's a great program.

 

[dajop]

I don't stay at SPG properties much but will soon in Hawaii but I couldn't see why PointHacks thought it was good. I may have missed something. I can see some benefits in terms of flexibility with points and other points earning options. So I did some research and still remain unconvinced of it as a useful program.

Irrespective of whether it is a good program or not I don't see any downside of joining if you are staying at SPG properties anyway. Of note though, if booking through various online travel agent channels (expedia and the like), IIRC, you will be ineligible to earn points.

The other thing, if you do join, you can register for latest promo. The promos really help the points accrual and reduce that 21-27 to sometime only 10 or so. This latest one is for 2 night or longer stays between 27 May and 4 September, you can double the normal points for the stay at participating hotel, or triple if you include Fri or Sat night in the stay.

 

[drron]

I really like the SPG program.I find it much better than Hhonors where I was diamond for 7 years.Less gaming the system by hotels,more likely to get upgrades.Some obviously will have a difference in opinion.
The article seriously underestimates the earning of a nights stay.I am platinum so get 3 points per $US.I can get an extra 500 points per stay as my platinum amenity.At quite a few hotels an extra 250 points a night by foregoing housekeeping.Lots of promos offering extra points.Currently being offered 500 points for booking using the SPG app.

Also SPG points are very much more valuable than other programs transferring to airlines particularly with the 5000 point bonus if transferring 20000 points.I rarely use my points for free hotel nights unless I can get at least a value of 6 US cents per point.At the end of the year I have a redemption at the SOTP in SYD at a value of 10 US cents per point.
Their cash and points rates I use more frequently and have such a rate staying in the US for New Years eve when I am getting 12 US cents per point value.C&P rates as well as rewards night count towards status.

Then there are more benefits such as the discount for in house dining even if you are a new SPG member.In Bangkok for the last couple of years that has been 30%.
As a platinum earnt by staying 50 nights I get other benefits which currently for me is 10 suite upgrade certificates for the year.Next year if it is still offered I will probably go for extra complimentary status nights as our travel will be in areas with little or no SPG properties.Though a couple of mattress runs may be undertaken with a second SPG property opening in BNE by next year.
On top of that Lifetime status was introduced earlier than most chains and the qualifications are less onerous.I just hope that the SPG program doesn't merge with the Marriott program until late in 2018 so I can get to LTP before the merger.

 

[RooFlyer]

Unlike most hotel schemes SPG has a few really classy properties.

... and I have a hat tip towards you for one I'm going to use. Can't match you drron in value/points squeezed out on that stay, but for a couple of upcoming cities, SPG has it all over Hilton in respects of value, even though I'm sorta pleging my troth to Hilton going forward after giving Accor the boot. I guess that means I'm playing around ...

 

[digpomi]

Love SPG, awesome points transfer options, great points redemption opportunities

 

[drron]

So have just gone through my account.On our last trip in south America I got 6 points per $US at the 3 SPG properties.
One of my best was a 6 night stay at the SGS in Bangkok in December.A triple points promotion plus an Amex promotion.Cost in USD-1034.Points obtained 12738.
Award night cost-8333 per night.So for a 6 night stay I earnt enough points for 1.5 award nights stay.

 

[get me outta here]

Anyone registered for a bonus point offer after you've had the stay?