Executive Summary
Earning SPG
Spending SPG
Hotel Stays
Airline Transfer Partners
20,000 SPG points transferred to an Airline Partner receives a 5,000 point bonus, the list of partners is below:
Frequent Flyer Program Exchange Ratio (Starpoints : Miles)
Aeromexico Club Premier1:1
Aeroplan/Air Canada1:1
Air Berlin1:1
Air China Companion1:1
Air New Zealand & Air Points65:1
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan1:1
Alitalia MilleMiglia1:1
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club1:1
American Airlines AAdvantage1:1
Asia Miles1:1Asiana Airlines1:1
British Airways Executive Club1:1
China Eastern Airlines1:1
China Southern Airlines’ Sky Pearl Club1:1
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles1:1
Emirates Skywards1:1
Etihad Airways1:1
Flying Blue1:1
Gol Smiles2:1
Hainan Airlines1:1
Hawaiian Airlines1:1
Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank1:1
LAN Airlines LANPASS Kms1:1.5
Miles and More1:1
Qatar Airways1:1
Saudi Arabian Airlines Alfursan1:1
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer1:1
Thai Airways International Royal Orchid Plus1:1
US Airways Dividend Miles1:1
United Mileage Plus2:1
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club1:1
Virgin Australia1:1
It is advised to not transfer to United as the 2:1 ratio is unfavorable, and also Chase Ultimate Rewards will transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio.
Conclusion
Starwood SPG points are generally considered to be the most valuable points commodity as they transfer out at a bonus of 1:1.25, however they are also some of the hardest to earn as the Credit Card signups are typically half that of other premium cards, and they earn points at a 1 SPG per $1 ratio.
Spend them wisely!
Earning SPG
- Co-Branded Card: American Express SPG [Typical Signup Bonus 25K, Seasonally raises to 30K for limited times] Business and Personal versions exist.
- Membership Reward Transfer Partner 3MR:1SPG This is a very poor ratio and should not be used other than in small quantities to top up an account.
- Buy SPG points, standard price is 3.5 cents each, sales run throughout the year. Analysis of 25% off sale is found here.
- 2 SPG points per $1 with Regular Membership
- 3 SPG points per $1 with Gold/Platinum Membership
- 4 SPG points per $1 with Platinum Preferred (75 nights per year)
Spending SPG
Hotel Stays
- Points awards or cash and points are available, per chart below
- 5th Night Free when booking on SPG Points
- Arugably better value from transferring to Airline Partners rather than hotel awards.
Airline Transfer Partners
20,000 SPG points transferred to an Airline Partner receives a 5,000 point bonus, the list of partners is below:
Frequent Flyer Program Exchange Ratio (Starpoints : Miles)
Aeromexico Club Premier1:1
Aeroplan/Air Canada1:1
Air Berlin1:1
Air China Companion1:1
Air New Zealand & Air Points65:1
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan1:1
Alitalia MilleMiglia1:1
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club1:1
American Airlines AAdvantage1:1
Asia Miles1:1Asiana Airlines1:1
British Airways Executive Club1:1
China Eastern Airlines1:1
China Southern Airlines’ Sky Pearl Club1:1
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles1:1
Emirates Skywards1:1
Etihad Airways1:1
Flying Blue1:1
Gol Smiles2:1
Hainan Airlines1:1
Hawaiian Airlines1:1
Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank1:1
LAN Airlines LANPASS Kms1:1.5
Miles and More1:1
Qatar Airways1:1
Saudi Arabian Airlines Alfursan1:1
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer1:1
Thai Airways International Royal Orchid Plus1:1
US Airways Dividend Miles1:1
United Mileage Plus2:1
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club1:1
Virgin Australia1:1
It is advised to not transfer to United as the 2:1 ratio is unfavorable, and also Chase Ultimate Rewards will transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio.
Conclusion
Starwood SPG points are generally considered to be the most valuable points commodity as they transfer out at a bonus of 1:1.25, however they are also some of the hardest to earn as the Credit Card signups are typically half that of other premium cards, and they earn points at a 1 SPG per $1 ratio.
Spend them wisely!
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