The last (most likely) SPG 35% discount on point purchase

[rock86]

35% off (USD 2.275c per point) for purchases over 5,000 points until 20 July 2018.

Buy and Gift Points | SPG

Looks like it will be the last SPG buy point promotion before the new combined award program, presents a great opportunity should you need it before 1 August!

 

[Cynicor]

Anyone buying speculatively or are there some set good uses at this price?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Definitely not a generous enough offer to entice me. I tried a few examples to see what the value was like. In every one of my tries, each hotel room would cost more in points than what I would pay for a night if I paid cash.

If you were a few points short of what you need for a booking I'd understand taking advantage of this offer, but otherwise this is just not worth it.

 

[tricky1337]

I'm looking at some of the lower category Marriott hotels and they look pretty good value, particularly if staying 5 nights. Eg. Cat 2 Shanghai Courtyards would cost about $A400 in purchased points for 5 nights which is only $A80 a night. Cash rate is around $A150-$A200.

Also good value if you need a top up in points to get a Marriott travel package.

 

[rock86]

Definitely not a generous enough offer to entice me. I tried a few examples to see what the value was like. In every one of my tries, each hotel room would cost more in points than what I would pay for a night if I paid cash.

If you were a few points short of what you need for a booking I'd understand taking advantage of this offer, but otherwise this is just not worth it.

I'm probably going to buy myself and wife the full amount to convert at 1c per Marriott point as we are planning NYC late November/early December next year. Prices for decent hotels look to be around the $450/night when we'd be travelling. The new chart puts some of the Courtyard/Residence Inn's @ 35K Marriott points a night, so for a 6 night stay we'd need 175,000 Marriott points (with the 5th night free) - so ~$1,750 for 6 nights coming in at a little less then $300/night and netting around a 30% discount.

Actually, come to think of it I should also have a look at the DJ Amex and confirm eligibility for bonus points before launching into that!

 

[potm]

I'm probably going to buy myself and wife the full amount to convert at 1c per Marriott point as we are planning NYC late November/early December next year. Prices for decent hotels look to be around the $450/night when we'd be travelling. The new chart puts some of the Courtyard/Residence Inn's @ 35K Marriott points a night, so for a 6 night stay we'd need 175,000 Marriott points (with the 5th night free) - so ~$1,750 for 6 nights coming in at a little less then $300/night and netting around a 30% discount.

Actually, come to think of it I should also have a look at the DJ Amex and confirm eligibility for bonus points before launching into that!

If you are going to stay somewhere for 6 nights, consider getting a travel package with a 7 night cert.

 

[tizey]

I'm 99% sure I'm taking up this offer for an SPG stay thats increasing in Marriott points come August, and a Marriott stay thats decreasing in points come August.

How long do purchased points take to hit accounts, and are there any hidden taxes other than FX fees if applicable on the credit card used?

 

[tricky1337]

I'm 99% sure I'm taking up this offer for an SPG stay thats increasing in Marriott points come August, and a Marriott stay thats decreasing in points come August.

How long do purchased points take to hit accounts, and are there any hidden taxes other than FX fees if applicable on the credit card used?

I think the points hit your account instantly from what i remember. No hidden taxes last time I purchased.

I might load up as well for some upcoming trips. Not sure if Marriott will sell points at this rate in the future and AMEX have killed the transfer rate.

 

[tizey]

Thanks for the heads up.

Without confirmed bookings and travel plans to lock in, I wouldnt be buying speculatively. I'm hoping they announce what they are doing with 'floater' certificates not attached to a booking prior to August.

I'm unsure which Honolulu Marriott to attach mine too (Laylow or Beach Resort), and would love to use it on Sheraton Waikiki... but its unknown what will happen to certificates post August.

Ahh!

 

[JFi]

How long do purchased points take to hit accounts, and are there any hidden taxes other than FX fees if applicable on the credit card used?

I purchased last night and I could see it in the app instantly however, it wasn't reflected when logged in on PC even though it was listed in my points activity (i.e. can't redeem the points. Didn't try to redeem in the app though). All points were showing today.

There were no hidden taxes quoted when checking out.

 

[rock86]

That is good to hear, I'll be grabbing some next week too I think - looks like I'll need another 15,000SPG points to have enough points for 5 nights at one of the top properties booking between Aug-Dec, cannot wait!!!

 

[tricky1337]

That is good to hear, I'll be grabbing some next week too I think - looks like I'll need another 15,000SPG points to have enough points for 5 nights at one of the top properties booking between Aug-Dec, cannot wait!!!

Thinking of doing the same but am concerned about the availability of these hotels come August..

 

[rock86]

Thinking of doing the same but am concerned about the availability of these hotels come August..

If you're booking further enough into the future, I can't see there being too much issue. I think it will be a different story if you are trying to get these hotels for say this coming Dec/Jan holiday period etc.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Thanks for this post Rock86. I'm doing my sums for a couple of London nights and this could be a winner.

 

[tizey]

Purchase done. Points posted instantly and just needed to logout/login to see and use them. Coupled with a small existing balance, 5 nights at Sheraton Kona for 40,000 before it increases to 46,666 as of 1 Aug.

Now to resolve the 7 night cert prior to 1 aug, and reprice a China stay that's reducing in points post 1 Aug, and I'm all done with amex/SPG/Marriott. Bit of a sad day really...

 

[rock86]

Anyone purchase some points before last Friday? I grabbed 5,000 SPG points which will give me enough for 5 nights in the top category after the change happen 1 August

Now to wait for the inventory to open up later in the year to grab one of the hotels I'm eyeing off!

 

[tricky1337]

Anyone purchase some points before last Friday? I grabbed 5,000 SPG points which will give me enough for 5 nights in the top category after the change happen 1 August

Now to wait for the inventory to open up later in the year to grab one of the hotels I'm eyeing off!

I ended up buying enough for 5 nights at the new Cat 8's in August as well. I'm hopeful (but not confident) that we can book the all-suite ones for 60k MR on 1 August.

 

[NoName]

Anyone purchase some points before last Friday? I grabbed 5,000 SPG points which will give me enough for 5 nights in the top category after the change happen 1 August

Now to wait for the inventory to open up later in the year to grab one of the hotels I'm eyeing off!

Does the change actually happen 1 Aug? Apologies if this has been discussed/confirmed but I read conflicting statements - some places say 1 August others say “some time in August” as Marriott hasn’t confirmed exactly when.

I’m looking to book one of the top category SPG properties for a late August stay and hoping to be able to do it at the cheaper rate so obviously the earlier in August that this is possible the better.

 

[rock86]

Does the change actually happen 1 Aug? Apologies if this has been discussed/confirmed but I read conflicting statements - some places say 1 August others say “some time in August” as Marriott hasn’t confirmed exactly when.

I’m looking to book one of the top category SPG properties for a late August stay and hoping to be able to do it at the cheaper rate so obviously the earlier in August that this is possible the better.

Changeover happening Saturday 18 August, which has now been confirmed by Marriott.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Reported on OMAAT: "Marriott has just announced that they’ll be forming a unified loyalty program as of Saturday, August 18, 2018. The Saturday transition makes sense, as it will minimize the impact it has on members."