SPG card is amazing

[futurehomeowner?]

I have not been as good with rewards cards as some of you but a few months ago I opened an AMEX SPG with 25k bonus points. After my spend I ended up with 28600 points. I figured it would be good for a few nights. I was shocked at what I have been able to book with it so far. We have our entire summer planned with using their points.

 

We are goinf to Niagara Ontario memorial day weekend for 3 days sat, sun, aND Monday night. We also have another trip planned to Minneapolis for 2 nights to visit mall of america on a saturday and sunday. We are staying locally for a wedding for 1 night on a Saturday night. Lastly we have a trip planned to Toronto for 2 nights on a Friday and Saturday.

 

All rooms are at 4 points by sharaton.we have elected at a little lesser of hotel for more nights.

 

Here is a breakdown of costs.

Niagara 11k points, rack rate $1200

Minneapolis 6k points rack rate $380

Local 3k points, rack rate $249

Toronto 6k points, rack rate $420

 

So because of this card we have booked 8 nights at a total savings of $2250. I can't imagine there being a better rewards cars out there. If there is I am really missing out.

[hegemony]

would you actually had paid rack rate?

[cv91915]

Fifth night free is also a nice benefit, if you can use it.

 

We've gotten a lot of benefit out of this card and loyalty program also. Watch the Marriott merger closely, as few believe that this program won't end up spiraling down to the Marriott Rewards level of "value."

[hyschmied]

Congrats! I've probably had at least 20 free hotel stays in the last 2-3 years from Spg and Hyatt and Marriott.

[jgodfrey82]

I'm loving SPG as well, I choose the business flavor for 35k points. Booked 5 nights at sand key for 40k points and a retail value of about $1500 and since it's business got the club access included. I also am not mad at the UR points just used 90k points towards 1/3 the value of a 7 day cruise.. I love free vacations!

 

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

[hyschmied]

I'm loving SPG as well, I choose the business flavor for 35k points. Booked 5 nights at sand key for 40k points and a retail value of about $1500 and since it's business got the club access included. I also am not mad at the UR points just used 90k points towards 1/3 the value of a 7 day cruise.. I love free vacations!

 

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

I took my wife to the Sheraton Sand Key Fl in January. Great place and when I mention it was our anniversary the had champaigne in the room.

Went back to Clearwater a couple weeks ago but stayed in the big pink Hyatt. Also a great place.

[futurehomeowner?]

would you actually had paid rack rate?

Hey Debbie downer ;-)

 

But to answer your question. I would not have paid those rates but all trips were going to happen so I would have at least paid 80 or so each night. However in Niagara we would have been well away from the falls so it is nice to get the benefit of being on the falls.

[hegemony]

 

would you actually had paid rack rate?

Hey Debbie downer ;-)

 

But to answer your question. I would not have paid those rates but all trips were going to happen so I would have at least paid 80 or so each night. However in Niagara we would have been well away from the falls so it is nice to get the benefit of being on the falls.

 

I can't think of any Niagara Falls hotel worth $1200 a week...$1200 a night is crazy.

 

But I'm glad you're getting value out of SPG.

[mendelssohn]

I love the SPG program and put a lot of spending through my Amex, but don't make any long term plans with them. Marriott is going to ruin the rewards program once the merger goes through. Enjoy what is probably 12 more months of SPG and be ready to transfer remaining points to an airline miles program when you read the bad news.

[jgodfrey82]

 

I'm loving SPG as well, I choose the business flavor for 35k points. Booked 5 nights at sand key for 40k points and a retail value of about $1500 and since it's business got the club access included. I also am not mad at the UR points just used 90k points towards 1/3 the value of a 7 day cruise.. I love free vacations!

 

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

I took my wife to the Sheraton Sand Key Fl in January. Great place and when I mention it was our anniversary the had champaigne in the room.

Went back to Clearwater a couple weeks ago but stayed in the big pink Hyatt. Also a great place.

We live in Orlando and have made sand key our staycation spot since 2012 going for 10 nights a year, club was hit or miss before, no more with the biz card.. spg card will definitely get some love from me.

 

Anyone have good ways to earn spg points quickly? Ill have to get the personal card next..

[futurehomeowner?]

 

 

would you actually had paid rack rate?

Hey Debbie downer ;-)

 

But to answer your question. I would not have paid those rates but all trips were going to happen so I would have at least paid 80 or so each night. However in Niagara we would have been well away from the falls so it is nice to get the benefit of being on the falls.

I can't think of any Niagara Falls hotel worth $1200 a week...$1200 a night is crazy.

 

But I'm glad you're getting value out of SPG.

1200 for 3 nights. It is 339 a night plus the crazy canadieu taxes. There is 60 in taxes per night. I hope we don't have to pay those.

[mendelssohn]

 

 

I'm loving SPG as well, I choose the business flavor for 35k points. Booked 5 nights at sand key for 40k points and a retail value of about $1500 and since it's business got the club access included. I also am not mad at the UR points just used 90k points towards 1/3 the value of a 7 day cruise.. I love free vacations!

 

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

I took my wife to the Sheraton Sand Key Fl in January. Great place and when I mention it was our anniversary the had champaigne in the room.

Went back to Clearwater a couple weeks ago but stayed in the big pink Hyatt. Also a great place.

We live in Orlando and have made sand key our staycation spot since 2012 going for 10 nights a year, club was hit or miss before, no more with the biz card.. spg card will definitely get some love from me.

 

Anyone have good ways to earn spg points quickly? Ill have to get the personal card next..

 

 

Everything is 1x point per $1 outside of the hotels. Just use it for all non-bonus category CC spending.

 

If you know anyone else applying, you can also send them a referral for a 5K bonus. You can get up to 55K in referral bonuses on the personal, and another 55K on the business card. I was a referral whore last year when I had the personal and business cards and made out quite well.

[cv91915]

I love the SPG program and put a lot of spending through my Amex, but don't make any long term plans with them. Marriott is going to ruin the rewards program once the merger goes through. Enjoy what is probably 12 more months of SPG and be ready to transfer remaining points to an airline miles program when you read the bad news.

 

Smart money is on Marriott devaluing or eliminating the airline transfers at the same time the rest of the program gets sucked into the sewer.