How to Get a $700 Ritz-Carlton Stay for 20,000 Starwood Points

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You can use miles and points in whichever way makes sense for you.  One of my favorite ways is for a memorable experience to last a lifetime.

And because you can now transfer Starwood points to Marriott and Ritz-Carlton, you’ll be able to book unforgettable luxury hotel stays at Ritz-Carlton hotels using Starwood points.  Because Marriott and Ritz-Carlton essentially have the same rewards program, just with different marketing and branding.

This is terrific option if you’re celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary, birthday, honeymoon, proposal, or retirement!

Starwood Transfer To Ritz Carlton
You Can Transfer 20,000 Starwood Points to Marriott to Book a Luxurious Stay at Ritz-Carlton Hotels Like The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park

I’ll show you how to transfer Starwood points to Ritz-Carlton and splurge for a spectacular stay.

Starwood Transfer to Ritz-Carlton

Link:   How to Link Your Marriott & Starwood Accounts

After you link your Starwood and Marriott or Ritz-Carlton accounts, you can transfer points between the hotel programs.

You can transfer points at a 1:3 ratio.  So 1 Starwood point = 3 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton points.  And use those to book free nights at Ritz-Carlton hotels.

Ritz-Carlton is a smaller hotel chain.  Overall, the chain ranks highest by customers.  According to the J.D. Power 2016 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction StudyRitz-Carlton had the highest satisfaction score of any hotel brand in the last 20 years.

There are 5 tiers of Ritz-Carlton hotels.  For a free night, you’ll need:

  • 30,000 Ritz-Carlton or Marriott points at Tier 1
  • 40,000 Ritz-Carlton or Marriott points at Tier 2
  • 50,000 Ritz-Carlton or Marriott points at Tier 3
  • 60,000 Ritz-Carlton or Marriott points at Tier 4
  • 70,000 Ritz-Carlton or Marriott points at Tier 5

With the 1:3 transfer ratio, you can transfer 20,000 Starwood points to 60,000 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton points to book a free night at a Tier 4 Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Save $700 With Free Nights at These Hotels

Depending on the season and destination, Tier 4 Ritz-Carlton hotels can regularly cost $700+ per night.

So converting 20,000 Starwood points to 60,000 Ritz-Carlton points saves you a lot of money out of pocket!

Before you move your points and make travel plans, you should check the hotel calendar to make sure award nights are available.

For example, room nights at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay in October 2016 all cost $700+.

Starwood Transfer To Ritz Carlton
Room Nights at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay Cost More Than $700 Every Night in October 2016

But award nights are not always available.

Starwood Transfer To Ritz Carlton
Check the Hotel’s Calendar Before Transferring Points to Make Sure Award Nights Are Available

That said, I found award nights available at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay and The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua where the same nights cost $700+.

Here are my reviews of these 2 hotels and other fantastic Ritz-Carlton hotels.

Splurge With a Stay at a Tier 5 Ritz-Carlton Hotel

You could also transfer 25,000 Starwood points to get 75,000 Ritz-Carlton points, which opens up the most luxurious Tier 5 Ritz-Carlton hotels.

For example, I found award nights available at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park in November 2016 for 70,000 Ritz-Carlton points.  The same nights cost $1,200+ out of pocket!

Starwood Transfer To Ritz Carlton
With 25,000 Starwood Points, You Could Stay at Top Tier Ritz-Carlton Hotels Like The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

And you could earn enough points for this memorable stay with just one credit card sign-up bonus.  You can earn 25,000 Starwood points after completing the minimum spending requirements on the Starwood Preferred Guest personal card.

Note:  You can NOT book Tier 5 hotels with the 3 complimentary nights from the Chase Ritz-Carlton card sign-up bonus.  But you still have plenty of options at fantastic Tier 1 to 4 hotels.

Other Ways to Use Starwood Points

Link:   How to Earn & Use Starwood Points

There are lots of ways to use Starwood points!  You can transfer Starwood points to many airline partners at a 1:1 ratio.  And you’ll get a 5,000 mile bonus for every 20,000 Starwood points you transfer.

That’s enough for a round-trip coach ticket within the mainland US, which costs 25,000 miles on Starwood airline partners like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta.

There’s also now a better way to use Starwood points to fly United Airlines.

Of course, you can use Starwood points to book award nights at Starwood brand hotels like Aloft, Design Hotels, ElementFour PointsLe MeridienSheratonSt RegisThe Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Westin and W brand hotels.

Bottom Line

You can transfer Starwood points to Marriott or Ritz-Carlton and book luxury hotel stays at Ritz-Carlton hotels to celebrate a special occasion.

20,000 Starwood points convert to 60,000 Ritz-Carlton points (1:3 ratio), which is enough to book a free night at Tier 4 Ritz-Carlton hotels.  Nights at these hotels can cost $700+ if you paid cash!

What special occasion would you celebrate at a Ritz-Carlton hotel?  And which hotel would you choose?

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