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Vacation Longer! 7 Top Hotels Using Starwood’s “Cash & Points”

  • Million Mile Secrets

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    If you’re willing to forego a completely free vacation, you can get huge value from your Starwood points!

    By using Starwood Cash & Points, you can save LOTS of money at incredible hotels around the world.  And now that the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express personal and small business cards come with a total of 35,000 Starwood points after meeting minimum spending requirements, you can stay even longer at these great hotels!

    Starwood Has Jaw-Dropping Hotels All Over! Like The Castle Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Dalian, China

    I’ll give you ideas for where to use your Starwood points for extended “Cash & Points” stays.

    7 Excellent Hotels For Redeeming Starwood Points and Cash

    Link:   Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

    Link:   Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express

    Link:   Limited Time:   Best-Ever 35,000 Point Sign-Up Bonus With AMEX Starwood Cards Returns!

    With the personal AMEX Starwood card, you’ll earn 25,000 Starwood points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.  And 10,000 more Starwood points for spending another $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.

    And with the AMEX Starwood small business card, you’ll earn 25,000 Starwood points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.  And 10,000 more Starwood points for spending another $3,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.

    You’ll have at least 40,000 or 43,000 Starwood points if you complete all minimum spending requirements.  Because you’ll earn at least 1 Starwood point per $1 you spend.

    Remember, AMEX will only give you the sign-up bonus for each card ONCE per lifetime.

    With 35,000 Starwood points, you can book Starwood hotel stays or transfer them to 30+ airline partners.  Starwood hotels include:

    And if you want to stretch your Starwood hotel stays, you can pay for your reservation with a combination of both cash & points.

    You’ll Pay a Fixed Amount of Cash and Points for Each Hotel Category

    With 35,000 Starwood points for Cash & Points stays, you can get:

    Note:   Some Starwood hotels (especially resorts) add high resort fees to your stay, even if you’re booking an award night!  Check the hotel policy before you book to decide if it’s worth it.  And here are my tips on how to avoid them!

    Best Uses of Starwood Cash & Points

    Let’s look at where Starwood Cash & Points will save you extra!

    1.   The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Scottsdale

    One of the highest-rated Starwood hotels is The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Hotel.  And the hotel has recently renovated many of its rooms!

    You’ll enjoy beautiful desert mountains, a lush green golf course, and plenty of pools!  And folks say it’s a great spot for families!

    Hooked on Phoenix? Book the 5-Star Phoenician Resort for $180 and 10,000 Starwood Points Per Night

    This is a category 6 hotel.  You can expect to pay $500+, or 25,000 Starwood points per night, which would give you a value of 2 cents per point ($500 per night / 25,000 Starwood points).

    Or, if you used Cash & Points, you’d spend $180 and 10,000 Starwood points, which would be a value of 3.2 cents per point ($500 per night – $180 cash portion of the room = $320 / 10,000 Starwood points).

    2.   Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai

    Folks traveling to Dubai should take a look at the Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, where Million Mile Secrets team member Keith stayed as part of his honeymoon last year.

    Located in the Marina district near the Palm Jumeirah, the Grosvenor House is a ~10 minute drive to the world-famous Burj Al Arab hotel, and the Mall of the Emirates, which has an indoor ski slope!

    One of the best things about the Grosvenor House is its award-winning dining.  The hotel has lots of restaurants, including Indego by Vineet, a restaurant with a Michelin Star winning chef!

    The Grosvenor House Overlooks the Dubai Marina, One of the Most Active Areas of the City!

    This is a category 6 hotel.  You can expect to pay ~$350, or 25,000 Starwood points per night, which would give you a value of 1.4 cents per point ($350 per night / 25,000 Starwood points).

    Or, if you used Cash & Points, you’d spend $180 and 10,000 Starwood points, which would be a value of ~1.7 cents per point ($350 per night – $180 cash portion of the room = $170 / 10,000 Starwood points).

    3.   St Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Miami

    You can’t get much closer to the water than The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami.

    Located literally steps from Bal Harbour Beach, you’ll have amazing views and unbeatable sunsets without even leaving the hotel.  You can swim in the pool, tan at the beach, or spend your vacation eating at 1 of the 4 on-site restaurants.  The seafood is world class!

    Guests love this hotel and its proximity to the gorgeous ocean!  It’s also just 1 mile away from the very popular Haulover Beach Park.

    The St. Regis Bal Harbour Overlooks the Atlantic Ocean

    This is a category 7 hotel.  Nights at this hotel can easily sell for $950, or 30,000 Starwood points per night, which would give you a value of 3.1 cents per point ($950 per night / 30,000 Starwood points).

    Or, if you used Cash & Points, you’d spend $275 and 15,000 Starwood points, which would be a value of ~4.5 cents per point ($950 per night – $275 cash portion of the room = $675 / 15,000 Starwood points).

    4.   Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Peru

    Thanks to Million Mile Secrets readers Motown, NM, and mq for suggesting Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa as a top-notch Starwood hotel.  I haven’t stayed here, but it looks incredible!

    Tambo del Inka is located in the Urubamba mountains outside of Cusco, Peru.  The hotel has its own dedicated train station, which takes you to the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu! Folks rave about the incredible views around the hotel.  And the hotel’s beautiful architecture, too.
    The Tambo del Inka Is One of the Best Places to Stay for Folks Headed to Machu Picchu

    This is a category 5 hotel.  You can expect to pay ~$315, or 12,000 Starwood points per night, which would give you a value of 2.6 cents per point ($315 per night / 12,000 Starwood points).

    Or, if you used Cash & Points, you’d spend $110 and 6,000 Starwood points, which would be a value of ~3.4 cents per point ($315 per night – $110 cash portion of the room = $205 / 6,000 Starwood points).

    5.   Sheraton Steamboat Resort

    If you’re a skiier, the Sheraton Steamboat Resort could be a great use of your Starwood points.  Folks love how close the resort is to the slopes, with ski lifts immediately outside the hotel walls.

    And if you like night skiing, you might appreciate this hotel, because the mountain stays open until 9:00 pm.

    You can reserve villas with this hotel, so you can buy groceries and save on dining costs!

    Booking the Sheraton Steamboat Resort With Points Is a Steal During the Winter Season

    This is a category 5 hotel.  Rooms can cost ~$350 (and more during ski season!), or 16,000 Starwood points, which would give you a value of ~2.2 cents per point ($350 per night / 16,000 Starwood points).

    Or, you can use Cash & Points and spend $110 and 6,000 Starwood points, which would be a value of 4 cents per point ($350 per night – $110 cash portion of the room = $240 / 6,000 Starwood points).

    6.   The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland

    The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, has an unbeatable location in the middle of Portland.  It’s in the top of historic Meier & Frank building.

    Million Mile Secrets team member Joseph used Starwood points to stay in a suite last year.  He says the building is old and the floors are creaky, but it actually adds to the charm of the hotel.  And the in-house restaurants are AMAZING.

    He doesn’t recommend upgrading to a suite, as it’s nothing extra special.  And make sure to request a city view if you don’t want your window to overlook the atrium.

    If you’re willing to walk 2 blocks, you can park your car in a garage and save the valet parking fee of $47 per day.

    If Your Room Is Facing the Gigantic Beautiful Atrium, Make Sure Your Curtains Are Closed!

    This is a category 5 hotel.  You can expect to pay ~$250, or 12,000 Starwood points per night, which would give you a value of ~2.1 cents per point ($250 per night / 12,000 Starwood points).

    Or, if you used Cash & Points, you’d spend $110 and 6,000 Starwood points, which would be a value of ~2.3 cents per point ($315 per night – $110 cash portion of the room = $205 / 6,000 Starwood points).

    7.   Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan

    Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel is right next to the Milan Central Station.  So if you like to travel by train, like Emily and me, this is the hotel for you!  Folks also comment on the great view of the train station from the rooftop bar, Terrazza Gallia. Emily and I really enjoyed Milan when we visited a few years ago.  There is so much to see!  Emily especially appreciated the city’s intricate architecture.
    The Excelsior Hotel Gallia Is Very Close to the Famous Duomo!

    This is a category 6 hotel.  You’ll pay ~$340, or 25,000 Starwood points per night, which would give you a value of 1.36 cents per point ($340 per night / 25,000 Starwood points).

    Or, if you used Cash & Points, you’d spend $180 and 10,000 Starwood points, which would be a value of ~1.6 cents per point ($340 per night – $180 cash portion of the room = $160 / 10,000 Starwood points).

    Bottom Line

    You can earn a total of 35,000 Starwood points with the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest personal and small business cards after meeting tiered minimum spending requirements.  That’s enough points for a wonderful Starwood getaway!

    Cash & Points is an excellent way to stretch your Starwood points for longer stays, and enjoy your vacation a little longer!  Your hotel stay won’t be FREE, but you’ll get your room at a huge discount.  And your Starwood points are often worth MORE when you use them for Cash & Points instead of award nights.
    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)