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Are you planning an extended vacation?
Until April 5, 2017, you can earn enough points for 11 consecutive award nights at Starwood category 2 hotels with the best-ever sign-up bonuses on both the AMEX Starwood personal and small business cards after meeting tiered minimum spending requirements.
This is an excellent way for folks to get Big Travel with Small Money in fun destinations like Cancun, Memphis, and Niagara Falls! Using points for an 11-night stay can save you thousands of dollars!
I’ll show you how to earn Starwood points for your extended getaway! And share 4 hotels where you can get long stays with Starwood points.
Earn 40,000+ Starwood Points
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
Link: My Review of the Best-Ever AMEX Starwood Card Sign-Up Bonuses
The best-ever AMEX sign-up bonuses are available until April 5, 2017.
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.
So after meeting the tiered minimum spending requirements, you’ll have at least 40,000 Starwood points (35,000 point sign-up bonus + 5,000 points from minimum spending) with the AMEX Starwood personal card.
And at least 43,000 Starwood points (35,000 point sign-up bonus + 8,000 points from minimum spending) with the small business version.
Note: American Express only allows folks to get the sign-up bonus ONCE per person, per lifetime on ALL their cards.
Get 11 Award Nights With 40,000 Starwood Points
40,000 Starwood points is enough for 11 consecutive award nights at Starwood category 2 hotels. Because you get a discount on weekend award nights at these hotels. You’ll pay:
- 4,000 Starwood points for weekday award stays
- 3,000 Starwood points for weekend award stays
When you check-in on a weekend night (Friday or Saturday) and stay 2 consecutive weekends, you’ll have 4 weekend nights in total, which costs 12,000 Starwood points (4 weekend award nights X 3,000 Starwood points per night).
The remaining 7 nights are weekday award nights. So you’ll pay 28,000 Starwood points (7 weekday award nights X 4,000 Starwood points per night) for that part of your 11-night stay.
In the end, you’ll get an 11-night stay for a total cost of 40,000 Starwood points!
4 Hotels for Long Stays With Starwood Points
Link: Starwood Category 2 Hotels
An 11-night stay won’t work for everyone. But it’s an option for:
- Anyone who can work remotely
- Folks who can use 7 vacation days to wrap around weekends off
- Honeymooners
- Students on summer break
- Retirees who want to spend time in a new destination
If you’re planning an extended getaway, the limited time sign-up bonuses on the AMEX Starwood personal and small business cards can get you significant cash savings.
Keep in mind, some Starwood hotels add resort fees to paid and award nights. So before you book, check the hotel policy to decide if it’s worth it for you. And here are my tips on how to avoid them!
Here are 4 hotels I found where you can book an 11-night award stay!
1. Aloft Cancun
Million Mile Secrets reader Aleks suggested the Aloft Cancun for folks looking to use 40,000 Starwood points to book an extended getaway.
Aleks likes the hotel because of its location and good service. And a bike rental is included during your stay, even if you use points.
Folks on TripAdvisor like this hotel because there’s a nearby ferry, which takes folks to Isla Mujeres where you can scuba dive. And the hotel also has a beautiful rooftop pool.
I found an available 11-night award stay from July 1, 2017 to July 12, 2017, for 40,000 Starwood points.
Paying cash for a similar stay would cost ~$1,622. So using Starwood points is a fantastic way to save money!
2. Four Points by Sheraton Memphis – Southwind
If you’re exploring part of the Southeast US, you can book an 11-night stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Memphis – Southwind.
This hotel is ~25 minute drive from downtown Memphis. But you’re also in a central location to drive to other destinations like:
- Village Creek State Park (~1 hour drive)
- Holly Springs, Mississippi (~1 hour drive)
- Little Rock, Arkansas (~2 hour drive)
Folks on TripAdvisor like this hotel because it’s new and clean. And it’s easy to get around to great restaurants in nearby Germantown.
An 11-night stay in July 2017 costs ~$1,509 if you pay cash.
But I found an available 11-night award stay from July 14, 2017 to July 25, 2017, for 40,000 Starwood points. So using points is a great way to save!
3. Four Points by Sheraton Orlando International Drive
If you’d like to stay for 11 nights near Disney World, you can use points to book the Four Points by Sheraton Orlando International Drive.
The hotel is walking distance to Universal Studios. And it’s a ~15 minute drive from Disney World.
Folks on TripAdvisor like this hotel for a comfortable and convenient stay. The hotel is currently completing renovations and the improvements are expected to freshen up the rooms and common areas.
There are lots of available award nights at this hotel. I found 11 consecutive nights from July 7, 2017 to July 18, 2017, for 40,000 Starwood points.
Your points are worth ~$1,529, which is the cash cost of the same stay. This is a great deal for folks looking to explore the area for an extended stay!
4. Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallsview
Niagara Falls is a natural wonder. To experience the breathtaking beauty, you can stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallsview. The hotel is located on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.
Folks on TripAdvisor like this hotel because of the courteous staff and modern rooms. And it’s right across from the Fallsview Casino. Even if you don’t like to gamble, the casino has lots of entertainment you might enjoy.
And there are lots of activities for families nearby like Maid of the Mist, waterparks, a butterfly conservatory, and historic sites!
Plus, when you stay at this hotel, you might get an upgrade to a room with a magnificent view of Niagara Falls.
An 11-night stay at the hotel in July 2017 costs ~$2,596. So using 40,000 Starwood points is an amazing deal!
Bottom Line
With the limited time sign-up bonuses on both the AMEX Starwood personal and small business cards, you can earn enough points for 11 consecutive award nights. But you must apply before April 5, 2017.
After meeting tiered minimum spending requirements, you’ll have at least 40,000 Starwood points, which is enough for an 11-night stay at Starwood category 2 hotels like the Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallsview.
Booking your extended getaway with Starwood points can easily save you $1,500+ out of pocket.
If you’re looking for other trip ideas, you can check out my suggestions for 7 week-long vacations you can take with the best-ever AMEX Starwood card sign-up bonuses.
Let me know which Starwood hotel you’d choose for an 11-night stay!
Do the stays have to be consecutive for the points??
I have a personal SPG card from AMEX..will I qualify for bonus if i apply for business version of this card?
I do have a business in my name
Yes. The personal and small business versions are considered different card products.
https://millionmilesecrets.com/2014/05/11/whats-considered-a-different-card-product/
I do not understand how 25,000 and 10,000 equals 40,000 on the personal card. Can you please explain?
you spend 5K to get these bonus which will give you 5K points 🙂
That’s right. Thanks for helping out Varun!