Snag an Amazing Deal Using Starwood Preferred Guest “Cash and Points”

If you’ve been eyeing a Starwood Preferred Guest credit card, now’s your chance!  Between now and September 4, 2012, American Express has increased the sign up bonus for the SPG Credit Card from 25,000 Starpoints to 30,000 Starpoints.  This  is an excellent bonus worth hundreds, (or thousands!) of dollars, depending on how you decide to use your Starpoints.

The “Cash and Points” option is a very valuable perk that can save you big money.  This option greatly increases the value of your Starpoints by letting you use a small amount of points combined with a small amount of cash.  For example, with Cash and Points, a room in a Category 5 hotel such as the Westin Palace in Madrid would cost 4,800 Starpoints + $90.  This is a fantastic savings off both the normal Starpoint redemption rate of 16,000 points/night and the regular room charge of $300+ per night!

If you use your Starpoints this way, the 30,000 point sign up bonus can make it possible for you to enjoy rock star travel at recessionista prices.  The bill for 6 nights in the Westin Palace would normally ring in at $1,800, but using Starwood Cash and Points would bring it down to the much more affordable total of $600 + 28,800 Starpoints.

There are many luxurious Starwood properties and many ways to save big money using your Starpoints.  What are some ways you’ve found?  Tell us in the comments below!

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