Bad news for the airlines often translates as good news for travel consumers.
27.07.2023 - 18:30 / smartertravel.com / Tim Winship
Never mind the high-profile battle to acquire Starwood, featuring competing multi-billion-dollar offers from Marriott and a Chinese investment group. Starwood’s marketing machinery remains in high gear, just this month churning out a bonus offer for the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card and a discount on award stays at Caesars Resorts in Las Vegas.
Now, there’s yet another offer on the table.
Offer Details
Through May 31, Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn a free night at a Category 1 – 5 Starwood hotel after three paid nights at Design Hotels.
RELATED: New Offer Could Derail Marriott-Starwood Merger
A maximum of two free nights may be earned through the promotion. The free nights must be taken by September 30.
Registration is required, by May 16.
Deal or No Deal
A free night after three paid nights is a potentially high-value offer, especially if the paid nights are consumed at cheaper properties and the free night is taken at a Category 5 Starwood. The challenge for most will be in logging the qualifying paid nights.
Design Hotels is Starwood’s newest brand, a “curated portfolio of independent hotels.” Of the 40 Design Hotels, there are currently only three in the U.S., all in New York (11 Howard, Grammercy Park, Hotel Americano). So the options for those traveling within the U.S. are limited.
On the other hand, Design Hotels has a stronger presence in Mexico and Europe, so visitors to those areas may find this offer not just lucrative but accessible as well.
More from SmarterTravel: From Choice Hotels: a Free Night After 2 Stays The 10 Worst U.S. Cities for Traffic Airline Nuisance Fees – Should They Be Outlawed?After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.
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Bad news for the airlines often translates as good news for travel consumers.
Starwood’s systemwide “Triple Up” bonus-points offer ends on July 31, and to date there’s been no word of a successor campaign for late summer and early fall stays.
Best Western isn’t known for its generous loyalty-program promotions. The rewards tend to be low value, and the offers have been hobbled by niggling restrictions.
Likely in response to JetBlue’s systemwide double-points promotion, in effect through February 29, Virgin America is also offering double points, but only on select routes.
Flying to Europe between now and July 31? Good. Flying on a first-, business-, or full coach-fare ticket? Even better. Because, bonus miles.
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is 35 years old this month, and to promote that milestone, the airline is giving away miles:
Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood has left one key group vocally underwhelmed: members of Starwood’s Preferred Guest program, particularly Starwood elites who have become accustomed to perks and services that play no part in Marriott’s Rewards program.
Wi-Fi access isn’t free on Alaska Airlines flights. But at least for the next year, the airline’s passengers can use inflight Wi-Fi to send and receive unlimited texts for free.
Enter the Wyndham “Have Points, Will Travel” sweepstakes by March 31, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: 1 million Wyndham Rewards points.
Headed Down Under? Delta has announced a new bonus-mile promotion for Australia flights. But it’s not the only option.
Enter the SmartSource.com “New Year, New You” sweepstakes by February 29, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a seven-night trip for two to Freeport, the Bahamas, including air, hotel, and on-premise meals.