Last week Dan’s Deals mentioned that Starwood properties in Bora Bora and the Maldives were pricing at 35% off for award redemptions.
One of the best things about Starwood Preferred Guest is that they have many participating properties that are really nice, aspirational places where I really want to spend my points.
I make a lot of business stays at cookie cutter hotels domestically. I like to reward myself with special, unique stays which the points I earn make possible.
And the discount for Bora Bora and Maldives sounded like a part of the regular Paradise is Closer promotion that you have to call to get and agents usually have to search for, but that’s broader than these locations. Instead, it’s for a sampling of category 6 and 7 ultra high end resorts that are generally priced at double the usual redemption rates because rooms are all suites (a pet peeve of mine).
However the website for the promotion still shows that it ended in February, so it didn’t appear to have been removed.
I asked Starwood’s Gretchen Kloke, Vice President of Global Loyalty Marketing, about what’s going on and she shared that the promotion has actually been extended another year for existing hotels and that they should all be bookable (except Mystique on Santorini) by phone at the 35% off redemption rate.
Existing promotion list:
The website hasn’t been updated yet, and when it is there may hopefully be even more properties at reduced points pricing.
I took advantage of this offer for a stay at Al Maha Desert Resort last year. It was a ton of points even at 39,000 per night, but for a property going for ~ $1400++ I was still getting value. And this put the redemption within reach. It’s exactly the kind of redemption stay I like to make.
And of course even with this discount fifth night on your award remains free. You should be able to book stays at least through February 2018.
Bear in mind that not all agents will be familiar with the offer, may have a hard time finding it (reference Paradise is Closer), and may have to consult a supervisor.
Gary can you check out to see If the St Regis Bora Bora will be included. Still not showing up as an option
I called up SPG and they said they wouldn’t honor this promotion because it expired. I mentioned Gretchen said and they didn’t care.
Call again.
Same here, just spent 45 minutes with a very kind agent, but she could not find it.. Only promo was paying dollars and it was 50% off… Nothing for discount on point redemptions.. I gave her last years website as a reference and she consulted with supervisor… nothing.
If someone is scucessful, can they ask the agent what the code is and share?
Thanks all!
Any recommend Months to check that are rainy monsoons? Its a hard balance between bad weather vs. what they consider “high season”
having a similar experience, agent consulted with teams internally few times but werent able to honor it. said it has expired..
Having trouble booking this Gary…two calls later and they still can’t seem to find it! ugh!
@Garry any updates, I just tried again still no luck
@Danny Lim try again, I’ve booked this myself
@Gary the Starwood Rep @ flyertalk said yesterday that SPG is planning to extend this offer, but that the date for this and the participating properties are still to be determined?
@avi that person is wrong. As I say I — and others — have booked with the discount in recent weeks. And the information about the discount being in effect now came from the person running SPG