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Is it permissible to rent starpoints?

spears2008

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I am wanting to stay at the Gritti Palace in Venice (hotel not timeshare) It's 30,000 starpoints a night. Is there anyway to rent starpoints? I have looked on the marketplace and googled it but not sure if I missed it or if that's even allowed. Thanks for any advice how to proceed (or abort my mission to stay at this awesome property).
 

cubigbird

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You can buy Starpoints from SPG. That is generally not a good conversion value. You can not rent points.

You can also convert Staroptions to Starpoints if you have a developer timeshare. This is also not a good deal. Depending on your travel dates, you might find SPG deals or the nightly rate out of pocket to be the best deal. You should also call SPG. Sometimes they have redemption deals that are not posted online. I've gotten a 6 cent/night redemption rate for a 1 bedroom premium at Westin Lagunamar and the night award availability was not posted.
 
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SMHarman

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You would need to privately find someone with excess starpoints and negotiate a rate.

As others have said you can buy starpoints or you can open the SPG credit card and get about that as an opening bonus.
 

Helios

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I am not sure about the legality of renting/buying SPG points, my guess is that it is not allowed. Gritti is an awesome place and it requires a lot of points. Also, your selection of rewards room will be restricted.
 

lizap

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We have stayed at both the Gritti Palace and Europa & Regina. Surprisingly, we liked the latter better. The service was by far better at E & R.



I am wanting to stay at the Gritti Palace in Venice (hotel not timeshare) It's 30,000 starpoints a night. Is there anyway to rent starpoints? I have looked on the marketplace and googled it but not sure if I missed it or if that's even allowed. Thanks for any advice how to proceed (or abort my mission to stay at this awesome property).
 

Ken555

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We have stayed at both the Gritti Palace and Europa & Regina. Surprisingly, we liked the latter better. The service was by far better at E & R.


E&R was fantastic (especially once we found the bar on the water...excellent staff)! Haven't stayed at Gritti...and at the current SPG cat for these hotels, doubt I will.


Sent from my iPad
 

Helios

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E&R was fantastic (especially once we found the bar on the water...excellent staff)! Haven't stayed at Gritti...and at the current SPG cat for these hotels, doubt I will.


Sent from my iPad

Thinking about what will happen to all these excellent properties, redemption wise, worries me. Marriott loyals will certainly get a huge improvement to their redemption capabilities.
 

DavidnRobin

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Of course SPs cannot be rented...
If this is attempted - I would only do it with someone I knew very well.
I have done this twice with close friends (@2.25 cents/SP), but would never consider with stranger (too much risk). I added their names to reservation - did not replace mine.
 

DeniseM

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Just to clarify what David said: It's not possible to transfer Starpoints between strangers.

However, it is possible to make a hotel reservation for using Starpoints and rent it to someone. But as David said, it's not something I'd do with a stranger.

You and your spouse can each get a Starwood AMEX with will come with a Starpoint incentive. (I've gotten around 30K per card.) You can also buy Starpoints directly from Starwood. They usually have a Starpoint "sale" each year.
 

Sicnarf

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Of course SPs cannot be rented...
If this is attempted - I would only do it with someone I knew very well.
I have done this twice with close friends (@2.25 cents/SP), but would never consider with stranger (too much risk). I added their names to reservation - did not replace mine.
I've done this a few times as well at about the same rate. SPG actually put the ressy in my guest' name only. Yes there is a risk but i am not sure that it is much greater than renting your timeshare.
 

DeniseM

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I've done this a few times as well at about the same rate. SPG actually put the ressy in my guest' name only. Yes there is a risk but i am not sure that it is much greater than renting your timeshare.

Except for one (technical) point - you are permitted to rent your timeshare, and I don't think you are permitted to rent Starpoint reservations.

*Don't get me wrong - I don't care if you rent Starpoints or not, it's just best to know what the parameters are.
 
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DavidnRobin

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Let's be clear...

Re: Renting
HomeResort SO = allowed
Non-HomeResort SO = not allowed (but some do... some know and some are not aware. SVO/SVN is increasing their awareness and enforcement)
SP/SPG Reservations = not allowed

SO = StarOptions = SVO/SVN usage - these are not SPs (CCR/OM refer to these are Staroption points adding to confusion)
SP = StarPoints = SPG Hotel usage - used for SPG reservations

Elite = SVO/SVN
Gold/Plat = SPG

this is likely to change
YMMV
 
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