BTW, this is one example of why I love my AMEX SPG card. I like to go snowboarding and Starwood have a great place at Steamboat. https://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=220. If I want to go from 3/20 to 3/29, the night rate would be $439/night. But if I would use cash & points, it would cost $110 + 6k points a night. So, over that 9 days, I would either spend $3951 or $990 + 54k points. So, I would save $2961 for 54k points (you get 1 point for every dollar you spend). So, that calculate out to 5.5% return on every dollar I spend. This is just an OK return as well. I’ve had return in the past that exceed 9%. Also, because I spent a lot on that card (it’s my primary card), I can gold status with SPG, which also give me free upgrade to their best rooms. For trips where I can’t get above 5% return, I would just save my points and pay cash. If I happen to stay at a Starwood hotel for cash, every dollar I spend, I will get 3 points for it. So it racks up fast for places that gives low return so I can use those points for places with high returns. But you have to do proper planning.
