For many years, FCF has reported on the great value of using Starwood Starpoints to transfer to airlines and save on premium travel. Then on August 18, the program merged with Marriott.
When the program ended, one Starpoint became three Marriott points. Conversely, the transfer rate from Marriott to airline miles is three points for one mile. When you transfer 60,000 Marriott points at a time (the equivalent of 20,000 Starpoints), you get the same 25% bonus as you did with Starpoints—so the transfer bonus is the same, too.
So, in that sense, nothing has changed (or was lost). It equals the same, but it is a mind game of numbers. To make it easy, we’re going to show the original Starpoints cost and also the new Marriott points needed for a mileage award for when you read our “Sweet Redeems” alerts.
It looks like this:
So, leave the calculator in the drawer. Until you get naturally used to the new system, you don’t have to think too hard about it.