I converted 90K Starpoints to 150K Aeroplan miles and 7 nights at Marriott

by Anshul
11 comments
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Aeroplan conversion bonus combined with SPG and Marriott transfer rate make for a great redemption! I converted 90K Starpoints to 150K Aeroplan miles and 7 nights at Marriott, by leveraging the Marriott travel packages redemption. This worked perfectly for an upcoming trip to India, where Aeroplan redemption is 150K RT in business class.

Aeroplan Transfer Bonus

Currently, the Aeroplan bonus promotion offers members a great way to convert hotel points into Aeroplan miles with up to 30% bonus miles. The promotion runs until April 17th and members can transfer as many times as needed. Based on the total points converted, the bonus can range from 20%-30%.

Marriott travel packages

Aeroplan Conversion Bonus – Up to 30%

Converting SPG to Aeroplan via Marriott travel packages

90K starpoints normally convert to 90K Aeroplan (1:1) + 20K (SPG 5K bonus on every 20K transfer) +  22K (20% Aeroplan conversion bonus) for a grand total of 132K Aeroplan points. But we can do better.

Converting SPG to Aeroplan via Marriott travel packages brings more value to the transfer. Marriott Rewards offer travel packages where Marriott points can be redeemed against a set number of miles + 7 hotel nights.

Marriott Travel packages

Hote+Air package 1 (Source: www.marriott.com)

I transferred 90K SPG to 270K Marriott points (1:3), just enough to purchase 7 Nights + 120K miles (Aeroplan in my case) package.

SPG to marriott transfer was instant and I redeemed for the travel package by calling Marriott. The Marriott agent provided me with two separate confirmation numbers, one for air and another for hotel. The hotel certificate was issued the same day and I received an email confirmation of the same.

Marriott travel packages

 

Aeroplan miles posted exactly 7 days after Marriott travel package redemption.

Marriott travel packages

The 120k posted on Aeroplan would fetch 25% conversion bonus, for a grand total of 150K Aeroplan miles!

I value 90K starpoints at $2,250 (2.5 cpm), which essentially will net me a business class RT to India and 7 nights at a Cat 5 property. Winning.

Good to know

  • Promo Stack – If you are short on SPG points to leverage this deal, you can top-up your account by purchasing SPG points for up to 30% discount. SPG allows a total of 30k purchased points in a calendar year. We have seen 50% discounts (targeted) on SPG points purchase, in Dec 2016. Speculative buying is not recommended.
Marriott travel packages

SPG Points Sale – upto 30% discount

  • You can purchase the Cat 1-5, 7 Night cert + 120K miles package (270K Marriott points) and later upgrade to a higher category hotel by paying the difference in points.

 

11 comments

Rick S March 22, 2017 - 5:42 pm

Hello – thank you for the detailed explanation!

What other airline frequent flyer programs can you transfer points into apart from aeroplan?

Reply
Bling March 22, 2017 - 7:37 pm

Hi Rick, quite a few programs – Check out the packages and the participating airline list here: http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi

Reply
Skaner March 22, 2017 - 8:17 am

I’m planning on doing the same in about 2 weeks however I have absolutely no use for the 7 nights certificate. Any way to sell/refund it? Thanks

Reply
Bling March 22, 2017 - 8:37 am

Great question. I have a not so great (sticky) answer πŸ˜‰ First – you dont have to use it for 7 nights, its valid for a year, use it for a 1-2-3-4-5 night somewhere.
I don’t think you can sell since the cert is associated to your account. You could book for other family members, include their name in the booking. OR “sell” to a friend by booking them thru your account.
OR you could wait closer to expiry and call to genuinely express how you love the cert but are unable to use it this time, I know readers who have had success in canceling the cert and getting points in return (pretty low success rate, but it has happened).

Reply
Jay Mehta March 24, 2017 - 12:17 pm

I will buy.

Reply
Ramzi March 22, 2017 - 7:49 am

I’d like to hear what redemptions you have in mind for Aeroplan.

Reply
Bling March 22, 2017 - 8:01 am

India – Swiss/Turkish Business RT 150k + ~$140 CAD..

Reply
S P March 22, 2017 - 7:44 am

Which airline using Aeroplan miles would you use for India and how many miles? Thanks

Reply
Bling March 22, 2017 - 8:04 am

I have family in BOM so usually take Swiss/Turkish business..150K RT, taxes are ~$140 CAD.

Reply
S P March 22, 2017 - 8:16 am

Thank you. Which Gateway city would you be flying from? Thanks again

Reply
Bling March 22, 2017 - 8:25 am

I normally fly out of Montreal (YUL): YUL-ZRH-BOM or YUL-IST-BOM . Same route out of Toronto (YYZ) is possible too. And of course several cities in US.

Reply

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