Starwood Preferred Guest

The SPG program is regarded by many as providing highest value per points amongst the transferable point programs. As I mentioned in using Chase Ultimate Rewards, I appreciate the flexibility in being able to use SPG Starpoints with airline partners.

SPG, unlike Chase, Citi, and Amex, has an added benefit when you transfer your Starpoints to their airline partners. For every 20,000 points transferred to an airline partner, you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus. Adding a 5,000-mile bonus onto a program with 30+ airline partners is on the main reason SPG is a program to utilize.

 

The steps to transfer your SPG Starpoints are straightforward. First, login to your SPG account and click “Book & Redeem” at the top of the page and then click “Redeem Starpoints.” Next, click the “Travel” icon which is a suitcase. Scroll down the page and click “Transfer Air Miles” and then click “Transfer Starpoints To Air Miles”. Last, select your transfer airline, enter your airline frequent flyer number, and enter the number of starpoints to transfer.

As you evaluate which points and miles to use for your next redemption, consider giving SPG a consideration. The following are award flights that you can book with your SPG Starpoints.

1. Fly Emirates to the Middle East (63,000 Japan Airlines Miles)

Japan Airlines uses a distance-based award chart meaning the more miles you fly, the more miles required. If used properly, distance-based award charts can open up incredible value.

The award chart is driven by total distance (miles) and your cabin class. I recommend the Great Circle Mapper to calculate the distance of all flights in your itinerary.

For Emirates business class flights to the Middle East from the U.S., Japan Airlines requires 63,000 miles one-way. The downside to this redemption is the fuel surcharges. I calculated ~$800 in fuel surcharges from multiple U.S. destinations to Dubai.

When booking this redemption, it’s important to keep in mind the following: One, you can book up to six flights, two stopovers (staying at a destination more than 24 hours), and one open jaw (fly into and out of different airports) on an award itinerary. Two, you can book a one-way award flight.

I recommend searching for Emirates’ award space on Alaska Airlines or Qantas. Call Japan Airlines at 800-525-3663 once you locate award space. When you’re ready to book, feed the Japan Airlines agent your flight info (i.e. date, flight number, origin).

As with all of these redemptions, SPG provides a 5,000 mile bonus when transferring Starpoints in 20,000 point increments to its airlines partners. You can transfer up to 60,000 Starpoints per 24 hour period and still receive the 5,000 mile bonus.

Examples of non-stop Emirates flights include:

• New York (JFK) – Dubai (DXB)
• Dallas (DFW) – Dubai (DXB)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Dubai (DXB)

2. Fly Cathay Pacific to Southeast Asia (50,000 Alaska Airlines Miles)

Alaska Airlines uses separate award chart for each of their airline partners. Cathay Pacific is one of Alaska Airlines’ partners in addition to airlines like Air France, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines.

The award chart is zoned-based meaning flights from the U.S. to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific require the same number of Alaska Airlines miles.

Cathay Pacific business class flights to Hong Kong require 50,000 miles one-way. In addition to the required mileage being low for a 15+ hour flight, the fuel surcharges are also reasonable. Based on a recent search, business class fuel surcharges are ~$130 for a one-way flight.

With respect to the Cathay Pacific award chart, keep in mind that you can book award flights one-way.

Cathay Pacific award flights can be searched on British Airways. When you find an award flight, call Alaska Airlines at 800-252-7522. You’ll share your flight information with the Alaska Airlines agent who will then ticket the award.

Examples of non-stop Cathay Pacific flights include:

• Newark (EWR) – Hong Kong (HKG)
• Chicago (ORD) – Hong Kong (HKG)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Hong Kong (HKG)

3. Fly Delta to Hawaii (45,000 Korean Air Miles)

Korean Air, unlike many award programs, includes Hawaii in the North American award chart with the U.S. Delta Air Lines is a SkyTeam member, meaning you can book Delta flights with Korean Air miles.

Like Alaska Airlines, Korean Air uses a zone-based award for SkyTeam redemptions. This means that Delta flights from continental U.S. to Hawaii require the same number of miles.

Delta business class flights to Hawaii require 45,000 miles round-trip. As you’ve probably noticed, I stated round-trip because Korean Air SkyTeam redemptions require you to book round-trip flights.

When you are reviewing the Korean Air award chart, keep in the mind two points: One, Mexico, the U.S. (including Hawaii), the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Puerto Rico, are all in the North American region. Two, Delta does not pass on fuel surcharges unlike on its flights to Europe.

I recommend searching Delta flights first at Delta, Air France, or KLM. When you locate your flight, use Korean Air to find the corresponding award space. Flights can be booked directly through the Korean Air website or by calling Korean Air at 800-438-5000.

Examples of non-stop Delta flights include:

• Atlanta (LAX) – Honolulu (HNL)
• Seattle (SEA) – Kona (KOA)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Maui (OGG)

4. Fly American Airlines to Europe (50,000 Etihad Miles)

Etihad, similar to Alaska Airlines, uses individual award charts for their airline partners. In addition to American, Etihad partners with 24 airlines including ANA, Korean Air, and South African Airways.

Etihad uses a zone-based award chart for their partner airlines. When looking at American Airlines flights to Europe, the same number of miles is required regardless of your origin.

For American Airlines business class flights to Europe, Etihad requires 50,000 miles one-way. Mirroring the Emirates redemption, fuel surcharges are material. I calculated ~$478 in fuel surcharges from multiple U.S. origins to European destinations.

As you’re evaluating booking this redemption, take into account the following: One, you can book one-way award flights. Two, calculate the fuel surcharges with ITA Flight Matrix.

American Airlines award space can be searched on American Airlines. After you find award space, call Etihad at +1 (0) 877-690-0767 and provide the Etihad agent with your flight info.

Examples of non-stop American Airlines flights include:

• Miami (MIA) – Barcelona (BCN)
• Dallas (DFW) – Frankfurt (FRA)
• New York (JFK) – Paris (CDG)

5. Fly ANA to Asia 1 (80,000 ANA Miles)

All Nippon Airways (ANA) utilizes an interesting and nuanced award chart to say the least. I recommend spending time reviewing both the ANA and ANA partner award flight charts to familiarize yourself with how the mileage is calculated.

ANA uses a zone-based award chart when flying ANA and partner airlines. The ANA chart is driven by the zone, seasonality, and class of service.

When fly ANA to Asia 1, the airline rquirest 80,000-90,000 miles round-trip for ANA flights from the U.S. Countries in Asia 1 include Hong Kong, and the Philippines to name a few. ANA, like United Airlines, has reasonable fuel surcharges which pair nicely with the low amount of miles required for these 11+ hour flights.

It’s important to remember a few items when the time comes to book an ANA flight: One, award flights must be booked as a round-trip itinerary. Two, fuel surcharges will be significant for some partners. Three, the award chart is seasonal with different mileage required throughout the year. Four, one stopover is allowed on your award flights.

ANA award flights can be searched on ANA. Locate the award space that you and book your flight directly through the site.

Examples of non-stop ANA flights include:

• Washington (IAD) – Narita (NRT)
• Houston (IAH) – Narita (NRT)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Narita (NRT)

6. Fly Lufthansa to Europe (50,000 Asiana Miles)

Asiana Airlines uses a zone-based chart that includes the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) and Canada in its USA/Canada region. The Europe region includes many of the countries you’d expect but also adds you may not expect like Georgia.

The partner award chart is calculates the required mileage based on the region and class of service. This means that you’ll pay the same number of miles for all flights from the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) to Europe.

Asiana requires 50,000 one-way for Lufthansa first class from the U.S. to Europe. The downside to this low mileage redemption are the fuel surcharges. Based on recent search, the fuel surcharges will set you back ~$500 for a one-way flight.

When the time comes to book this redemption, keep in mind the following items when using Asiana: One, you can book one-way award flights. Two, a phone call is required to book Lufthansa using Asiana miles. Three, fuel surcharges will be high as previously noted.

The United search engine is where you’ll be able to locate Lufthansa award availability. After you locate award space, call Asiana at 800-227-4262 who will book your award ticket with the flight information you provide them.

Examples of non-stop Lufthansa flights include:

• Detroit (DTW) – Frankfurt (FRA)
• Philadelphia (PHL) – Frankfurt (FRA)
• San Jose (SJC) – Frankfurt (FRA)

Conclusion

As you can see, SPG can provide incredible value for premium cabin redemptions. While you’ll incur fuel surcharges on some award flights and will be required to call the airline to book an award on others, the low amount of miles required should offset that headache.

Have you used Starpoints on these redemptions or on any other redemptions? If yes, please let me know in the comments below or by sending me an email pointswithq@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by!