How to Turn 18,667 SPG Points Into 31,250 United Miles

Through November 31, 2016, United MileagePlus is offering a transfer bonus when you move points over from a hotel loyalty program.

Transfer from most chain hotels earn a 25% bonus
Transfers from Club Carlson earn a 40% bonus
Transfers from Choice Privileges earn a 50% bonus

Since Marriott bought Starwood, one of the benefits the company has announced to members of both loyalty programs is the ability to transfer reward points between accounts.

How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions: Wrap Up & Index

Earlier this year I published a series about how to maximize each type of transferrable point when redeeming on domestic awards. By doing so, all the major types of miles were covered.
Series Index

How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions: Ultimate Rewards
How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions: Membership Rewards
How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions: ThankYou Points
How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions: Starpoints (SPG)

Let's talk about the highlights of what we've learned. Below I'll include basic details of valuable ways to redeem your miles on an award within the United States.

How & Why to Transfer Starpoints Between Accounts for Free

Most airline miles charge exorbitant fees to transfer miles from one person's account to another's. For instance, United is currently charging $82.50 to transfer 5,000 miles from one account to another, which is more than the 5,000 United miles are even worth!

However, SPG Starpoints can be freely transferred from one SPG account to another as long as both accounts have had the same address on file for 30 days.

When You Can and Can’t Pool Transferrable Points

Ever wondered if you can combine miles between two accounts in the same program? As in, you have some American Airlines miles and your wife does too, and you want to pool them together to redeem on one award ticket?

The answer is technically yes, but most of the time* there are transfer fees above one cent per mile, and often transaction fees on top of that, that make this a bad idea. The fees depend on how many miles you transfer.

Starpoints Transfer to 50% More American Airlines Miles Until September 14

You have less than two weeks left to take advantage of this transfer bonus! 

Until September 14, 2016, you can transfer 20,000 SPG Starpoints to 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

Review of the SPG Luxury Suite: US Open 2016

SPG Moments offer one-of-a-kind musical, sporting, or cultural experiences to Starwood Preferred Guest members. SPG Moments are unique in that they provide an experience that would be very difficult, or next to impossible, to put together yourself. After last night, I can attest to this statement.

Yesterday I attended the US Open evening session and was lucky enough to watch world class tennis from Starwood Preferred Guest's Luxury Suite.

How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions: Starpoints (SPG)

Let’s talk about transferring Starpoints to airline partners for redeeming on domestic awards. This is part three in a series that will allow you to master redeeming awards within the United States, no matter what kind of points or miles you might have.

For those of you that have already read the first three posts in this series, you will notice repeat information because some of the airline partners overlap between transferrable points programs. 
“How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions” Series Index

How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions: ThankYou Points
How to Maximize Domestic Award Redemptions: Ultimate Rewards
How to

Free Access to the Chase Lounge at the US Open 2016

The US Open begins August 29 in Flushing, New York. Chase customers can register here to reserve a free spot at Chase's Lounge for access to air-conditioning and complimentary snacks and beverages during the world class tennis matches.

To be clear, you still have to purchase tickets to the US Open-- this free reservation at the Chase Lounge is solely for entrance to the lounge. But with temperatures in New York climbing that time of year and pricey drinks, a lounge with air conditioning and refreshments would no doubt be appreciated.

Get 2,500 Starpoints for Adding An Authorized User

From now through September 19, 2016 you can earn 2,500 SPG points for adding an authorized user to your Starwood Preferred Guest®Credit Card from American Express.

The Top 5 Business Credit Cards

Many people can get a small business credit card. Opening small business cards roughly doubles the number of amazing miles and points cards available to you.

Every small business credit card I’ve gotten I opened by putting my social security number as the tax ID, and by saying that my business is a sole proprietorship.