Starwood points question

[Troyfus]

Brand new member of Starwood PG program -- 1st trip to Dolphin Jan 2003

Are there other ways to build points than staying at resorts? I have NWA, Delta, and Continental frequent flier miles, and I have MyPoints and AMEX bonus points as well. Is there any type of interchangeability among these with Starwood? Learning the ins and outs of these programs can get confusing.

What other programs should I look into?
Thanks for any advice.

January 2003 at the Dolphin for our Tenth Anniversary!!!

[Eeyore1954]

I believe you can transfer AMEX points to Starwood program. I am trying to build up my Starwood points to 20,000 to transfer to United miles. At 20,000 Starwood tacks on an extra 5,000, so you end up with 25,000 miles for 20,000 points. I am more into the mileage 'cause I don't stay at Dolphin/Swan at WDW.

[JRoglitz]

There is a really good thread on the Resort board that answers alot of questions about the Starwood program. The people there seem to know all the answers.

[chip1]

You are right. We just had 20,000 starwood points and they added 5,000. The 25,000 were added to our United Mileage Plus account. It was just a simple phone call, and within 2 weeks the miles were posted.

[Windjammer]

You should get a starwood AMEX rather than using the AMEX rewards. The starwood AMEX is fee free for the first year and then $30 per year thereafter. This is less expensive than most other AMEX cards.

Also, with the starwood card you earn one point per dollar spent, which is better then earning AMEX rewards and then converting to starwood points.

If you want to learn all about Starwood hotels and how to earn points you should to to www.flyertalk.com Then click on "flyertalk miles" and then on the starwood link.

Hope this helps.

Steve

[NancyIL]

It takes 3 AMEX Membership Rewards points to equal 1 Starwood point. Here's the link to the Starwood thread on the Resorts board: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=204282