Starwood offering free nights to dormant members …. worth signing up and doing nothing?

Starwood, the Westin / W / Sheraton / Luxury Collection / aloft etc hotel group, has been sending out this interesting email to people who have joined up recently but never completed a stay:

Thanks for joining SPG earlier this year — now, let’s get to know each other better. We know you’ll love it. Simply register before September 30, 2013, and complete one eligible stay between August 1 and October 31, 2013, at any of our more than 1,100 hotels and resorts, and your account will be credited with a Free Night Award for you to redeem by December 31, 2013. Think night out in New York or beach time in Bali. This one’s on us.

Now, this is not a bad deal at all.   It is especially good if you going somewhere with a very cheap Starwood hotel which you could use for a mattress run, or build an SPG stay into your existing schedule.

Your free night must be in Category 1-5 hotel.  This would not cover all of their properties – they go to Category 7 – but it would include, for example, hotels like the Hotel Kamp in Helsinki (which is fantastic), the Le Meridien in Nice or The Westin Dublin (also fantastic).

If you’re not an SPG member, it might be worth signing up speculatively at spg.com just in case they run this offer again at some point …..

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.