2016-10-05



With the recent finalization of the Marriott/SPG merger and the announcement that every SPG point is worth 3 Marriott points, there are some great opportunities to save points by transferring points from one program to the other, especially if you have a lot of Starwood points.

We’ll take a look at the breakdown of when it makes sense to use SPG or Marriott points over the other in Hawaii and also what the best hotel redemption option is on each island. To compare the approximate value you could expect to get from your points, we checked the same dates at each hotel listed to come up with a value range.

Of course, the value on your specific dates could be different – so be sure to check! But the merger presents some great opportunities for Starwood Preferred Guest members to get a lot more value from their points for stays at Marriott family hotels in Hawaii thanks to the 3x conversion rate. No more settling for the Sheraton in Maui when you can stay at a Ritz Carlton for Sheraton prices.

Oahu



Waikiki Beach Marriott – Available for 10,000 – 12,000 SPG points

Instead of staying at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach, The Royal Hawaiian – Waikiki, or Sheraton Waikiki (20,000 – 25,000 SPG points per night) stay at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (35,000 – 40,000 Marriott points per night) or Courtyard Waikiki Beach (30,000 – 35,000 Marriott points per night).

With the 3:1 transfer ratio, the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa would be bookable for 12,000 – 14,000 SPG points and the Courtyard Waikiki Beach would be bookable for 10,000 – 12,000 SPG points – both Marriott hotels cost a lot fewer points than booking their SPG counterparts, though the Courtyard isn’t on par with the Starwood properties.

In terms of which Marriott hotel to choose – the Courtyard Waikiki Beach showed values of 0.45 to 0.53 cents per point while the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa showed values between 0.51 and 0.76 cents per point.

As a general rule, when booking an SPG or Marriott hotel in Oahu, you’ll get the most bang for your buck by booking the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa for 35,000 to 40,000 Marriott points (or 10,000 to 12,000 SPG points) per night.

Kauai



The new Koloa Landing, Autograph Collection, for just 12,000 – 14,000 SPG points a night

While the hotels on Kauai aren’t on the same part of the island, it might make sense to re-visit where you are staying in order to save some points.

Instead of staying at The St. Regis Princeville Resort (30,000 – 35,000 SPG points per night), The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas (20,000 – 25,000 SPG points per night), or the Sheraton Kauai Resort (12,000 – 16,000 SPG points per night), stay at the brand new Koloa Landing, Autograph Collection (35,000 – 40,000 Marriott points per night), Kauai Marriott Resort (35,000 – 40,000), Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club (35,000 – 40,000 Marriott points per night), Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club (35,000 – 40,000 Marriott points per night) or Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach (30,000 – 35,000 Marriott points per night).

After considering the 3:1 transfer ratio, the Koloa Landing, Autograph Collection, Kauai Marriott Resort, Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club, and Kauai Marriott Resort are all bookable for 12,000 – 14,000 SPG points while the Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach would be bookable for 10,000 – 12,000 SPG points per night.

For the most part, the Marriott hotels would save you points with the exception being if the Sheraton Kauai Resort is available for 12,000 points per night.

On the dates we checked, the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club did not have any reward night availability. Comparing the other four hotels: the Kauai Marriott Resort showed the highest values ranging from 0.57 to 0.75 cents per point, followed by Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club from 0.52 to 0.68 cents per point, and the Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach from 0.36 to 0.63 cents per point. The Koloa Landing, Autograph Collection only had availability for one day that we checked at 0.63 cents per point, and as a brand new boutique property would be our first choice if you can snag award nights.

Maui

Instead of booking The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali, The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, or the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa (20,000 – 25,000 SPG points per night), book Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club – Molokai, Maui & Lanai Towers, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club – Lahaina & Napili Towers (35,000 – 40,000 Marriott points per night), or the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua (60,000 Marriott points per night).

Both Marriott Ocean Clubs are available for 12,000 – 14,000 SPG points per night when you transfer to Marriott at 1:3-  a considerable savings over booking the SPG hotels on the island.

And getting the Ritz Carlton for 20,000 SPG points, which convert to 60,000 Marriott points, is a great deal considering the Sheraton and Westin will run you the same number of points.

The Ritz Carlton Kapalua – just 20,000 SPG points a night

The Marriott Maui hotels did not present the best reward night availability, but reward nights were available at each hotel for at least one night that was checked. However, when there was availability, the value for points was pretty good.

Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club – Molokai, Maui, and Lanai Towers showed one night with availability at a value of 0.71 cents per point while Marriott’s Ocean Club Lahaina & Napili Towers showed availability between 0.64 and 0.66 cents per point. The Ritz Carlton generally comes in at around 0.7 cents a point with room rates often over $400 a night.

Hawaii

Booking a hotel near Kona on Hawaii is one case where it is not so clear cut that you should transfer your SPG points to Marriott.

After considering the 1:3 SPG to Marriott ratio, you could book the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay for 10,000 SPG points (30,000 Marriott points) or the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel for 8,000 – 10,000 SPG points ( 25,000 – 30,000 Marriott points). Part of the year there will be a savings by transferring points to Marriott and booking their hotel, but part of the year it makes no difference whatsoever.

The Sheraton Kona – a basic resort for 8,000 – 10,000 SPG points a night (25,000 – 30,000 Marriott points)

But the Sheraton is a higher grade brand, though a dated property, so it’s up to your personal preference which to choose. They’re both among the cheapest among all the Hawaiian islands and a good deal for a getaway if you don’t have a big stash of points and aren’t looking for opulence.

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