Earn Double Points and a Weekend Bonus for Starwood Stays

It’s that time of the year, when the major hotel chains announce their promotions for the first quarter of 2018.

This is Starwood’s.

Offer Details

Between January 16 and April 15, 2018, Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn double points for the second and subsequent stays at participating hotels, plus an extra 500 bonus points for stays that include a weekend night.

There’s no limit to the number of bonus points that may be earned during the promotion period.

Wallet Watch: Airport Parking Costs How Much?[/st_related

Registration is required.

Deal or No Deal

Double points is, probably by design, just enough to keep Starwood loyalists from taking their business elsewhere. The extra 500 points for weekend stays helps, but only a bit.

The two-stay minimum to earn any bonus will be a deal-breaker for infrequent travelers.

And the “at participating locations” qualifier isn’t just rhetorical legalese here; there are indeed hotels that are not offering the bonuses, and travelers will have to consult the long list of eligible hotels to confirm that their stays will earn the bonuses. That’s a negative for both value and convenience.

More from SmarterTravel:

• The Airlines That Serve the Healthiest (and Unhealthiest) Meals
• How to Snag a NYC Hotel for $100 per Night
• How to Minimize the Stress of Holiday Travel

After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.