At the moment it’s currently possible to transfer Starwood Preferred Guest points to Virgin America with a transfer ratio of 1:1. You also get a bonus 5,000 points when you transfer in increments of 20,000. You can then transfer those Virgin America points to Alaska miles at a ration of 1:1.3. This means that 20,000 SPG points will net you 32,500 Alaska points.
Unfortunately SPG will end it’s partnership with Virgin America to focus instead on their partnership with Alaska Airlines (also a 1:1 transfer partner). You will no longer be able to earn Virgin America Elevate points on hotel stays or directly transfer Starpoints into Elevate accounts after January 6th, 2017.
It’s of course nice to get some warning about these changes. It makes sense to end this partnership as soon Virgin America will be Alaska Airlines and you currently get a better deal by transferring to Virgin America first and then transferring those to Alaska.
Hat tip to View From The Wing
View Comments (11)
That is most interesting. Thanks for elaborating. Do you have to stay for 7 consecutive nights?
No, you could leave after 4-5 days if you like.
difficult to use 7 dyas cat 5 Marriott to a lot of people
Marriott flight and hotel package is still better.
Not everybody wants to transfer 90k points
Agreed - 90,000 SPG points trf to Marriott 1:3 = 270,000 Marriott points = Nights and Flights package = 120,000 Alaska miles and 7 nights cat 1-5 hotel. Cat 5 hotel can be upgraded for more points as well.
Pls elaborate. Thanks!
You get almost just as many Alaska miles plus 7 days in cat 5 Marriott.
Cat 5 Marriotts are like.. garbage.
The higher Cat packages are also less appealing in terms of miles you get.
To each their own, I'd rather get more miles than get 7 consecutive nights at a Cat 5 Marriott.
Trick is to use them on an international trip
Garbage? or not aspirational?
I am not familiar with them but I looked them up online and they seem to be fine.