Buy Marriott points for 0.7 cents each

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Through June 30th, Points.com is offering SPG Starpoints for 35% off.  Since the normal price is 3.5 cents per point,  this discount makes it possible to buy those points for 2.275 cents each.  But you can do even better:

  1. Start with TopCashBack to get 2.5% cash back
  2. Pay with your SPG Amex card to earn 2 points per dollar

By following the above steps, you will get more SPG points for less money (after the TopCashBack rebate).  In the end, your cost per point will be only 2.12 cents.

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Example

  1. Go through TopCashBack
  2. Buy 20,000 SPG points for $455
  3. Pay with your SPG card to earn 455 x 2 = 910 points
  4. Get back 2.5% of $455 = $11.38 from TopCashBack

Final cost = $455 – $11.38 = $443.62

Points earned = 20,000 + 910 = 20,910

Cost Per Point = $443.62 / 20,910 = 2.12 Cents Per Point

Marriott Rewards

Marriott usually sells their points for 1.25 cents each.  Since SPG points transfer to Marriott at a rate of 1 to 3, you’re always better off buying SPG points if you need Marriott points.  At the usual price of 3.5 cents per SPG point, that comes to 1.17 cents per Marriott point — a slightly better deal than buying from Marriott directly.

With the 35% discount, combined with the steps above, you can buy SPG points for 2.12 cents each then convert them 1 to 3 to Marriott Rewards.  In the end, your cost per Marriott Rewards point will be only 0.7 cents each.

Airline Miles

SPG points transfer to many airline mile programs at a rate of 20,000 SPG to 25,000 airline miles.  Thanks to that generous transfer ratio, by buying SPG points for 2.12 cents each, you can get airline miles for only 1.7 cents each.

Should You Buy?

In general, I don’t recommend buying points or miles unless you have a specific award in mind for which you need extra points.  Buying SPG points can be a great way to quickly get enough SPG or Marriott points for free hotel nights.  It can also be a great way to get the extra airline miles you need to top off an award, especially when the points are available at a discount as they are now (through June 30th).

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