SPG are good and versatile because you can transfer them to almost every airline program at 1:1 (United is 2:1) and you also get a 5k bonus when you transfer 20k miles. So, you transfer 60k SPG and you get 75k miles. Programs Listed:
AA Advantage (1:1 exchange)
BA Executive Club (1:1 exchange)
United (2 Starpoints for 1 Mile)
US Airways Dividend Miles (1:1 exchange)
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 exchange)
Also, they have great hotel awards as you can get Points & Dollar redemption:
1,200 Starpoints + $25
1,600 Starpoints + $30
2,800 Starpoints + $45
4,000 Starpoints + $60
4,800 Starpoints + $90
8,000 Starpoints + $150
instead of:
3,000
4,000
7,000
10,000
12,000 - 16,000
20,000 - 25,000
30,000 - 35,000 (Not available with cahs & points option)
It's easy to add up what the points are worth if you can compare the options once you know the nightly rate. The cash and points option is always a very good deal.
Finally, you can get the 5th reward night free (for example, spend 40k points for 5 nights at a 10k hotel) and they have different redemptions with multiple nights and getting airline miles and other crap. Tons of options.
Again, if anyone wants this card please PM me your email address and name and I will send you a referral link. you won't get anything more than you usually would but I'll get 5k SPG points
