500 Bonus Starpoints for linking Emirates Skywards Account

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I recently got an email from Starwood Preferred Guest informing me that I will receive 500 bonus Starpoints for simply registering for a free Emirates Skywards account. For those of you that do not know already, SPG Gold and Platinum members will be able to earn 1 Starpoint per US dollar spent on all eligible Emirates flights  (on top of Skywards Miles). If you are a Platinum member, you will also receive elite in-airport benefits such as priority check-in, priority boarding and complimentary e-gate access.

Click HERE to earn 500 free bonus Starpoints now!

500 Bonus Starpoints with Emirates Skywards

500 Bonus Starpoints with Emirates Skywards

Similarly, Emirates Skywards® Silver, Gold and Platinum members will earn 1 Mile per US dollar (on top of Starpoints) for all eligible stays at Starwood hotels and resorts worldwide. Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members will also enjoy additional benefits at Starwood hotels and resorts, including 4pm late checkout, access to the SPG elite check-in line and complimentary in-room Internet access.

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Experiencing A Luxurious Journey with Bentley at The St. Regis Singapore
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In conjunction with her tenth birthday celebration, The St. Regis Singapore has partnered up with Bentley to offer discerning guests an opportunity to experience A Luxurious Journey with Bentley from now until 30 November 2018. Check out what is included in this luxurious room package now!

Hotel Review: Element Kuala Lumpur (One Bedroom Skyline Suite) - Large and Affordable Hotel near KLCC
Hotel Review: Element Kuala Lumpur (One Bedroom Skyline Suite) - Large and Affordable Hotel near KLCC

As some of you may already know, I went to Kuala Lumpur for two consecutive weekends in order to complete a status challenge with Starwood Preferred Guest before the official merger that took place sometime in August. Since I have never stayed in an Element-branded property before and the one in Kuala Lumpur looks pretty nice, I decided to book the One Bedroom Skyline Suites at the Element Kuala Lumpur for the weekend. Honestly the suites are really big and the space feels a little awkward since a lot of it is just emptiness but the low room rates here make this property a great choice for budget-conscious travellers.

Hotel Review: Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur (Le Meridien Club Room) - Conveniently Located in KL Sentral
Hotel Review: Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur (Le Meridien Club Room) - Conveniently Located in KL Sentral

I visited Kuala Lumpur a number of times last month to complete a series of mattress runs as I wanted to achieve SPG Platinum Elite before the program merges officially on 18 August 2018. I visited the Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur and stayed in one of the newly-renovated Le Meridien Club Rooms!

A Quick Guide to Combining Your Marriott Rewards and SPG Accounts
A Quick Guide to Combining Your Marriott Rewards and SPG Accounts

In case you have been asleep for the last week or so, the unification of the Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards as well as the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programmes has happened over the weekend (and is continuing to do so right now). Members logging in to their Marriott Rewards account should now be given the option to 'combine your accounts' - doing so will allow you to pool all those elite nights, points and bookings together.

Up to 20% off F&B Spend and Earn Points across Marriott International Properties in Asia-Pacific - Members Dine More
Up to 20% off F&B Spend and Earn Points across Marriott International Properties in Asia-Pacific - Members Dine More

Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) now operate under one set of unified benefits and one currency that spans across the entire portfolio of 29 brands - in case you have not realised, you can now merge your SPG and Marriott Rewards account into a unified account so you can get to your next elite status level quicker! Marriott International is also providing members with another way to earn more points (even without a stay) - members are able to earn points across 2,200 participating restaurants and bars in Asia-Pacific. More importantly, members are also awarded with an exclusive F&B discount (up to 20%) based on the status level in the unified Marriott Rewards program.

How Long does it Take for SPG Platinum Elite Status to Post after Challenge?
How Long does it Take for SPG Platinum Elite Status to Post after Challenge?

I have recently signed-up for the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Platinum Elite Status Challenge which requires me to do 18 eligible nights over a span of 90 days. With the upcoming loyalty program merger which is supposed to happen in August 2018, I wanted to obtain Platinum Elite status since hitting 50 nights might be a little bit of a challenge for me (since I barely travel for work). If you have not done it and would like to qualify on stays instead, Marriott Rewards is offering the opportunity to do 9 stays in 90 days and this will port over to Platinum Premier Elite (instead of a lower-tier Platinum Elite with SPG) in August if your challenge is completed successfully.

Buy SPG Starpoints at 35% off - Final Sale before Program Merger in August 2018
Buy SPG Starpoints at 35% off - Final Sale before Program Merger in August 2018

This is probably the last time Starpoints are going for 35% off - you have until 20 July 2018 to purchase up to 30,000 Starpoints and receive a massive discount off the regular price. As you should already know, the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program will be merging with Marriott Rewards and Ritz-Carlton Rewards in August 2018 so if you do take advantage of this promotion, the 30,000 Starpoints will be converted into 90,000 Marriott Rewards points in August.

W Kuala Lumpur now taking Reservations from October 2018 - Officially Opening on 31 August?
W Kuala Lumpur now taking Reservations from October 2018 - Officially Opening on 31 August?

The 150-room (inclusive of 18 suites) W Kuala Lumpur is currently taking room reservations from October 2018 even though the official website still states that the property will be opening on 31 August 2018 at the time of writing.

35% off Starpoints (25,000 Miles for USD 455) - Purchase by 31 May 2018
35% off Starpoints (25,000 Miles for USD 455) - Purchase by 31 May 2018

All Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members now have the opportunity (probably the last one before the merger of the SPG and Marriott Rewards program happen) to purchase Starpoints at 35% off from now until 31 May 2018. Do remember that you are only allowed to purchase up to 30,000 Starpoints per calendar year and in the event that you do not use them before August 2018, these will be converted into Marriott Rewards points at the end of the period.

SPG and Marriott Loyalty Programs to Merge in August 2018 - What it Means for You
SPG and Marriott Loyalty Programs to Merge in August 2018 - What it Means for You

Everyone knows about the acquisition of SPG by Marriott International and as most of us would have expected, all three loyalty programs which are operating independently today (even though they are linked and points can be transferred freely between them), will come together to form one powerful program. Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards as well as the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programme will be unified in August 2018 to offer loyalty benefits across all 29 brands that are under the Marriott International portfolio - a brand new loyalty program name will only be unveiled in 2019.