500 Golden Circle Award Points Reactivation Offer from Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts (Targeted) - 48.5% Effective Cashback
It has been almost a year since my last stay at a participating Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts property and I actually received an email yesterday with a 'reactivation offer'. Staying at least one night at any participating property before 30 November 2019 will earn me 500 bonus Golden Circle (GC) Award Points which I can use on a free room night, spa or dining.
Click HERE to find out more about The Table by Golden Circle!
While I did not have any plans to stay at a participating Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts property, I am now slightly tempted because 500 GC Award Points are worth at least USD 50 when used on dining and let's just say that the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore has a Bar Chor Mee that is certainly worth returning for. With the Golden Circle Jade Statusthat I get with The Platinum Card from American Express, my GC Award Points are worth 25% more when they are redeemed on dining (10 points = USD 1.25) so 500 GC Award Points are worth approximately USD 62.50 to me as a Jade member. As mentioned in my previous article about renewing The Platinum Card for S$1,712, I have decided that the perks that come with the card outweigh the cost of keeping it.
It goes without saying that I will definitely be able to earn base GC Award Points on the stay (on top of the 500 bonus points) so long it is a qualifying room rate. As a Jade Member in the Golden Circle program, I will be able to earn an effective cashback of approximately 12.5% on the base room rate (or 10.2% on the total room rate after accounting for tax and applicable service fees). Room rates at the Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore by Shangri-La start from just USD 150++ and therefore, I can potentially earn 187 GC Award Points from this stay. Together with the 500 points bonus, I am looking at a 687 GC Award Points (which translates into USD 85.90 worth of dining credits) from just spending USD 150++ (USD 177 nett) - this is effectively a 48.5% cashback which is fantastic value!
Alternatively, as an American Express Platinum Member, I also have access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) programme which gives me exclusive privileges at a range of properties. In Singapore, Platinum Members will enjoy USD 100 Property Credit during their stay which they can utilise for dining or spa treatments - there is no doubt that the FHR Rate (Best Flexible Rate) will be higher than the Advance Purchase Rate but it does come with some nice perks so I am seriously considering this targeted offer.
TRIBE Living Bangkok Sukhumvit 39 is a great value choice for budget-conscious travelers but its slightly longer walk from Phrom Phong BTS Station may make it less convenient compared to more accessible (but pricier) options in the area.