Uber has been my preferred method of transport and being able to earn 1 Starpoint per USD (albeit little) has been a nice bonus throughout the last couple of years. I have received an email today notifying me that the Uber and SPG partnership will end after 17 December 2017 and members will no longer be able to earn Starpoints from rides.
Read MoreWhen I visited Hong Kong last month, I checked out the brand new Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong which is located in Hung Hom. After staying at the world's highest hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong last year, I was eager to check out the highest hotel in Shenzhen, The St. Regis Shenzhen which is located on the top floors of the KK100 (京基100). The hotel is possibly the city's most luxurious (and expensive) property and so I took the opportunity to travel down to Shenzhen from Hong Kong via the MTR.
Read MoreLocated in the Xinyi district, W Taipei is one of the most iconic hotels in the city of Taipei - it is also just a stroll away from Taipei City Hall Station, making it easily accessible via the Taipei Metro. There are no lack of luxury hotels in Taipei but if you are looking for a property that belongs to an international chain, you will not find any strong contenders from IHG or Hilton. On the other hand, you will find a number of properties from Starwood and Marriott here - hotels like the W Taipei offers a bold and distinctive decor that is not overly done (unlike some W Hotels in the world) but equally memorable.
Read MoreNow that Starwood Hotels and Resorts is part of the greater Marriott International portfolio, it would make sense to view the brands simultaneously (especially since you get reciprocal elite benefits across SPG, Marriott Rewards and Ritz-Carlton Rewards now). For stays between 27 May 2017 and 4 September 2017, be sure to register for Marriott Rewards' MegaBonus and SPG's Take Three promotion to maximise on the upcoming stays. If you do not have any status with any program, remember you can get SPG Gold (and therefore Marriott Rewards Gold) with just one stay if you have a World MasterCard issued in Asia-Pacific!
Read MoreI have only recently lost my Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Gold status that I have gotten with just one qualifying stay when I paid for it using a World MasterCard. One of the things that I truly appreciated with SPG Gold was the 4PM guaranteed late checkout benefits at most properties. Last evening, I received my new Marriott Rewards Silver card in the mail and got the offer to buy back my Gold Elite status for 25,000 Marriott Rewards Points. Now that Marriott Rewards and SPG have integrated, buying back Gold Elite would also mean another year of SPG Status which I wouldn't mind at all. Also, as you may already know, there is currently a sale of up to 30% off on Starpoints purchases which you can in turn convert into Marriott Rewards Points in blocks of 1,000 at a conversion rate of 3:1.
Read MoreStarwood Preferred Guest (SPG) is currently running a sale that offers up to 30% off Starpoints - if you live in Asia-Pacific and do not have Gold Elite status with the program, you can find out how to fast track to Gold Elite in just one stay. Once you have your status, you can link it to your Marriott Rewards account to give you Gold Elite and that will in turn give you guaranteed lounge access at all participating properties.
Read MoreWe all know that the whole Starwood Hotels & Resorts portfolio has been acquired by Marriott International but we haven't had much visibility about how it is going to impact us until today. With the expansion and takeover of brands, current Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members will be able to benefit from the integration of both programs. Here are the top four things you need to know!
Read MoreIf you enjoy dining at hotels, make it worth your while at participating restaurants in SPG properties because you can now earn double Starpoints whenever you dine outside of a stay - doesn't matter if you are in Singapore or outside! All you have to do is to spend at least US$10 between now and 15 June 2016 and you will earn double Starpoints on your F&B spend.
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