Short Change

We are planning a February vacation to Vancouver to visit my sister. Wishing to get one day of skiing at Whistler in during our week on the west coast, we are trying to book a hotel or condo for two nights, midweek in February. Some folks recommended that we stay in the "Village" so I checked out the Westin in Whistler. At first their website explained that they had no availability but after I called, they explained that their smallest room, a Junior Suite is available for $599 a night. WOW!

My wife recommended that I try to use my SPG Starpoints. Unfortunately this year I have collected more Marriott Reward points due to my client's location. I learned something new by calling SPG:

1. Rooms are available on the nights I requested for 10,000 points
2. You can purchase points in 1000 increments for 35$

In other words, by buying points, I can get the same room for $350/night. The only difference is that the reservation for $600 would be refundable while if I changed my plans, I would have to keep the points.

To make things more attractive, I could risk the hotel "booking up" and apply for a Starwood AMEX netting 10,000 points in about 6 weeks, thereby savings an additional $350. Who said it will be less attractive for Americans to tour Canada with a weak US Dollar?

Labels: Travel