Starwood (SPG) and Priority Club update award redemption values

It’s a bad day in the world of hotel point redemptions, with two popular chains announcing some major devaluations. I know #firstworldproblems, right? Anyhow, if you’re planning any free or cheap hotel stays, take heed, as it may take more points to do so this year.

Starwood

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) has announced that the Cash & Points redemptions will change starting March 5

According to this page, changes will include:

• Adding the ability to redeem for upgraded rooms such as suites, Club Rooms, Smart Rooms, and rooms with a view, where available.
• Adding all Category 1 and 2 destinations worldwide.
• Updating pricing for standard room redemption, with the intention of expanded availability.

Here's the new chart that takes effect on March 5, 2013.

Until then, you can book standard rooms at the current rates. Here's the current cash & points chart:

And a Starwood rep also posted on Flyertalk that the annual category changes will take place in early March. The rep estimates the list will be finalized in mid-Februrary and that they will post it on FT as soon as it’s available

Priority Club Rewards

A few weeks ago, Priority Club Rewards announced they’d be making some changes to the number of points required to redeem a reward night at IHG hotels. According to a Jan. 7 post from a PCR rep on Flyertalk, less than 30 percent of their hotels would be increasing and 30 percent of the hotels would be lower. Well, those changes took effect today.

Previously points were based on brand tiers so a lower-end property like Candlewood Suites was either 15,000 or 20,000 points no matter where it was (even in an expensive place like Times Square NYC) while a higher-end hotel like Intercontinental was either 30,000, 40,000 or 50,000 points. Now, the hotels are categorized regardless of brand by a nine category tier (that Candlewood in NYC is now 35,000 points).

As expected, many redemptions in the central areas of major world cities went up and many redemptions of hotels in outlying areas went down. One hotel that I have my eye on for this year went down from 25,000 to 20,000, which is good news for me.

Here’s the new chart

If you’re wondering whether a property you’re planning a stay went up or down, Loyalty Lobby has a list of the old points redemptions here. If the hotel that you originally planned to book now requires more points, you can call the Priority Club Service Center until March 18 to reserve your reward night at the original point price.