Uber, Starwood Preferred Guest end points partnership

Uber users will no longer earn Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) loyalty points on their trips from December 17 2017 as the ride-sharing app and Marriott-backed hotel chain end their mutual points tie-up.

Under the current scheme, riders can earn 0.5 SPG Starpoints per US$1 (A$1.30) spent with Uber after completing at least one stay at a Starwood hotel in the same calendar year at brands like Westin, W Hotels, Sheraton and St. Regis.

Once the points are flowing in, travellers are also offered quadruple points on Uber rides during future Starwood hotel stays – being two Starpoints per US$1 spent – but, as with the ‘everyday’ earning offer, that also comes to and end on December 17.

The partnership proved appealing to many business travellers as SPG points can be converted into airline frequent flyer points with Virgin Australia Velocity, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and more, and could be earned on Uber rides taken in cities around the world.

In an email sent to members overnight, SPG and Uber advise that while the “partnership will not be renewed for 2018… the Starpoints you’ve earned to-date with Uber will not be affected and you can still earn through December 17, 2017”.

Until that date, eligible riders who have linked their Uber and SPG accounts will continue earning points at the normal rates, unless US$10,000 or more has been spent on rides this calendar year, in which case no further points are awarded.

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.