Earn Harrah’s Total Rewards points for Starwood Stays

Harrah’s Total Rewards members can earn points with two loyalty programs for Starwood stays in North America through the end of 2010. This deal is best for those invested in Harrah’s Total Rewards to earn 2 bonus points per $1 spent at Starwood Hotels. Harrah’s members also earn Starpoints at the regular rate for Starwood stays, so this is a double dip opportunity. 

This offer has limited value for Starwood Preferred Guest members who do not actively use Harrah’s Total Rewards. There is no Starwood credit for staying at any of more than 40 Harrah’s properties. This is only a one-way offer for Harrah’s points for Starwood stays. The value of 1,000 Total Rewards points is $10 if used for a Starbucks gift certificate or around the same value when used for a free hotel room.

The main problem with Harrah’s Total Rewards is points expire after six months if no activity earns new points in your account. Also, these are Harrah’s Total Rewards Bonus Points and these bonus points do not count for elite Tier Credits in the Harrah’s loyalty program. Bonus Points are only valid for redemption and do not count for Harrah’s elite credit which requires about $20,000 in annual gambling spend, so don’t plan on getting complimentary upgrades at Harrah’s hotels based on your extensive Starwood spending. This link explains the difference between Harrah’s Tier Credits and Bonus Reward Credits.

Basically SPG members who are also Total Rewards members can receive an additional $10 value for every $500 in Starwood Hotels spending through the end of 2010. There is no downside to this offer for Starwood members if the Starwood rate is comparable to other rates available. Just plan to spend your Harrah’s points within six months before they expire.

A free Harrah’s night in Las Vegas is 11,500 points for Sunday through Thursday so you need $5,750 in Starwood spend by the end of 2010 to earn a free hotel night in Vegas at a Harrah’s property.

Some FlyerTalk members suggest rates are higher using Harrah’s Set/Corporate Acct # 393098 to book the rate for earning Total Rewards points along with Starpoints. My searches indicated the Harrah’s rates were discounted on Best Available Rate and comparable to some AAA rates.

San Francisco Westin St. Francis

August 6, 2010

• Harrah’s Rate $252.86 Traditional Room
• BAR $255.55

 

St. Regis San Francisco

August 6, 2010

• Harrah’s Rate $487.86 King Deluxe
• AAA rate $467.10

 

Westin Palo Alto

August 6, 2010

• Harrah’s Rate $130.66 Traditional king
• AAA rate $132.05
• Prepaid, nonrefundable $129
• BAR $139 

SPG-Harrah’s Total Rewards Link: https://www.spgpromos.com/totalrewards/