Starwood Hotel Loyalty Points Now Can Book Flights

Starwood Hotels & Resorts today launched a new offering in its loyalty program that allows members to book flights using their accrued points.

Starwood Preferred Guest members now can book flights on most major domestic and international carriers—excluding Southwest Airlines—through the program's Web site, using Starpoints to pay. The new offering is a first for hotel loyalty programs, according to Starwood.

"With the addition of SPG Flights, we will provide our members with the same access to unrestricted air travel they have come to know in the hotel industry through SPG," Mark Vondrasek, Starwood senior vice president of interactive and loyalty marketing, said in a statement. "If there's an available seat, it's yours."

Airfares of up to $150, including taxes and booking fees, require 10,000 Starpoints. Generally, each additional $65 in flight costs requires 5,000 additional Starpoints.

There are no blackout dates in booking flights, and travelers can use points for any airline service level, according to Starwood. Members also still can earn airline miles when they book their airfare through SPG Flights.