A free honeymoon with Starwood credit card intro point bonuses

Was speaking to a friend who is trying to plan his honeymoon. Given a tight budget, I suggested a 'free' honeymoon with points. He doesn't travel much, so was skeptical, but I think this may work out well.

First, five nights at the Le Meridien Cancun -- for all intents and purposes a five star resort -- is 40,000 points. Many other luxurious hotels and resorts have similar point requirements.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1877

How do you get 40,000 points?

With the intro bonus from a credit card. No travel required to earn points.

The Starwood Preferred Guest American Express, which earns points you can use at Sheraton, W, Westin, Le Meridien, and other hotels, gives you 10,000 points just for making one first purchase. Then, if you spend $15,000 on the card within 6 months, you will earn 15,000 bonus points. That's on top of the $15,000 points you earn from spending on the card.

- First purchase bonus: 15,000
- $15,000 in 6 months bonus: 15,000
- Points from spending: 15,000
- Total earned: 40,000

Even better -- there are no restrictions on when you can use the points. If a standard room is available in one of the hotels for purchases, you can use points. There are also no fees to change dates or cancel prior to the day or two before you arrive. This is much more flexible and generous than frequent flyer mile plane tickets.

So how much is this worth? The hotel rates on the nights he is staying are $350/night. So for $15,000 in credit card spending he would otherwise do, he earns $1750 in free value. That's like getting 12% cash back! And no annual fee for the credit card in the first year.

Powerful travel rewards without a single trip.

You can learn more about the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express by clicking here.