This is wheelie good news.
Starting Wednesday, travelers who ride with Uber can earn free hotel nights at Starwood Hotels. When you link Uber with your Starwood Preferred Guest account (which is free to set up, by the way), you’ll earn at least one point for every $1 you spend on Uber... which could add up to a LOT of free night stays.
The catch isn’t too bad, either: You’ll just need to do a quick sign-up (for free) as a Starwood Preferred Guest ― the program earns you points toward free nights and flights, among other perks. Then, you’ll need to log one stay at a Starwood hotel (we’re talking W Hotels, Westin and Sheraton, among others).
After that, you’ll start earning one Starwood point for every dollar you spend on Uber ― and if you ride while staying in a Starwood hotel, you’ll earn two, three or even four points per dollar, depending on your Starwood status.
These points will translate to free hotel nights at any Starwood property, as long as it’s in a market where Uber operates. For reference, a one-night award stay starts at 2,000 points ― and given Uber’s surge pricing, we’re sure we could rack them up fairly quickly.
The offer ― both to sign up for the partnership and to earn points ― will continue throughout 2015.
Sound daunting? There’s a shortcut: This weekend, Uber riders in five cities will earn a free night just for linking their Uber and Starwood accounts and taking a free ride. If you’re in NYC, San Francisco, London, Dubai or Mexico City on Saturday, keep an eye out for the “SPG” option in your Uber app to score 15,000 Starpoints, which is enough for at least one free night (and likely many more!). From 2-7pm (local time) instead of ordering an UberX, select SuiteRide and receive a complimentary ride and those 15,000 Starpoints. Restrictions for the ride do apply, so be sure to brush up on the facts here before you venture out.
This really is a suite ride.