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The ongoing Starwood 3rd Night Free promo in association with Mastercard isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but it is is still worth knowing about.

In common with many similar hotel discounts, the advertised discount is derived from the fully flexible rate, but the discounted rate is non-refundable, making the comparison misleading.

That said, if you are booking 3 nights anyway, then the Starwood 3rd night free Mastercard offer does tend to offer the lowest prices – just not 33% off. It’s therefore definitely a good idea to check it quickly when booking Starwood hotels, but not usually worth getting hugely excited about.

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples:

Sheraton Grand London Park Lane – ‘real’ saving of £29 per night (~14%)

The rate can also be used for Suites too, where the value can sometimes work out better:

W Istanbul Spa Studio Suite – saving of 75 Euros per night ( ~30%)

Note though, that the rates aren’t directly comparable here. The non-Mastercard rate includes 3,000 bonus Starpoints (worth ~75 Euros) and breakfast each day (worth ~40 Euros total, to me), so the saving is more like 110 Euros in total, or ~36 Euros per night, which works out at about 14%. If you value the Starpoints and breakfast differently to me, the real saving to you will obviously be a bit higher or lower.

Bottom line

The Starwood 3rd Night Free Mastercard offer can lead to some decent little savings if it suits your travel plans, even if it doesn’t really offer a 3rd night free.

Terms

• The Promotion is valid only for Mastercard®cardholders.
• The offer(s) apply to the hotel room rate and room tax only. Other hotel charges, service charges and applicable taxes (other than the room rate and the room tax) must be paid for by the Mastercard cardholder in accordance with the cardholder’s agreement with the hotel.
• Promotion valid for bookings and stays made until 31 December 2018
• The Mastercard free night offer features:
  • Buy 2 nights, Receive 1 Free Night Offer
    • advance reservations are required
    • Offer is only valid for a three-night minimum/maximum length of stay.
  • Buy 3 Nights, Receive 1 Free Night Offer
    • Advance reservations are required
    • Offer is only valid for a four-night minimum/maximum length of stay.
  • Buy 4 Nights, Receive 2 Free Nights Offer
    • Advance reservations are required
    • Offer is only valid for a six-night minimum/maximum length of stay.