The Marriott Rewards Program has been combined with the SPG Program to become one program. You can get all the details of the combined Marriott/SPG Program here.
As an SPG member, here are some ways on how to earn and accumulate Starwood Points…
1. Visit a Starwood Resort and spend $
Starwood Preferred Guest members earn 2 to 3 Starpoints for every eligible dollar spent at Starwood Resorts. The 2 vs 3 points earned depend on membership level, Preferred, Gold and Platinum. These dollars can be spent on hotel stays, and often on spa and restaurant charges even if you are not staying at the hotel. Note, if you book your stay using cash and points, you will not earn points on the cash part of your reservation.
2. Use one of your Starwood Preferred Guest American Express Credit Cards
With your American Express Starwood Preferred Guest and/or your American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Business card you earn 2 Starpoints for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts participating in the Starwood Preferred Guest program and (now the Marriott program) and 1 Starpoint per dollar on all other purchases.
I certainly use my card when staying at a Starwood Resort because I earn 2 points per dollar with my Amex plus 3 points as a Gold member, so I earn 5 points per dollar on all of my Starwood charges.
I also use my card often on my everyday purchases, despite the 1 to 1 dollar to point ratio, because I personally think that Starwood has amazing redemption options—many free night awards require what I believe to be very little Starpoints. For example, the Snowmass Westin that we stayed at required only 12,000 Starpoints per night. The regular offer is that you can earn 25,000/30,000 bonus Starpoints after you use your new Card to make $3,000/$5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
3. Transfer points from your American Express Membership Rewards account
If you are an American Express Membership Rewards member you can transfer your Membership Rewards points, in 1,000-point increments, to your Starwood Preferred Guest account. NOT WORTH IT IN MY OPINION as your points transfer at 3:1 value. That means three American Express Membership Rewards points equals one Starpoint.
4. Transfer points from Marriott Rewards or Ritz Carlton Rewards
Now that the loyalty programs are merged, you can link your accounts and transfer your Marriott Rewards points or your Ritz Carlton Rewards to your SPG account. The points transfer on a three-to-one ratio, that is, three Marriott/Ritz Rewards points yield one SPG point.
5. Earn SPG Points Flying On Delta Through Crossover Rewards
SPG Platinum and Gold members earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent on eligible Delta flights.
6. Earn SPG points by spending $ with SPG partners
7. Learn More about earning SPG Points
Learn about using Starwood Preferred Guest Points here