Starwood Preferred Guest members can buy or gift points to other members at a 20 percent discount through Dec. 30, 2011. Buy 500 points for $14 (normally $17.50). Members can purchase up to 20,000 points per calendar year. In order to buy points, you must have opened an account at least 30 days prior to purchasing points.

Bottom line: Even at 20 percent off, buying points is an expensive way to pad your account and we only recommend this option if you are close to an award. Even then, it’s usually better to wait until you can earn the points though hotel stays or credit card spending, which won’t cost you any extra money.