Using Points for Hotel Rooms rather than Flights ???

[nickfromeastryde]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering what people think, especially those that are self funded travellers like I am most of the time unfortunately

I've just stopped moving my AMEX points into QFF instead keeping them in MR with a view to periodically moving through SPG. From there, the intention would be to push to Air NZ, Singapore for example as required for Award flights, upgrades etc

Mrs Nick and myself are looking at going back to Europe next year for a long holiday and even though I probably will be trying to keep my accommodation costs down, an occasional splurge in a great hotel is sometimes a necessity. To that end, I was mucking around with dates and have found for some dates, 7 night packages for example at the Danieli in Venice for SPG 24K/30K per night instead of a lowest standard rate of EUR 534 per night. The Danieli is one of the hotels we stayed on our honeymoon many (many, many) years ago, we have been a couple of times since and even today is probably our favourite hotel in the world. Considering I am earning on average 1.5 SPG per dollar spent, then this isn't that bad value, ie about 3c per point of value which isn't really that far away on what I value my QFF points now

I have more than enough QFF points, the move to MR was to give me additional options on non One World airlines

I realise that I will probably be able to score a room cheaper but then the same can be said for those business and first class flights so wondering if I really would be wasting points by using them in this way.

Interested in your thoughts

Nick

 

[markis10]

Points are a currency so sometimes using them for hotels can make a lot of sense, I know a few are staying at the HI old Sydney very cheaply this NYE

 

[burmans]

Points are a currency so sometimes using them for hotels can make a lot of sense, I know a few are staying at the HI old Sydney very cheaply this NYE

Indeed, my family is looking forward to it, and it's my wife's birthday on the 29th too.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Just redeemed 52k points for 5 nights at W Seminyak.

SPG offers 20% off for a stay of 5 nights, usual redemption is 20k per night.
Then used my platinum gift for 2013 of 35% off the discounted 80k for 5 nights.

Online rates are going for A$2700+ for 5 nights, good value combining the two discounts that were on offer.

Cheers
BF

 

[ninja-tim]

I'm planning a trip to Paris & London in Oct this year.
I'm hoping to burn some amex MR points by flying Suites MEL-LHR, using krisflyer award savers (225250 w/ 15% discount).

After using it for flights, I'll still have some points leftover and just wondering if I should save it for my next flights or use it on SPG hotels in London or Paris for the trip? I understand that using pts on flights gets more value out of them (i.e. $/pts) but using it on hotels gets more use, in terms of hours/days etc, if you get what I mean.

These are the SPG hotels in Paris/London. I think 2 MR pts = 1 Starpoint.
W Paris - Opera = 24k starpoints/night ($604 AUD/night)
Westin Vendome Paris = 20k starpoints/night ($752 AUD/night)
W London - Leicester Sq = 16k starpoints/night. ($536AUD/night)

Should I keep MR pts for flights or use them for some hotel stays? If I don't use them on hotel stay, I'll most likely go through Airbnb since accomodation in london+paris is expensive, even for 3 star stays and some airbnb are quite nice.

 

[Austff]

If you have some points leftover I would use them on hotels , they could devalue if you save them .

 

[markis10]

I'm planning a trip to Paris & London in Oct this year.
I'm hoping to burn some amex MR points by flying Suites MEL-LHR, using krisflyer award savers (225250 w/ 15% discount).

After using it for flights, I'll still have some points leftover and just wondering if I should save it for my next flights or use it on SPG hotels in London or Paris for the trip? I understand that using pts on flights gets more value out of them (i.e. $/pts) but using it on hotels gets more use, in terms of hours/days etc, if you get what I mean.

These are the SPG hotels in Paris/London. I think 2 MR pts = 1 Starpoint.
W Paris - Opera = 24k starpoints/night ($604 AUD/night)
Westin Vendome Paris = 20k starpoints/night ($752 AUD/night)
W London - Leicester Sq = 16k starpoints/night. ($536AUD/night)

Should I keep MR pts for flights or use them for some hotel stays? If I don't use them on hotel stay, I'll most likely go through Airbnb since accomodation in london+paris is expensive, even for 3 star stays and some airbnb are quite nice.

Have a look at points plus pay, it's often the best value.

 

[drron]

Not all SPG properties offer points + pay and those that do don't offer it all the time.It has become less available over the last 12 months except at the SOTP Sydney where my next 2 Sydney stays will be.
ninja-tim those hotels look a pretty reasonable use of points.

 

[ninja-tim]

Not all SPG properties offer points + pay and those that do don't offer it all the time.It has become less available over the last 12 months except at the SOTP Sydney where my next 2 Sydney stays will be.
ninja-tim those hotels look a pretty reasonable use of points.

Yeah, these hotels don't have points+pay. Only have enough points to book a hotel in either city not both. I'm leaning towards W Paris - Opera, has better reviews than the others.

 

[markis10]

Yeah, these hotels don't have points+pay. Only have enough points to book a hotel in either city not both. I'm leaning towards W Paris - Opera, has better reviews than the others.

Use the going rate for buying Starpoints as a guide to value, and keep an eye out for bonus promos.