Buying hotel points speculatively

[NZflygirl]

Although the general recommendation is not to buy points without knowing if it's beneficial, I'm starting to think it's better to buy them and only use them when it's worthwhile. I'm not sure devaluations are so important?

I was thinking of just keeping a spreadsheet for the bought points to keep an eye on how many are left and how I'm using them. As long as when I do use them it's better than paying cash then I can't see the harm in buying them without a specific stay in mind. Even if there are devaluations in programs there usually seems to be somewhere to use them. People on here seem to fly all over the world so, there has to be value somewhere in this world. Plus sometimes there are peak seasons and prices and rather than go elsewhere, if it's somewhere you really want to stay then you're likely to get some value using those points.

I'm thinking that's a better approach than seeing a hotel where points would be beneficial but you don't have enough at the time and you have to wait for an offer to come along or fork out $.

Anyone else use this approach?

I'm thinking I'll buy HH and IHG when they're at 100% next. SPG I buy but never use on hotel stays so I think I'm doomed to always pay for the room I want with that brand. Possibly Hyatt but I think I'd be stretching myself thin trying to juggle programmes if I added that in.

 

[SYD]

There are so many variables with hotels. Earning/burning rates. Huge variability in cash price and award rates around the world. A lot different to redeeming airline miles for long haul premium seats (if you can get them).

I’ve bought parcel of hotel points during promos in the past but tend not to unless I know I will use them in the not too distant future. I’m sitting on reasonable balances of IHG and HH points from stays. Saving the HH points especially for those times when I want to stay in London, New York etc for 5+ days and take advantage of the ‘5th night free’.

IHG points & pay option seem attractive but I did the calcs for a long stay in SFO and it worked out better just using all points - if you have them. But that calculation probably could be quite different in another town, another hotel.

 

[LadyC]

Nothing wrong with buying speculatively but just remember that some points will expire if you don't have any transactions for 1 year. I bought some SPG points last year when a promotion was on but ended transferring them across to Asia Miles as they would have expired (I also got a transfer bonus which made it worthwhile).

 

[NZflygirl]

There are so many variables with hotels. Earning/burning rates. Huge variability in cash price and award rates around the world. A lot different to redeeming airline miles for long haul premium seats (if you can get them).

I’ve bought parcel of hotel points during promos in the past but tend not to unless I know I will use them in the not too distant future. I’m sitting on reasonable balances of IHG and HH points from stays. Saving the HH points especially for those times when I want to stay in London, New York etc for 5+ days and take advantage of the ‘5th night free’.

IHG points & pay option seem attractive but I did the calcs for a long stay in SFO and it worked out better just using all points - if you have them. But that calculation probably could be quite different in another town, another hotel.

I looked at a London property and for a simple stay there seems to be value in using points paid for via 100% bonus buy given it's such an expensive city. I figure as long as I purchase at the maximum price point and utilise them only when points is better than cash value then it should be a win win situation. Prices definitely fluctuate.

Nothing wrong with buying speculatively but just remember that some points will expire if you don't have any transactions for 1 year. I bought some SPG points last year when a promotion was on but ended transferring them across to Asia Miles as they would have expired (I also got a transfer bonus which made it worthwhile).

I plan to buy within programs I use year in and out so have no concerns regarding expiry. It's just that the main advice I see is not to do this but I'm thinking I can make this work.

I guess I'm looking for a bit of reassurance from others they're making this work also.

 

[drron]

I do buy IHG points as not a frequent stayer to accumulate points but find often the points + pay good value.

 

[SYD]

Both HH and IHG are pretty good with standard room award availability. So it’s a pretty straight forward calculation to determine if it’s good value to buy/use points or pay cash (or stay elsewhere).

Expensive cities are the sweet spot if there is a property near where you want to be.

For cheap locations, it’s better to pay cash and earn points and status IMHO.

 

[NZflygirl]

Both HH and IHG are pretty good with standard room award availability. So it’s a pretty straight forward calculation to determine if it’s good value to buy/use points or pay cash (or stay elsewhere).

Expensive cities are the sweet spot if there is a property near where you want to be.

For cheap locations, it’s better to pay cash and earn points and status IMHO.

Definitely happy to pay cash for cheaper locations.

Agree, plan to use them in expensive cities/properties.

Might use HH for 5th night free as well.

Thanks, will wait for the next sales