Accruing points with hotel programs

[ffhound]

Hi all

I have been accruing significant amounts of points with Qantas and Virgin with all the credit card sign on bonuses available. I have also purchased 120,000 IHG points in one of their frequent promotions in which they offer bonus points, the object being to have a stash of IHG points for a pointsbreaks stay if it aligns with my plans.

My questions is - are there any other hotel programs in which people can easily accrue significant balances without having to actually stay at hotels? Ideally one would aim to have some clever way to accrue Starwood points but I am hotel agnostic. Are there hotel points programs out there to mine cheaply? if so which one and how?

cheers Peter

 

[albyd]

I think the easiest way is by credit card.
Amex can transfer to a number of programs including SPG and HHonours.
Diners can similarly.
Citi Prestige can also transfer to a number of programs.
There's also a macquarie Hilton card which comes automatically with Hilton Gold status and free night certificate annually if you hit spend thresholds.