Agoda Points Max - a status benefit lost?

[24601]

I'll open with my question: have I just lost another benefit as a Velocity WP?

One benefit for Velocity Frequent Flyer is a status bonus on points earned through hotel bookings via Agoda. Provided the booking is made through the special Velocity - Agoda link a WP member like myself will earn 3 points/dollar spent with a 100% status bonus; so 6 points/dollar. It isn't bad, and is a better rate than, say, Qantas hotels.

However it seems that anyone at all, regardless of status, can book via Agoda Points Max and earn significantly more points per dollar spent. The room price on Points Max seem basically the same as those on the Velocity link which, in turn, are usually the same or a little higher than on the plain Agoda site.

Example: For September 27, QT hotel, Sydney. The cheapest room showing is $350 on both Velocity/Agoda and Points Max. The Agdoa booking will net me 2100 points. Points Max will net 490 points (unless a bonus is applied to that - I don't think it is). But on Points Max there is a room available for $385 that earns 2400 velocity points. That room and price is not available on the Velocity/Agoda site. It is also better than $x6 and is available to anyone, regardless of status. The most expensive Points Max room that night will earn at 6.3 points/dollar spent, also available to anyone at all who can afford it.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the higher earning potential, but it seems to totally negate the advertised benefit. Have I missed something?

 

[Pleb Status]

Booked with Agoda this morning via the Velocity link and my numbers were like this.

As a Red via the Velocity link, earn would be 3255 VFF points. As a WP via the Velocity link, earn would be 6510 VFF points (me).

The PointsMax earn for the same booking was 7550 VFF points for an 'additional' AUD109 (or 2650 KF miles, 3350 AA miles, 3750 EY miles). Cost for the 'additional' VFF points (above the Velocity link earn) was therefore AUD0.02538/pt as a Red and AUD0.10481/pt as a WP.

Not great value for a Red and very poor value as a WP. Obviously I booked via the Velocity link and I am happy with the 6510 VFF points at no 'additional' cost. From the costings above on my booking, I do not think the introduction of PointsMax has reduced my Agoda status benefit in any significant way (if at all).

You can pay Amex AUD0.025/pt to buy VFF/KF/AM points if you are desperate..

 

[24601]

I take your point, yes, you are quite right, thanks for that clear explanation. I see rooms available on both Velocity link and Points Max that are the same cash price but earn at circa 6.3 points per $ on points max. So a red VFF member could get points at about 6.3 per dollar, but has to pay a premium to do so. Sometimes that premium isn't that much, though. An expensive way to buy points, though you do get a room with them.

Cheers.

 

[JohnK]

Does anyone have any experience with pointsMAX and Agoda Rewards itself?

I have a 10% discount code from Agoda I can use on a booking and I can claim PointsMAX as well but not sure if I lose Agoda Rewards. I can make the booking any number of ways

e.g.

- Book via velocity link pay $186 and earn 976 Velocity points + 4% Agoda Rewards which is pretty much cash back on future bookings
- Book via mobile app and pay $170 including 10% discount and earn 265 Velocity points via pointsMAX
- Book via mobile app and pay $186 including 10% discount and earn 1300 Velocity points via pointsMAX

Can anyone value 324 Velocity points at ~$7.20? I have a funny feeling pointsMAX cancels Agoda Rewards earnings.