In oder to decide whether or not to redeem points, I often consider the cost of purchasing points on goldpassport.com, now that this option is available.
If I can "save" anything close to the amount of money that it would cost to buy those points, I feel that it makes sense to redeem points. Because of the possiblity of point devaluation, I also find it better to redeem sooner than later, as long as I can get decent value.
My willingness to use points also depends on my budget on a particular trip. If I want to save money for a certain resort or other expenses, I will consider using hotel points for a city hotel stopover stay on the same trip, even if it isn't the greatest redemption value.
Programs: DL SM (former NW PE), SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum (fmr Diamond), HH Gold (CC), National Exec.
Posts: 753
I personally value them at 2 cents a point. It used to be 1.7, but then the removal of (most) capacity controls made them more valuable.
As the Chase Sapphire card effectively gives a little over two points per $ for dining and hotel charges, I've recently taken to using this rather than an SPG Amex for non-SPG hotels and all restaurants as I'd rather have two Hyatt points than one starpoint.
Programs: UA gold, AA gold, VA gold, AF gold, status matching is awesome
Posts: 1,395
Somewhere round two cents, but you can get slightly better or slightly worse. Out of curiosity, let's pick on the first (in alphabetical order) hotel in each category list and see what it would cost to stay there on a consistent night (let's say 15th of August in the hopes that it won't be sold out) in dollars (after tax) vs points.
No broad conclusions can be drawn from such a small sample, but it seems like there's some pretty darn poor value in the middle of the scale. Then again, it could just be the bad luck of alphabetical order -- the three lousy redemption values are all in Arizona. Who'd go to Arizona in the middle of summer?
So far I have found it very easy to redeem for .02$/pt so that is what I value them at. I have only redeemed points twice but when I have looked into other properties it seems like my valuation is pretty attainable.
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Intercontinental, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 142
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jorgen
Somewhere round two cents, but you can get slightly better or slightly worse. Out of curiosity, let's pick on the first (in alphabetical order) hotel in each category list and see what it would cost to stay there on a consistent night (let's say 15th of August in the hopes that it won't be sold out) in dollars (after tax) vs points.
No broad conclusions can be drawn from such a small sample, but it seems like there's some pretty darn poor value in the middle of the scale. Then again, it could just be the bad luck of alphabetical order -- the three lousy redemption values are all in Arizona. Who'd go to Arizona in the middle of summer?
Good info! However, this ignores the taxes (often 10% or more in my experience) on top of the rate. I believe that also often resort fees are waived or reduced for points stays so the actual value is higher than you calculated.
Programs: UA gold, AA gold, VA gold, AF gold, status matching is awesome
Posts: 1,395
Quote:
Originally Posted by huskergreg
Good info! However, this ignores the taxes (often 10% or more in my experience) on top of the rate. I believe that also often resort fees are waived or reduced for points stays so the actual value is higher than you calculated.
Actually those are the rates including taxes and the (*&((ing gyp known as "resort fees".
Suite upgrades are the best value - you can save up to $4000 for 6000 points. That's over 66 cents per point. But you can buy them for 1.8 cents. PH Sydney is over $1000 per night. At 22,000 pts that is 4.5 cents per point.
So it depends what you use them for.
Last edited by keiko; Jul 28, 12 at 5:45 pm..
Reason: Wanted to add more.
(ing gyp known as "resort fees".
