Hotel Transfers [GS 2011 master thread]
#46
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 668
Although the Amtrak card I believe is a great card. No annual fee, and $3000 in spend gets you 3000 points, which is one way on the NE corridor Washington to Boston. That's 12,500 airline miles for a similar flight, which may or may not be faster since the train stops at intermediate stops. So if you're like me and going to a midway point between major cities the train is even better.
Okay, sorry to be off-topic.
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K/MM, AA GLD
Posts: 1,706
I don't actively participate with Best Western so I can't confirm, but according to their website (Rewards Home/Membership Benefits/Questions & Answers), FAQ # 24, it looks like you can buy 1,000 points for $10 (max 10,000 points). No language about this being available for elite members only.
"24. Q. Can I purchase Best Western Rewards Points?
A. Yes. Best Western Rewards members may purchase 1,000 points for $10 (maximum of 10,000 points per transaction). To process your request, please email our Customer Service team today."
Rob, unless someone confirms this FAQ is incorrect, could you perhaps update the OP? Thanks
"24. Q. Can I purchase Best Western Rewards Points?
A. Yes. Best Western Rewards members may purchase 1,000 points for $10 (maximum of 10,000 points per transaction). To process your request, please email our Customer Service team today."
Rob, unless someone confirms this FAQ is incorrect, could you perhaps update the OP? Thanks
#48
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 292
I just logged into topguest via facebook and there was a link to get 500 bonus best western miles, if you join the program via the link. Also I think you still get the 50 for registering the program on in. So 550 points closer to a hit. You can also get 50 priority club, and 50 Hilton for registering those programs, I don't know if the others have join bonuses because I had already registered them .
#54
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,145
For Canadians, MBNA has no-fee Best Western (20K bonus) and Choice (8K bonus) cards on first use. Does it make sense to convert these to dividend miles for hits or is it better to take the one night bonus? I don't see myself ever actually earning free nights in these hotels as I do more of the hostel stays than hotel stays. I also have 10K Marriott points from the Chase visa (Canada) which is certainly not enough for a night anywhere, so would it make sense to convert this as well?
#55
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA, UA, SQ, VA, QF, AF, BA
Posts: 2,865
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airline.jsp
That one would be gettable via E-Rewards if it works out.
#56
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,135
Okay after looking into this I've found that for me it makes basically no sense to try to fill up any of these accounts with other FF programs or AMEX MR points.
[...]
So it seems to me the value here is for people with lots of hotel points already that they don't plan on using, and also people with the AMEX SPG card.
[...]
So it seems to me the value here is for people with lots of hotel points already that they don't plan on using, and also people with the AMEX SPG card.
True, low-level transfers don't earn the 25% transfer bonus applicable to 20K transfers, but we're still talking 1:1. And while SPG points are worth more than US miles, the modest loss in value would be more than made up by using such a transfer as one's 4th/8th/12th/etc. hit to reach a reward level.
So what am I missing here?
#57
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 171
But US isn't listed as a trade partner on the La Quinta site.
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airline.jsp
That one would be gettable via E-Rewards if it works out.
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airline.jsp
That one would be gettable via E-Rewards if it works out.
6000pts for 1000 miles
10000pts for 2000 miles
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
La Quinta = stay but no transfer
But US isn't listed as a trade partner on the La Quinta site.
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airline.jsp
That one would be gettable via E-Rewards if it works out.
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airline.jsp
That one would be gettable via E-Rewards if it works out.
#59
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
Not sure I follow you. It seems to me that transfers from SPG -- which can be done in amounts as low as 850, 1500, or 2500 points, depending on one's SPG status -- are a perfectly sensible option regardless of whether one has the SPG Amex.
True, low-level transfers don't earn the 25% transfer bonus applicable to 20K transfers, but we're still talking 1:1. And while SPG points are worth more than US miles, the modest loss in value would be more than made up by using such a transfer as one's 4th/8th/12th/etc. hit to reach a reward level.
So what am I missing here?
True, low-level transfers don't earn the 25% transfer bonus applicable to 20K transfers, but we're still talking 1:1. And while SPG points are worth more than US miles, the modest loss in value would be more than made up by using such a transfer as one's 4th/8th/12th/etc. hit to reach a reward level.
So what am I missing here?
It might make sense to do the calculation in a whole. For me as a non-US resident it will cost me around 900 $ in order to get 100k miles (or I can purchase them for 1'475 $). I am not yet sure if I do the Grand Slam this year because the savings are rather small.
And yes, you are right, hotel point transfers are a bad business for the account holder
#60
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,538
US Airways is indeed listed as (new) partner on the La Quinta Page:
It could be found here: http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airlines.jsp (airlines with "s" and not without "s" as in the other link)
There are two links on the La Quinta page, one is linking to a list witout US and one to a side with US Airways.
(and it is on the GramdSlam Rules page as well: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...slamrules.html)
Since US did not officially announce this promo on their own DM page and the promo has not started yet, I assume, we will see some adjustments on the list.
It could be found here: http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airlines.jsp (airlines with "s" and not without "s" as in the other link)
There are two links on the La Quinta page, one is linking to a list witout US and one to a side with US Airways.
(and it is on the GramdSlam Rules page as well: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...slamrules.html)
Since US did not officially announce this promo on their own DM page and the promo has not started yet, I assume, we will see some adjustments on the list.