Originally Posted by
aaupgrade
My answer to your question is I don't know, but Gift Checks aren't that good a deal IMO....I haven't paid attention because it is such a bad deal it is not something on my radar. And no matter how you spell Check/Cheque, it is still a bad deal - don't you love marketing.
..... The best use of points is always for hotel stays, or Hotel + Air Travel Packages IMO. Points use in Major US cities, and resorts are also a much better deal than Gift Checks. Do the math against properties where you would like to use points for stays and make your own judgement.
As a general policy, you may be correct. But as you stated - when I do the math, the checks are a better deal at this point for what I need.
I need 2 rooms where the only availability is Stay Anytime - at a Cat 7! (and I have checked every day for 3 months) Definite bad use of points. To pay for the rooms is $400+ per night - need 4 nights X 2 rooms. By buying these certs I can get points for the stay, use PP's, and the points needed to get enough certs to pay the bill is less than what would be needed if I did the Stay Anytime.
I agree that the best use is usually the packages or just regular awards - but I don't need a package, I need rooms in NYC at no cost. At this point, this is the only option that will give me that..unless I just stay home!
