Originally Posted by
KathyWdrf
As I mentioned in my post above, it can be worthwhile to use the points calculator on the HHonors website. When you see how many HHonors points you're giving up on some stays when you choose miles (even if is IS 1,000 BMI miles), you might rethink your preference -- or at least change it for those stays.
Based on my own personal mile & point valuations ($0.02 for miles, $0.01 for points... probably a little high for both, but based on how I redeem), the Points would become more valuable on stays under 3 nights priced $400+/night or stays over 3 nights costing $1200+ total. I've never had a paid stay falling into either category (though I've had awards stays that would have), but I'm sure there are plenty of folks here that do.
In either scenario I'm still getting (10 base + 5 Diamond + 5 HHonors AMEX)/$ + 500 AMEX online booking, My-Way preference points, and any other promo bonus points. I pretty much do my earning at ~$100/night properties and do my redemptions at more expensive Cat 6 properties. Personal stay patterns, points/miles valuations, and earning goals should always dictate your own decisions, and the points calculator is a very useful tool for making those decisions. My breakdown was just what worked for me before hopping on the BMI bandwagon... maybe when business picks up I'll have the luxury of having to decide between BMI miles and HHonors points on a $400/night stay
