Originally Posted by
chaserchap
I'm fairly new to the hotel points game, but it seems to me that PC is one of the better ones for infrequent travelers, without utilizing credit cards for massive point banks/automatic status upgrades. Is this a fair assessment?
I base this on the following reasons:
1) Points are, relatively, easy to come by.
2) Platinum is therefore easier to come by. (Sure, the benefits aren't that great but for someone who isn't travelling that often any benefits are better than none.)
3) Points can be used for some pretty legit vacations, eventually, especially since they don't expire.
Thoughts?
Depends how infrequent you are. Nice InterContinental hotels require 50K PC per night currently. Within few years time the number of required points will be higher. You will need quite a few stays before you can redeem for even a one free night.
Originally Posted by
butta1898
The Radisson/CI/Park Inn portion ends Sunday, July 15th.
Yep. The
Park Plaza one is the only one going until August 28th.
Originally Posted by
view-with-a-room
Loyalty programs are ideal for the frequent traveler but the costs of the benefits often exceed the value to the infrequent traveler. 3rd party bookings at a lower cost without the benefits of the loyalty program would be a better option.
Yeah. I would agree on this. OP should look into using Hotwire & Priceline and to save maybe 40% to 50% rather than chasing points that are continuously devaluing.