Originally Posted by
mnredfox
What brands do you have points in?
Like all of them.
I usually just have mid-tier status, though (gold).
I have found great availability using SPG, Hyatt or Hilton. But I would also check discount sites such as Ctrip as some of the paid stays at 5 star properties can be incredibly cheap.
Yeah, I think I've seen some Ctrip prices. Do those even display on Kayak?
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Hyatts in Shanghai seem to have good availability for the new points and cash rates and Diamond suite upgrades. For SPG, I try to do fifth night free redemptions, so I wouldn't redeem for just a weekend stay.
The problem with the Hyatts, as just a Plat, is that I wouldn't "get anything" during my stay. I'd have to pay the extra points for club level to get breakfast and such. By that point, it seems cheaper to just buy a promo rate at a hotel that includes breakfast (it's a pet peeve of mine: I avoid staying at fancy hotels where I don't get any perks because I find the prices charged for those things, like breakfast, are exorbitant).