Originally Posted by
jbeckett
I agree, I think that one of these things has to be true to get good value -
1. A high point redemption (like 80000/night or 95000/night) where the normal cash cost is high (i.e. Conrad Maldives, Conrad Tokyo, etc.)
2. A redemption at a time when the cash cost is abnormally high but there are still award rooms available at the standard rate (i.e. Doubletree Times Square on New Year's Eve).
3. 5th night free - won't get great value normally but will at least usually get the .45 to .5 cents per point value.
4. Any 5000 point redemption (think Egypt or Turkey).
I know I'm an oddball as far as when to redeem points, we each have different goals. I actually try to get about 1 cent per point before redemption. It's actually easier than many make it sound. I recently stayed at the Doubletree in downtown Philly, during the weekend of the Army-Navy game, so prices were high(scenario 2 above). Spent 100,000 points for 2 nights, cash price with taxes was going to be just shy of $1000, so a good redemption.
Of course the counter argument is if 2 nights at a Doubletree is ever worth $1000, but it apparently was that weekend, LOL