Awards: AAdvantage Reward Bookings for Cars & Hotels (consolidated)
Dec 6, 2011, 12:21 pm
#76
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EP; WN CP;UA SILVER; MARRIOTT TITANIUM; HH DIAMOND; IHG PLAT; RADISSON PLAT; HYATT GLOBAL
Posts: 1,938
Had two recent stays, one at Hampton Inn, one at doubletree.
On Both got HH Benefits, (hampton cookies and water). I checkin in late, and the store was closed, I know that if I make a purchase of anything and charge it to my room it will trigger a stay and credit. I was not able to charge anything, so did not get any stay credit or anything points. (update:72 hours later I did get all points for the negotiated rate of $39, I guess the purchase would have triggered the 500 AMEX points)
On the doubletree stay, I charged to my room tip for breakfast ( I got HH breakfast vouchers), I only got points for tip amount, got night credit, bonus Q4 points and AMEX 500 for using my Surpass Card.
On Both got HH Benefits, (hampton cookies and water). I checkin in late, and the store was closed, I know that if I make a purchase of anything and charge it to my room it will trigger a stay and credit. I was not able to charge anything, so did not get any stay credit or anything points. (update:72 hours later I did get all points for the negotiated rate of $39, I guess the purchase would have triggered the 500 AMEX points)
On the doubletree stay, I charged to my room tip for breakfast ( I got HH breakfast vouchers), I only got points for tip amount, got night credit, bonus Q4 points and AMEX 500 for using my Surpass Card.
Last edited by ORD-TGU; Dec 7, 2011 at 7:12 am
Feb 28, 2012, 1:09 pm
#78
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: ORD/PSP
Programs: AA LT Plat, 6.0 MM, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,002
LHR T4 Hilton + Breakfast for 2; 21,100 miles and $0
Just booked as described in the title. Works out to better than 2.0 cpm. More miles coming in than I can use, this is a good way to burn some!
May 28, 2012, 2:51 pm
#80
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: SPG Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 356
Reasonable Hotel Award Change Process
I just wanted to post my experience with changing a hotel award booking to a different night. I had always assumed that this would be impossible or very costly, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was easy and (fairly) cheap. I called the number given in the fine print of the award documentation. I called at around midnight, and was surprised to have someone pick up instantly and be able to help me. The person I spoke with was very helpful and processed the change quickly and sent the confirmation right away. It did cost $30 for a change fee (as stated in the fine print), but that's it. Of course, there may not always be availability and YMMV, but this was one of those instances when something was a lot easier than I expected.
I've done a few hotel awards and have had good luck with them. One interesting point is that when I log in I always get much better pricing than my husband does. I'm not sure why, since neither of us has any kind of status. I do have the Citi AAdvantage credit card, but I don't remember seeing anything about award pricing listed as a benefit. Of couse I do also get the 10% back on redeemed miles (this is one of the new benefits that kicked in back in April).
I've done a few hotel awards and have had good luck with them. One interesting point is that when I log in I always get much better pricing than my husband does. I'm not sure why, since neither of us has any kind of status. I do have the Citi AAdvantage credit card, but I don't remember seeing anything about award pricing listed as a benefit. Of couse I do also get the 10% back on redeemed miles (this is one of the new benefits that kicked in back in April).
May 28, 2012, 6:08 pm
#81
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,406
SJC to Las Vegas
Instead of taking my car with 86k miles (1999 model car, but well maintained) in it, I am thinking of renting a car for a 3 night stay.
Looking for a deal.
AA miles - I need 7k @ 4days to manage this trip.
Is it worth it? Are there a better promo?
Looking for a deal.
AA miles - I need 7k @ 4days to manage this trip.
Is it worth it? Are there a better promo?
May 29, 2012, 9:33 am
#82
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EP; WN CP;UA SILVER; MARRIOTT TITANIUM; HH DIAMOND; IHG PLAT; RADISSON PLAT; HYATT GLOBAL
Posts: 1,938
Similar choice I just made, decided to rent a car using miles for a holiday weekend roadtrip of 500+ miles, as EXP get 50% discount. Did have to pay all taxes/fees that were very similar of dummy booking I made. I rented a minivan that was spacious for entire family. The minivan was a E85 flexfuel, so I saved on gas and avoided using my own car.
I am very pleased with this type of award redemption, never blackout dates, so can use anytime, no fees and most of the time I add my loyalty number and get some sort of miles/credit. As a reference they value miles at 1.5CPM.
May 29, 2012, 9:50 am
#83
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,406
Also how does it compares with Chase Ultimate reward car rental redemption?
May 29, 2012, 9:55 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
Jun 18, 2012, 1:50 pm
#87
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 613
AA Miles for Hotels Price Differences --An Anomaly?
Trying to use our AA miles for hotel rooms since flights from GSO at convenient times/routings are too expensive mileswise.
Trying for the Ritz Carlton in Ft Lauderdale. Price is 31,500 for one night.
If I log into my AA account, it is still 31,500 for one night. However, if I log into my wife's account, it is only 19,000 miles.
Similar with car rentals. Me--7,000 miles; her--3,200 miles. We have the same AA status and when I called AA Vacations the CSR came up with 31,500 also. She had no explanation for the difference.
The ONLY thing different is that my wife has an AAdvantage credit card from Citi. I just got approved for an AA card so I will know soon if that is the difference.
Anyone have a similar experience?
Trying for the Ritz Carlton in Ft Lauderdale. Price is 31,500 for one night.
If I log into my AA account, it is still 31,500 for one night. However, if I log into my wife's account, it is only 19,000 miles.
Similar with car rentals. Me--7,000 miles; her--3,200 miles. We have the same AA status and when I called AA Vacations the CSR came up with 31,500 also. She had no explanation for the difference.
The ONLY thing different is that my wife has an AAdvantage credit card from Citi. I just got approved for an AA card so I will know soon if that is the difference.
Anyone have a similar experience?
Jun 18, 2012, 2:55 pm
#88
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT G (1MM);DL G, UA GM
Posts: 2,028
Trying to use our AA miles for hotel rooms since flights from GSO at convenient times/routings are too expensive mileswise.
Trying for the Ritz Carlton in Ft Lauderdale. Price is 31,500 for one night.
If I log into my AA account, it is still 31,500 for one night. However, if I log into my wife's account, it is only 19,000 miles.
Similar with car rentals. Me--7,000 miles; her--3,200 miles. We have the same AA status and when I called AA Vacations the CSR came up with 31,500 also. She had no explanation for the difference.
The ONLY thing different is that my wife has an AAdvantage credit card from Citi. I just got approved for an AA card so I will know soon if that is the difference.
Anyone have a similar experience?
Trying for the Ritz Carlton in Ft Lauderdale. Price is 31,500 for one night.
If I log into my AA account, it is still 31,500 for one night. However, if I log into my wife's account, it is only 19,000 miles.
Similar with car rentals. Me--7,000 miles; her--3,200 miles. We have the same AA status and when I called AA Vacations the CSR came up with 31,500 also. She had no explanation for the difference.
The ONLY thing different is that my wife has an AAdvantage credit card from Citi. I just got approved for an AA card so I will know soon if that is the difference.
Anyone have a similar experience?
Jun 18, 2012, 3:05 pm
#89
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
That's my best guess -- when I had gold by virtue of the AA Executive card, I could see lower points requirements for hotel and car rentals.
For some reason, your wife is seeing redemptions as though she has status with AA.
For some reason, your wife is seeing redemptions as though she has status with AA.