Daily Getaways
#16
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: MN, USA
Posts: 246
Frustrating....I kept refreshing 5 browsers and was able to get only one 20k package and one 32k package. I guess better than nothing. And better than last year when I was shut out entirely due to a credit card billing address or CID/CSC code issue (which I still don't fully understand) which caused my cc authorization to fail.
Last edited by Dadofsix; Apr 28, 2017 at 11:37 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Programs: Delta Silver thanks to Million Miles; Choice Plat., point scrounger everywhere
Posts: 1,595
I got 2 of the 32k "Comfort Suites" packages several seconds after the hour, but the 40k packages were gone almost immediately.
Packages on hold do time out and go back on sale so you can often get one of those if you are one of the few still clicking like crazy then. I once got a rare large Hyatt package that way almost 30 minutes after the hour.
Packages on hold do time out and go back on sale so you can often get one of those if you are one of the few still clicking like crazy then. I once got a rare large Hyatt package that way almost 30 minutes after the hour.
Last year I lucked out and was able to buy the maximum of eight packages for a total of 264,000 points. That was my best ever, and I doubt I'll ever be able to repeat it. I have about 72,000 points in my account, so my purchase takes me close to 200,000. That's good for some good hotel values in Europe.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,427
Certainly as hard as ever to win. I suspected that would be the case, when even the Alamo certs went fast. The Choice points are less valuable than before, but more people are now familiar with the promo so there are more potential entrants. So I guess the demand balances out, or perhaps even increases.
With the help of my daughter, and some luck (getting 2 "rebounds"), I got 7 of the 8 possible prizes (I guess you could have also tried to get points for a second Choice member account, but it's hard enough to win for one account!). It's good we were successful, because I've had the misfortune to be on airplanes the past 2 years during the sale, and I was almost out of points. It's really hard to know how fast I'll burn through these -- there are still good redemptions, but they're fewer in number -- but I'm thinking I've got 2 years worth of points now.
EDIT: I'm still brainwashed from the old days when you had to use an AMEX card to get 10% off, so I instinctively used my SPG card. Daily Getaways wouldn't happen to code as a bonus category "travel" purchase with any of the other cards, would it?
With the help of my daughter, and some luck (getting 2 "rebounds"), I got 7 of the 8 possible prizes (I guess you could have also tried to get points for a second Choice member account, but it's hard enough to win for one account!). It's good we were successful, because I've had the misfortune to be on airplanes the past 2 years during the sale, and I was almost out of points. It's really hard to know how fast I'll burn through these -- there are still good redemptions, but they're fewer in number -- but I'm thinking I've got 2 years worth of points now.
EDIT: I'm still brainwashed from the old days when you had to use an AMEX card to get 10% off, so I instinctively used my SPG card. Daily Getaways wouldn't happen to code as a bonus category "travel" purchase with any of the other cards, would it?
Last edited by iahphx; Apr 28, 2017 at 11:54 am
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
It seemed like there were fewer total packages for sale this year than last year? Can anyone check that out?
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
It does code as travel for Chase, so 3x points on the Chase Reserve.
#22
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
I snagged 2 of the 40k packages, 2 of the 32k packages and 1 20k package for my account and then 1 20k package for b/f account. All but on 20k were all on the first try after it went live.
The other 20k was after I got done purchasing the others and then I actually got and lost one 20k due to my credit card.
All in alll I got 184k points for $764 which the way we redeem will give us 23 nights at 8k each for about $33 a night. This is the best promo ever for our needs and I haven't paid for a room for the last year (although I now TECHNICALLY i paid for points but you guys know what I mean)
The other 20k was after I got done purchasing the others and then I actually got and lost one 20k due to my credit card.
All in alll I got 184k points for $764 which the way we redeem will give us 23 nights at 8k each for about $33 a night. This is the best promo ever for our needs and I haven't paid for a room for the last year (although I now TECHNICALLY i paid for points but you guys know what I mean)
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I snagged 2 of the 40k packages, 2 of the 32k packages and 1 20k package for my account and then 1 20k package for b/f account. All but on 20k were all on the first try after it went live.
The other 20k was after I got done purchasing the others and then I actually got and lost one 20k due to my credit card.
All in alll I got 184k points for $764 which the way we redeem will give us 23 nights at 8k each for about $33 a night. This is the best promo ever for our needs and I haven't paid for a room for the last year (although I now TECHNICALLY i paid for points but you guys know what I mean)
The other 20k was after I got done purchasing the others and then I actually got and lost one 20k due to my credit card.
All in alll I got 184k points for $764 which the way we redeem will give us 23 nights at 8k each for about $33 a night. This is the best promo ever for our needs and I haven't paid for a room for the last year (although I now TECHNICALLY i paid for points but you guys know what I mean)
Compared to even this time last year, I'm finding a lot less availability at Nordic Choice properties using these Choice US points than I used to encounter. That's a warning sign, since a lot of that problem is rooted in a further crackdown on what kind of room types are available using points.
#25
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,463
#26
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
I ended up with 2 x 20K and 1 x 36K. That was fine with me because I was aiming for between 70-80K points. Got the 20K packages immediately, but almost blew it by also immediately going after the Cambria package--that was locked up tight a second after the promo began. Then kept trying until the 36K package dropped to me.
Orlando Christmas to New Year's/spring break is generally where I use these points, and I find enough decent 6-10K redemptions there that I'll cover my lodging for 7-8 nights for about $325. Adding in any 8K promos gives me a decent reserve of points, but I'm not getting 76K points off of $325 in hotel spend that way.
Orlando Christmas to New Year's/spring break is generally where I use these points, and I find enough decent 6-10K redemptions there that I'll cover my lodging for 7-8 nights for about $325. Adding in any 8K promos gives me a decent reserve of points, but I'm not getting 76K points off of $325 in hotel spend that way.
#28
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: MN, USA
Posts: 246
#29
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666