Points Plus Cash Alive Again! (was: End of Points Plus Cash program ?)
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
What kind of rates are you using? Many of us are using what used be called SOS (Special Organization Savings) rates, and is now called Preferred Customer Rate, which gives even greater savings than AAA or AARP (if you qualify for either of those). And many people have found an SOS rate code just by googling it.
Just last week I stayed at a Quality in Orange County CA at a $63 Preferred Customer Rate before tax, about $71 with tax. Though that was unusual, that hotel often have $71 Preferred Customer Rate before tax, about $79 after tax.
If I wanted to stay at a "just OK" EconoLodge, there's one that's routinely $59 before tax in the area.
But like I said, to me it seems like using "do 2 separate one-night stays, get 8000 points for it" is still worth it even with $70 before tax or $80 before tax (at least in places that don't have exorbitant taxes plus local fees, like Anaheim locations too close to Disneyland can).
Just last week I stayed at a Quality in Orange County CA at a $63 Preferred Customer Rate before tax, about $71 with tax. Though that was unusual, that hotel often have $71 Preferred Customer Rate before tax, about $79 after tax.
If I wanted to stay at a "just OK" EconoLodge, there's one that's routinely $59 before tax in the area.
But like I said, to me it seems like using "do 2 separate one-night stays, get 8000 points for it" is still worth it even with $70 before tax or $80 before tax (at least in places that don't have exorbitant taxes plus local fees, like Anaheim locations too close to Disneyland can).
#17
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 368
Of course, I've not tried to purchase points before and now that I need a couple thousand points to top off for an award night this option is gone. I ended up just straight buying the points I needed yesterday and they still haven't posted. It said it can take up to 48 hours for purchased points to post, does it usually take that entire time?
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Of course, I've not tried to purchase points before and now that I need a couple thousand points to top off for an award night this option is gone. I ended up just straight buying the points I needed yesterday and they still haven't posted. It said it can take up to 48 hours for purchased points to post, does it usually take that entire time?
#20
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 368
What kind of rates are you using? Many of us are using what used be called SOS (Special Organization Savings) rates, and is now called Preferred Customer Rate, which gives even greater savings than AAA or AARP (if you qualify for either of those). And many people have found an SOS rate code just by googling it.
Just last week I stayed at a Quality in Orange County CA at a $63 Preferred Customer Rate before tax, about $71 with tax. Though that was unusual, that hotel often have $71 Preferred Customer Rate before tax, about $79 after tax.
If I wanted to stay at a "just OK" EconoLodge, there's one that's routinely $59 before tax in the area.
But like I said, to me it seems like using "do 2 separate one-night stays, get 8000 points for it" is still worth it even with $70 before tax or $80 before tax (at least in places that don't have exorbitant taxes plus local fees, like Anaheim locations too close to Disneyland can).
Just last week I stayed at a Quality in Orange County CA at a $63 Preferred Customer Rate before tax, about $71 with tax. Though that was unusual, that hotel often have $71 Preferred Customer Rate before tax, about $79 after tax.
If I wanted to stay at a "just OK" EconoLodge, there's one that's routinely $59 before tax in the area.
But like I said, to me it seems like using "do 2 separate one-night stays, get 8000 points for it" is still worth it even with $70 before tax or $80 before tax (at least in places that don't have exorbitant taxes plus local fees, like Anaheim locations too close to Disneyland can).
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,927
Yes. I wouldn't be using them if I didn't. I only stay at Choice (on paid rates) during points promos such as "stay 2 times, earn 8000 points".
The only question would be if the SOS rate lowered the rate below $40, whereas with any other rate it would be above $40. (Per another thread, rates below $40 officially don't earn points, but in actuality they often do.)
The only question would be if the SOS rate lowered the rate below $40, whereas with any other rate it would be above $40. (Per another thread, rates below $40 officially don't earn points, but in actuality they often do.)
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Try to do points+cash over the phone. Not sure how that attempt would work out currently, but if the issue really is just about the website, then this should work over the phone.
#25
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: US
Programs: KLM Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 744
Which is dumb as when the option is available again, I should be able to book it myself and not to commit now, right?
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Nope, they confirmed they are unable to book. They offered to make a regular reservation and THEN convert to points+cash WHEN the option becomes available again.
Which is dumb as when the option is available again, I should be able to book it myself and not to commit now, right?
Which is dumb as when the option is available again, I should be able to book it myself and not to commit now, right?
#28
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
It’s alive. Or at least it’s resuscitated, and it ain’t a zombie.
A few days ago, it wasn’t possible to book cash+points, but now it’s back to showing via Choice online booking channels when looking for reward bookings.
10k points/night hotels are currently marketed as (6k+$30) per night.
A few days ago, it wasn’t possible to book cash+points, but now it’s back to showing via Choice online booking channels when looking for reward bookings.
10k points/night hotels are currently marketed as (6k+$30) per night.
#30
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
It’s alive. Or at least it’s resuscitated, and it ain’t a zombie.
A few days ago, it wasn’t possible to book cash+points, but now it’s back to showing via Choice online booking channels when looking for reward bookings.
10k points/night hotels are currently marketed as (6k+$30) per night.
ETA:
FINALLY!! thanks for the heads uP!