Good Travel Combo
#1
Original Poster

Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 112
Good Travel Combo
I need help, I don't know if I'm racking up rewards where they are most worth it or if I should make a change.
So far I have been primarily using Freedom+CSP to get UR points. Because of that I also picked up a Ritz Card for the 70K bonus points since it's one of the places I can transfer my UR points.
Where it gets interesting is my Wife has a lot of Delta Skymiles, and Delta is the primary air carrier here. It seems that there is kind of a Points island of sounds with Delta/SPG (and maybe Hilton in there). So with Delta being so prominent would I be better served focusing on MR/SkyMiles/HHonors instead?
I also travel a few times a month for work, so its an opportunity to get points that way as well. Typically I would stay at a Courtyard or Hampton (which I love the free breakfast). I haven't had nearly as much luck with Aloft/SPG hotels so I don't know if the extra points are worth an uncomfortable hotel stay.
TL;DR is the Freedom+CSP+Ritz a good combination even with Delta being the primary air carrier, or should I be looking at something else.
So far I have been primarily using Freedom+CSP to get UR points. Because of that I also picked up a Ritz Card for the 70K bonus points since it's one of the places I can transfer my UR points.
Where it gets interesting is my Wife has a lot of Delta Skymiles, and Delta is the primary air carrier here. It seems that there is kind of a Points island of sounds with Delta/SPG (and maybe Hilton in there). So with Delta being so prominent would I be better served focusing on MR/SkyMiles/HHonors instead?
I also travel a few times a month for work, so its an opportunity to get points that way as well. Typically I would stay at a Courtyard or Hampton (which I love the free breakfast). I haven't had nearly as much luck with Aloft/SPG hotels so I don't know if the extra points are worth an uncomfortable hotel stay.
TL;DR is the Freedom+CSP+Ritz a good combination even with Delta being the primary air carrier, or should I be looking at something else.
Last edited by MrMosby; Feb 3, 2014 at 9:30 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, AS, DL, BA, F9, IHG Plat, HH Gold, CC Gold, SPG Gold, MR Silver
Posts: 1,786
I need help, I don't know if I'm racking up rewards where they are most worth it or if I should make a change.
So far I have been primarily using Freedom+CSP to get UR points. Because of that I also picked up a Ritz Card for the 70K bonus points since it's one of the places I can transfer my UR points.
Where it gets interesting is my Wife has a lot of Delta Skymiles, and Delta is the primary air carrier here. It seems that there is kind of a Points island of sounds with Delta/SPG (and maybe Hilton in there). So with Delta being so prominent would I be better served focusing on MR/SkyMiles/HHonors instead?
I also travel a few times a month for work, so its an opportunity to get points that way as well. Typically I would stay at a Courtyard or Hampton (which I love the free breakfast). I haven't had nearly as much luck with Aloft/SPG hotels so I don't know if the extra points are worth an uncomfortable hotel stay.
TL;DR is the Freedom+CSP+Ritz a good combination even with Delta being the primary air carrier, or should I be looking at something else.
So far I have been primarily using Freedom+CSP to get UR points. Because of that I also picked up a Ritz Card for the 70K bonus points since it's one of the places I can transfer my UR points.
Where it gets interesting is my Wife has a lot of Delta Skymiles, and Delta is the primary air carrier here. It seems that there is kind of a Points island of sounds with Delta/SPG (and maybe Hilton in there). So with Delta being so prominent would I be better served focusing on MR/SkyMiles/HHonors instead?
I also travel a few times a month for work, so its an opportunity to get points that way as well. Typically I would stay at a Courtyard or Hampton (which I love the free breakfast). I haven't had nearly as much luck with Aloft/SPG hotels so I don't know if the extra points are worth an uncomfortable hotel stay.
TL;DR is the Freedom+CSP+Ritz a good combination even with Delta being the primary air carrier, or should I be looking at something else.
#3
Original Poster

Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 112
So is the better bet just to bank UR or MR points in general?
So on the non-redemption side, which program seems to offer the best perks? It sounds like from what I read SPG and Hyatt are the two top programs from a redemption side... but unfortunately for business travel are much harder for me to come by than Hilton or Marriott.
So on the non-redemption side, which program seems to offer the best perks? It sounds like from what I read SPG and Hyatt are the two top programs from a redemption side... but unfortunately for business travel are much harder for me to come by than Hilton or Marriott.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, AS, DL, BA, F9, IHG Plat, HH Gold, CC Gold, SPG Gold, MR Silver
Posts: 1,786
I leave them as MR and UR until they are needed and I typically only transfer to UA from UR, as I get much more value out of them redeeming for flights than hotels. Alot of people redeem for top end Hyatts, but 4 nights there would be 88k UR points and I value a RT to SE Asia way more than 4 nights in a fancy hotel. I do like Marriott and Hilton properties, but will typically pay for nights if the point/$ value is poor. I have really started to like some Club Carlson properties as well. I am Silver with Marriott...Gold with HH, CC, SPG and Platinum with IHG...the benefits are basically sometimes an upgrade, breakfast, free internet, etc. Nothing to really get overly excited over. I am not loyal to any brand.

