Discover America: Daily Getaways 2013 from 6/10 to 7/12
May 10, 2013, 12:45 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
I was trying to get in last year for several items however it became pointless as it seemed like I was forever the bridesmaid. I'm sure it willl be the same for the best packages again. I'll try again and if I get in on just one I will feel lucky. A couple years ago when SPG points were on sale, several people got in on several packages themselves for the different denominations. Wish that was the case with me. 
May 10, 2013, 4:25 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
I was trying to get in last year for several items however it became pointless as it seemed like I was forever the bridesmaid. I'm sure it willl be the same for the best packages again. I'll try again and if I get in on just one I will feel lucky. A couple years ago when SPG points were on sale, several people got in on several packages themselves for the different denominations. Wish that was the case with me.
May 11, 2013, 5:54 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,392
As much as this pains me to say it, maybe they need to offer 'not such great deals', LOL. Set the threshold a bit higher, so that the SD crowd can't arb these things.
For example, I recently stayed in the Clarion Bergen for 16k Choice points. It's a $400+ / hotel -- one of the best in the country (if not the best). Naturally, I'd be willing to pay more than somebody just wanting to take their family to the Houston Rodeway Inn.
For example, I recently stayed in the Clarion Bergen for 16k Choice points. It's a $400+ / hotel -- one of the best in the country (if not the best). Naturally, I'd be willing to pay more than somebody just wanting to take their family to the Houston Rodeway Inn.
May 11, 2013, 11:11 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 28
This year, I hope they still offer HHonors points. They were great deal last year, not so this year. However, I still have good use for them for a particular property. Maybe I'll have a chance getting some this year as it is not a "good" deal anymore.
May 12, 2013, 9:37 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
As much as this pains me to say it, maybe they need to offer 'not such great deals', LOL. Set the threshold a bit higher, so that the SD crowd can't arb these things.
For example, I recently stayed in the Clarion Bergen for 16k Choice points. It's a $400+ / hotel -- one of the best in the country (if not the best). Naturally, I'd be willing to pay more than somebody just wanting to take their family to the Houston Rodeway Inn.
For example, I recently stayed in the Clarion Bergen for 16k Choice points. It's a $400+ / hotel -- one of the best in the country (if not the best). Naturally, I'd be willing to pay more than somebody just wanting to take their family to the Houston Rodeway Inn.
That said, I will candidly admit to using many (most?) of my Discover America points overseas.
The thing I don't like are the "transfer arbitrage" offers. For instance, I like to buy Wyndham Rewards points to stay in their hotels and motels. (Yes, they're usually not the best properties in the world, but sometimes they're the best options in a particular town I've visiting -- perhaps because the other chain hotels are bad deals in their loyalty program). I don't like the competition from folks who just want to flip these points into airline miles. Nor should Wyndham; logic would suggest the points should be used in the program you buy them for.
May 13, 2013, 3:48 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP,AS MVPG,MR Platinum,HH Gold
Posts: 1,343
Well, in many regards, you were the "abuser" of that deal because it's supposed to be a "see the USA" promo -- not a way to get cheap Scandinavian hotels.
That said, I will candidly admit to using many (most?) of my Discover America points overseas.
The thing I don't like are the "transfer arbitrage" offers. For instance, I like to buy Wyndham Rewards points to stay in their hotels and motels. (Yes, they're usually not the best properties in the world, but sometimes they're the best options in a particular town I've visiting -- perhaps because the other chain hotels are bad deals in their loyalty program). I don't like the competition from folks who just want to flip these points into airline miles. Nor should Wyndham; logic would suggest the points should be used in the program you buy them for.
That said, I will candidly admit to using many (most?) of my Discover America points overseas.
The thing I don't like are the "transfer arbitrage" offers. For instance, I like to buy Wyndham Rewards points to stay in their hotels and motels. (Yes, they're usually not the best properties in the world, but sometimes they're the best options in a particular town I've visiting -- perhaps because the other chain hotels are bad deals in their loyalty program). I don't like the competition from folks who just want to flip these points into airline miles. Nor should Wyndham; logic would suggest the points should be used in the program you buy them for.
I'm sure they make money on those transfers, which is why they offer them in the first place. Coming from someone who sent all his purchased Wyndham to AC (before YQ) and AA
May 13, 2013, 8:13 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,392
Well, in many regards, you were the "abuser" of that deal because it's supposed to be a "see the USA" promo -- not a way to get cheap Scandinavian hotels.
That said, I will candidly admit to using many (most?) of my Discover America points overseas.
The thing I don't like are the "transfer arbitrage" offers. For instance, I like to buy Wyndham Rewards points to stay in their hotels and motels. (Yes, they're usually not the best properties in the world, but sometimes they're the best options in a particular town I've visiting -- perhaps because the other chain hotels are bad deals in their loyalty program). I don't like the competition from folks who just want to flip these points into airline miles. Nor should Wyndham; logic would suggest the points should be used in the program you buy them for.
That said, I will candidly admit to using many (most?) of my Discover America points overseas.
The thing I don't like are the "transfer arbitrage" offers. For instance, I like to buy Wyndham Rewards points to stay in their hotels and motels. (Yes, they're usually not the best properties in the world, but sometimes they're the best options in a particular town I've visiting -- perhaps because the other chain hotels are bad deals in their loyalty program). I don't like the competition from folks who just want to flip these points into airline miles. Nor should Wyndham; logic would suggest the points should be used in the program you buy them for.
Actually, you said what I was trying to say much more clearly. Yes, it's the arbitrage offers that don't seem to make sense. I too buy hotel points to stay in hotels..... my kiddos still can't tell the difference between a Park Hyatt and a Super 8! Well, they can.... the Super 8 lets you make your own waffles.
But yes, good point. I guess maybe they should rename the Choice day, 'Discover Scandanavia'
May 13, 2013, 8:23 am
#40
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: Any program with a credit card, or good prices.
Posts: 437
The thing I don't like are the "transfer arbitrage" offers. For instance, I like to buy Wyndham Rewards points to stay in their hotels and motels. (Yes, they're usually not the best properties in the world, but sometimes they're the best options in a particular town I've visiting -- perhaps because the other chain hotels are bad deals in their loyalty program). I don't like the competition from folks who just want to flip these points into airline miles. Nor should Wyndham; logic would suggest the points should be used in the program you buy them for.
May 13, 2013, 9:00 am
#41
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
!" ...He was about six.
May 13, 2013, 9:04 am
#42
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
This is why you never ever ever take your kids to sit in good seats at sporting events. They have a blast in average seats, but all it takes is just once in the good seats and you're screwed forever.
May 13, 2013, 9:15 am
#43
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
...Let alone business class on a redeye to Europe. Though, at some point, they're on their own with their own FF miles, and it's a different story.
May 13, 2013, 9:53 am
#44
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
The pre-school children in our extended family have asked -- at some point -- something like this when flying: "why don't these seats also become beds?". While Discover America Daily Getaways haven't been the main driver in their premium cabin travels, they certainly have been a contributing factor to freeing up funds for getting into premium cabins at least a bit more than usual.
May 13, 2013, 10:15 am
#45
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
The pre-school children in our extended family have asked -- at some point -- something like this when flying: "why don't these seats also become beds?". While Discover America Daily Getaways haven't been the main driver in their premium cabin travels, they certainly have been a contributing factor to freeing up funds for getting into premium cabins at least a bit more than usual.