Worst Use Ever of Chase Free Night Cert?
Nov 22, 2018, 8:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Jacksonville, AR
Programs: Hilton - Diamond; SPG/Marriott - Gold
Posts: 245
Worst Use Ever of Chase Free Night Cert?
Both my wife and I have had the Chase card for awhile. I’m a firm believer of using the annual cert for travel we would have taken anyway.
To that end, we’ve had some poor redemptions in the past (in the $100 - $150 range). This year however, we’ll use it at the HIX Alamosa. CO during their annual sale, cash price is $82/night.
Has anyone else used their cert for such a poor redemption? Short of just letting it expire, what’s the lowest cash rate you’ve used your cert for?
To that end, we’ve had some poor redemptions in the past (in the $100 - $150 range). This year however, we’ll use it at the HIX Alamosa. CO during their annual sale, cash price is $82/night.
Has anyone else used their cert for such a poor redemption? Short of just letting it expire, what’s the lowest cash rate you’ve used your cert for?
Nov 23, 2018, 2:08 am
#3
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,735
Ideally, of course you use it for higher value redemptions. However, saving 82$ is still better than getting 0$ out of it if the cert expires. YMMV
Nov 23, 2018, 8:28 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Jacksonville, AR
Programs: Hilton - Diamond; SPG/Marriott - Gold
Posts: 245
Nov 23, 2018, 5:47 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,536
This is a strategy I used last year. I went from a <$100 HIX just before the expiration to booking the CP Seattle 4 months after the expiration date. The catch is once the expiry passes no changes can be made to the advance booking.
Dec 2, 2018, 6:12 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Jacksonville, AR
Programs: Hilton - Diamond; SPG/Marriott - Gold
Posts: 245
Thabk you for the advice. Based on this guidance, I forewent the Alamosa HIX (especially after it went down to $68 suring the cyber sale) and will book a hotel with the free night cert once my summer travel plans firm up.
Dec 2, 2018, 8:26 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC
Posts: 10,571
The only really poor redemption value is when you get less back than your AF of the card is and even then you still have Platinum status for free.
FTers and especially bloggers love to salivate over sky high redemption values but lets not forget that the most expensive properties are often located at the most remote locations (Bora Bora, Maldives) where it's difficult and expensive to get to. And then you have ONE night after which you need to book additional nights with cash or points.
I rather do something simple in the "normal" range of hotels and don't get a headache over the value. This year I used it at IC Hong Kong which was ~ $300 a night that day. Easy peasy.
FTers and especially bloggers love to salivate over sky high redemption values but lets not forget that the most expensive properties are often located at the most remote locations (Bora Bora, Maldives) where it's difficult and expensive to get to. And then you have ONE night after which you need to book additional nights with cash or points.
I rather do something simple in the "normal" range of hotels and don't get a headache over the value. This year I used it at IC Hong Kong which was ~ $300 a night that day. Easy peasy.
Dec 2, 2018, 8:28 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC
Posts: 10,571
The problem with Las Vegas is that the same room costs $110 during the week so it's very inflated value. But as I wrote above I think the most value comes from being happy with the stay and not the theoretical price tag of the room itself.
Dec 3, 2018, 1:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: DL Plat, Marriot Plat
Posts: 349
Have a trip to NYC in Feb for two nights and wanted to book my expiring cert (expires Jan 8 2019) and my new certificate.
Is that possible?
Dec 4, 2018, 7:31 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,849
When I go there, all other nights are paid cash. Saturday nights are reward nights.
Dec 4, 2018, 1:47 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
The way I look at it, if you can use it for a hotel which is no more including taxes (since most taxes are not charged on reward stays) than your AF, it's not a waste. If you still have the older $49 AF card, it'd be hard to find an IHG hotel for less than that (including taxes), wouldn't it? If you've upgraded to the $89 AF card, then it's certainly possible to find IHG hotels that cost less in some areas.