Other than on Priority Club website, how can one purchase points?
Jan 10, 2010, 7:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 13
Other than on Priority Club website, how can one purchase points?
I saw in a post here that one can purchase 500,000 points for 2-2.5 thousand dollars from cloud9living.com. Is that true..if so how does one do it.
Every year I purchase the maximum 40,000 points but would like to get more. Can u purchase points from other Priority Club members? And is there a thread or site where people offer to sell points.
Thanks.
Every year I purchase the maximum 40,000 points but would like to get more. Can u purchase points from other Priority Club members? And is there a thread or site where people offer to sell points.
Thanks.
Jan 10, 2010, 10:14 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
You can't purchase them FROM cloud9living.com.
I believe my post is the one you are referring to. In it, I stated that Cloud 9 living SELLS their EXPERIENCES (not PCR points) for cash directly to the public. They charge $2,000-$2,500 cash for awards which would cost 500,000 PCR points.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13120702-post9.html
http://www.cloud9living.com/experien...s/price-2500/d
Jan 10, 2010, 11:15 am
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
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You can buy unlimited numbers of points from the PC website .... and for less than the official price.
All you need to do is book 'points and cash' redemptions. So, for a CP redemption, you book the "15,000 points + $60" option rather than the "25,000 points" option. (Obviously you need a 15k balance already to do this.)
Once the booking is made, cancel it. Instead of getting back $60 plus 15,000 points, you get back 25,000 points. You have paid $60 for the 10k points. Points go back into the account instantaneously. Repeat as required. Note though that these points do NOT count towards Plat status, whilst 'officially' purchased points do.
All you need to do is book 'points and cash' redemptions. So, for a CP redemption, you book the "15,000 points + $60" option rather than the "25,000 points" option. (Obviously you need a 15k balance already to do this.)
Once the booking is made, cancel it. Instead of getting back $60 plus 15,000 points, you get back 25,000 points. You have paid $60 for the 10k points. Points go back into the account instantaneously. Repeat as required. Note though that these points do NOT count towards Plat status, whilst 'officially' purchased points do.
Jan 10, 2010, 12:22 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
If you do this with the clear intention of circumventing program rules, you could find yourself subject to adverse action.
So far, there are no reports of this being done, but be aware.
Of course, as I posted before, PCR may actually profit from this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11941315-post6.html
I wish this loophole were closed. I fear for severe devaluation.
So far, there are no reports of this being done, but be aware.
Of course, as I posted before, PCR may actually profit from this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11941315-post6.html
Soon, I hope.
Given the way PCR is run, who knows, though. Indeed, it may even be PROFITABLE for them even if people just buy points at .6cpp. The low occupancy (95% full or less) reimbursement rates are $20-$100 (plus tax). The amount PCR collects from Cash & Points sales is $30 (5K PointBreaks) to $240 (40K IC).
Given the way PCR is run, who knows, though. Indeed, it may even be PROFITABLE for them even if people just buy points at .6cpp. The low occupancy (95% full or less) reimbursement rates are $20-$100 (plus tax). The amount PCR collects from Cash & Points sales is $30 (5K PointBreaks) to $240 (40K IC).
I wish this loophole were closed. I fear for severe devaluation.
Jan 10, 2010, 1:40 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: Marriott Life Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Delta and United Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,890
If you do this with the clear intention of circumventing program rules, you could find yourself subject to adverse action.
So far, there are no reports of this being done, but be aware.
Of course, as I posted before, PCR may actually profit from this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11941315-post6.html
I wish this loophole were closed. I fear for severe devaluation.
So far, there are no reports of this being done, but be aware.
Of course, as I posted before, PCR may actually profit from this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11941315-post6.html
I wish this loophole were closed. I fear for severe devaluation.
Jan 10, 2010, 1:42 pm
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,875
torontocanada - I'm intrigued as to why you purchase 40,000 points each year. Unless you are specifically redeeming at VERY expensive properties (Bora Bora?) the maths don't make a lot of sense. After all, 40k is 1 IC night or 1.6 CP nights and that is not worth US$460.
Last edited by Raffles; Jan 10, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Jan 10, 2010, 2:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SOU
Programs: It's better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all
Posts: 869
I saw in a post here that one can purchase 500,000 points for 2-2.5 thousand dollars from cloud9living.com. Is that true..if so how does one do it.
Every year I purchase the maximum 40,000 points but would like to get more. Can u purchase points from other Priority Club members? And is there a thread or site where people offer to sell points.
Thanks.
Every year I purchase the maximum 40,000 points but would like to get more. Can u purchase points from other Priority Club members? And is there a thread or site where people offer to sell points.
Thanks.
Jan 10, 2010, 5:53 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BOS
Programs: Hilton Diamond Marriott Plat
Posts: 270
+1
Jan 11, 2010, 2:59 am
#13
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Location: London
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Unless you actively plan your holidays around staying in pretty obscure places, I doubt it!
Although, I suppose, if I had the time and the inclination (I certainly have the airline miles!) it would be interesting. Plan a holiday each quarter based entirely on the most attractive PB opportunity IC comes up with!
Although, I suppose, if I had the time and the inclination (I certainly have the airline miles!) it would be interesting. Plan a holiday each quarter based entirely on the most attractive PB opportunity IC comes up with!
Jan 11, 2010, 6:29 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,835
Jan 11, 2010, 7:02 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,875
There are also only a small number of hotels where buying points is better than buying a room. You're looking at min $240 for an IC and $150 for a CP, and then you need to offset the points lost by not paying cash, as well as the loss of status points. Ironically, it will become more attractive if the PC promos dry up as you will be losing fewer points by not using cash, and without the bonuses a lot of us would give up aiming for Plat anyway.