Cplusplus

I think Bangkok is a bad use of points for Bonvoy. However, if using points the StR stands out as a good redemption in terms of redemption value. Considering it is in the same category as the SGS that you're considering, it's worth a look.

paolo64

Cash, cash, cash. Unless a Bangkok trip coincides with CNY, 99% of the time cash is the better option. Inbound tourism is down ( at least at the ‘top end’). Cash rates are not much more than they were 20 years ago ( and in USD terms, allowing for the overvalued Baht). You’re going in the off season, there’s no reason to expect rates will go up ( and certainly no reason to book yet, either points or cash...maybe an off chance that some points might increase in annual review, in March...but it’s hard to imagine there’ll be across the board increases)
Save your points for London, Paris, NYC, Tokyo, Sydney...IMO.

Kacee

Points can be an excellent value in Bangkok. For the past few days, you could book Grand Deluxe room at StR Bangkok Dec. 31-Jan. 2 for 92k points. That same room was going for about $450 US, exclusive of taxes, so a redemption value of around 1.2 cpp.

Further, room rates in Bangkok have been steadily climbing, as has the value of the Thai Baht. So while it may once have been a good general rule not to burn points in Bangkok, it's now well worth considering, based on whatever redemption value threshold you've set for yourself (mine is .8 cpp).

yosithezet

SGS and don’t look back. St Regis has nice hardware but the service leaves much to be desired. You’ll love the SGS service. PA is great but a bit further to the BTS than the SGS.



Same advice for you. As a Titanium you have access to SGS’ Rossini breakfast as well.

tomwhom

Exactly! I just booked a July 5 night St. Regis stay with 120k points. The non-cancel. total is 45K+ THB ( $1,500) and cancellable total is 53K+ THB ($1,764), I believe this 48K per night redemption value is really excellent, even considering the Titanium reward from cash booking.

paolo64

Points can be a good deal but usually only at times of high demand, eg, your example of NYE ( CNY is another). But that 14000 Baht rate at StR is only for those couple of days; the following week it goes down to 7000 Baht ( ie under your value threshold); the same week the SGS can be had for under 5,000 Baht.
It’s hard to predict indivual hotel rates in Bangkok, but there are so many of them that’s is usually possible to get a very good cash rate at a couple...and ,for non peak times, almost invariably better than points. Of course that strategy only works if one doesn’t really care about which of the hotels to stay at ( I’m happy at any of them, so I’ll go for the best value).

Flyingbunny88

best value = less redemption points per dollar?

in my case above, aloft only shows around 17000baht for 5 nights for 47,500 points, do u think it’s best value? Do you know if they provide breakfast?

four points and SGS looks nicer based on a few reviews, etc., but of course, it’s redemption point / dollar is higher compared to aloft, four points is about 40%, while SGS is 80%.

Kacee

Value is typically measured at cents per point. You include tax and service in that (which in Bangkok is around 18.5%), since you don't pay tax on an award stay. So take the total price of the stay and divide by the number of points. If 4P cost is 17k THB total for a redemption cost of 47.5k points, that's nearly 1.2 cpp, which is an excellent value. Another positive using points in Bangkok is the cancel policy is typically quite generous (either 1 or 2 days prior to arrival).
That's why I said you need to do the calculation. The assertion I was responding to - that CNY is the "only" time all year that points are a good value - is simply not accurate. StR is commonly in the 9-10k THB per night range these days. and during heavy demand periods it can be over 12k. I redeemed for a quick one night at Athenee earlier this year (think it was July) and got a solid redemption value (around .9 cpp) at a room rate of something like 7.5k THB.

Please note also that taxes and service charges are 18.5%, so you need to add that to the room rate when calculating redemption value. That can easily push the redemption from borderline to solid.

paolo64

For your dates (24/7-29/7), Aloft is Baht 15,000 total ( cheapest prepaid rate, including tax), so $500USD, give or take). For that you would earn around 6-7000 points as a titanium. Sometimes Aloft goes lower than that ( even close to 2,000) but rarely for weekend nights, as it’s popular with regional tourists. Five nights for 15,000 including tax is a pretty fair deal, although to get that rate you have to pay almost 7 months in advance. The other decent prepaid rates for your dates are the Westin (3,600) ,the ROS ( 2800) and Four Points (2,900), all before tax.
The only unknown is the potential for a category change in March. Who knows what that might bring.
Personally, I wouldn’t lock into a prepaid rate so far in advance. I would likely make a ‘best flexible rate’ booking and then monitor rates closer to the date.
I don’t believe there’s any reason to be fearful that rates will skyrocket: in my experience there are always a couple of decent choices even if others do get expensive ( eg, for a conference or major event).

paolo64

I don’t disagree that points can be good value when rates skyrocket, as per your example. But when they’re ‘low’, eg St Regis over the next few weeks /months is 6,200 or so, prepaid before tax, Sunday-Friday, points makes little sense, the cash rate is good value.

Flyingbunny88

Thanks for your replies folks. I did a little bit homework as below. So far, in order to better lock the redemption rate, i have reserved aloft and four points for 24-29/7, i can always reserve when i accumulate enough points by end of January for SGS if necessary to secure current redemption points.

Bangkok points:
Trip: July 24-29, 2020 (Titanium Member)
1. Aloft - 47,500 points (14,950 baht = 496 USD for non refundable special rate); 1.04 c/point.
2. Four points sukhumvit - 67,500 (17,340 baht = 575 USD for non refundable prepaid rate); 0.85 c/point.
3. Sheraton Grande sukhumvit - 135,000 (28,572 baht = 948 USD for non refundable prepaid rate); 0.70 c/point.


If choosing the refundable rate, the cash rate is obviously higher which increase the c/point as most of you already know, but the above is just a basic guidance of where it is currently. The above also includes tax, etc.


As titanium, would you get free breakfast on top of welcome bonus points on these 3 hotels? Anyone knows? And, is the breakfast good or comperable for these 3?


Considering the breakfast options VS hotel services VS bed VS area and the above data, where would you choose for points redemption?


Would you still pay any of these 3 hotels for cash instead of points and save the points for EU or NY trip or any other peak dates?

Hope the data provides better current condition.

Flyingbunny88

thanks for your comments. May i know what’s your threshold for points redemption cents/point? Seems like you have a good judgment call on when to use points vs cash..

You mentioned aloft goes lower than that, closer to 2000, what do you mean by that? 2000 baht/night?

was there an announcment of a category change in March? I thought we just had one this year after the merger and including the introduction of peak and off season... another one?

mrfreezetas

Of the 3 you list my ranking is 1- SGS, 2- Four Points and 3- Aloft.

1 - SGS: Variety of breakfast options (Where to eat) if you have status, attached to BTS and short walk to MRT, 7/11 just near entrance on road level, comfortable beds, bathroom with shower and bath.
As for the bad........ Nothing I can think of except no lounge but that is subjective as the options at SGS are better.

2 - Four Points: Only 1 breakfast option which is OK, located approximately half way between Nana and Asok BTS, beds are comfortable but not as comfortable as SGS, shower is small in majority of standard rooms, gym is very basic, TV service basic too but they have plans to improve it along with the Wi-Fi and if in the Garden Wing the rooms are very quiet.
The bad, if they have the pool party and you are in the Pool wing it can be annoyingly loud.

3 - Aloft: 1 breakfast option (need to confirm), about a 5 to 10 minute walk from Nana BTS, lively area with plenty of options for drinks etc., I found the beds too hard for me, majority of rooms with shower only but large enough, rooms feel a bit more cramped than Four Points and especially SGS.

If I had the budget it would be SGS every day of the week for me but I don't so four Points is my regular hotel and I have a preferred room which they have always had ready for me and early check in and late check out has never been a problem as I am usually on a 8PM departure from BKK.

geminidreams

I regularly stay at the Aloft. I like it and it suits my budget. It is deep into the Soi so a 6 or 7 minute walk to the BTS. I find the rooms comfortable and the breakfast is more than adequate in amount and variety for me. I usually manage to find a BRG rate around 2000 baht per night. I have never used points there as the cash rate is so cheap. I personally think the redemption rates for the LM or the Westin are the best value. I think the 4P is reasonable and the breakfast is marginally better than Aloft. SGS is overhyped on this forum. The breakfast is certainly extensive and its a nice hotel but in my opinion I prefer the LM or PA but lots of people have their own preferences.

I am pretty sure all will give you breakfast as titanium in lieu of points.

Flyingbunny88

thanks for your explanation!