flyme2

Some values I tested for a stay on Wed, Aug 24 with a 45% point bonus:

Moxy Vienna Airport 9,600 points (PointSavers); 175€ ($187 USD) cash; Points value: ~$98.58 USD
Moxy Frankfurt Airport 12,000 points; 167€ ($178 USD) cash; Points value: ~$123.22 USD
Delta Frankfurt Offenbach: 20,000 points; 290€ ($309.10 USD) cash; Points value: ~$205.37 USD
Moxy Frankfurt City Centre: 20,000 points; 295€ ($314.43 USD) cash; Points value: ~$205.37 USD
Moxy Frankfurt East 20,000 points; 237€; ($252.54 USD) cash; Points value: ~$205.37 USD
Sheraton Offenbach (Frankfurt): 20,000 points; 265€ ($282.37 USD) cash; Points value: ~$205.37 USD
Residence Inn Frankfurt City Centre: 29,000 points; 334€ ($355.89 USD) cash; Points value: ~$297.78 USD
Courtyard Cologne: 30,000 points; 325€ ($346.30) cash; Points value: ~$308.05 USD
Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg: 35,000 points; 428€ ($456.06 USD) cash; Points value: ~$359.39 USD
C-Hotel & Spa Cassago Brianza Design Hotel: 20,000 points; 289€ ($307.94 USD) cash; Points value: ~$205.37 USD
Grotta Giusti Spa Resort Tuscany: 30,000 points; 378€ ($402.70 USD) cash; Points value: ~$308.05 USD
St. Regis Venice: 63,200 points (PointSavers); 847€ ($902.35 USD) cash; Points value: ~$648.96 USD
Gritti Palce Venice: 102,000 points; 1,372€ ($1,461.66 USD) cash; Points value: ~$1,047.37 USD

Just a cursory look, and there are opportunities, but primarily when hotel rates are inflated due to high demand or a special event. Nonetheless, it is worth consideration should your travel require a stay during such time periods.

flyme2

I know that when I have purchased Hilton points, taxes were added, but not when I did the same with IHG. There should be a notation before you buy stating that Canadian purchases will generate sales taxes. I am a Québec resident, so perhaps Ontario is different. All purchases I've made went through points.com.

flyme2

Taxes from a Hyatt points top up I recently made:

Cost:$24.00 GST (Canadian Residents Only):
GST Registration No. 86696 5676 RT0001$1.20 QST (Quebec Residents Only):
QST Registration No. 1227658220 TQ0001$2.39 Total (billed to your credit card)*:$27.59

ETA: Hilton points purchase generated only GST, not QST. An SPG purchase receipt in 2018 did not mention taxes in the confirmation email, so perhaps none were added judging from the rounded monetary value.

yyzflyer

They add the tax at the very last stage before you click on "Buy".

mrwunrfl

yesterday it was 35% and today it was 45%

goalie

45% for me as well

newfbc

There's no second/last stage.. you enter all the info on the page and click 'Pay Now' .. no taxes are added. Though it does say in the terms and conditions that taxes may be applicable.. gst/pst in Canada.

Ron.

Purchase Information

Number of Points95,000
Bonus Points42,750
Total Points137,750 points
Cost of Points$1,187.50 USD
Total Charge$1,187.50 USD
I have read the terms and conditions. Transactions are non‑refundable.
PAY NOW

yyzflyer

That's odd. Apologies for the assumption. Airline miles purchases add taxes at the very last step.
AAdvantage®




Thank you for buying miles
Miles bought: 5,250
Confirmation number: AAxxxxxxxxx


Cost summary American Express ending in xxxx

5,000 miles + 250 bonus miles $150.00 Federal excise tax $11.25 GST/HST Tax $7.50 Total $168.75

reggiekush

Thanks! In the T&Cs, #4 mentions all applicable taxes and fees will be shown at checkout, so we should be safe from any fees added after hitting purchase.

flyme2

Most assuredly any additional taxes would have to be disclosed before finalizing the payment. I would suggest taking screenshots just in case.

yurtripper

Wow. I thought 45% must be the worst as that's what I got!