Are 15K points worth $91?
Apr 21, 2011 | 9:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gulf Coast/Ventura County/Somewhere in between
Programs: DL GM, Marriott PP, Avis Something or other
Posts: 4,432
Are 15K points worth $91?
One night short of the 15K add-on for the MegaBonus promo and no travel scheduled before 4/30. Best I can do is a CY not far from home at $91.56 a/i. I'm kind of waffling on a mattress run. Would you guys do it?
Last edited by dd992emo; Apr 21, 2011 at 9:39 am
Apr 21, 2011 | 9:36 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Gold, Radisson Silver, AA, Amtrak, BA
Posts: 31
I'd go for it; there's some catagory 1 hotels (7500 points) that I stay in that cost $80/night.
Apr 21, 2011 | 9:54 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: U.S. (sometimes)
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,437
I probably wouldn't do it just for the points...though it would be tempting if I needed a mattress run to re-earn status or I placed at least a little value in having a hotel stay. I value Marriott points at about .5 cents per point, so I'd happily pay $75 for those points. But I know that some people value them more highly (there are pages and pages on this topic).
Apr 21, 2011 | 10:07 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 22
If you based it on the $1,000 gift cheques:
135,000/$1,000 = 135 points per dollar
15,000/135 = $111.11
$111.11>$91.56
So yes, if you want to buy the gift cheques for future visits it is better than break even. Notwithstanding that you earn additional points for this stay and future stays with the gift cheques in turn further lowers the 135 points per dollar value.
135,000/$1,000 = 135 points per dollar
15,000/135 = $111.11
$111.11>$91.56
So yes, if you want to buy the gift cheques for future visits it is better than break even. Notwithstanding that you earn additional points for this stay and future stays with the gift cheques in turn further lowers the 135 points per dollar value.
Apr 21, 2011 | 10:59 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Marriott Plat, PC Plat, Hertz Gold
Posts: 202
Don't forget the extra ~1,500 points you will earn from your "stay"
I'd say 16,500 points is definitely worth the $90. Also, have you looked for LNF rates?
I'd say 16,500 points is definitely worth the $90. Also, have you looked for LNF rates?
Apr 21, 2011 | 11:15 am
#6
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,673
If yes, then do it. If not, then don't.
Apr 21, 2011 | 12:15 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: HH Diamond, MR Gold, AA EXP, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 25
Simply put - YES!
Apr 21, 2011 | 12:36 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,279
It's worth it for point geeks like us but not worth it to most people.
Apr 21, 2011 | 1:55 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,684
The math says yes, but it depends on your situation. Personally I have hundreds of thousand of points, and millions in other programs, so the marginal value of points that I probably won't use for many, many years is much lower than an outlay of cash right now.
For others who need 15K points to lock in that honeymoon reservations this week it's worth much more.
Others have provided the math - you need to decide how it applies to you.
For others who need 15K points to lock in that honeymoon reservations this week it's worth much more.
Others have provided the math - you need to decide how it applies to you.
Apr 21, 2011 | 2:26 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gulf Coast/Ventura County/Somewhere in between
Programs: DL GM, Marriott PP, Avis Something or other
Posts: 4,432
Yeah, I'm around 400K in points right now, so I'll probably pass. I'm such a points slut, though...
Apr 21, 2011 | 2:31 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,162
I might be in similar situation. I barely qualify for the current promo, but might be short a night due to a book 3/pay 2, so a night didn't count. I need to decide whether it's worth it (and I don't have a gazillion points) & where I can find the cheapest rate. If I can't get something really cheap I might switch to the get 2 free Cat 1-4 certs.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Apr 21, 2011 | 8:22 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,012
I'd do it. I value MR at about 1.2 cents. Points "live" for about a year to 18 months in my account. So yes, I'd probably do $100-ish for 15k.
Something just gnaws at me when I book a room I don't want to use though. Last year, I was in this situation twice...needed 1 night to finish a Megabonus. Both times I spent a little more than necessary (low $100's) to stay at a better Marriott that we actually liked enough to spend the night there. Plat amenity, indoor pool, even managed to get a full breakfast included rate... Eliminated the feeling that I was *only* buying the points.
Something just gnaws at me when I book a room I don't want to use though. Last year, I was in this situation twice...needed 1 night to finish a Megabonus. Both times I spent a little more than necessary (low $100's) to stay at a better Marriott that we actually liked enough to spend the night there. Plat amenity, indoor pool, even managed to get a full breakfast included rate... Eliminated the feeling that I was *only* buying the points.
Apr 22, 2011 | 1:34 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium (former PP), Hilton Silver, UA Silver, AS Member, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,906
I would do it, but I have less than 150,000 Marriott points now (so I view an additional 15K right now as a plus). I go through my points fairly quickly.
Apr 22, 2011 | 8:36 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,162
I need to sit down & figure out my stays today, so if I need to book a cheap one I can do the stay tomorrow during lower weekend rates.
Cheers.
Apr 22, 2011 | 4:28 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA-Gold AA-Gold, Marriott Lifetime Tit. Elite
Posts: 307
still able to book a conf. room for TEN nights credit? Would help towards status and cost about the same (note: may not be avail. any longer)