Use Points or burn a cat 1-4 Certificate?
 

Hi

We have a stay for one night near YYZ. Points for the hotel we are staying at is 10,000. I have a cat 1-4 certificate to use. This certificate expires in July, but I may have a need for it (not sure). Also, I am pretty sure I can get an extension if I need on this certificate. Not sure if it makes a difference but the cash rate is about $150. Probably going to do a Residence Inn or Fairfield.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Use Points or burn a cat 1-4 Certificate?
 

Use your certificate... MR is fazing them out anyways.

Absolutely do NOT use your certificate for a 10,000 points hotel given that you advise that you could use it elsewhere -- where presumably the hotel commands more points -- or if you think you can have it extended another year.

If you have elite status -- Gold or above -- I never have heard of such a member ultimately not being able to roll it over and using a Cat 4 on a Cat 2 property is a waste.

The fact that they aren't offering these anymore for MB promos is irrelevant to this decision. The poster has the cert, with its expiration date and value as described.

I have used 1-4 certs for a Cat 3, but I'd be hesitant to use for a Cat 2.

Thanks, I was leaning for using the points and wanted the great members of FT to confirm I made a good decision.

Just remember if it expires unused, it's the wrong decision. I've gotten 6 month extensions on the CC version, don't know about these personally. Also finding a CAT 4 just got a little tougher last week, keep that in mind if your potential travels are urban cities, you could be shut out... Good luck.

To me having the cert in my pocket knowing if I need it for an unplanned trip or flight delay is a nice reassurance. I think your point balance should also be a factor, if you can spare the 10k points I personally would. Especially if you think you'll use the cert.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...rtificate.html

I was fortunate enough to get my Cat 1-4 certs extended twice, but burned both certs and a Cat 1-5 (credit card anniversary) last weekend in Napa Area at a FI Cat 3 (now 4) hotel.

It just depends what's valuable to you. The fact that I requested to extend these twice should indicate the difficulty to use, so in my case, saving the approx $450 was a good enough deal for me to burn through 3 certs.

I would likely save the cert though if I was redeeming at a Cat 2 unless cert(s) are due to expire. As hard as the Cat 4 certs can be to redeem, 10k per night just seems really low to waste the cert on.

I would always use the cert first since it is about to expire.

I find Cat 4 certs pretty impossible to use in my travel and would just at the chance to burn them. It's worth thinking about your future travels to consider if there's any chance you're going to be near a lower-tier brand in flyover country in the future.

Agreed - while using it on a Cat 2 may not be the best choice, if it comes down to that or letting the cert expire, use it.

Burn, baby, burn... The cert that is :D

Think of it this way: You can grab a 10K-point room with the cert. now (bird in the hand,) or pay with points now & gamble/ take a chance that you MIGHT need a 15K or 20K point room by July 31 &or get an extension! If you pay with points at YYZ (10K points for a $150 room is a great deal!) you risk wasting 10K points for the chance of gaining another 10K ;) !

Give thanks that you found somewhere to use the blasted certificate.

Interesting, the first couple of days majority was to use points, the last few, vast majority is to use the certificate.

Thanks for all of your input. I have decided to keep the certificate in my pocket and use the points. 10K points for a $150 room a night hotel is well worth it to me. I am planning on some additional travel before July where the certificate will come in handy, or at the very least I will be able to get an extension for it.