Points vs Spend thoughts
 

Whats the latest thoughts on using points vs spend? I have an upcoming stay on Hawaii and am choosing between spending 160k points or about $2100. This is about 1.31 cents per point. Is this a good use of points? I earn about 100-150k points per year at Marriott.

All thoughts welcome. Thanks!

Points valuation is very dependent on each person's needs, desires, situation, etc.

With that said, I have a trip coming up where I'm using 340K points for stay that would cost me about $4200. And I'm more than happy with that as I would never actually spend that money if it were coming out of my pocket.

Personally, I focus less on the actual pt/$ valuations and look more at what I'm getting for my points. I have an Aruba trip scheduled that I wouldn't go if I had to pay out of pocket for everything. Of course, someone else might say for those same points could be used for two different trips somewhere else. And they would be correct. So it is just what you want to use your points for. I'd rather use them for trips I'd never be able to take otherwise.

It would cost you $2000 to buy 160,000. That for me automatically makes it a good use of points.

To me life is far too short to worry about it to that detail of a level. If it feels worth it then do it. To me it sounds like a good deal but, again, don't sweat the small stuff. If you spend 100 hours researching stuff maybe you can get 1.32 cents/point at a future date!?!? Hmmmmm.....

Good responses. I guess I feel on this one that I used Delta miles for flights so more inclined to spend the money on the room. Plus this is actually a second room, just for the kids, so one paid, one points. Thanks for the thoughts!

This is an excellent reply - ought to be the "standard" reply to all requests of this nature

Considered, balanced & provides appropriate insight

Bravo!