How Would You Use 285,000 Points?
Jun 16, 2005, 9:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Green Cove Springs, FL
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, former elite in several airlines, but don't fly as much now
Posts: 153
How Would You Use 285,000 Points?
OK, I've been shelving the points for a few years, only using them for an occasional free night. Well, I'm at 285,000 now and thinking perhaps I should put them to use. I'd love your suggestions, as the options are many.
If you were going to spend 285,000 points, what would you spend it on?
I look forward to your suggestions.
If you were going to spend 285,000 points, what would you spend it on?
I look forward to your suggestions.
Jun 16, 2005, 9:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 453
I would setup a contest, and donate them to the first responder of your question :-)
Jun 16, 2005, 9:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Airstrip One
Programs: AA gold, UA Premier, HH Gold, *wood gold, PC gold
Posts: 950
Originally Posted by jonathansullivan
I would setup a contest, and donate them to the first responder of your question :-)
IMHO, the best way to use a large number of miles is intercontinental premium class tickets. Twice I've cashed in AA miles for Business class tickets to Australia. ^
Saved myself SEVERAL thousand dollars.
But I'm sure one of the experts here will come up with an even better usage!
Jun 16, 2005, 9:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New York
Programs: Ex Marriot Platinum, CO Gold
Posts: 342
Travel packages are the best usage of points... Just redeemed one, and I'm back up to about 110k already!
Jun 16, 2005, 9:28 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NY
Programs: Marriott Gold, UA Nobody, Hertz Gold, Avis Select
Posts: 786
The hotel + air packages are nice, good way to spend your points, depends which airline you participate in the code changes
Jun 16, 2005, 9:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: AA - Exec Plat, Marriott Platinum Premiere; Lifetime Platinum;
Posts: 484
Holland America - Cruise to Alaska - 250,000
Jun 16, 2005, 10:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: AA 'kettle', Marriott Gold, ICH Gld, Hertz 5*
Posts: 5,258
250K points was a common incentive for timeshare purchases in the recent past. Some TUG'ers got nearly a million points during the golden days of Marriott points incentives. Most have used them for travel packages, and then used the miles/certs towards international business class air and CAT 6 or 7 hotels in Europe/Asia. Some have calculated the equivalent expense in the mid teens (10-20K) range...
We're going to do exactly that this year, for an Australia trip.....
Pat
We're going to do exactly that this year, for an Australia trip.....
Pat
Jun 17, 2005, 10:39 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Green Cove Springs, FL
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, former elite in several airlines, but don't fly as much now
Posts: 153
Thanks guys. Good ideas. I thought the package deals looked pretty good. I like the Cruise to Alaska idea, too. We went in 2002, and would LOVE to go back! I'd have to use air miles for that one - if you fly in/out of Anchorage, it's quite expensive.
Other thoughts? Has anyone cashed in miles for products? Marriott seems to really be pushing their new catalog now.
Other thoughts? Has anyone cashed in miles for products? Marriott seems to really be pushing their new catalog now.
Jun 17, 2005, 2:29 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Piscataway, NJ, USA
Posts: 42
I've heard it said many times that merchandise is the worst dollar value for exchange of hotel points or airline miles in general.
Jun 17, 2005, 2:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
There have been numerous prior threads with similar questions. For the greatest value, the consensus in every one of them is to use the points for a travel package, which provides seven nights in a Cat. 1-7 hotel, and a huge number of frequent flyer miles on your choice of airline. Detailed descriptions of these packages are available at the Marriott Rewards website. If your consideration is not the greatest value for the points, then there are numerous other possibilities. As to the various merchandise items, there is nothing wrong with such awards, but the common perception is that they provide the least value for the points.
Jun 17, 2005, 2:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Programs: Marriott-Platinum, Hilton-Gold, Avis-Preferred, GoldPoints-Elite, Gold Crown Club, Priority Club,etc
Posts: 94
Adjustment
Originally Posted by fredlisancnc
Holland America - Cruise to Alaska - 250,000
You can purchase up to to 10% (31k for this reward @ $10.00/1k).
I was going to do this but now have 320k, so I do not need to to this.
There are other options other than Alaska.
Have fun.
Jun 17, 2005, 4:53 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MD, USA
Programs: SWA, UA, Delta, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 272
come on...there has to be a place you've always wanted to go to?? splurge a little...life's too short
Jun 17, 2005, 5:24 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NY
Programs: Marriott Gold, UA Nobody, Hertz Gold, Avis Select
Posts: 786
Just wanted to add that although MAJORITY of merchandise is indeed a poor value, there are some items that provide a much better value than others. So if there's something that you particularly want and it has good point value then why not....
Jun 18, 2005, 5:14 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,308
Travel package. It's the main reason to be here at all.
-David
-David
Jun 18, 2005, 7:07 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
Originally Posted by psychephylax
Just wanted to add that although MAJORITY of merchandise is indeed a poor value, there are some items that provide a much better value than others.