what to do with rewards
Apr 19, 2007 | 3:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 430
what to do with rewards
I have 120k rewards but when i go on vacation i never stay in hotels, otherwise it would seem like i'm on a business trip. I looked at the conversion rates to airline miles but they don't look that great. Anyone have some good ideas?
Apr 19, 2007 | 8:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 9,107
How about turning them into cash?
I think you can buy Marriott gift cards with points and use them to pay down your next business hotel trip. Collect the cash from your employer.
I'd also love to hear from others if there is any creative way to turn points into cash. I've got too many and fear that I'll be too old or they'll be too devalued when I finally get a chance to use them. Comments?
I think you can buy Marriott gift cards with points and use them to pay down your next business hotel trip. Collect the cash from your employer.
I'd also love to hear from others if there is any creative way to turn points into cash. I've got too many and fear that I'll be too old or they'll be too devalued when I finally get a chance to use them. Comments?
Apr 20, 2007 | 11:00 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,789
Offer them for trade on The Coupon Connection! Some of us have too many airline miles & need Marriott points! 
Or give 'em as a wedding or birthday gift to a friend or relative. U have enough for 6--7 nights in a hotel room pricing > $300 buxanite! Should be used somewhere where all the hotels are overpriced such as downtown in a major metropolis or on a Caribbean beach.
Or give 'em as a wedding or birthday gift to a friend or relative. U have enough for 6--7 nights in a hotel room pricing > $300 buxanite! Should be used somewhere where all the hotels are overpriced such as downtown in a major metropolis or on a Caribbean beach.
Apr 20, 2007 | 11:24 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
you could redeem them at the stay "almost" anytime rates at twice the saver redemption rate
Apr 20, 2007 | 11:29 am
#6
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,775
If you can find redemption availability, you have enough to stay in a 1-bedroom MVCI suite for a week. They are very nice and are closer to an apartment than they are to a hotel room.
Apr 20, 2007 | 11:33 am
#7
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: 53,010
The MVCI option is also a good one. When you say you don't like hotels on vacation, I'm not sure if you mean "I like villas/condos/cottages/etc." or "I like to camp out."
Apr 20, 2007 | 11:43 am
#8
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,775
I think the 135K points for $1000 cheque is only for Gold/Plat elites. So if the OP wants to go that route, you might want to check on that first.
Also, if you want to convert your points to miles, you might be better off holding on to the points and try to accumulate 235K points. That way you can get the Travel Package that comes with 120K miles plus a 7-day cat 1-5 hotel stay. If you don't want to use the hotel cert, Marriott will buy it back, but at a reduced rate. Something like 35K points or such. That would get you 120K miles for 200K Marriott points. Which is a better redemption rate than directly converting to miles.
Also, if you want to convert your points to miles, you might be better off holding on to the points and try to accumulate 235K points. That way you can get the Travel Package that comes with 120K miles plus a 7-day cat 1-5 hotel stay. If you don't want to use the hotel cert, Marriott will buy it back, but at a reduced rate. Something like 35K points or such. That would get you 120K miles for 200K Marriott points. Which is a better redemption rate than directly converting to miles.
Apr 22, 2007 | 7:46 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: uk
Programs: BMI, VS, Marriott, SPG, HH*S, GoldPoints+
Posts: 616
best value
I agree with the "get the Travel Package that comes with 120K miles plus a 7-day stay." This is terrific value - this from a sad person with bucket loads of these points suffering from the without notice decision to withdraw the option for Tesco points conversion.
If only I'd had a little more time . . .
If only I'd had a little more time . . .