Purchasing Points - Best Offers?
Jul 6, 2013 | 4:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 36
Purchasing Points - Best Offers?
I recently purchased 60,000 Miles-and-More points through the Melia Hotels 25% bonus offer; came to $1000. That was about 1.67c per point. I know buying points is anathema to many around here, but for me, this is a very good value as I'll use these points to book Lufthansa or Swiss Int First class, which is a very expensive product. I'm happy to rack up the free points, but also don't mind adding to the balance with some value purchases.
This has me wondering, aside from the targeted US buy right now, are there other below 2c/pt methods for buying, maybe through other hotel loyalty programs?
While I'm at it, does anyone else find value in purchasing points like this?
This has me wondering, aside from the targeted US buy right now, are there other below 2c/pt methods for buying, maybe through other hotel loyalty programs?
While I'm at it, does anyone else find value in purchasing points like this?
Jul 6, 2013 | 5:25 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP>2m, Alaska MVP, Virgin Gold, Delta Gold, Starwood Gold, Cathay Pacific Silver
Posts: 599
I buy points from time to time when they are on sale. I know it's not a popular thing to do around here, but I use them to fly business or first class and I would never be able to afford those tickets at normal prices. I sign up for every frequent flyer program to get the targeted offers, and then I look carefully at what I could do with the miles. I used AA miles that I purchased to fly first class on Cathay Pacific and that was worth every penny. I'm afraid that I don't know of any great offers right now, though.
Jul 6, 2013 | 6:10 pm
#3
formerly sahiljain22
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS;NYC;YVR;YYZ;DEL;BOM
Programs: Amex Plat; HH Diamond; SPG Plat; Hyatt Diamond; United 1K; National EE; HSBC Premier
Posts: 532
I buy and redeem over 300k miles an year on average, mostly united and spg.
Jul 6, 2013 | 6:57 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,863
I recently purchased 60,000 Miles-and-More points through the Melia Hotels 25% bonus offer; came to $1000. That was about 1.67c per point. I know buying points is anathema to many around here, but for me, this is a very good value as I'll use these points to book Lufthansa or Swiss Int First class, which is a very expensive product. I'm happy to rack up the free points, but also don't mind adding to the balance with some value purchases.
This has me wondering, aside from the targeted US buy right now, are there other below 2c/pt methods for buying, maybe through other hotel loyalty programs?
While I'm at it, does anyone else find value in purchasing points like this?
This has me wondering, aside from the targeted US buy right now, are there other below 2c/pt methods for buying, maybe through other hotel loyalty programs?
While I'm at it, does anyone else find value in purchasing points like this?
Jul 7, 2013 | 3:27 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 816
I "buy" points paying federal and state income tax, usually at half price by using the Amex Starwood card for the 5k bonus and the Chase United card to reach the 25k minimum in order to get the 10k annual bonus. The new rate for Federal payments of 1.88% or 1.89% for Amex combined with my tax deduction bracket for the fee effectively puts my cost at under 1.1 cents per mile for the United Visa miles and slightly more for the Starwood points when used for the 5k bonus on airline miles transfers.
Jul 7, 2013 | 9:53 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: MTD pass holder
Posts: 1,144
I "buy" points paying federal and state income tax, usually at half price by using the Amex Starwood card for the 5k bonus and the Chase United card to reach the 25k minimum in order to get the 10k annual bonus. The new rate for Federal payments of 1.88% or 1.89% for Amex combined with my tax deduction bracket for the fee effectively puts my cost at under 1.1 cents per mile for the United Visa miles and slightly more for the Starwood points when used for the 5k bonus on airline miles transfers.
Jul 12, 2013 | 11:44 am
#9
formerly sahiljain22
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS;NYC;YVR;YYZ;DEL;BOM
Programs: Amex Plat; HH Diamond; SPG Plat; Hyatt Diamond; United 1K; National EE; HSBC Premier
Posts: 532
UA you can buy through mileage accelerators all the time at 2cpm. Wyndham just had a points sale recently and I bought some points which transferred to UA at 1.3cpm.
PM if you have questions.