U.S. Travel Association's Daily Getaways 2018
Apr 5, 2018, 4:36 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Everything
Posts: 129
Apr 5, 2018, 4:43 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
This year should be easier for that. Lots more packages; price per point higher than ever before; redemption values not all as good as they used to be — that should be a recipe for easier pickings for the interested.
Hyatt deals have always gone very fast for me; Choice deals I have always been able to grab in huge quantities.
Hyatt deals have always gone very fast for me; Choice deals I have always been able to grab in huge quantities.
Apr 5, 2018, 9:55 am
#36
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Gold LT
Posts: 1,941
People up thread said they managed to get the Hertz or Alamo which can be better then some of the rates I have seen this year - especially for 1 or 2 day rentals.
The Vegas stuff will probably stick around but I can find better deals then they are offering.
In short, the really good deals - gone with bots. The good deals may be available just be cautious with the terms and conditions. Orbitz requires prepaid rates for example, so many packages not available. As well there are time limitations.
Other deals - they sell them but in my opinionI can find better deals and not be locked into using them.
Apr 5, 2018, 3:06 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
I've never used a script and I've bought things most years.
Maybe I don't go for the hot items.
If you want something that you think will sell out, go ahead and practice on earlier items to get used to the screen.
Pretty sure I won't be bothering with anything this year, actually.
Maybe I don't go for the hot items.
If you want something that you think will sell out, go ahead and practice on earlier items to get used to the screen.
Pretty sure I won't be bothering with anything this year, actually.
Apr 6, 2018, 9:18 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: Delta Silver, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond, Ex-UA Gold, Ex-AA Gold , Ex-SPG Gold, Peon everywhere else
Posts: 616
I bought one in last year's Getaway and it had a expiration date of December 31, 2018. Unlike the poster above, I had no issues using mine. It's a coupon code that you apply on the payment page. It's like using a pre-paid 33% off coupon. I also bought Expedia's $1000 coupon in 2016 and that one did not have an expiration date. I plan on getting one this year I hope.
Apr 7, 2018, 4:15 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 60137
Posts: 10,498
I bought one in last year's Getaway and it had a expiration date of December 31, 2018. Unlike the poster above, I had no issues using mine. It's a coupon code that you apply on the payment page. It's like using a pre-paid 33% off coupon. I also bought Expedia's $1000 coupon in 2016 and that one did not have an expiration date. I plan on getting one this year I hope.
Apr 7, 2018, 3:19 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 31
Take Advantage of Hotel Credit Card Offers Instead of Buying Points
With the constant devaluation of points as hotel chains raise redemption requirement amounts, why not get a bunch free? All offer generous points bonuses for getting their credit cards. Spend requirements have generally gone up, though, and if you're like me, you're restricted by the Chase limitation of having 5 new credit cards within the past 24 months. It's been my experience that it is often hard to get even $.006/pt in redemption value at many of the mid-to-lower level HIlton brands; it's only slightly better at IHG, unless you snag a points break rate. As everyone in these forums always say, though, YMMV!
Apr 9, 2018, 8:32 am
#43
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: 52,575
Only thing that looks extremely compelling to me so far is the Hertz offer. I'll make sure to log in and give those a shot, even though I'll probably lose to the bots.
IHG deal looks okay, but I've been having a harder time in 2018 finding the IHG redemptions I used to get fairly easily and at lower points requirements. Even basic HIX's are getting harder to find at good redemption values. So I'm less likely to spend out-of-pocket cash for more IHG points. (I already have a lot.) Buying HH at 0.5 cpp? That's just their baseline value these days, with much more limited upside opportunity. Not worth a cash outlay.
The NYNY Vegas deal looks interesting, but it wouldn't surprise me if you can get it elsewhere for the same price. The Luxor package could be okay if you accept the fact that this is a pretty bad hotel. I stayed there last year for a conference at the Mandalay because everything else on that end of the Strip was sold out. Tolerated it, could have used the $400 in a variety of restaurants, so I would have gotten value out of it. But I'd never voluntarily stay in this hotel - or the Excalibur. They're both pretty bad. The two high-end Vegas offers...I just don't know enough about them to know whether they're a good value or not. It feels like you can get suites in top casinos in Vegas for less, but I'm no expert. The devil may be in the details...are there more blackout dates than just New Year's Eve? Is it subject to limited availability?
The 2-night OMNI certificate valid for most major cities and not limited to weekends looks pretty nice. 2 nights in SF for $335 is a good deal during most times of the year - don't even need a particularly peak date to get value there.
IHG deal looks okay, but I've been having a harder time in 2018 finding the IHG redemptions I used to get fairly easily and at lower points requirements. Even basic HIX's are getting harder to find at good redemption values. So I'm less likely to spend out-of-pocket cash for more IHG points. (I already have a lot.) Buying HH at 0.5 cpp? That's just their baseline value these days, with much more limited upside opportunity. Not worth a cash outlay.
The NYNY Vegas deal looks interesting, but it wouldn't surprise me if you can get it elsewhere for the same price. The Luxor package could be okay if you accept the fact that this is a pretty bad hotel. I stayed there last year for a conference at the Mandalay because everything else on that end of the Strip was sold out. Tolerated it, could have used the $400 in a variety of restaurants, so I would have gotten value out of it. But I'd never voluntarily stay in this hotel - or the Excalibur. They're both pretty bad. The two high-end Vegas offers...I just don't know enough about them to know whether they're a good value or not. It feels like you can get suites in top casinos in Vegas for less, but I'm no expert. The devil may be in the details...are there more blackout dates than just New Year's Eve? Is it subject to limited availability?
The 2-night OMNI certificate valid for most major cities and not limited to weekends looks pretty nice. 2 nights in SF for $335 is a good deal during most times of the year - don't even need a particularly peak date to get value there.
Apr 9, 2018, 1:59 pm
#44
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
The set up to buy is somewhat different than in prior years. That may mean some “bots” and quick hands from prior years may not be as effective in grabbing packages as before.
Some people were practicing today with today’s offer.
Some people were practicing today with today’s offer.
Apr 9, 2018, 2:03 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
The first page looks almost identical, was something that changed on the second page?