Hotels on Points?
 

Is there anyway to use Delta or USAirways miles for a hotel stay? I have searched both their websites and can't find any way to do it, but several more frequent travelers than me have told me it can be done...of course none of them can recall how they did it.

Thanks,
Clay

You usually take a hit. However, AA miles can be converted to Hilton points at a 1:2 ratio (10K AA miles -> 20K Hilton points). I don't know details about either DL or US.

As far as I know, the only "good" air to hotel conversion is AA->HH. That's one that I consider roughly lossless, based on typical mile/point valuations.

I can't even come up with a double-conversion for DL or US. I'm pretty much stumped on anything that could yield decent value. Do either of those swap through Amtrak? (Amtrak is a decent 'middleman' for double-conversions when it works.) If you're flying a bunch of Skyteam, I think you could do some CO->Amtrak->HH...

I don't think Delta swaps into anything else. Check out the Mileage Converter at http://www.insideflyer.com/tools/mileage_converter/, Delta isn't listed in the "convert from" selection box. Neither is US Airways.

Well glad to know I wasn't crazy....I couldnt find DL or US on the conversion chart either.

Thanks for your help!
Clay

First of all, "did" is past tense. How long past? For example, UA used to allow transfer of their miles to Diners Club (and then onwards to a number of hotel chains or other airlines), but that ended a few years ago. I could tell you I "did" it once, but that doesn't mean you or I can "do" it any more.

Second, at the very least, Delta offers some way (no details available for the ineligible on their website) to get hotels (could be certificates rather than points?) for miles, but only to their elite (Platinum Medallion) members. If you're nowhere close to being one (because you don't fly a ton each year), you don't qualify. And since I'm not one either, I can't say whether this is a general deal (and if so, whether good for a variety of hotels or only super expensive resort ones) or only for a few specific hotels, or even whether it's for one-off reservations or only for buying timeshares!

When many of the programs did have miles to points or points to miles transfers the exchange rate was so bloody poor that it didn't make any sense to do so. BTW, the stated AA-> HH exchange is significantly worse in the other direction.

The ONE exception is 20K SPG for 25K airline miles. That was always very popular in this community.

I noticed one can't "convert from" with NW either.

According to spg.com CO and UA transfer at 2:1. I don't see anything about a 5K bonus for either airline.

Other USA carriers are 1:1

The mileage converter is a great tool---however always check other possibilities. 10000 my points to United is shown as 10000 mypoints to 10000 HH points to 1000 United miles. If you transfer 10000 miles directly through the MyPoints website you get 5000 United miles--a difference of 4000 miles.

This is why I have 2 Amex cards, a Delta plat and an amex plat card. I use the delta for flights and the amex for other purchases which the points you get I use for vacations and hotel stays. We spent a week on Parrot Cay last year with points and used miles for the air so it was a wonderful vacation with very little $ spent.