Rate goldpoints plus
Feb 27, 2008 | 2:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: COS
Posts: 120
Rate goldpoints plus
We are going to review goldpoionts plus in the next issue of InsideFlyer magazine and would like your input. If you would like to participate, please post your response in the thread with the pros and cons of membership in goldpoints plus and grade the program from A to F (A being the highest grade). You can include a plus or minus with the rating. You can also respond directly to me at [email protected]. Thank you!
Feb 28, 2008 | 12:07 pm
#2
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,431
GP+ has always been a strange program, and it has become even more so during its transition in the past few months. The "grade" really depends individual travel patterns and what any particular traveler wants to get out of a program.
Properties/Quality: In North America, there are very few upscale properties, most are motel/extended stay types. In Europe, and especially Scandinavia, there are many upscale Radisson properties in good locations. There are some properties in the Middle East, China, and India, but there is limited coverage in South America, S.E. Asia and Oceania.
Elite benefits: Until the recent program changes, GP+ "elite" level could be achieved with a couple of stays. Now, Silver requires 15 nights or 10 stays, and Gold requires 35 nights or 20 stays. Both elite levels qualify you for the "best available room in the quality booked," so no fancy upgrades there. In the typical US property, an elite member might receive a larger/corner room, often on a higher floor, and sometimes with 80s amenities such as an oversized in-room jacuzzi. Silver and Gold members receive a points bonus on stays (25% and 50%, respectively). The most significant benefits of Gold membership are a 2-for-1 (or 4-for-2) weekend night offer, as well as the ability to redeem "flex" nights at the "standard" rate.
Earning points: Points earned are based on spending, with different rates for different hotel types (e.g., 20 points/$ at Radisson, 15 points/$ at Country Inns). One of the oddities in the program is that the points earned are the same per dollar or Euro spent ($1 = 20 points; EUR1 = 20 points), despite the significant difference in exchange rates. There are some bonus offers, most notably a 5k bonus for every 5 stays, and a 500 point online booking bonus.
Redeeming points: There are two redemption levels, standard and flex, and hotels can be had for as little as 15k points per night. As with any program, there are some good redemption deals, but I don't necessarily want to highlight them to a larger audience. Have a look at the hotel list. GP+ sometimes runs promos, such as a recent 50% off winter redemption rate in Europe (ends tomorrow). GP+ recently added a points+cash redemption option, which is a bit unrefined as of yet (at some hotels the cash portion of the points+cash option is greater than the regular rate for a paid stay, and there are hotels where 15k points can save you hundreds of dollars). GPs can also be transferred to a wide range of airlines, and the rates vary depending on the amount of points transfered. The annual maximum is 1m GP for 180k miles. A very nice feature of the program is the ability to transfer points to another account (great for pooling points or Coupon Connection trades).
As I said earlier, the "grade" for GP+ depends on one's travel patterns and needs. A traveler who earns points and status at cheapo US destinations and then uses their status to redeem nights at the "saver" rate (or buys 2-for1 weekend nights) in for stays in Sweden will probably find this program very valuable. On the other hand, if your travel patterns include staying at spendy European properties for $350/nt, you'd likely be much better off with another program that gives proper upgrades.
Properties/Quality: In North America, there are very few upscale properties, most are motel/extended stay types. In Europe, and especially Scandinavia, there are many upscale Radisson properties in good locations. There are some properties in the Middle East, China, and India, but there is limited coverage in South America, S.E. Asia and Oceania.
Elite benefits: Until the recent program changes, GP+ "elite" level could be achieved with a couple of stays. Now, Silver requires 15 nights or 10 stays, and Gold requires 35 nights or 20 stays. Both elite levels qualify you for the "best available room in the quality booked," so no fancy upgrades there. In the typical US property, an elite member might receive a larger/corner room, often on a higher floor, and sometimes with 80s amenities such as an oversized in-room jacuzzi. Silver and Gold members receive a points bonus on stays (25% and 50%, respectively). The most significant benefits of Gold membership are a 2-for-1 (or 4-for-2) weekend night offer, as well as the ability to redeem "flex" nights at the "standard" rate.
Earning points: Points earned are based on spending, with different rates for different hotel types (e.g., 20 points/$ at Radisson, 15 points/$ at Country Inns). One of the oddities in the program is that the points earned are the same per dollar or Euro spent ($1 = 20 points; EUR1 = 20 points), despite the significant difference in exchange rates. There are some bonus offers, most notably a 5k bonus for every 5 stays, and a 500 point online booking bonus.
Redeeming points: There are two redemption levels, standard and flex, and hotels can be had for as little as 15k points per night. As with any program, there are some good redemption deals, but I don't necessarily want to highlight them to a larger audience. Have a look at the hotel list. GP+ sometimes runs promos, such as a recent 50% off winter redemption rate in Europe (ends tomorrow). GP+ recently added a points+cash redemption option, which is a bit unrefined as of yet (at some hotels the cash portion of the points+cash option is greater than the regular rate for a paid stay, and there are hotels where 15k points can save you hundreds of dollars). GPs can also be transferred to a wide range of airlines, and the rates vary depending on the amount of points transfered. The annual maximum is 1m GP for 180k miles. A very nice feature of the program is the ability to transfer points to another account (great for pooling points or Coupon Connection trades).
As I said earlier, the "grade" for GP+ depends on one's travel patterns and needs. A traveler who earns points and status at cheapo US destinations and then uses their status to redeem nights at the "saver" rate (or buys 2-for1 weekend nights) in for stays in Sweden will probably find this program very valuable. On the other hand, if your travel patterns include staying at spendy European properties for $350/nt, you'd likely be much better off with another program that gives proper upgrades.