Discover America: Daily Getaways 2012 (Amex)
May 10, 2012, 2:21 pm
#586
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,418
^ Makes sense to me.
On a similar note, I did a trip to Hawaii (Maui) in late 2008. Got a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom timeshare close to beach for $700 for the entire week. This was through eBay and I got around 20% CB from eBay so the net price was even less
. No presentation was required. I guess each of us have different need and more importantly budget to fulfill that need.
On a similar note, I did a trip to Hawaii (Maui) in late 2008. Got a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom timeshare close to beach for $700 for the entire week. This was through eBay and I got around 20% CB from eBay so the net price was even less
. No presentation was required. I guess each of us have different need and more importantly budget to fulfill that need.It's certainly hard to craft a Discover America promo for rental properties. I think there is one timeshare-like outfit that is participating, but nobody can understand exactly what you get for your money, so "nobody" buys the package.
May 10, 2012, 2:37 pm
#587
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,418
Club Carlson
A little surprised those sold out today (I wasn't paying careful attention, so I don't know if it was instantaneous). I ran the numbers and was underwhelmed. I guess Radisson has a few fans. That said, I suspect using their friends and family rate would get you a better price 4 out of 5 times -- with no prepayment necessary.
http://www.radisson.com/familyandfriends
I guess folks don't know about this. Or just like contests.
http://www.radisson.com/familyandfriends
I guess folks don't know about this. Or just like contests.
May 10, 2012, 4:34 pm
#588
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,386
Well, if you did want to convert Club Carlson to BA miles, with the current BA promo, it would be something like 1.5 cpm. So you'd be getting some expensive-ish shorthaul flights on AA (say, $300 for a < 650 mile flight like DTW-LGA r/t) for $135. That's pretty decent... but yeah, kinda "meh".
May 10, 2012, 5:58 pm
#589
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAX-- But I'd rather be on Brokeback Mountain. United 1K! Other
Programs: RCC,HHonors Diamond,HGVC Elite,SPG Plat,Hyatt Diamond,Nat'l Emerald Exec Elite, Disney Premier Pass
Posts: 2,472
Given what I've seen on the web, I expect today's Hyatt deal to sell out in less than a second. The big question, though, is why?
The best deal on Hyatt points is obviously to get their credit card. You get 2 free nights at any Hyatt in the world for zero dollars. Now THAT is a deal!
But I'll assume the folks who are buying points today have already done that. And need/want more points.
Looking at the Hyatt chart, the "aspirational" properties start generally start at Cat. 5. And these are NOT their best properties -- just good ones. If you buy the 2-night Cat. 5 package with an AMEX card, it will cost you about $186/night.
Now that's not a bad price. But I don't think it's a GREAT price. I honestly don't think it requires exceptional effort to get a comparable hotel in those cities for under $200. Like one of those properties, the Grand Champions in Indian Wells, I got for less than half that price on priceline this winter ($80/night, plus tax/fees).
Bottomline, I don't think anyone needs to be too unhappy if they don't win today.
The best deal on Hyatt points is obviously to get their credit card. You get 2 free nights at any Hyatt in the world for zero dollars. Now THAT is a deal!
But I'll assume the folks who are buying points today have already done that. And need/want more points.
Looking at the Hyatt chart, the "aspirational" properties start generally start at Cat. 5. And these are NOT their best properties -- just good ones. If you buy the 2-night Cat. 5 package with an AMEX card, it will cost you about $186/night.
Now that's not a bad price. But I don't think it's a GREAT price. I honestly don't think it requires exceptional effort to get a comparable hotel in those cities for under $200. Like one of those properties, the Grand Champions in Indian Wells, I got for less than half that price on priceline this winter ($80/night, plus tax/fees).
Bottomline, I don't think anyone needs to be too unhappy if they don't win today.
Overhyped? Maybe. Bloggers trying to convince the average Joe to spend money on these points kind of makes me laugh, they just don't care. But to Hyatt Gold Passport members who are already in the know... these points are a GREAT deal. (and yes the credit card was a good deal too, I used my two suite nights at the Park Hyatt Tokyo to the tune of about $3,000USD).
I'm glad I managed to snag a 30K point package.
May 10, 2012, 9:03 pm
#590
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,418
Well, if you did want to convert Club Carlson to BA miles, with the current BA promo, it would be something like 1.5 cpm. So you'd be getting some expensive-ish shorthaul flights on AA (say, $300 for a < 650 mile flight like DTW-LGA r/t) for $135. That's pretty decent... but yeah, kinda "meh".
Of course, 1.5 cents for BA points isn't a "wow" either, but if you were doing a certain kind of short-haul flying (like maybe you need to get from Lima to Cuzco, or Johannesburg to Victoria Falls), it could be a very good deal.
It is a great deal, and yes I'm talking about "aspirational" properties. I'm a Hyatt Diamond, and I absolutely LOVE properties like the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris and the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Buying these at a penny/point means getting either property at $220AI/night. I don't know if you've ever stayed at the Park Hyatt in Paris, but that's a steal. Rates in the summer are $800-$1,000 night. If a Diamond member, it's even better because their incredible breakfast is included for two people, and that's worth an extra €100/day right off the top. Yes please!!
Of course, putting up the "sticker price" for those hotels is a bit of a joke, because nobody in their right mind would actually pay that out of their own pocket (unless they had nothing else to do with their money). Would you pay $400? Probably not, I would think. And, I am certain that if I offered my wife the choice of a $30 stay at the Andre Latin or a $220 stay at the Hyatt, she would certainly pick the Andre Latin. She's "low maintenance," however.
May 14, 2012, 1:54 pm
#591
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
I have some extra AMEX giftcards that are lying around. Does anyone know if I pick up some of these deals using an AMEX gift card and would that still be considered for 10% off for using an AMEX card? 
May 14, 2012, 4:25 pm
#592
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 784
New here and bought my deals with Amex CC, but post 25 says yes. HTH.
May 15, 2012, 7:58 am
#593
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: US, SW, PC
Posts: 35
May 15, 2012, 8:07 am
#594
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 308
Yes they will work as long as they are registered to your home address and you have a large enough balance. They put a $1 hold on the card so you may need to factor that in.
May 16, 2012, 2:31 pm
#595
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DCA, IAD, BWI
Programs: National Parks Annual Pass
Posts: 316
How much longer do you think the unsold packages will stay up and do they usually discount them at some point in time to sell out?
Thx!
Thx!
May 16, 2012, 3:20 pm
#596
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,418
Check for some old posts. I recall they did start discounting some of the packages in the past, but I can't remember the timing. The problem is that the reason most of the packages are left is that they are bad deals. So a discount might not help much.