Best use of mypoints?
 

I got 10k points so far and i am thinking to take it out.
what's the best(or good) use of those points?
I am thinking: $$ shell gas card, HHonor points?

any input is appreciated.

ls

Depends on what your needs and interests are; there is no one size fits all answer here. I redeem most of my points for Hilton points with an occasional Red Lobster card.

Someone did a table not too long ago to find the best value. Perhaps a search will help you find it.

At the time, a Macy's gift check was the best value for your points, with others following closely behind.

I usually redeem for Hyatt gift checks.

We love the Barnes & Noble $25 GC. They use Starbucks coffee products. :)
2750 pts. I think.
Phil

Wow!
 

How long have you all been my points members? I only have a few hundred points and have been a member for a few months....purchased a few things, but points haven't posted as of yet....any tips on how to rack up points in the thousands like you guys have?

Watch for the special deals and rewards. For awhile you could get 750 points for buying a gift certificate at Tupperware, then 750 points every time you used it to buy something. Similarly, I am buying my Entertainment Books through them, 750 points at a time.
Good luck!
Kate

Ditto. Love the Entertainment Book offers especially because they make good gifts (as opposed to that horrible sweater nobody ever wears) and there's no higher S&H costs to Canada.

After about 3 years as MyPoint members, have racked up 10997 and all have gone into HH. Have always transfered every time I hit 1K as I'll admit to being somewhat gunshy about letting the account build any higher and suddenly finding out the program closes overnight or the conversion ratios are adjusted for the worse.

You are smart to be wary of the changing conversion ratios! I have been a member of MyPoints/BonusMail from the very beginning (when it was just Bonus Mail). Back then, they were practically giving away points and as a result rewards were much easier to come by. You could get gas cards for 1000 points. I have earned 47495 points to date but most of those came early on when they were giving away tons of them in the .com bubble. I have 7000 points on hand now and will probably redeem many into HHonors.

I personally redeem for starbucks everytime I hit 1350 points, I know its not the greatest value, but then it buys me a few bucks for a couple of days. Those lattes ar so expensive, but Iam kinda hooked and hence the 10 bucks is like cash...

I just went to check my account, and decided to redeem the points I had. I was pleasantly surtpised to see a $75.00 discount on United, for 5750 points. Since a Target GC for $10.00 is 1500 points, this one seems to be a good deal. Amazingly, it is valid for international travel, as long as you start in the US.
Here are the T&Cs:
Discount Travel Certificates Terms & Conditions

To make reservations, call United Airlines at 1 800 241-6522 or your travel professional and refer the representative to Profile Name: PMO/MyPoints-Dollar

Terms and Conditions:
1. Valid Carrier: This discount may be applied to United Airlines, United Shuttle, United Express operated flights and United Ground Link, but not to flights operated by other airlines (such as United-marketed code share and Star Alliance flights).

2. Valid Routing: To take advantage of this discount you must begin your travel in the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Canada and fly to any worldwide destination served by United.

3. Allowable Fares: This discount may be used on published United Economy (H,Q,V,W) class fares. These qualifying fares are the lower, more restrictive fares for travel in the economy cabin. Since these fares are booked in a special class of service, they might not be available on all flights or on all days of the week when you travel.

4. Restricted Fares: This discount may not be used on the following fare types: United First (F,A,P) class, United Business (C,D) class, United Economy (Y,B,M) class, companion, internet only, travel industry (G) class, contract, bulk, convention, tour conductor, children, family plan, government, group, military, senior citizen, student, youth, infant, tour basing, Around the World, Circle the Pacific, Visit USA fares or any non-published fares.

5. Fare Rules: The published fare you qualify for depends on what class of service is available on the days you travel. Some markets may have lower fares available without the discount. Keep in mind, you must travel roundtrip on United (open jaw and circle trips are allowed too). The discount may not be used when you travel one-way. Other restrictions may apply.

6. Blackout Dates: This discount is not allowed on certain days of the year depending on your destination. To check these blackout days (which are the same as United's Mileage Plus blackouts) contact United Airlines or your travel professional.

7. Mileage Plus Accrual: The passenger may accrue Mileage Plus miles, even with this discount.

8. Upgrades: To determine if an upgrade certificate may be used together with this discount, refer to the terms, conditions and booking class restrictions associated with each upgrade.

9. Ticketing: You may redeem this certificate using United's Electronic Ticketing by calling United Airlines or your travel professional. You may also ticket by mail or through a United Airlines city ticket office or airport location. Discount only applies when ticket is purchased within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Canada. All dollar levels are stated in U.S. currency. When using the discount on a ticket purchased in Canada, current conversion rates apply. Certificate must be surrendered at time of initial ticketing and can not be redeemed via the internet.

10. Changes/Refunds: The rules of the United Economy fare you purchase determine what changes or refunds are allowed. Any refund due is based on the amount actually paid. The certificate discount may not be reapplied toward the purchase of another ticket when exchanging or refunding your original ticket, except when the original ticket qualifies for a reduced fare (guaranteed airfare rule applies). Check with United Airlines or your travel professional.

11. Other Important Notes: This discount may only be applied to the purchase of one new ticket and may not be applied to previously ticketed reservations. Certificate has no cash value and may not be altered or duplicated. Lost, stolen, expired or destroyed certificates will not be replaced. Only one discount certificate, discount voucher or discount may be used per ticket. The senior citizen 10% discount may not be used with this discount. This certificate is transferable, but void if sold or bartered.

Back

In about 3 years, I've racked up 84,000 points. I do a lot of online ordering anyway, so the points are gravy for that. A lot of points came from Office Depot (5000 for over $400), 350 for United tickets a couple of years ago, and other bonuses, especially year end bonuses, which were much more generous than this year's.

As soon as I get 1000 or 1400 (depending on what I want for my points), I use them up. Back when ClickRewards went bankrupt and got a new owner, I lost points, so I don't let them accumulate anymore. Any of these types of programs can disappear without warning.

I haven't updated this chart yet, as I only do it once a year, but it might help you

http://home.earthlink.net/~jesusandr...Points2004.xls

I usually redeem for Starbucks. At least I know that those gift cards WILL get used :D

Use them as soon as you can, as Mypoints can and will close your account for any reaseon they see fit. My Mom and I each had an account and they closed both our accounts, and even though we both faxed in our US Passport info to them they only reopened my account and told her that her account was closed and will stay that way, no if's and's or but's, so her points are worthless. Has she known, she would have used them right away.
I cash mine in every time I get 1000 for Hilton points, so I won't lose any more than that.

JudyJFLA

I think this deal has lost some of its allure now that airlines charge you extra $$ for booking tickets any way other than via their website. This coupon must be used by talking to someone, for which privilege they probably charge you $5 or $10 a ticket. That certainly takes a bite out of the discount's value.

That said, I'm sitting on 5K+ MyPoints and while I used to convert MyPoints into HHonors points, since I use both the HHonors Visa and Amex cards, I now have in excess of 350,000 HHonors points and a few extra thousand doesn't have the same appeal. I'll probably save a bit more and go for a few Barnes & Noble cards, which I seem to recall being a good value.