Why do cash & points options seem so scarce?
Sep 23, 2011, 8:58 pm
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,532
Why do cash & points options seem so scarce?
I am new to SPG, and looking at availability I see that some properties have no Cash&Points offerings (Westin Awaji, St Regis Osaka, Miyako Tokyo), and others are only offering Sun-Fri or Sun-Thurs. Finally, none are offering Dec 30, 2011.
Is this the end of the Cash&Points program, or do they just delay updating that option until a few months ahead?
It appears in Japan that 1 starpoint=1 to 3 yen in value (USD$.015-.045), depending on the day of the week/category.
Cat 3, 7,000pts 13,000-26,000yen
Cat 4, 10,000pts 10,000-20,000yen
Cat 6 20,000pts 23,000-36,000yen
Is this the end of the Cash&Points program, or do they just delay updating that option until a few months ahead?
It appears in Japan that 1 starpoint=1 to 3 yen in value (USD$.015-.045), depending on the day of the week/category.
Cat 3, 7,000pts 13,000-26,000yen
Cat 4, 10,000pts 10,000-20,000yen
Cat 6 20,000pts 23,000-36,000yen
Last edited by JapanFlyerT; Oct 7, 2011 at 12:22 am
Sep 23, 2011, 10:54 pm
#2
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Welcome to SPG! Sorry to break the news to you, but cash+points is by no means a regular option for many hotels. In fact, in my experience, it is not available for a given hotel and date considerably more often than it is available. So it's good to keep checking a given property if you want to stay there on C+P, but don't count on it necessarily becoming available.
If you definitely want to go to a given hotel but C+P isn't available for when you go there, you can book a room as a revenue or pure points stay, then keep monitoring to see if C+P opens up.
If you definitely want to go to a given hotel but C+P isn't available for when you go there, you can book a room as a revenue or pure points stay, then keep monitoring to see if C+P opens up.
Sep 23, 2011, 11:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2010
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In my experience, I have found if you call the hotels Director of Revenue, they can pull some strings. They have in the past either opened up inventory or had me book a date that they said it was showing availability and then call back and have them change the dates on their end.
Sep 24, 2011, 11:04 pm
#4
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Location: Kobe, Japan
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Thanks for the tips.
I understand it appears to be a case-by-case situation, but interesting to hear that it might be requestable.
I was surprised NOTHING (in Japan) was listed for C&P after Dec 30th though.
I understand it appears to be a case-by-case situation, but interesting to hear that it might be requestable.
I was surprised NOTHING (in Japan) was listed for C&P after Dec 30th though.
Sep 24, 2011, 11:58 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2001
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C&P is a VOLUNTARY program and NO hotel is required to offer it...ever. I have found that only a few hotels in NYC even occasionally offer the C&P option.
For example, you will get this message if you want C&P at the St. Regis, Four Points Times Square, Four Points Chelsea, or Four Points Soho Village: "This hotel does not currently participate in Cash and Points."
At most of the others in NYC, it is seldom made available, although I have been able to book it at the Westin Times Square during non-peak periods.
For example, you will get this message if you want C&P at the St. Regis, Four Points Times Square, Four Points Chelsea, or Four Points Soho Village: "This hotel does not currently participate in Cash and Points."
At most of the others in NYC, it is seldom made available, although I have been able to book it at the Westin Times Square during non-peak periods.
Sep 25, 2011, 12:45 pm
#6
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The C&P rates generally don't get loaded until 90 or so days in advance. However this depends on the revenue manager at each hotel. Some properties don't load them until 2 weeks before (and only if they thing they won't sell out).
Sep 25, 2011, 7:23 pm
#7
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Sep 25, 2011, 7:46 pm
#8
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It must vary quite a bit as I booked C & P at the Sheraton Kauai about 7 months out
Sep 26, 2011, 12:10 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2009
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The last C&P stay I had with Sheraton Taipei was about one month ago, and I booked it way back in February to get in with Category 3 rates. What a deal!
But when I needed to extend my stay, I couldn't get C&P from Sheraton Taipei when I asked the hotel. I was calling from my room though, didn't ask the Director of Revenue.
I then stayed at Westin Taipei for a few nights on C&P. When no more C&P was showing available on the website, I had this good luck that the GM came to the Club Lounge that night and I mentioned it to him. The next day I saw a few more nights with C&P on the website and I booked them. In the end I gave all four of my Platinum Thank You cards to Westin Taipei for this.
But when I needed to extend my stay, I couldn't get C&P from Sheraton Taipei when I asked the hotel. I was calling from my room though, didn't ask the Director of Revenue.
I then stayed at Westin Taipei for a few nights on C&P. When no more C&P was showing available on the website, I had this good luck that the GM came to the Club Lounge that night and I mentioned it to him. The next day I saw a few more nights with C&P on the website and I booked them. In the end I gave all four of my Platinum Thank You cards to Westin Taipei for this.
Sep 26, 2011, 4:03 pm
#10
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Sep 26, 2011, 8:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2002
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I just booked C&P for Capetown in June 2012 (which is slow season there).
Sep 26, 2011, 8:59 pm
#12
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Success
Got the Sheraton Ho Chi Minh for Jan 2012 for 4,000+$60. Rates are from $240 (277 with tax), so my points are getting a decent ($.05/pts) bang for their buck.
Unfortunately the it won't be the nicer Towers, unless they let me [pay to ?] upgrade. Still it is where I want and when I want, so I am happy.
Unfortunately the it won't be the nicer Towers, unless they let me [pay to ?] upgrade. Still it is where I want and when I want, so I am happy.
Sep 26, 2011, 10:06 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,134
Got the Sheraton Ho Chi Minh for Jan 2012 for 4,000+$60. Rates are from $240 (277 with tax), so my points are getting a decent ($.05/pts) bang for their buck.
Unfortunately the it won't be the nicer Towers, unless they let me [pay to ?] upgrade. Still it is where I want and when I want, so I am happy.
Unfortunately the it won't be the nicer Towers, unless they let me [pay to ?] upgrade. Still it is where I want and when I want, so I am happy.
For example, a points stay at a at a resort I'm going to next May is 20,000 points per night. C&P is 8,000 points plus $150. C&P and SPG5SS is 11,250 points plus $175.
Sep 27, 2011, 9:29 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: N/A
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 61
I think the issue is that the hotels haven't loaded C&P rates at all for 2012. For example, I am looking at a number of properties for C&P that don't have a single available date in 2012 loaded for C&P, though there is ample availability for 2011 and has been throughout the year.
Sep 27, 2011, 9:41 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,677
I think the issue is that the hotels haven't loaded C&P rates at all for 2012. For example, I am looking at a number of properties for C&P that don't have a single available date in 2012 loaded for C&P, though there is ample availability for 2011 and has been throughout the year.