PlusPoints Question
#16
Original Poster


Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott Titanium, Avis PC
Posts: 26
So I found a Turkish Airlines business class flight to DPS for $4000 (tax included). I see on their website I can purchase the ticket with 180k miles. I can transfer 480000 Bonvoy points to get 180k miles to purchase the ticket with $529.60 fees. Is that a good use of Marriott points?
#17
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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So I found a Turkish Airlines business class flight to DPS for $4000 (tax included). I see on their website I can purchase the ticket with 180k miles. I can transfer 480000 Bonvoy points to get 180k miles to purchase the ticket with $529.60 fees. Is that a good use of Marriott points?
#19
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,701
So I found a Turkish Airlines business class flight to DPS for $4000 (tax included). I see on their website I can purchase the ticket with 180k miles. I can transfer 480000 Bonvoy points to get 180k miles to purchase the ticket with $529.60 fees. Is that a good use of Marriott points?
#21
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,701
And, probably more to the point -- how much are you going to spend on hotels that could otherwise be paid with those points? Keep in mind that Marriott will allow you a free night for every 4 on an award stay -- so 5 nights for the price of 4, or 10 for the price of 8.
#22
Original Poster


Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott Titanium, Avis PC
Posts: 26
Does this cover all of your passengers, or is it just one person? Approximately how long until you travel?
And, probably more to the point -- how much are you going to spend on hotels that could otherwise be paid with those points? Keep in mind that Marriott will allow you a free night for every 4 on an award stay -- so 5 nights for the price of 4, or 10 for the price of 8.
And, probably more to the point -- how much are you going to spend on hotels that could otherwise be paid with those points? Keep in mind that Marriott will allow you a free night for every 4 on an award stay -- so 5 nights for the price of 4, or 10 for the price of 8.
#23
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Join Date: Oct 2001
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Right, but what's the price of those hotels if booked with cash? That's really what you're talking about -- is it better to get $3500 in value from TK or to get $X in value from Marriott? Marriott's hotels in Japan aren't exactly cheap.
#24
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott Titanium, Avis PC
Posts: 26
#25
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Join Date: Oct 2001
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In that case, I'd say the TK exchange is pretty good value. 
I generally don't suggest that people spend too much energy worrying about getting optimal value out of their miles / points, because they're rapidly devaluing anyway.
That said, how many miles is the equivalent UA redemption? UA gets an extra 10% on Marriott redemptions, doesn't charge $500 in fees, and will give you PQP toward status requalification for award flights on its metal. And, if something goes sideways, you're dealing as a status member with UA rather than as a non-status member with TK.

I generally don't suggest that people spend too much energy worrying about getting optimal value out of their miles / points, because they're rapidly devaluing anyway.
That said, how many miles is the equivalent UA redemption? UA gets an extra 10% on Marriott redemptions, doesn't charge $500 in fees, and will give you PQP toward status requalification for award flights on its metal. And, if something goes sideways, you're dealing as a status member with UA rather than as a non-status member with TK.
#26
Original Poster


Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott Titanium, Avis PC
Posts: 26
In that case, I'd say the TK exchange is pretty good value. 
I generally don't suggest that people spend too much energy worrying about getting optimal value out of their miles / points, because they're rapidly devaluing anyway.
That said, how many miles is the equivalent UA redemption? UA gets an extra 10% on Marriott redemptions, doesn't charge $500 in fees, and will give you PQP toward status requalification for award flights on its metal. And, if something goes sideways, you're dealing as a status member with UA rather than as a non-status member with TK.

I generally don't suggest that people spend too much energy worrying about getting optimal value out of their miles / points, because they're rapidly devaluing anyway.
That said, how many miles is the equivalent UA redemption? UA gets an extra 10% on Marriott redemptions, doesn't charge $500 in fees, and will give you PQP toward status requalification for award flights on its metal. And, if something goes sideways, you're dealing as a status member with UA rather than as a non-status member with TK.
#27
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,701
Yes, because TK isn't offering space to its partners. It's common. I was suggesting your original routing -- IAD-SFO-SIN-DPS. But if your crew has already picked out the TK flight, that's probably your best choice anyway, and I'd just use the Marriott points rather than give them $4K.
#28
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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