Note: You should avoid
using points for event tickets, statement credits or merchandise, since these items have 50 percent of the value of other rewards options.
Why I got it: The two free nights after $ 1,000 spend in first 90 days is great; however what really pushed me over the edge and made me sign up was the 20 % point rebate offer when
using points for the first half of 2015.
My issue with
using points for hotels vs. cashback is that points force you into a brand.
As mentioned before, there is some flexibility in
using the points for outsized value.
You will always get a better value
using these points for travel though, so resist the lure of redeeming them for cash.
I applied for this card in February when they were offering 20 % points back when
using points for a stay.
As remarkable as the travel rewards are, Aventura members are hardly limited to
using their points for travel.
While it is possible to transfer Hilton points to a variety of airline partners, the exchange rates are very poor and you're better off
using points for hotel stays.
There are also many ways to redeem ThankYou points: by transferring points to the Citi ThankYou airline partners; by booking your travel through the ThankYou Travel Center; and, if you are not interested in travel, by
using your points for a wide variety of gift cards and other rewards.
You're better off
using your points for travel where 25,000 points works out to a $ 250 travel credit when booked through Scotiabank's travel service.
Using your points for travel puts you ahead by $ 100, but you can bump that up even more by transferring points to one of Chase's travel partners.
There's also the option of
using the points for gift card redemptions or donating them.
The biggest knock against Virgin Atlantic is that
using points for flights on their own metal can result in some pretty high fuel surcharges.
In addition, there are certain restrictions for
using points for airfare, most notably:
As the sharing economy continues to grow, more and more people are asking about
using points for Airbnb and Uber.
This is a great way to redeem your Starpoints if you're not interested in
using the points for hotels or flights.
While you'll want to avoid
using your points for United and Gol since they offer only 1 mile for every 2 Starpoints, LATAM actually gives you a slight bonus of 1.5 miles per Starpoint.
You'll be on the hook for a co-pay with airline upgrades, but this can be offset by charging the fee to a flexible rewards card like the Barclay Arrival card and
using your points for statement credits.
We were able to buy tickets
using these points for cheap since we booked far in advance.
And if you're interested in
using those points for hotels stays, you can transfer them to Hyatt, IHG, Marriott and Ritz - Carlton.
A more valuable option:
using your points for travel.
Using Points for Charges
Using Points for Your Charges is only available to Basic Consumer and OPEN Card Members enrolled in the U.S. Membership Rewards ® program.
Using Points for Your Charges is only available to Basic Consumer and OPEN Card Members enrolled in the U.S. Membership Rewards ® program.
However, there are some good options to consider, especially if you have no intentions of
using your points for a flight.
Below, we will show you some of the best options for
using your points for economy class, business class, and first class flights.
on Amtrak's website it seems like you first have to purchase or redeem points for a regular coach seat before having the option of
using points for a roomette / bedroom.
Find intermediaries to transfer to, consider
using points for other parts of your trip (don't forget about things like rental cars and hotel stays), and even consider purchasing miles to complete your purchase for less than the full price.
Let's take
using points for airfare or hotels, for instance.
I plan on
using the points for travel.
If you have to pay high fees or fuel surcharges on an economy or short - haul flight, you should be especially cautious about
using points for that redemption.
Juliette: I tend to stick to
using my points for flight.
Personally, I like
using points for travel.
The Blue card (no annual fee) won't work well for you if you're interested in
using the points for travel, because it is one of several American Express cards that does not allow you to transfer the points to travel partners, which is a big benefit.
Since most hotel loyalty programs allow you to book a room with points if the room is for sale with cash, you can get a tremendous return by
using points for on - mountain hotels during ski season.
In general,
using points for IHG stays is much more valuable than transferring to travel partners.
Even if you don't, cash is fungible, and so long as you make and stick to a budget
using these points for paid flights is surely better than using cash for the same flights.
By
using points for statement credit, you ensure you get the full value of the points you have earned while continuing to earn on all your purchases.
A huge part of Sabrina's thrifty traveling lifestyle includes earning and
using points for everything!
So if you were faced with the choice of
using your points for this flight or paying cash, you would be better off paying cash and saving your points for another trip where they would be worth more.
Using your points for anything but hotel bookings is usually not recommended because you'll get less value back.
Using points for a ski resort vacation — You can get a tremendous return on
using points for on - mountain hotels during ski season.
With the marriot rewards card are you limited to just
using your points for hotel stays or are there other options to use the points for.
However, the card is at its best when you are
using the points for travel - related purposes.
Unlike traditional airline reward programs, there are no blackout dates associated with
using points for travel, making this a more appealing program.
You'll also be able to choose between using cash or
using points for every ticket you book with the airline.
To clarify how these values were obtained, below is our methodology for obtaining the point value when
using points for shopping through the American Express online store:
The 1:1 point transfer to other travel programs gives travelers additional discounts when
using points for their trips.
We are silver members and
using points for our stay so I was surprised by the upgrade.
Tip # 3: If
using your points for free nights, try to maximize your redemptions by using the 5th Night Free option.
However, the card is at its best when you are
using the points for travel - related purposes.